Betrayal

Chapter One

This is it. Today was the day. I had been crossing off the days on the calendar like a kid counting down to Christmas. Finally the wait was over. Today I was marrying the man of my dreams. My best friend. James. Today would be the best day of my life.

The day had started off well. My mum had arrived at the crack of dawn, just as she had promised. Shortly followed by my sister, her husband and their kids. By 10am our house was was heaving and I was pretty sure I didn't know half of the people running around. I sat patiently in my room as Jessica and Maria did my hair, why hire a hair stylist when your bridesmaids were even better? Every now and then I saw my dad wandering past the bedroom looking completely lost and I couldn't help but chuckle. Before I even knew what was happening I was being bundled into the back of a massive black car and driven to the church. I had decided months ago I wanted to get into my dress at the church, there was no way I was going to let it get crumbled in the back seat of a car. As I stared out of the window, I couldn't help but smile. Today would be perfect. I could hear my mom and sister bickering about the final touches to the sit down meal later that day, my niece and nephew arguing over who's turn it was to play with a toy car and my two friends talking about the latest dates they had been on. Today was perfect. Half an hour later and I was sitting in the back room of the church listening to the noise level rise.

'Hey Susan,' my mum said as she walked in. 'I'm going to sit outside for a few minutes before the ceremony.'

I looked at my mum. She looked a little flustered. I knew how excited my mum was for me today but I also knew she would be struggling. She hated large crowds and a wedding with 200 guests was definitely a large crowd.

'You okay mum?' I asked.

'Absolutely sweetie,' mum replied, waving her hand. 'You know how I get sometimes, I just need a little air.'

'I can come out with you if you want?' I offered, standing up.

'Oh no sweetie. You stay here. I'll be fine I promise.'

I watched as mum walked out the room, once again leaving me to my thoughts. I worried about her in situations like this and I was hoping she would be able to enjoy my day with me.

Feeling curious I stood up, walked out the room and a little further down the corridor. At the end of the corridor was another door, this one lead into the church. If I opened it just a smidge I could have a little peek. Should I? Why the hell not. I pulled the door open the smallest amount and peeked through the gap. There were so many people. I could see all my family, my work colleagues, James' family and his friends. Everyone looked happy and at that thought I couldn't help but smile. Just as I was about to close the door my eyes landed on James. Holy crap! He looked so handsome in his suit. One thing I couldn't resist was James in a suit. All it made me think of was ripping it off him and... No. Clean thoughts only right now, otherwise I'd never make it through this day. Before my thoughts could get the better of me, I closed the door quietly and turned to head back to my room.

'Caught ya.' Jessica giggled.

'Jesus.'

'No, J..e..s..s..i..c..a,' Jessica replied sarcastically.

'Funny.' I replied. 'You two are like bloody ninja's.'

Maria pulled Jessica close as a tall man walked past smiling at them. I rolled my eyes. Looks like Maria had found her entertainment for the day.

'Ooh, he was yummy.' Maria whispered, almost drooling. 'Who was he?'

Both Jessica and Maria looked at me eagerly, clearly waiting for me to identify the tall handsome man.

'Don't look at me.' I replied. 'There's been a few people I don't recognise here.'

Both Jessica and Maria rolled their eyes at me. I rolled my eyes back and headed back towards my room, my friends in tow.

'I need to get my dress on now. Will you both help me?'

'Hell yeah we will.' They replied in unison.

I rolled my eyes again. It's like they were joined at the hip!

Forty minutes later and I was in my dress. It hadn't taken me long to find this dress, in fact it was the third dress I had looked at. As soon as I saw it I knew. I knew it was the dress I wanted and more importantly I knew James would love this dress. The only problem with finding a dress so quickly was making sure I didn't put any weight on, or lose it for that matter. It had fitted perfectly, the last thing I wanted was to put on weight and require adjustments to be made. Luckily I had taken up running, which helped keep the weight off. It had also meant I could still enjoy the naughty snacks.

'Thank you both for your help.' I said as I turned around and stole a sneaky glance at myself in the mirror. Damn this dress was stunning.

'Hey, that's what we're here for.' Maria smiled as she amended a bit of my hair.

'I'm going to check on my mum quickly.' I said, picking up my dress and making my way to the door. 'She had to pop out earlier for some air. I think it was all getting a bit much for her.'

'Do you want us to go?' Jessica asked.

'No, it's okay. I'd like to make sure she's okay.' I replied. 'When I get back it'll be time.'

I couldn't stop the stupid school girl smile that took over my face at that thought. It would be time to marry James.

I headed out the door and headed towards the exit. Suddenly a door on my left caught my eye, purely because it was slightly ajar when all the other doors down this corridor were shut. My curiosity getting the better of me once again, I pushed the door open.

No.. no.. no! Please god no. Just no! The sight before me made me feel physically sick, I honestly thought I was going to throw up. I had just walked in on my mum and James kissing. Their bodies close, their hands all over each other and their lips locked together. It would appear her presence was still unnoticed.

'What the hell?!' I shouted.

The anger bubbling up inside me. What the hell have I just witnessed?

'Crap.' James mumbled as he jumped back, hitting the table behind him.

'Oh sweetie,' my mum said walking towards me.

'Do not come near me.' I warned.

'Susan, please, I can explain.' James began.

I held up my hand. 'How long?'

'Huh?'

'Don't play stupid. How long has this been going on?' I asked, waving my hand between them.

James looked at my mum with a pleading look. My mum turned to me and took a step towards me.

'I said don't come near me.' My voice shook with anger.

'Sweetie, please.'

'Just answer the bloody question.'

'It's been about three months.' James answered.

Three months? Three months!! Three months my mum and my fiancé have been having an affair behind my back and I had no idea! Three months I've been happily skipping around on cloud 9, excited for my upcoming wedding, when all the while my mum and fiancé have been getting it on. Three months?!! I wanted to be sick. Images from the last three months kept flashing through my mind. James and I having dinner at my parents house. James and I out to dinner with all of our parents. James and my mum going shopping for wedding bits. I wanted to cry. I wanted to punch him. I wasn't sure which one I wanted to do first. I was definitely going to be sick. I needed to get out of here. Out of this room. Out of this dress. Out of this church. Out of this town. I needed to be far far away from this, from my life.

I grabbed my dress and made a beeline for the door. I had to leave. I yanked the door open and fled.

'Susan.. wait.' I heard James call out after me.

There was no way in hell I was sticking around. If I did, someone would get hurt. I just couldn't wrap my head around it and I didn't want to. It was sick. It was wrong. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. On my bloody wedding day!

Today was the worst day of my life.