Chapter 3: The Wedding

Wolfgang was caught off guard when his uncle's bodyguards ambushed him at work, his mind still preoccupied from the night before. Sergei's men informed him that his uncle wanted to have a meeting. With Wolfgang. Now. Sergei was not one to be kept waiting. Wolfgang caught Felix in the back room, telling him to get out of the country if he wasn't back by nightfall. He barely had time to hug Felix before he found himself being escorted to his uncle's mansion, his car surrounded on all sides. Any good feelings left over from the night before quickly dissolved as Wolfgang walked up the long driveway. I just hope I don't have another bizarre episode while inside, Wolfgang thought nervously. He was not used to being out of control of his emotions, and he did not savor the sensation.

Wolfgang entered his uncle's house as he always did – with a poker face, a gun, and the attitude that he might have to kill every single person in the room. Knowing this, Wolfgang had to project a sense of ease, even as his gun was confiscated from his side.

This poker face was hard to keep the second the man at the table turned around. His uncle. In some ridiculous silk robe, that, like the rest of his possessions, screamed opulence. Wolfgang did not like his family, but he did not like Sergei in particular. In fact, on his ever-growing list of people Wolfgang wanted to kill, his uncle slid in at number two (only second to Steiner, of course).

I love my brother, his uncle had said, and still would say to this day. So much so, that when Wolfgang was being beaten, verbally abused, and generally neglected at home, his uncle turned a blind eye. When Wolfgang's mother went missing, presumed dead, the supposed ignorance of his uncle got even worse. Out of pity for his grieving brother, no doubt. Some way to grieve, Wolfgang thought sourly. If I had a thousand chances, I would kill that bastard a thousand times over - in a heartbeat.

"I have a problem," his uncle said with exaggerated sadness. "But the thing about my problems is that they tend to become other people's problems."

Threats already? Wolfgang resisted the urge to roll his eyes. They hadn't even cracked open the vodka yet.

His uncle moved into the light, his face betraying nothing. "Sit down please," he said, and Wolfgang became ever aware of the bodyguard at his back. Turning, Wolfgang walked to sit down at one of the sofas.

As soon as Wolfgang took a seat, his uncle casually lit his cigar, blowing skywards messy smoke rings. He smiled as he snapped the lighter shut, opening his mouth.

"There was a robbery a few days ago. Black market diamonds from Mumbai." Wolfgang kept his face as still as possible, casting his eyes towards the ground. "Stolen from a safe the day before they were to be picked up by the buyer." Wolfgang jerked his head sideways, accidentally making fleeting contact with his uncle's eyes.

His uncle turned his head away, smiling bitterly. "I know this because my son had been casing this place for months. Pickups, deliveries, when the place was empty. Steiner is furious. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa," Wolfgang's uncle shook his head, emphasizing the anger. Wolfgang looked up again, searching his uncle's face. "And there are few things as unpleasant for me as listening to my own son whine."

Wolfgang knew that his uncle had the suspicion that Wolfgang was the one that cracked the safe. Wolfgang also knew that to admit success would mean every single diamond they stole would be confiscated, along with their lives in the bargain. They didn't have all the diamonds anymore – and furthermore, Wolfgang was not into dying anytime soon. Especially at the hands of Steiner. So as long as there was even an infinitesimal bit of doubt in his uncle's mind, even a sliver, Wolfgang was keeping his mouth firmly shut. And if that meant Wolfgang went crazy and saw hallucinations in the process, well, at least some of the hallucinations were beautiful women.

"The interesting part is," his uncle continued with calculated puzzlement, leaning over the back of Wolfgang's couch. "The safe was not drilled. No one bored through to look at the tumblers, poured liquid nitrogen, or acid inside. No no no no," his uncle scoffed. He let out a laugh. "The safe was cracked."

Wolfgang turned around, fixing his uncle with a disbelieving stare. His uncle raised his eyebrows, nodding. "Yeah. More interesting still is… the safe was an S&D. The same kind of safe that fucked your father." Wolfgang curled in his lip, nodding thoughtfully and uttering a casual affirmative.

His uncle sat down, clearly not buying the act, his smoldering cigar resting just shy of burning Wolfgang's arm. His uncle's face had gone stone cold. Not good, Wolfgang thought. Not good at all. Any hopes he had held about deceiving his uncle were quickly deteriorating.

"It would be an irony of Shakespearean proportions if his son fucked his own life cracking the safe his father failed to crack, wouldn't it?"

The room's temperature felt ten degrees colder.

Wolfgang met his uncle's fierce stare, matching it. "I'm not as stupid as my father."

Wolfgang broke off the staring match first, nonchalantly rocking forward onto his feet. He walked away from his uncle, keeping his back firmly turned.

"Wolfgang," his uncle called, stopping Wolfgang in his tracks. "Your father made mistakes. Every man does. You should always remember who you are."

Ice flowed through Wolfgang's veins, an always present rage slowly floating to the surface. He turned, meeting his uncle's gaze one last time. Wolfgang's stare was cold. "I think about that every day," Wolfgang intoned, and left, not once looking back.

Like most days after visiting his uncle, Wolfgang felt off-kilter.

His mood fluctuated between paranoid, emotional, short-tempered, and – was that fearful? Although Wolfgang could be temperamental, he had never felt as mercurial as this. It was like he was sharing his brain with a whole city of people, and he didn't like it.

Because of this, Felix's usual antics at the bar annoyed him even more than was usual. Every patron could be a spy for Steiner, and Felix's voice seemed to reach outrageous heights.

Wolfgang savagely grabbed the front of Felix's shirt, aware of a male patron's gaze on them. "Hey. Hey! Shut the fuck up!" Wolfgang leaned closer, his voice a deadly whisper. "Don't ever use that word, understand? Sergei is not stupid, he is watching us."

"Sergei doesn't know shit," Felix replied, looking unconcerned. "He was just fucking with you, trying to see if you knew anything." Felix went on talking, but Wolfgang was barely listening, nervous energy thrumming through him.

"Just stick to the plan," Wolfgang said, although with less fire. Felix continued talking, and Wolfgang couldn't help but crack a smile at Felix's eventual impersonation of Steiner. As Felix's stream of chatter went on, the tension between the two dissolved. Wolfgang's shoulders relaxed, momentarily appeased, and he became conscious of a new problem. "Gotta piss," Wolfgang said, putting his beer down.

He hopped off the stool and strode to the toilets, feeling much better. Entering, Wolfgang strode to a stall, burping as he unbuttoned his pants.

Who's there?

A woman's voice spoke, sounding confused and slightly scared.

Wolfgang's brow furrowed in confusion. Why would there be a female in here? And why did her voice sound so familiar?

"Is there a woman in here?" Wolfgang asked.

What do you mean is there a woman in here? This is my bathroom.

Wolfgang's features turned in an incredulous mask as he zipped up his pants. "Your bathroom? Lady, I think you might be even drunker than I am," continued Wolfgang in German.

I'm not drunk, though obviously you are! This is a private residence. You must have wandered upstairs from the restaurant.

Wolfgang could've sworn he'd met this woman before, every inflection striking a chord of déjà vu within him. He gripped the door to the adjacent stall excitedly. Swinging it open, Wolfgang revealed an empty area in front of him. "What are you talking about?" Wolfgang said, moving on to the third stall.

I know that voice, the woman said.

Wolfgang smiled, gripping the handle on the final stall. This chase had been the best part of his day so far, and he was ready to meet this illusive voice.

And – Wolfgang swung open the last stall, only to stare dumbfounded at the unoccupied space.

You are the singing man in my dream.

Wolfgang felt a jolt of shock running through him. Exasperation flowed through his veins. "I can't see you!" Wolfgang said, pacing to the other end of the bathroom, desperately searching.

"Wolfgang?" Felix asked, standing in the doorway. He looked absolutely puzzled, stunned. "What the hell kind of language was that?"

Wolfgang stared at him, nonplussed, until he replayed the last thirty seconds in his head. He had been pissing, heard the voice, checked the stalls, all speaking German… but then – that whole time - he had heard, and spoke something. Something wildly foreign. To an invisible foreigner.

Wolfgang's mind echoed Felix. What the hell?

Wolfgang heard a knock behind him, and instinctively twisted around. Wait. He was in a bar's bathroom. No one knocks on the wall.

As he turned back to Felix, Wolfgang realized he would have to take drastic measures in order to halt Felix's suspicions.

"Felllliiiiiixxx. I had soooo muchhh beer..." Wolfgang slurred, weaving his way over to lean on his friend's side. Felix automatically wrapped his arm around Wolfgang's shoulders, supporting him. "Letttt's goo celebrateeeee," Wolfgang garbled, halfheartedly nudging Felix back towards the bar.

Felix gave Wolfgang one of his lopsided grins, forgetting, at least for now, Wolfgang's previous oddities. "Nein, Wolfie, I think you're ready to go home. You're drunk."

Felix steered Wolfgang toward the entrance of the club, Wolfgang docilely complying.

All the while, thoughts raced through Wolfgang's pounding head – Why was he hallucinating? Who was that woman? Was he truly going insane?

The next morning, Wolfgang was up very early, even before the sun had risen. He didn't have a hangover and he couldn't sleep. Donning workout clothes, he headed over to his usual retreat. The past few days had been building and building something inside Wolfgang, something he just couldn't put his finger on. He needed to clear his mind.

On the drive over, Wolfgang got glimpses of – something. The feeling of cool metal touching his skin, heavy cloth. He felt weighted down, suffocated, and hunched his shoulders involuntarily, his hands tightening onto the wheel, knuckles turning white.

Parking the car, Wolfgang unclenched his grip and headed inside. Undressing, he stuffed his clothes in the locker room, and headed into the public pool area. Wolfgang was a regular at this spa, but as he walked into the steamy room he felt a unparalleled feeling of scrutiny. As though everyone's eyes were upon him. This is getting ridiculous, Wolfgang thought, and dove into the pool.

The cool water ran in a soothing rhythm over Wolfgang's nude body. He dove all the way to the bottom, the pressure thick against his ears. Still underwater, Wolfgang propelled himself with a leisurely breaststroke, muscles stretching and compressing. Slowly, slowly, Wolfgang swam upward, breaking the surface of the pool, legs sweeping outward. Once he reached the end of the pool, Wolfgang pushed himself off again, transferring to freestyle. Finally, Wolfgang felt his troubles around him dissolving, thoughts swirling away in a cloud of movement.

After completing another few laps, Wolfgang turned and spread out onto his back, head just bobbing above the surface of the water. He swam languidly, arms and legs fanning out. Wolfgang drifted, eyes closing, finding himself in another place. His sight was full of people and activity. Colors swirled around him, hues of oranges and yellows and every other tint. Sheer fabrics billowed around him, churning in a light breeze. His blue eyes fixed upon a fire, flames licking up erratically into the dark sky. Silk pressed against his skin, and the same pressure anchoring his body to the ground. He was a ball and chain, with his body as the weight. Wolfgang felt slick sweat slipping through his hair, at odds with the water cooling his chest. His eyelashes felt heavy, coated, and his stomach – his stomach sent out hunger pangs to every inch of his body, screaming pitifully for nourishment.

And the emotions, the emotions running through his every vein – Wolfgang felt fathomless sadness, the flames echoing his emptiness inside. He was watching his future, burning into ashes before his very eyes. Wolfgang was not one to cry, but he felt tears pricking at the edges of his vision, hot water threatening to spill.

Instinctively, Wolfgang knew this wasn't right, he was supposed to be calm, he was getting married, he was floating peacefully… Getting married? Where the fuck had that come from?

Wolfgang floated, barely aware of the people surrounding him, utterly focused on an event that seemed worlds away and yet right in front of him…

I take the first of seven steps with you, my husband to be…

He heard her first, strong, yet tremulous.

He saw her second. Glittering, radiant, just like that first night, but now with a crimson fire. Her skin glowed under her crystalline veil, gold bracelets flashing on her forearms. Delicate mendhi painted her hands orange.

Casting his gaze upwards, Wolfgang became more concerned about her face. The despair he had felt earlier was expressed plainly within her features. Her brown eyes were holding back the tears that had pricked his eyes.

Wolfgang had only experienced this helplessness once, when he had witnessed a car accident. He had been helpless to save the victim, helpless to prevent the wreckage. In that moment, Wolfgang knew he would do whatever he had to stop the ceremony. He didn't care if it was only within his mind. I cannot stand this torment any longer.

…that we may cherish each other and promise that we will grow together… in mental and spiritual strength…

Images flashed in rapid succession in Wolfgang's mind, of pungent jasmine and bright marigold, of curling incense and thin prayer mats, of dark curls and clasped hands…

Then a man's voice – confident, unwavering, "I take the fourth of the seven steps with you…"

I take the fifth of the seven steps with you, my husband to be… and promise love and obedience in all things…

Wolfgang floundered at the word 'obedience', immediately flashing back to his father. A black shadow, towering menacingly over his frightened mother. A swirling pit started to build within Wolfgang's stomach, a knot of gathering emotions. He needed to stop this. Wolfgang floated onto his feet, anger building inside just as water poured off his body. He flashed a glare in the direction of the couple, willing them to halt in their ritual, to call off the madness.

Swimming towards the edge of the pool, Wolfgang's countenance was devoid of the tranquility he had felt earlier. His mind and gaze were hardened steel, locked onto the scene in front of him.

"I take the sixth of the seven steps, with you, my wife to be…" The man opened his mouth again, much to Wolfgang's fury. "…with the promise of everlasting companionship."

Wolfgang saw another scene, of two tan men and a dark woman sharing a sofa, the glow of the TV illuminating their happiness.

We shall share love. Share the same tastes…

And then another instance, a woman with blue headphones sitting alone at the bar, a male companion quickly approaching, her eyes lifting to meet his gaze…

And Wolfgang's mind's eye snapped back to his mysterious woman, the one in red, her voice growing shakier by the moment. Share the same food…

A man with a beautiful smile lies on a dingy couch, gazing over to a woman in a colorful headdress stirring a pot, wearing an identical grin…

Then the man's voice, one final time, "The final vow, the final step, is yours, my love."

His mysterious woman began to walk, and he feels worn leather within his palm, a leash, grounding him to her plight.

We shall be of one mind…

Wolfgang saw clearly through her eyes. He saw the future laid out in front of them if she completed this vow. Unhappiness. Discontent.

Two people Wolfgang knew inexplicably to be her parents beamed expectantly from the audience. Wolfgang was stuck by the dichotomy she was living, of pleasing her parents - or pleasing herself.

Wolfgang rose, standing in the pool. Muscles working overtime, he parted the water in front of him. Slicking back his hair, Wolfgang began to climb the concrete steps.

"We shall observe these vows together," the woman said, eyes downcast. Wolfgang looked down as though in slow motion: observing the red velvet beneath his dripping feet.

"Come now, as I take the last of seven steps with you and-" Their eyes met, cerulean steel clashing with liquid coffee. Her eyes drew down further, further.

Reaching the most intimate parts of him, her eyes widened, stunned, petrified. Slowly, she cast her sight back upward, rocking back in shock…

"What the fuck are you doing?" Wolfgang kept his penetrating stare locked with her, voice laden with displeasure. "You're not in love with him."

She reeled back, her body going limp, falling, falling…

The last thing Wolfgang felt before he hit the pool tile was satisfaction. He had stopped the wedding.