Chapter 3 three

"We left the kitchen, leaving everything prepared. All of us kids gathered again in a line. My mother starts handing us trays with very bubbly and fine champagne glasses. Each of us carried about twelve tall glasses with different sparkling stones attached to the glass, making the glass look elegant and sophisticated. There is a commotion and several cars park.

"Kids, let the game begin," my mother says.

The doors open, letting in a crowd of people in fancy suits. The women were wearing elegant dresses, worthy of a red carpet. I was completely impressed. After waiting for the crowd to die down a bit, we started moving, handing out the glasses to each person who crossed our path. I went back and refilled to continue distributing, when suddenly the couple entered.

My mouth almost dropped to the floor when I saw the bride, she was truly beautiful. Her hair was as yellow as the sun, her skin as white as milk, her eyes were a light blue. She wore a beautiful dress from magazines, it looked like the dress Princess Diana wore on the day she married Prince Charles, with the difference that this one was more fitted to the body, at least on top. The couple passes by me, the guy was a magazine heartthrob, the perfect match.

My mother takes me by the arm, taking the tray from me, and handing me another one, golden in color, with only two glasses that were very different from the others.

"Go, sweetheart, these are for the newlyweds, deliver them," she says, pointing.

I do as she says and approach them. Everyone is congratulating and hugging them, but I manage to make my way to their side and fulfill my mission, delivering the glasses. Up close, I can tell they are truly in love. They haven't let go of each other even once, which makes me smile.

After delivering the glasses, we wait for the groom and bride to make a toast. But what surprises me the most is the speech the newlywed gives. I look at him intently and pay attention to everything he says.

"Every adventure begins with a yes. The first one, when you accepted that first date (it took some effort from me). Then, our first trip together; it was through WhatsApp, but it was enough to make me smile like a fool for a week. Today, you have said the most important yes of all to start the most important adventure of all. I don't know exactly what I saw in you. It's not easy to analyze. But what I do know is that whatever it is, I haven't seen it in anyone else.

That's why I'm here today, ready for anything. I'm not always happy with the world, at times, I don't believe it's fair, I don't believe it retains too many beautiful things. But when I look at you, I always remember why I still have hope. I would always choose you, a thousand times over.

We understand each other without hardly speaking, I don't need anything else to know that it's you I want to be with. There are imperceptible things, but they're there; there's a magic, something beyond rationality. I know it sounds utopian, I know it seems silly, but you make me feel this way, since I met you, I've made an effort to keep every moment, every image, every scent, every taste, every sensation.

From today on, I'll do it as part of your own family, as they said in When Harry Met Sally, 'when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.'

In Before Sunset, the protagonist says a line that marked me: 'I remember that night better than some years of my life.' And that's what happened to me: the day I met you, unintentionally, is still etched in my memory. It has to be a sign."

"A toast to the most beautiful bride in the whole damn world."

Everyone present, including myself, was delighted with such a speech. It was wonderful. I think all women in this world wish for someone to look at us and talk about us in that way, to worship our world like that. But not all of us are so lucky.

I walk around the venue, delivering more glasses. After the toast, the bar is open for stronger drinks. We start serving the creams with their respective canapes. I thought it would be difficult, but I have taken a liking to it. My mother had entrusted me with the family table, including the one for the bride and groom. When it was my turn to go to the table of the lovebirds, I realized that they were truly in love. He couldn't stop showering her with love, and she just smiled foolishly. I delivered the food and continued on my way.

As I walked to deliver the respective items to the family table, I almost dropped the tray when I bumped into the guy who helped me in the kitchen, sitting and sharing with what I assumed was his family. He looked at me intensely, smiling openly, while everyone else continued talking. I was almost finished when he opened his big mouth.

"Hey grandma, look at the girl who's distributing, she's the one I told you about earlier, remember?" he says, staring fixedly at the lady next to him.

"So this is the young girl who has you all worked up, Edder," the lady says. He is about to respond when a familiar voice approaches the table.

"Good evening, family, sorry for the delay," Lis says, taking a seat without even looking at me. It seemed she hadn't realized I was there. I try to leave, but the guy stands up and approaches me. I apologize to everyone and leave the place trying to escape, but he is much faster and manages to catch up to me.

"Why are you running away? Did I do something wrong? Forgive me if I didn't tell you my name or who I was, it's just that if I had, you wouldn't have let me help you. Besides, it cost me nothing. You had a good fight with the fryer," he says, smiling.

"I'm sorry, sir, it won't happen again," I say, looking at him.

"Oh no, no, no, sweetheart, you call me by my name. By the way, nice to meet you, I'm Edder. And you?" he says, extending his hand.

"I'm Julianny," I say nervously.

"Don't tremble, please. It's not like you're meeting the devil," he says, smiling again. If he kept up with those smiles, my panties would fall off.

"Excuse me, Edder, I have to go. We'll talk later," I say, walking away towards the kitchen. My heart was about to jump out of my chest, I don't know what was happening to me, but that guy caused a whirlwind inside me. I entered the kitchen like a bat out of hell, my mother looked at me, but she didn't have time to say anything because she handed me more food to distribute to the same tables. So I had to control myself, Lis was there and she hadn't even seen me. There was also the matter of Edder, even his name made me feel something. I reach the table in complete silence, everyone laughs and talks about something. When I serve the dishes, I hear her calling me.

"Juli, honey, I hadn't seen you. I've been calling you all afternoon to come with me to this party. What a coincidence," she says, hugging me. Luckily, no one pays attention to us, except Edder, who watches attentively.

"I'm sorry, Lis. My mother needed help, so I had to leave the game," I say apologetically.

"Don't worry, you're here now. Now we just have to enjoy," she says, smiling. She was very carefree.

"I'm sorry, Lis. My mother needs me. I'm on duty," I say seriously. I couldn't let my mother down.

"Ah, I see. That's alright," she says as she sits back down. My gaze connects with the guy's. I feel naked when he looks at me with those agonizing eyes.

When midnight came, the party got a little out of control. The bride had changed her dress for something more comfortable. We were all in charge of starting to distribute a kit so they could enjoy the wild hour. There were feather and colorful masks, streamers, costumes, bows, hats, whistles, and all kinds of toys that could be used. I deliver the box I have and return to the others.

The lights go out and I feel like dying. I hated the darkness, but luckily, from the back of the stage, David Guetta comes out, mixing as only he knows how. Everyone enjoys the party, even us, who, despite not dancing, have fun watching and eating. We were allowed to taste everything that was available for distribution. It was phenomenal.

The fireworks didn't take long to start. My gaze went straight to the sky, where they exploded in many colors.

"Do you like fireworks?" Edder asks, scaring me to death.

"You scared me. Yes, I do. The colors are very beautiful," I say, placing my hand on my chest.

He laughs. "I like them too. I'm a party animal. I like to be free, and I think you do too. Lis is my cousin, so you were the girl who accompanied her to the game. I'm the quarterback," he says proudly.

-I know. I could tell that you were free. Your eyes speak for themselves," he says, looking up at the sky again.

"So you're one of those 'soul eaters' girls," he says, laughing.

"'Soul eaters' girls?" I ask, intrigued.

"Yes, the ones who get into your heart and end up married to them. My sister is an example of this. She's the girl getting married today. She stole my brother-in-law Robert's soul as soon as they met. They haven't been apart since," he says, looking at me. I stop watching the fireworks to analyze his features. He was as beautiful as his sister. The only thing that set them apart was that she had blue eyes, and he had a wonderful green.

"I don't think I am that lucky. To 'eat someone's soul,' you have to love them very much. And I haven't even had a boyfriend. Call me prudish or whatever you want, but I believe in true love. As my mother says, love is only found once," I say as I walk away, leaving him alone. He puts his hand in his pockets and smiles.

The party continued and more food came out of the kitchen. Everyone was delighted with the milk balls made by my mother. I had tried one. They were spectacular. When the bride threw the bouquet, all the women gathered in the middle of the dance floor.

The DJ livened up the party. The high heels were killing me, so I stood near the family table. When the beautiful bride threw the bouquet, all the women went crazy. But none of them could run for the bouquet because their dresses were quite uncomfortable. And as if it were a twist of fate, the beautiful bouquet fell into my hands.

Everyone started applauding, while my face went from white to red in a matter of seconds. Edder's sister approached me and gave me a hug.

"I know you weren't in line to catch the bouquet. You're not even in the mood for fun, you're working. But I believe in destiny, and tonight you're here for a reason. Today, that beautiful detail fell to you. I hope you can find the love of your life soon, if you haven't already, and get married. I wish you the best of luck," the girl says, giving me a kiss on the cheek. Screams and applause erupt behind us. I don't even know what to answer, so I just smile, holding onto the bouquet.

After the bouquet show, my mother smiles when she sees it in my hand.

"Mom, I wasn't in line for this. I'm sorry if you're going to have a problem," I say fearfully.

"Don't worry, dear. I know you weren't into it. Relax. Now come on, let's continue handing out the rest," she says.

We keep handing out things. I didn't know what else we could distribute. I was truly disgusted by all the food. When it hit four in the morning, no one wanted to leave the party. The newlyweds had left a while ago. There were rumors that they would have a beautiful honeymoon in France. Everyone was dancing and drinking. Only the wealthy could afford to waste so much money.

I walk straight to the bathroom. I need five minutes of tranquility. Luckily, there was no one there. I wet my face and fix my ponytail. I unbutton two buttons on my shirt. I was dying of heat. When I'm ready, I decide to leave. But Edder was waiting for me outside.

"Are you stalking me?" I ask, trying not to laugh.

"You could say that. I wanted to talk to you," the guy says.

"Like this? What do you want?" I ask, crossing my arms.

"I want to propose a deal to you. I know it will sound crazy and whatever you want to think, but I want you to marry me," the guy says, smiling.

"What?" I ask, leaning against the wall.

"To marry me. You see, my family thinks I'm wasting my time and youth. I'm a business administration student, this will be my last year. I play American football, which fills my soul. Parties, trips, having fun, that's my thing. I'm a bohemian guy, but my grandmother is very sick. The doctor says she won't make it until the end of the year. That's why I want to fulfill her wish. Obviously, we'll have to go out together for a while, otherwise they won't believe us," he says as if it were the most normal thing.

"Are you joking, right?" I ask, still unable to believe what the guy was saying.

"No, I know you feel something for me. I feel the same way. Your eyes, those eyes that have me trapped. I would like to court you and make this happen. I'll pay you, do whatever you want. We'll draw up a contract and a confidentiality agreement," he says, speaking like crazy.

"Are you hearing yourself? I'm a stranger, you can't propose such a madness to me."

"What do you know if I leave here and tell everything?" I say as I walk back and forth.

"Please! It's obvious from a mile away that you're not one of those women. But let's be something better. Give me a date and, if you like it, we can keep trying. I'll bring the contract and you can read it. Please, say yes," he says with a smile.

I say nothing. I couldn't believe that he was here, saying all those things. It's true that I am friends with his cousin and she had something to do with this idea, but you can't go around asking someone to marry you if you don't know each other. Or can you? I was too shaken up, so I try to leave, but he is faster and grabs my arm, pulling me to be pressed against his chest. At that precise moment, I stop breathing. His lips meet mine, giving me the best kiss of my life. His mouth opens to intensify the kiss, but even if it were just a small touch, it would feel the same. This was like kissing an angel. My legs tremble. At first, I don't respond to the kiss, but then I lose control and kiss him back with the same passion with which he kisses me.

After a few minutes, he ends the kiss, leaving his forehead pressed against mine. His eyes are closed. I couldn't believe what was happening to me. I felt strange. Do you believe in love at first sight? Because if so, I could swear that this is what has happened to us.

"Please, let me get to know you a little more. At least, let me try. I don't know what it is about you, but I can say with all responsibility and honesty that Cupid has struck me. Do you believe in love at first sight? Because if so, this is what has happened to us," he says without separating from me. His heart is beating fast and mine has been racing for a long time. I'm about to answer him, but my phone rings. It's a message from my mother: we had to leave. So, without answering him, I let go of his grip and walk away, taking his gaze with me in my heart.