1. Meiko

I do.

Ever since I was a little girl, they have been the two words I have longed to say. I've plotted and planned every detail, then re-plotted and re-planned until every detail was perfect. It's a far cry from the ceremony I'd play out with my dolls as a child. But then, I am a far cry from that little girl these days.

And now it has finally arrived, just like I have at the beautiful and expensive venue where all my dreams will be played out in perfect taste and sparkle.

I smile so hard at the sight of the venue that my cheeks ache. The thought of bursting from the doors in my husband-to-be's arms makes my heart skip a beat. How I wish it was already happening, that I didn't have to wait any longer.

"Here we are, miss," the unshaven and heavily scented taxi driver says as we pull up outside the venue.

"Thank you," I reply, looking in my purse from my credit card.

"Holiday?" the man asks.

"Wedding," I reply, finally finding my card and holding it towards him.

"I love a good wedding. Especially the bridesmaids, can't get enough of them. Stars of the show. No disrespect to the brides, of course, but they're normally taken," the taxi driver says, waving his little machine in front of my card.

"Can you do me a favor?" I ask.

"Certainly, miss," he replies.

"Take a bath," I say as I open the door and inhale the thankfully fresh sea air. I stand tall as I signal to the concierge to get my bags from the trunk of the taxi and make my way towards the entrance, leaving the taxi door wide open. The fresh air will serve it well.

I know I'm early, and the wedding is still a week away, but I feel the need to be here, in control, making sure everything goes the way the little girl in me wanted it to. I owe her that.

The doorman opens the door for me, and I stride into the lobby. The sound of my high heels on the floor signals my elegance, and the binder under my arm, filled with all the finer points of the big day, signals my efficiency.

I strut my bride-to-be stuff over to the reception desk, where I am greeted by a slight little man in a very tight suit. A sudden gust of wind, I fear, would blow him away. But he has a pleasant smile and beautiful hair.

"Welcome," he says with a tone that would soothe a baby to sleep.

"Thank you."

"I'm Victor, and may I ask your name?" Victor smiles serenely, and I return the gesture.

"Miss Fanning," I reply with pride.

He gasps. "Oh, how wonderful, the bride-to-be. Look at you, just stunning."

I blush a little and almost giggle but don't. "Why, thank you, Victor, call me Meiko."

"Oh, I shall, Meiko, I shall," Victor replies.

"I'm a little early, but I did phone ahead and speak to…" I can't remember his name.

"Mr. Haystock," Victor reveals. "Don't you worry a tiny bit. All is arranged for your premature arrival."

"You are very kind, Victor," I tell him. "I am just going to pop in and see the wedding planner if you don't mind pointing me in the right direction?"

"Certainly. If you just go through those doors and follow the corridor until the end, it's the last door on the right. In the meantime, I'll magic your bags to your room," Victor says, giving a little wave of his skinny arms. I must admit, he is quite a spirited little man.

I smile and make my way towards the doors as instructed. The repeating click of my heels on the marble floor shoots off the walls until it is the only sound to be heard.

When I stop, though, the sound of my heels is replaced by muffled laughter coming from what must be the wedding planner"s office. Someone sounds like they are enjoying themselves. And as I listen closer, it sounds as if they are enjoying themselves a little too much for three o'clock in the afternoon.

Whatever is going on? I hesitate, of course, to disturb, but something, perhaps my curiosity or maybe intuition, urges me to take a closer look.

I lean forward and place my eye through the narrow gap of the opened door. I should look away, but I just can't. Then I wish I had, as my stomach drops and my heart fails a beat before exploding into a furious flutter.

It can't be. I just can not believe what I am seeing. But there's no reason to doubt the sight before my eyes. There is Duncan, my fiance, tangled up in some hot mess with my wedding planner.

The bastard. Anger starts to boil within me. How could he do this? And with her? She's half his age. Oh, there's the rub right there—little strumpet playing her game on my Duncan.

I steady myself, and I think no. I won't rush in and hit both of them with a high heel each. I'll bide my time. Duncan has been a shit, and Duncan will play for his sins. But he won't tear down my dream. I owe it to the little girl that was me.

So, I leave them to it. My bags should be in my room by now. I fancy a hot bath and a glass of something strong.

* * *

So here I am. I'm walking down the aisle as a bride-to-be. My future husband, Duncan, turns and smiles at me. The room is beautiful. It's everything I hoped it would be. All my family and friends have gathered to witness this moment, and I intend not to disappoint them.

I savor every smile as I glide down the aisle in the dress my dreams had hoped for. My chosen music guides me to the altar, and my future awaits me.

All eyes are fixed on me as I take my place beside Duncan at the altar. I flutter my eyes like a bride should as my veil is lifted and my face revealed. The gasp of delight from those who have gathered brings calm to my soul and a resolve that I am making the right decision.

I turn and smile at Duncan. Then I turn and nod my head, which signals the lowering of a large screen. The room goes silent, the cameras stop taking pictures, and the images and texts sent appear on the screen in front of everyone to see.

Duncan and the strumpet, all their secret meetings and kisses, their texts and their dirty sexting as big as the lie he told, as clear as my mind is right now.

I relish as I watch the blood drain from that bastard Duncan's face. I'm not even concerned as the wedding planner faints, and no one catches her. The only person I care about right now is me, and that is how, from here on, it is going to be.

The room explodes in gasps, whispers, and yells to kill that bastard, Duncan. I let them vent. I let it all sink in, the deeds this dirty dog Duncan has done.

"Meiko, what are you doing?" Duncan asks, the panic evident on his face.

"Sorry, sweetie, me?" I reply and launch my foot, which is nestled in a very expensive high heel shoe, and enjoy his expression as it connects with his useless balls.

I watch as Duncan doubles over and begins to heave, snot flying from his big nose. I look at his best man reaching out for him and raise my eyebrow. He retreats. He knows Duncan must be left to his own devices.

I turn and face the lovely people who have gathered here today for me and let Duncan's side of the room hurry out with shame.

"Shame!" my supporters yell at them as they hurry out the doors at the back of the room.

"He should be strung up!" they continue.

"It's not our fault," one of them replies. Which only incites more threats of violence from my side of the room.

It's time I brought all this to an end. Duncan has now collapsed on the floor, clutching his chest and calling out for his mother. The wedding planner has just about managed to crawl her way to the fire exit but is about to be stopped by some of my angry aunties.

Chaos now reigns, but I must bring it under control.

"Ladies, gentlemen, dear family and friends. I want to thank you all for coming here today to witness the end of Duncan and me. As I look upon him, rolling around the floor and calling out for his mother, I thank the stars for discovering the truth about the sneaky little rat before it was too late," I say.

"He's getting hung!" someone shouts out.

"Wait ‘till we get our hands on him!" another adds.

"I want my mommy!" Duncan yells louder.

"I'll cut his cock off!" my father yells.

"I understand that you want that, and I do too, but it's more than he deserves. I can only be responsible for myself. And from here on in, that is what I will do. I will look after myself. No one else can do it," I say as I bow my head and remove my veil, let it drop to the floor, turn, and toss my bouquet into the crowd.

I watch as it rises into the air. The people move from its path and let it fall to the floor.

"You go, girl!" one of my aunties shouts, and that makes me smile as I make my way, a new woman, down the aisle to my new life that lies ahead.