Trapped in Love

Age 17

I stare outside the car window, at the beautiful city lights of New York. A smile touches my lips. It's been a long time since I came here, the city that never sleeps.

Sighing, I scan down my outfit for tonight's event. I'm quite satisfied with what I'm wearing -- a halter neck styled tosca dress that crosses over at the front, fitted waist, leg slit. My long wavy blonde hair is swept on one side. This should be appropriate enough to attend one of the biggest events this year.

I glance at my cousin, Emma, who's sitting in the car next to me. She looks gorgeous in her one-shoulder maroon dress.

Her elder brother, Tony, sits near the other car window, typing something on his phone. He also looks well-groomed in his navy suit.

Sitting at the front seats are Aunt Linda and Uncle Owen. Dad is currently overseas for a business trip, accompanied by Mom. Sending me here to stay with his sister during the summer holiday is preferable rather than having me sulking alone in our home in Texas. He has heard too much of my excitement to spend summer in New York.

Besides spending time with my beloved cousins, aunt, and uncle, I also plan to meet my friends here. I'm going to have the best summer holiday ever.

"Clara can't wait to see us," Tony announces in a happy tone, letting us know that his fiancee is already waiting for us to arrive.

Right. Fiancee.

Who would get engaged just right after starting college? That's them, Tony and Clara.

Everybody knows how in love they are, and I can see why he's crazy about her -- Clara Noah is one of the sweetest people I've ever met.

So when Tony told us that he'd proposed to Clara, while also making it clear that they would only get married once they graduated from college, no one objected.

Uncle Owen and Aunt Linda have grown close to Clara's parents, Richard and Kimberly Noah. Everybody knows Richard and Kimberly Noah as the world's most loved celebrity couple, a well-known billionaire and a superstar. Even until today, the Noahs never fail to make reporters and paparazzi swarm around them.

Since they are now really close with Tony's family, they wouldn't celebrate tonight's event without them. The said event has been attracting the media's attention since the moment they first announced it. And that is their son's wedding.

Anderson Noah's wedding.

Tonight, at the age of 26, Anderson Noah will tie the knot with his future wife. And that's why we're all here in this car, heading to the most phenomenal wedding hall in New York.

After we reach the building, we get out of the car. Uncle Owen leaves it to the valet. My heart is beating fast when I stare at the grand entrance. The place is packed with celebrities. There are too many famous faces I recognize -- well-known actresses and actors, supermodels, singers, socialites, politicians, and businessmen.

Damn. Tonight's event is definitely one to be carved in history. Anderson Noah's wedding is the biggest one held in New York this year.

"Oh my God, remind me to behave," Emma whisper shouts in my ear as we climb the stairs in the main lobby. "There are so many people here I want to take pictures with."

I chuckle, and when we arrive in the main venue of the reception -- a hall so huge and glamorous, filled with even more well-groomed guests -- my breath catches in my throat. I see reporters interviewing some guests and the media staff documenting the event. This wedding will definitely be aired on TV although it won't be broadcasted live.

Tony strides toward Clara, who's waiting in one of the rows close to the altar, looking beautiful in her silver long-sleeve gown, her hair styled in an elegant twisted bun. She waves at us, and when we approach her, she greets Tony with a quick kiss on the lips.

Tony stares at her with loving eyes. "You look beautiful." He can't hide his adoration. "And happy. And nervous."

"Of course, I am." Clara sighs as she smiles. "It's my brother's wedding."

She then engulfs Emma into a hug, and when they pull away, both of them squeal in excitement. She has grown close to her future sister-in-law, definitely. They're practically best friends now.

"Tiara." Clara beams, finally turning to me, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Thank you for coming here." We hug each other, and a warm smile spreads across her lips. "It's so good to see you again. I missed you."

"I missed you too." I return her smile, feeling grateful to be here tonight to celebrate this important event with them.

"Come sit here." She gestures for us to sit with her.

Tony sits beside her. Emma is next to him, and then me. I can't help but travel my eyes around the place. I've never been in a hall this big.

I spot Uncle Owen and Aunt Linda greeting Clara's parents. Kimberly Noah embraces Aunt Linda in a hug, while Uncle Owen talks to Richard. Both Richard and Kimberly look overwhelmed. Of course, their son is getting married -- they must be feeling emotional.

When my gaze finally darts on the groom, I hold my breath. I never question how handsome Anderson Noah is, but he looks even better now in his tux, and with his brown hair styled in classic slicked back.

He's talking to Cal Jackson, one of the world's most loved superstars and his mother's good friend in the music industry. Cal is here with his wife and children. I see Jasmine Jackson and the famous twin brothers tagging along.

"I can't believe that it's finally happening." Clara's voice snaps me out of my trance, causing me to shift my attention from what's happening around the groom. "Can't you believe it? He's finally getting married to the woman he's been in love with for a long time. They're finally tying the knot after being together for five years," she says dreamily to Tony.

I'm listening intently as she spills her brother's love life.

"I knew that they wanted to do it earlier, but they had to wait until Evelyn finished her master degree in London," Clara says. "Two years of long-distance was nothing to them, though. In fact, it made their relationship even stronger. Once she came back here, everything happened so fast, and I can't believe that we're here now." Clara wipes her happy tears, looking extremely glad. "I'm sorry, I just..." She takes a deep breath, while Tony takes her hand in his. "I don't know why I'm getting so emotional." She chuckles lightly. "I guess I'm just so happy for him. My brother is marrying his first love. His true love."

I've heard about this woman, Evelyn Stone. Tony has briefed us about her in the car, during our ride here. She's the daughter of a successful businessman, Alexander Stone. She's a perfect match for someone like Anderson. Anderson and Evelyn met in college and have done a good job in making their relationship as private as possible, away from the media. Since the wonderful news of them getting married hit the headline, people have been talking about them nonstop.

"You'll be a bride soon too," Tony whispers to Clara and kisses her knuckle, close to the engagement ring he gave her. She smiles at him, her eyes still glistening with happy tears

I shift my gaze to Anderson again, who indeed looks contented tonight. The smile never leaves his face when he talks to his guests. His eyes glint with happiness, and laughter escapes from his lips as he listens to their jokes. The moment the guests excuse themselves, Anderson takes a deep breath and lets out a long sigh, as if to calm down his racing heartbeat.

There's no doubt that he's trying to hold his excitement. He looks totally in love. Even I, who know nothing about them, can see that Anderson Noah loves Evelyn Stone.

A smile curves on my lips. I'm happy for them. Evelyn is a lucky woman to have a man who loves her that hard.

"Did you hear that just now? My stomach just growled," Emma echoes, stealing my attention. She bites her bottom lip. "I'm fucking hungry."

I laugh at what she just said. The next moments are spent with us chit-chatting and taking selfies, with Clara and Tony too.

"I need to go to the restroom," I say, making Emma raise her eyebrows.

She then looks around, and I notice that most of the guests have already settled in their seats. "What are you doing? The ceremony will start soon."

I chuckle. I'd rather miss the procession than hold my bladder for any minute longer. "I'll be back soon."