"Would all the eligible ladies please move to the centre of the room? The bride will be throwing the bouquet!" The DJ said.
Téa Gardner'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.
Téa's strapless emerald green gown rustled as she sat up straight and ran her hand though her shoulder length brunette hair before setting her hands on her lap.
No way. Téa thought. She was pleased her friend 'Mr. Right'. Mai and Joey looked prefect together, even now as Joey brushed a kiss over his wife's red lips. Mai swished her snow white train out of the way, preparing to lob her red and white roses into the excited group of single women. But sadly, as far as Téa was concerned, showing up today had been effort enough.
Almost everyone at the wedding knew she had been dumped three 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. Téa no longer consider herself to be in love with her ex, Duke. 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 Mai and Joey share ever be mime? Téa thought. Could I ever risk opening my heart again and fall in love?
As Téa pondered, a striking masculine figure crossed her path. Her heartbeat skipped. His hair had multiple layers including long blond crocked, pointy locks for his fringe. Some of the blond locks jut upwards. The rest of his hair features six large spikes colored black with magenta rims all along the edges. He stopped slightly ahead and to the right of her. His tan skin made him looked foreign; his violet 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.
Téa sighted softly A guy like him must have a girlfriend.
Téa 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?" Téa whispered as every eye in the ballroom drilled upon her.
"Great throw, Mai." The DJ hooted. "Let's put our hands together for the shy young lady up the back."
Téa executed a wobbly smile, even sent a little wave as persons applauded. When the show was finally over a girl with long red hair reaching her back, bright green eyes and wearing a silver sequinned gown came over to Téa.
"I am happy you got it Téa." The girl said.
"I am not Serenity; I am least likely to get married next." Téa said.
"Téa you will get back into the game. A man so well suited he will practically be your twin." Serenity smiled.
Téa looked over to where the man from earlier was and saw him leaning against the wall with a frown while his hands folded. Téa frown as well.
The music kicked off and Serenity gave Téa one last smile for the night before leaving to go dance with her boyfriend. Téa 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. Téa 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 violet eyes looking down at her.
"You dropped this." He said in a deep voice as he handed Téa the bouquet.
"No you can keep it, maybe your wife or girlfriend would want it." Téa said.
"I am unattached." He placed the bouquet on a table behind him. "In fact I came over to ask you for a dance."
Téa's blue eyes widen a bit before saying "I was just about to leave."
"Then I am fortunate to have caught you in time." He said.
Téa only gave a small sight as the two walked towards the dance floor. The man used his muscular hands to hug Téa'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." Téa informed him as several thoughts rushed though her head.
"How did you envisage 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?" Téa asked.
"Frankly, it's usually men not women that run away from the alter." 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?" Téa laughed softly before looking up to see his serious face.
"Everyday I deal with unhappy couples who marry without giving a thought to long term compatibility."
Téa pitted his future bride. "What are you?"
"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.
Téa pressed her lips together, "What is at the top of your list, Mr.….."
"It is Atem, and it is someone who won't argue." He answered as the music stopped. The two stopped as will.
Téa stepped back from him straining to keep her voice even. "I enjoyed our little dance together, Atem."
"I didn't get your name." Atem said.
"It is Téa."
"Téa, would you care to accompany me to the balcony?"
Téa nodded before the two walked out.
Atem leant back against the sculptured stone railing, crossed his arms and met her gaze.
Téa heartbeat hitched. "When did you decide to get married?"
"Tonight." Atem put it simply.
"This from a guy that doesn't act on impulse?"
"Touché." Atem gave a sexy grin. "I have known Joey since school and seeing him settle down made me realize that I am not getting any younger. I want a wife and son." Atem 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?"
Téa 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."
Téa 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?" Atem 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." Atem said.
Téa waved her hand. "Whatever it is, I have had enough attention for tonight."
She looked over to him to see his grin that just made her heart melt. "What are you planning?" She asked.
"Something." Atem 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?" Téa said in a whisper.
"Giving your friends an exist to remember."
It clicked. "Your carry me out in front of everyone?"
Atem looked disappointed. "That is only half of it."
The crowd from the ballroom turned to see Atem and Téa. Téa nestled in her knight's arms like a damsel. Standing with her boyfriend Serenity gazed on, frozen in awe. Mai began to smile.
When they had everyone's attention Atem descended each step, not once looking down or cracking a smile. As he moved forward the wedding guess parted.
Téa 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 no words warned, he stopped and dropped his mouth over hers. He kissed her so deeply, so thoroughly, jets of colour filled fireworks exploded in Téa'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 Atem said, "You will think of something."