Fated Alliance

ive skin glowing as the makeup artist carefully applied a rose-tinted blush to her high cheekbones. It was the eve of her wedding and she was finally tying the knot with

receiving lots of messages from her friends and loved ones, all congratulating her on her upcoming wedding. A

eds you in h

s number, the phone pressed tight against her ear. Ringing. Then voicemail. She furr

until we

he make up artist replied softly, as she tri

feeling the light, feathery touch o

she dialed her fiancé again, Dante,

er best friend and maid of hon

" Isabella muttere

won't make a mistake or smudge your

Isabella replied,

u're good to go." the

back I

I have another client t

ing," she said, standing u

the setti

Isabella replied, alread

heard her name being called in a whispered tone by a familiar voice. She stopped in her tracks and got

d. What was Lucia and Dan

, Lucia, it will break her."

r never," Lucia's voice retorte

her like that".

erve this Dante. It's either

whispered, the anguish he

r. She deserves the t

. What is the truth?

loser, pressing herself against the

do I st

e on for too

tomorrow," Dante sai

I got into this me

scaped from Lucia's lips while Dante's brown eyes grew wide with raw ter

Isabella's voice wavered, her eyes dart

o looked like he was about to br

t pounding with every beat. "Tell me wha

murmured, his voi

e him, that's why he is your best man". A ne

ean already? I'm getting allergies fr

"Isabella, Dante and I... we

d in, the room spinning. Isabella's breath

. romantically?" she whispe

. I never meant to hurt you." On seeing the tears in Dante's eyes, Andr

lf behind for support. Memories flooded her mind-late nights when Dante was working, or so h

ad as tears formed "No, babe, tell him.

l you for a while now, I

nd you are not in love with And

e, I couldn't tell you all this because

epped forward, wringing her hands. "I wanted to t

aze hardened

own, shameface

belief coloring her tone. "And our

"No! I love you, Bella. But... I

bitterly. "You think tha

dy herself. "So, what now? Were you going t

eading. "I didn't know what to

shed with anger. "B

pain shoot through her. She could not believe she had been with Dante for more than half a decade, and he had not on

of eyes watching her. "You are young, and you are exploring your sexuality. It's

affirmed, his voice barely audible. The look

he need to escape overwhelming. Lucia reached out, trying to grasp her arm. "Bella, please