First love

No matter how many times we fall or how true our forever love is, it can never replace our first love.

Everything was going in fine but now it looks like it can never be because Liam was one who was before me.

The one who I gave my heart to and had it crushed brutally is right here, seated next to his fiance to get his wedding planned from his former lover.

I push back all the memories that were too eager to spill out and moved towards them.

"Ashley," I put my hand forward, my voice came out a little ruder than I expected.

I took a moment to look into his emerald eyes, they looked very tired, he took my hand softly that for a second gave me chills taking me back to the time when he used to hold me softly just like now.

"Liam Roberts," His voice brought me back from my trance, I pull my hand back hastily.

"This is Eloise, my fiance."

"Hello, Ashely, so we finally meet again." Standing before me is definitely not the woman who once stole my man, feels weird to my man but the truth is that he once was mine.

She looked weak and petite, her skin was pale loosely hanging on her bones, a white tube was poked into her wrist and her eyes had no life in them, I looked at Liam who had his hand around her supporting her.

"Well, now that everyone is here, shall we begin?" Ender broke the awkwardness that surrounded the room.

"Yes, of course," I blurt out, taking a seat farther away from them.

"So Roberts and Miss Marshall we would first like to know what do you guys have in your mind," Ender began the secession and I prepared to take notes for my reference.

"Darling," I heard him whisper after which came a faint voice of Eloise, a part of me was really sad looking at her like this but the other part didn't care.

She wanted a very simple and peaceful wedding unlike what I expected. The discussion went on for another hour and we showed them different samples, explaining everything.

I was eager to get out before anyone else, so I directly walked out to the backyard for some fresh air.

I took a few deep breaths, "Uff," I fan my face, "that was awkward,"

"It wasn't that awkward as your imagining it to be, calm the fuck down." Came mocking voice from behind.

I knew who it was.

I gave a fake sweet smile, rolling my eyes. "Well, well, we could have avoided this if my ex-boyfriend didn't turn out with his sick fiancee," I mock in return walking away.

"Wait,"

I turn around, folding my hands, "what?"

"This wedding is very crucial for all of us, this is the first time she's asked me for something and it's her last as well," He paused.

"She wishes to leave this world as my wife, and everything must be just the way she likes."  He said taking a few steps, I know him and what he was trying to do, to intimidate me, scare me.

To be honest, he did look a little intimidating. But his attitude opened my lava doors.

"Oh wow, I'm so scared," I furrow my browse, pouting.

"Did you really think that you could intimidate me?" I said taking a step closer.

I just snort in reply, "Failed attempt, better luck next tim--" I paused tapping his shoulder. "Ahhaa..never,"

He took my hand into his closing it with another, I was completely taken aback by his action.

"You have to know that I'm not here to cause you any trouble or try to intimidate you in any way," He said rolling his eyes softly.

My heart was racing fast because of his touch and by his presence.

"I'm here to put my request forward, she has little less than a couple of months and this is one of her wishes, she wants to take her last breath as my wife, as Mrs.Liam, so please don't say anything that would hurt or disturb her in any way, let her go to sleep without hard feeling and I don't know why but she was hell-bent on choosing this location for the wedding, choosing to make you a part of it but I promise I have no intention of disturbing you in any way, we'll pack our bags and leave as soon as the wedding ends."

Who is standing before me? The young boy who broke me or mature adult who understands life and love.

I removed my hand from his putting a reasonable distance between us, his Ted-Talk did work on me, somewhere I did melt.

"Look, as long as you'll know limits I won't cross mine, you are just another client of ours, and I do know to act professionally, Mr.Roberts."

He gave me a very soft smile with a small nod walking past me before I heard him.

"Hmm..Sharp as a razor, I like this side of your," He said without looking at me.

I hate to admit this, but I did like what he said.

***

To see someone's life slowly slipping out right before you is hell, that is what I am going through right now, but it also surprised me to see how positive Eloise was, she didn't want pity and she was making the best of the time that was left with.

"How about this one?" The designer showed a mermaid sleek fit dress.

It took a lot of control to stop myself from giving the designer a piece of knowledge, sexy heavy gown for someone who's sick? How can one be so dumb?

"Hmm..that one would have been my choice for sure, but I'm afraid my long-lost curves would be disappointed if I wear one now!" She joked.

"Baby," I looked at Liam.

"Curves or no curves, you'll always be the prettiest woman I've ever known." He said kissing her forehead.

Geez, like you've never said this to me! I snort.

"Ashley, could you do me a favor?" She asked softly.

"Maybe?" I asked skeptically.

"Could you please wear that gown that's there," She said, I look at where she was pointing.

"So that I could see how it looks? I would have loved to try it on but I am a little nauseous from the medication." She asked, I looked at Liam who was as surprised as I was.

Did she really want me to try on her wedding outfit? She's asking me to do this despite knowing what I went through because of her so-called fiance.

"I wish I could help Eloise, but I cannot do..."

"It's not right for us to make such a request to our wedding planner, if you don't like these we'll hunt for one until we find the one, but let's not do this," Liam, quickly jumped in stopping her.

"Miss. Marshal, don't be disappointed, I have few of my staff who can help you." The designer lady offered fearing that her client might slip away.

"That would be wonderful, thank you," Liam said, giving me a curt nod.

I mouthed a thank you to the designer, Eloise looked disappointed but there's was nothing I could do about it.

One cannot satisfy everyone all the time.

The staff helped her and she picked a very simple half-white silk gown.

"Thank you very much," I and Laila bid our goodbye, she was one of the team members who accompanied me, we walked out talking about the wedding flowers that needs to be imported.

Liam accompanied Eloise along with her nurse.

"Fucking god! look at the moon," Laila said, walking forward, I stopped fiddling through my bad in search of my phone.

Ahead of me was a beautiful full moon that is complete again, it looked so mystical through the dark blue sky.

It also reminded me of someone.

Ian.

You are my moon, Raine. You may have chosen to leave but every day until the last breath of my life, I will always see you through the silvery dust on that sparkling moon.

Those were the exact words he said during our last few moments together.

I was lost, I was lost in Ian's memories and the full moon reminds me of his blue eyes, it was stinging my heart that I couldn't be with him.

"Ian," I whispered. "Are you looking at the moon and seeing me right now?" I asked, I felt very weak.

"Ashley!" Laila's scream startled me, and the next moment I was on the freezing ground followed by a thunderous sound.

My heart was pounding hard, my eyes were shut tight and I refused to open them.

"Oh my God..fuck!" I curse trying to control my erotic breathing, but fear got the best out of me.

"Hey...hey.. Ashely," I heard his voice.

"Relax...relax.." I heard Liam, I felt his firm hands on my shoulder.

"Open your eyes.." But I didn't "Listen to me...nothing happened to you." He cooed softly,

"Open your eyes," And I don't know why but I trusted him at that moment.

I looked around wearily, the snow above the roof where I was standing had collapsed, and from what I am guessing it was Liam who pulled me out on time, if not for him I could have been crushed by the heavy snow.

"Are you okay?" He asked holding my cheek, his eyes raked all over me with concern.

"I'm fine.." I said pushing him away and he backed out immediately.

"Ashley! are you okay? My God!" Laila cried, she was next to all this while and never noticed?

"I'm fine.." I said dusting off the snow. "owe.." I yelp.

He shook his head dusting the snowflakes from my hair.

Calm down, calm down. I chant, to stop myself from getting affected by his touch.

I push him once again, but this time he was the one to glare at me.

"Let me help you!" Liam said, sliding one of his hands around my waist, picking me up.

"Put me down, you idiot, don't act like a freaking hero!" I throw a glare at him who casually ignored me.

"That's very ungrateful of you, Miss. Ashton," He said, "Should have left you to freeze under the snow," He muttered to himself cracking his neck.

"You!" I yell.

"Shut up," He grumbled, moving towards our car and placing me down.

"Wait," He said to the driver and came back holding something.

"I'll be leaving with Eloise, and came back to give this to you guys," He said handing over the catalog that had samples to Laila, I looked at his tall figure walking towards the car, he then stopped turning towards us, and I look away hurriedly.

"Take care of her, she's known for her clumsiness," He said giving me a final look, and disappeared.

He didn't think twice before crushing the ring he gave me once, then why is he behaving so well now?

Laila was silent throughout the ride which was bothering me.

"Did you choke on the ice cubes that are preventing you from blabbering?" I try to start a funny conversion.

She gave a 'Duh' look.

"Spit it out," I said giving up.

"Do you guys know each other?" This is what I like about Laila, she comes directly to the point.

"You guys? Who?"

"Wow, Miss innocent, seated next to me, huh? You know, I who I am referring to," She rolled her eyes.

"A painful page from the past, nothing more, nothing less," I said, looking at the snow-covered pine trees passing by and she didn't push me to say anything else.

***

'All of me loves all of you'

Was being played, their wedding was two days apart, the atmosphere was brighter than previous days as Eloise was doing better which was a good sign.

Christina, the dance choreographer who was also Eloise's friend flew down all the way here to choreograph Eloise and Liam's first dance after their wedding.

"One..two...three," She counted slowly moving around.

"Ah...I get it," Eloise's soft voice echoed around the room, she smiled at Liam while holding on to his shoulder for support.

"Slow and steady, okay?" Liam said, moving around slowly, she blinked softly.

Slow and steady. I mocked.

My heart stopped for a second when Liam looked at me.

Oh, my freaking god! Did he hear me by any chance?

"Ugh..ugh..I'll go take a look at the ar-arrangements," I mutter hurriedly to Laila taking a U-Turn purely out of embarrassment.

"Liam, stop," I paused hearing Eloise.

There was tension surrounding the room, I peeked at what was going on, Eloise was seated on the chair.

"Are you okay? You know we don't have to do this right?" Liam said, holding her hand.

"She needs to rest," Her nurse suggested.

"Right, baby let's go back to our hotel."

"No, no, no. Liam, I want to do this, I'm perfectly fine, we'll do it slowly okay?" She said.

"Eloise," Liam's voice came out as a warning.

"Fine, I'll sit back and watch you and then learn,"

"Are you kidding me? Whom will dance with?" He hissed, I could tell that he was losing it.

"I can-" Christina tried speaking but before she could complete, Eloise cut her off.

"Ashley? Right, Ashley!" She said chirpily.

Everyone's eyeballs turn towards me.

"What? No! No, what nonsense is this, I can't do it," I hiss, why does she always put me through this?

"Everybody out," Liam said, glaring at the floor.

"I said, everybody out!" He yells getting on his foot, silence falls on the room followed by the clicking of heels.

He yanked me back harshly holding on to my wrist, I look around and then at him who had his eyes fixed on Eloise.

"You better let go of me, Liam!" I try to free my hand that forced him to tighten his hold.

"Ah.." I wince in pain.

"You want me to dance with her right? This is the reason you're doing all this right?!" He hissed, pulling me harshly towards him, I was too stunned to react.

"Fine! As you wish," He pulled me so close that I was glued to his body.

His nose was nearly touching the crook of my neck, I could feel his warm breath.

He traces his hand around my waist and then pushes me back and pulls me in roughly and then twirls me around in a position where I was before him with both the hands locked by him.

Everything was happening fast, it took me a few minutes to realize what he was doing and also from where he was picking those moves.

The next second he twirled me back and I was facing him now.

I look into his eyes with tears clouding mine.

"You did not this to me, Liam, you did not," But he did, and he knew what he was doing.