CHRISTINA.

  Flowers are everywhere. They smell so different. They mix and I feel like a flower princess. I’m going to carry the bride’s bouquet today. It’s so exciting. It’s a shame my wedding will never happen because the person I love will never be with me. I’m wearing the dress I brought with me yesterday. Ae likes it. Jack shook his head when he found out I paid for the dress and bolero myself, but he also likes my choice of style and color combination. My hair is styled in fancy braids, gathered at the back of my head into a rose. The sandals are a little uncomfortable, but that’s because I’m not used to them.

  In the morning, Ae’s retives arrived. The house is noisy. Jack is talking to them; in fact, they already know each other, but still not very well. Ae came to introduce Jack to her parents once, and then again for a picnic. Nevertheless, Ae’s parents liked Jack, although he is only half Scottish. In addition, they had heard a lot about our grandmother because of her principled ness in many things. And as we know, the earth is full of rumors. In general, everyone was in high spirits. While waiting for the ceremony, the guests ate canapés, which Marco and another invited chef had so diligently prepared. It is unclear how they managed it in one day, but they cooked as if for an army of people. At eleven o’clock, Ae’s mother, her brother, who was also a redhead like her, John and Jack left for the church, ahead of us. For the occasion, Jack even put on a kilt with the tuxedo that his father had worn for the wedding. The rest of the workers in our building followed the owner in Cude’s car.

  The bride’s father, six-year-old niece and I were left waiting for her. The make-up artist had just finished. All that was left was to help Ae put on the dress. It was stunning. Simple, straight cut, not tight and without a hint of pomp, sleeves ending just above the elbow, decorated with ce. A cape with rhinestones on top. Her fiery unruly hair was straightened and styled in a heavy hairstyle. Pearls were woven into it, a veil was attached to the bottom, custom-made from the same ce that was used for the dress. Ae really liked the dress, but she couldn’t find a veil to match it, so it was decided to order one. The bouquet, tied with green ribbons, has been standing in a vase since the evening so that it doesn’t wither.

  “Christina, don’t forget to take it,” Ae quickly looks at herself in the mirror.

  “Of course.”

  We go down to the hall.

  “Well, finally, my beloved daughter came out!”

  “Hi, dad,” she smiles at her father, who extends his hand to her, “I hope you got here safely? This is Christina.”

  “Even drove slowly, you don’t have to worry. Alice and I dozed off. And Yuna was looking around the whole way.”

  “Did you ask a lot of questions?” Ae ughs, turning to her niece.

  “No, auntie. Grandma said that dad would get tired if I bothered him, and then we wouldn’t be able to come to you.”

  “Christina, this is Grandpa Greg,” she finally tells me.

  “Good afternoon, Mister Greg!”

  He extends his hand to me: “Let’s get acquainted, Christina!”

  “And would you like to say hello to me?” Yuna pouts.

  I squat down and extend my hand to her: “Hello.” She thinks for a few seconds and holds out hers.

  “Okay, I’m starting the car, let’s go.”

  “A basket of petals,” Ae reminds.

  “I already got it,” I answer.

  ***

  The church smells of incense. Everyone is waiting for the bride. The bagpipers have started pying. The pastor is talking animatedly to Jack at the altar. John is sitting in the front row with Grandma Alice. I should be sitting next to him soon. It’s so exciting.

  “Quiet, the bride is here,” a whisper rolls through.

  Yuna walks ahead, scattering petals along the bride’s path. I follow her. And the st ones are Grandpa Greg and Ae, leaning on his arm. She smiles radiantly and a little shyly. When she reaches the altar, Jack meets her with a warm smile. I see love in his eyes. I hand over the bouquet and go to my rightful pce next to John. I try not to look at him. Besides, I can smell his wonderful perfume again, just like on that sweater in my dorm, only fresh, so it is deeper and more expressive. I inhale it like a drug, which makes me even more embarrassed. Suddenly he leans towards me and whispers in my ear: “Do you like it?” He grins insolently.

  I shudder, but then I try to pull myself together and look at him questioningly: “Excuse me?”

  JOHN.

  When Ae comes in, I notice that she looks lovely. But then I see Chris, and my heart skips a beat. She looks so beautiful in that green dress. The sandals she never wears. She even looks pretty. I want to touch her, but then I’ll lose control. The sight of yesterday is still too fresh, but now is not the time to give myself away. She sits down next to me. Oh, yes! I gnce at her. She puts her hands on her knees, fiddling with her cute dress. Her eyes are closed, she inhales the scent…I need to tease her. I deliberately put on a little more perfume today. Will she notice…

  She reacts to my question a little strangely. At first she blushes a little, and then says with an innocent look: “I was thinking. Did you say something, John?”

  “I asked if you liked the smell,” I said directly.

  She blushes even more.

  “Yes, it is pleasant.”

  And she turns away towards the bride and groom.

  “If you were mine, I would do so many interesting things with you. You would never be able to forget me… What an egoist you are, look at yourself. Aren’t you disgusted with yourself?” my brain immediately bursts into my fantasies.

  “Yes, I know, know,” I answer him discontentedly.

  CHRISTINA.

  After the ceremony, we go for a walk to take photos together. Peter and Amber invited me into their car. Ae will now go with Jack. So she let me go. As we left the church, Jack threw a pid shawl over her shoulders, such is tradition. There is so much joy on their faces. As our motorcade moves to the suburbs, Peter and Amber periodically ask me questions. She told me about herself. And then suddenly asked Peter: “Did you see how John looked at her today?”

  “And how did he look?” I asked immediately.

  “Strange. Studying. I don’t know,” she said, puzzled.

  “Don’t be silly, Amber. She loves him. Don’t hurt the person.”

  “Seriously?” she raises an eyebrow, “I sympathize with you, my friend.”

  The atmosphere is a little tense. I close my eyes and pretend to doze. They don’t bother me anymore.