"Would all the eligible ladies please move to the centre of the room? The bride will be throwing the bouquet!" The DJ said.
Flora Linpeha's gaze jumped from her fingertips, slowly rimming her glass, to the black hair, green eyes, middle age DJ, then to the women jostling for position on the Domino Ballroom dance floor.
Flora's strapless emerald green gown rustled as she sat up straight and ran her hand through her long brunette hair before setting her hands on her lap.
No way. Flora thought. She was pleased her friend found 'Mr. Right'. Aisha and Nabu looked prefect together, even now as Nabu brushed a kiss over his wife's soft lips. Aisha swished her snow white train out of the way, preparing to lob her red and white roses into the excited group of single women. Sadly, as far as Flora was concerned, showing up today had been effort enough.
Almost everyone at the wedding knew she had been dumped five months earlier. Self medicating on chocolate, and cycles of romantic-comedy DVDs, the happy endings of which made her all the more morose. The humiliation of been tossed aside for a girl in her late teens was gradually losing its sting. Flora no longer considered herself to be in love with her ex. The notion of falling in love again left her feeling ill.
"Last chance, ladies. Who will catch the bouquet? Who will be next in line?" the DJ said.
Would the happiness Aisha and Nabu share ever be mime? Flora thought. Could I ever risk opening my heart again and fall in love?
As Flora pondered, a striking masculine figure crossed her path. Her heartbeat skipped. His hair was raven and looked recently cut into spiky fringes. He stopped slightly ahead and to the right of her. His fair skin made him looked foreign; his light blue eyes took her breath away. The man took out a phone from his pants pocket and answered it.
After a few indecipherable words the conversation was terminated.
Flora sighed softly A guy like him must have a girlfriend.
Flora pushed her glass aside, she took a small piece of chocolate before something fall onto her lap. She looked down and grasped.
"How on earth did the bouquet get all the way over here?" The brunette whispered as every eye in the ballroom drilled upon her.
"Great throw, Aisha." The DJ hooted. "Let's put our hands together for the shy young lady up the back."
Flora executed a wobbly smile, even sent a little wave as persons applauded. When the show was finally over a girl with long lavender hair reaching her back, teal eyes and wearing a silver sequinned gown came over to the brunette.
"I am happy you got it Flora." The girl said.
"I am not Krystal; I am least likely to get married next." Flora said.
"Flora you will get back into the game. A man so well suited he will practically be your twin." Krystal smiled.
Flora looked over to where the man from earlier was and saw him leaning against the wall with a frown while his hands folded. Flora frowned as well.
The music kicked off and Krystal gave Flora one last smile for the night before leaving to go dance with her boyfriend. Flora gnawed her lower lip thinking back. She had recently got out of her only long term relationship.
Maybe I wasn't meant to find true love, lots of people didn't. Flora thought as she got up from her seat. She hadn't taken two steps before a hand on her elbow held her back. Puzzled she looked back to see a pair of blue eyes looking down at her.
"You dropped this." He said in a deep voice as he handed Flora the bouquet.
"No you can keep it, maybe your wife or girlfriend would want it." Flora suggested.
"I am unattached." He placed the bouquet on a table behind him. "In fact I came over to ask you for a dance."
Flora's green eyes widen a bit before saying "I was just about to leave."
"Then I am fortunate to have caught you in time." He said.
Flora only gave a small sigh as the two walked towards the dance floor. The man used his muscular hands to hug Flora's waist as she used her hands to hug his neck. She let herself relax as the two moved.
Don't get excited. This is only a dance. She thought.
"Your dress is lovely on you." He said.
"It's been awhile since I last wore it." Flora informed him as several thoughts rushed though her head.
"How did you envision your perfect wedding day?" He asked.
"I wanted a wedding on the beach. If I ever get married."
"If you get married? Surely you want a husband? A family?"
"Is it so strange to see a woman not imaging herself tying the knot?" Flora asked.
"Frankly, it's usually men not women that run away from the altar." He said.
"What about you? What is your ideal wedding?"
"Not sure, but once I find a woman who fits my list then I shall start planning."
"A list? Are you kidding?" Flora laughed softly before looking up to see his serious face.
"Every day I deal with unhappy couples who marry without giving a thought to long term compatibility."
Flora pitted his future bride. "What are you?"
"I am a Divorce Attorney."
"A Divorce Attorney with a list, will Mr. Attorney I think finding the right one is more about luck than arrangement."
"Your prerogative." He said.
Flora pressed her lips together, "What is at the top of your list, Mr.….."
"It is Helia, and it is someone who won't argue." He answered as the music stopped. The two stopped as well.
Flora stepped back from him straining to keep her voice even. "I enjoyed our little dance together, Helia."
"I didn't get your name." Helia said.
"It is Flora."
"Flora, would you care to accompany me to the balcony?"
Flora nodded before the two walked out.
Helia leant back against the sculptured stone railing, crossed his arms and met her gaze.
Flora heartbeat hitched. "When did you decide to get married?"
"Tonight." Helia put it simply.
"This is coming from a guy that doesn't act on impulse?"
"Touché." Helia gave a sexy grin. "I have known Nabu since school and seeing him settle down made me realize that I am not getting any younger. I want a wife and son." Helia turned to face the view and rest his forearm on the railing. "And you? I am sure at some stage you would want to have children?"
Flora leaned against the railing. "I love children." That is why she became a teacher. "I always thought when the time was right, when I found the right one…" her voice began to trail off."Whatever plans I have for a family have been put on the backburner."
Flora looked at her watch and said, "Time to call it a night."
"You are going to let them see you walk out of here alone?" Helia said disappointed.
Puzzled, she shrugged. "That was always going to happen."
"There is an alternative."
"No need for you to escort me out."
"I had something a little more eye catching in mind." Helia said.
Flora waved her hand. "Whatever it is, I have had enough attention for tonight."
Flora looked over to him to see his grin that just made her heart melt. "What are you planning?" She asked.
"Something." Helia said as he walked closer to her, then swept her up into his powerful arms and the air left her lungs in a sheik.
She gave a nervous laugh, "What are you doing?" Flora said in a whisper.
"Giving your friends an exist to remember."
It clicked. "Your carrying me out in front of everyone?"
Helia looked disappointed. "That is only half of it."
The crowd from the ballroom turned to see Helia and Flora. Flora nestled in her knight's arms like a damsel. Standing with her boyfriend Krystal gazed on, frozen in awe. Aisha began to smile.
When they had everyone's attention Helia descended each step, not once looking down or cracking a smile. As he moved forward the wedding guess parted.
Flora not certain of how she should reacted, but not feeling helpless to relish the moment, she linked her arms around his neck and whispered, "What do I tell them later, if asked?"
Without any words warned, he stopped and dropped his mouth over hers. He kissed her so deeply, so thoroughly, jets of colour filled fireworks exploded in Flora's head. When their soft lips parted, she was vaguely aware of their audience. She melted into the rocking motion as he started out again.
Once they left the room Helia said, "You will think of something."
Hey everyone. Tell me what you think of the story. This story is special to me and it is birthday present from me to me.
Well try update as soon as possible.