It was 12.30 in the morning when I had received a call from Gina. She was screaming over the phone in excitement and I couldn't understand a word she was saying. I was in my sleep and found it difficult to concentrate on her words.
"I'm engaged! Zac proposed!" She yelled, which was enough to pull me out of my sleep mode.
"Oh my god honey, congratulations! I'm so happy for you," I screamed back. Gina and I had been best friends from the time we were 12. We lived in the same neighbourhood and had gone to the same school. We did everything together and practically lived in each other's houses. Zac and Gina had been dating for 4 years now and I knew she had been patiently waiting for the proposal. I couldn't believe it was finally happening. I wasn't as lucky when it came to relationships, it was one disaster after another and I was so heartbroken after the last one, that I had given up on love, but Gina had been very supportive through out. I loved her to the core.
We met the next day along with some other girl friends, she gave us the details of the proposal and showed us the ring. We all gushed over her and talked about the wedding. She asked me to be her maid of honour and I accepted. It meant having a lot of responsibilities, so from the next day onwards I got busy with all the arrangements and the wedding details. I was jumbling the wedding and my work and it was getting really exhausting for me.
"I'm sorry you have so much to do," Gina told me, a few days later. "I can literally see the life being drained out of you, but don't you worry honey, you're getting an assistant tomorrow. Manny is coming."
My heart skipped a beat at that name and the blood drained out from my face. Manuel, affectionately know as Manny, was Gina's older brother. They had an age difference of 16 years. Gina's parents had been trying for another kid for a very long time but were very disappointed and then when Manny was 17, he found out his mother was pregnant with a baby girl. He had been very happy and cherished his little sister. He had looked after her like she was his own. When their parents passed away in an accident, Manny had completely taken over all the responsibilities of the house and of his sister, till a few years back when he got married and moved to France. For some reason the marriage hadn't worked out and he was planning on moving back here and the wedding seemed to be a perfect excuse.
I've had a crush on Manny for as long as I remember. It wasn't just me, every girl in town wanted a piece of that ass. He was tall and handsome, had an amazing body, but he was also the most kind and gentle person you knew. In school, the whole cheerleading squad was practically throwing themselves at his feet but he didn't seem interested in anyone. Some of our female friends tried to get his attention and that pissed Gina off.
"Family members are off limits!" She had said. "I keep away from your family and you keep away from mine." She had made everyone promise. That was one reason I didn't act on my feelings for Manny. I also thought he'd prefer someone his own age. I always tried to be very calm and composed when he was around. I hadn't seen him in 6 years and meeting him again after all this time made me nervous.
I was with Gina when Manny arrived in a cab. She ran to him and greeted him with a kiss. They both commented on how the other person had changed, then Gina gestured me to come over.
"You remember Liz, don't you?" She asked.
"Of course I do! My god, you get prettier every time I see you," he said, giving me a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek. I just wanted to melt in his arms right there. He was 43 but looked better than guys half his age. He hadn't lost those looks and his charm.
He got settled in and Gina explained to him that he would have to help me out with the arrangements while she and Zac got busy with the dance lessons and other important things. From day one I sensed Manny's behaviour towards me had changed, it confused me. In the past, he had never tried to get close to me but now he wouldn't miss a chance to touch me. He would touch my arms or my back suddenly or stand too close while I felt his hot breath on the back of my neck. His body brushed against mine every time he walked past me even though there was a lot of space around. I was losing concentration but I managed not to lose my head completely.
3 weeks later we had the rehearsal dinner for Gina and Zac, Manny took a seat next to me. I was wearing a short dress and he placed his hand on my leg. I was so hot for him that I wanted him inside me, but I remembered the promise I made to Gina all those years ago, so I pulled away my legs and moved them in the opposite direction. He didn't try anything else that evening.
When the wedding day had finally arrived, Gina looked gorgeous in her wedding gown. The church was beautifully decorated and people had started arriving and taking their seats. Manny walked in the bridal room and hugged his sister, telling her how pretty she was. Then he looked at me and told me there was a flower emergency and needed my help.
"Oh god Liz, can you please sort that out soon," Gina begged. I assured her everything would be fine and left with Manny. He quickly grabbed my arm and took me to an empty room and began kissing me, I kissed him back for a few seconds, wanting him now more than ever, my guilt kept gnawing at me and I pushed him away but he wouldn't let me go. He pushed me towards the wall and pinned both my hands behind my back kissing the nape of my neck and gently moving down. I was wearing a backless dress so he began showering me with wet kisses all over.