Chapter 2 - Wedding Bells

Standing in the expansive and meticulously maintained grounds that surround the large manor house, I spot the woman I so admire again. Like before, my heart skips a beat as I recognise her unmistakable figure moving gracefully through the crowd of wedding guests, towards me.
She’s wearing a simple knee-length floral dress that flows with the gentle breeze, and her hair shimmers as it catches the light. It's as if time stands still, allowing me a moment to drink in the sight of her, so effortlessly captivating.
My thoughts immediately transport me back to that unforgettable day in Brighton, when I last saw her. We were surrounded by the same kind of hustle and bustle, yet she had stood out with an effortless grace that drew me in. Her smile, gentle and warm, left a profound impact on me before she disappeared into the sea of people.
Months have passed, yet her memory has remained vivid. Each visit, since, to the pebbled beach in front of the Grand Hotel in Brighton had been a blend of hope and longing, each wave crashing against the shore echoing my silent wish to see her again. The vision of her unfailingly in my thoughts, her smile a constant in my dreams.
And now, in a twist of fate, she is here. The serendipity of it all fills me with both excitement and nervousness. Should I approach her? What should I say? So many uncertainties race through my mind, yet one thing is clear: this is a moment I cannot let slip away again.
With determination in my step and a flutter in my chest, I start to move towards her, weaving through the wedding guests. The distance between us closes, and the noise around me fades into a blur. My entire focus is on her, the woman who has inexplicably and profoundly impacted my life.
Just as our eyes meet, bringing a glimmer of recognition and curiosity to her face, a man's voice calls out the name, "Victoria." Her head turns towards the source of the voice, and her expression reveals that she knows the man. She waves, then, turning her body, starts to walk away from me, disappearing in front of my eyes for just a moment.
“Over here, Victoria, over here,” calls the man again. My heart sinks as I scan the crowd until I spot the man who is calling her. I watch as they embrace, a gesture that speaks of familiarity and comfort between them.
A wave of disappointment washes over me, mingled with a sense of inevitability. Was I too late? Did fate play a cruel trick on me, showing me a glimpse of what could have been, only to snatch it away again?

Next Chapter Published 21/06/2024 - Set the date.