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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
While planning her perfect wedding, Rachel unexpectedly falls for her wedding planner, Max. As her big day approaches, she faces a heart-wrenching decision between following her plans or listening to her heart.<\/p>\n
Rachel stood at the altar, staring at Henry, her fianc\u00e9, the man she was about to marry. Inside, she felt nothing but emptiness. It was as if she was looking through him, not at him. Her ears were filled with a strange ringing, drowning out all other sounds.<\/p>\n
\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
Everything around her seemed distant and unreal. Suddenly, through the fog in her mind, she heard her name. \u201cRachel!\u201d The voice was urgent. \u201cRachel!\u201d<\/p>\n
The voice called again, pulling her back to reality. It was Henry, looking at her with concern. She blinked, trying to focus on his face.<\/p>\n
Rachel shook her head slightly, trying to clear her thoughts. \u201cWhat?\u201d she said, her voice barely her own.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe priest is asking you something,\u201d Henry repeated, his eyes searching her face for a sign of understanding.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
Rachel turned to the priest, who was looking at her patiently. \u201cRachel, do you agree to marry Henry?\u201d he asked again.<\/p>\n
The words echoed in her mind, each syllable pounding like a drum. Inside, everything screamed \u201cNO!\u201d But when she opened her mouth, all she could say was, \u201cY-yes, I agree.\u201d<\/p>\n
The words felt foreign and heavy. Deep down, she knew she had just made the biggest mistake of her life.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
Two Months Earlier\u2026<\/p>\n
Rachel was heading to a meeting with the wedding planner, who was organizing her wedding. She was nervous because the planner, Max, was a man. Rachel doubted that a man could handle all the details of a wedding.<\/p>\n
She had wanted to hire someone else, but her fianc\u00e9, Henry, insisted. Henry had heard rumors that Max was the best in town. With only two months left to prepare, they couldn\u2019t afford any mistakes.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
Rachel entered the caf\u00e9 where she was supposed to meet Max. She glanced around, searching for him among the people. As she walked, she accidentally bumped into someone.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my god, I\u2019m so sorry,\u201d Rachel said, stepping back quickly. The man turned around, and Rachel\u2019s eyes widened in shock. It was Max, her best friend from school. She had secretly been in love with him back then. \u201cMax?\u201d she said with a smile.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
\u201cRachel, hey!\u201d Max said, his face lighting up as he hugged her. \u201cWhat brings you here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I\u2019m here to meet the wedding planner,\u201d Rachel explained, still a bit dazed from the surprise.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re getting married? Well, congratulations!\u201d Max said, his smile warm and genuine.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, by the way, the planner\u2019s name is also Max\u2026\u201d Rachel started, and then it hit her. \u201cWait, you\u2019re Max\u2026 Are you the wedding planner?\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
Max laughed. \u201cLooks like it. Small world, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n
Rachel couldn\u2019t help but laugh too. \u201cI guess you\u2019re my new client,\u201d Max said, still smiling.<\/p>\n
\u201cBetter prepare yourself; I\u2019m quite the bridezilla,\u201d Rachel joked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI highly doubt that,\u201d Max replied with a wink.<\/p>\n
They sat down and started talking. Three hours flew by as they discussed wedding plans and caught up on old times. It felt like they were back in school, working on a project together.<\/p>\n
Max understood her without needing to explain much, and she felt comfortable with him.<\/p>\n
After a while, Max leaned back and said, \u201cWe\u2019ve been talking for three hours, and you haven\u2019t mentioned your fianc\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rachel hesitated. \u201cWell, I don\u2019t know what to say,\u201d she admitted.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo in love you can\u2019t even talk about him without missing him?\u201d Max teased gently.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, no, our relationship is a bit different,\u201d Rachel replied, looking away.<\/p>\n
\u201cDifferent? You don\u2019t love him?\u201d Max asked, his tone more serious.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I do, he\u2019s my fianc\u00e9,\u201d Rachel said quickly. \u201cIt\u2019s just, I don\u2019t know. Our siblings set us up, everyone said we were a good match, and after two years of dating, we decided it was time to get married.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI see. So you\u2019re practical,\u201d Max said, nodding.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, in a way. But everything\u2019s fine between us,\u201d Rachel insisted, trying to convince herself as much as Max.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, as long as you\u2019re happy,\u201d Max said softly.<\/p>\n
Rachel smiled awkwardly, feeling a bit unsettled by Max\u2019s questions. They made her think about her beliefs about love. She had never believed in the fairy-tale kind of love that everyone talked about.<\/p>\n
To her, love was about finding someone you were comfortable with and building a life together. It was about practicality and stability.<\/p>\n
As Max continued to share his wedding suggestions, Rachel listened attentively. Despite her initial doubts, she felt relieved that Henry had chosen Max as their planner.<\/p>\n
With less than three weeks to the wedding, Henry and Rachel were driving to the flower shop to choose flowers for the big day. Max was supposed to meet them there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was thinking about our honeymoon. Maybe we could go to Europe for the summer and travel around?\u201d Rachel asked, her voice hopeful.<\/p>\n
Henry glanced at her briefly before returning his eyes to the road. \u201cOh, I don\u2019t know. I was thinking we could just go to Florida for a few days and swim,\u201d he replied. \u201cI need to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rachel frowned. \u201cI can\u2019t remember the last time you took a vacation. You must have plenty of days off accumulated.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t just leave everything. I have responsibilities,\u201d Henry said flatly.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s our honeymoon,\u201d Rachel insisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we\u2019ll go for a few days. I don\u2019t see the problem,\u201d Henry responded.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt won\u2019t be special; we always go to Florida,\u201d Rachel said, feeling frustrated.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo why break the tradition?\u201d Henry asked, clearly uninterested in changing his plans.<\/p>\n
Rachel sighed, realizing she couldn\u2019t convince him. He simply didn\u2019t understand her. Finally, they arrived at the flower shop and went inside. Max was there waiting for them, smiling warmly.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow was the drive?\u201d Max asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll good,\u201d Rachel replied, forcing a smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat. Let\u2019s see what flowers they can offer us and choose the ones you like best,\u201d Max said, leading them to the display.<\/p>\n
Henry looked at his watch impatiently. \u201cHow about we just go with white roses and not waste time on this? I need to get to work,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Rachel looked at him, puzzled. \u201cWhy roses?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re your favorite flowers,\u201d Henry replied confidently.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer favorite flowers are peonies,\u201d Max said quietly.<\/p>\n
Rachel was surprised by his answer. She had told Max this in school, and he remembered her favorite flowers after all these years.<\/p>\n
Henry shrugged. \u201cWell, whatever. I need to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow about this, I\u2019ll stay with Rachel, and we\u2019ll choose the flowers, and you can go to work,\u201d Max suggested.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerfect, that works for me. Rachel?\u201d Henry said, not really waiting for an answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, that\u2019s fine, go ahead,\u201d Rachel replied sadly.<\/p>\n
Henry gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and left, leaving Rachel and Max to choose the flowers. They spent the next hour picking out beautiful peony arrangements, and Rachel felt a sense of relief.<\/p>\n
After they finished and left the shop, Max suggested, \u201cHow about we get some coffee and go to that hill like we used to in school?\u201d<\/p>\n
Rachel\u2019s eyes lit up with the memory. In school, Max and Rachel had a secret place that no one knew about, and they often hung out there. \u201cSounds great,\u201d Rachel replied.<\/p>\n
They got coffee from a nearby caf\u00e9 and walked to the hill. The familiar path brought back memories of their carefree days. They climbed up, found their large rock, and sat down with their coffees. The view was just as beautiful as Rachel remembered.<\/p>\n
During the time Rachel was planning the wedding, they had grown very close again, and she felt like they had never stopped talking.<\/p>\n
Rachel broke the comfortable silence, surprising even herself. \u201cWhat do you think of Henry?\u201d she asked, staring at her coffee cup.<\/p>\n
Max looked thoughtful. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter what I think; what matters is what you think,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Rachel sighed. \u201cI don\u2019t know, he seems to only care about work. I\u2019m not even sure he wants to be with me. That he\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLoves you?\u201d Max finished for her. \u201cDo you love him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t believe in love,\u201d Rachel said quietly.<\/p>\n
Max shook his head. \u201cOh, come on. That\u2019s not the Rachel I know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, Rachel isn\u2019t 16 anymore,\u201d she replied, feeling defensive.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you haven\u2019t really changed that much,\u201d Max insisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, you don\u2019t know me that well,\u201d Rachel countered.<\/p>\n
Max smiled gently. \u201cLet me remind you, we used to be best friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was a long time ago,\u201d Rachel said, her voice softening.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I often think about that time. Especially about how my life would have turned out if I had confessed my love for you then,\u201d Max admitted.<\/p>\n
Rachel\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cYou were in love with me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHead over heels. Do you think I would wake up at 5 a.m. for someone I didn\u2019t like just to watch the sunrise?\u201d Max said, a smile playing on his lips.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had no idea,\u201d Rachel said, shaking her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s strange because I thought you were just ignoring me,\u201d Max said, looking down.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? No, I would never,\u201d Rachel said firmly.<\/p>\n
They were silent for a few minutes. Rachel also thought about what would have happened if she had confessed her feelings for Max back then. Her mind wandered to what might have been.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, Max spoke again. \u201cAlright, if you want to know what I think about Henry, I\u2019ll tell you. I think you deserve someone who knows your favorite flowers, who knows you love Taylor Swift,\u201d Rachel laughed at Max\u2019s words.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho knows you adore fresh strawberries but hate anything with strawberry flavor, someone who notices the little wrinkle between your eyebrows when someone says something silly,\u201d Rachel was no longer laughing; tears welled up in her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone who will wake up with you before sunrise to watch a beautiful dawn and who smiles when they realize your perfume lingers on their clothes after a day spent together. Someone who will play along when you say you don\u2019t believe in love, knowing you\u2019re a hopeless romantic, someone\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
But Rachel didn\u2019t let Max finish. She pulled him close and kissed him. She felt emotions she had never felt with anyone before, but after a few moments, she came to her senses and pulled away from Max.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my god, what am I doing? I\u2019m getting married soon,\u201d Rachel said, her voice shaking.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not too late to call it off,\u201d Max said softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? No. That\u2019s wrong,\u201d Rachel said, stepping back.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Rachel\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe shouldn\u2019t see each other anymore. I\u2019ll handle the planning myself,\u201d Rachel said firmly and turned to leave.<\/p>\n
\u201cRachel, wait!\u201d Max called after her.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t follow me, or I\u2019ll scream,\u201d she said and quickly walked down the hill, tears streaming down her face.<\/p>\n
Rachel tried to forget about the incident with Max, and she almost succeeded. The days passed quickly as she buried herself in wedding preparations.<\/p>\n
But now, standing at the altar, staring at Henry, her fianc\u00e9, the man she was about to marry, she felt nothing but emptiness.<\/p>\n
It was as if she was looking through him, not at him. Her ears were filled with a strange ringing, drowning out all other sounds. Everything around her seemed distant and unreal.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, through the fog in her mind, she heard her name. \u201cRachel!\u201d The voice was urgent. \u201cRachel!\u201d The voice called again, pulling her back to reality. It was Henry, looking at her with concern. She blinked, trying to focus on his face.<\/p>\n
Rachel blinked and shook her head slightly, trying to clear her thoughts. \u201cWhat?\u201d she said, her voice barely her own.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe priest is asking you something,\u201d Henry repeated, his eyes searching her face for a sign of understanding.<\/p>\n
Rachel turned to the priest, who was looking at her patiently. \u201cRachel, do you agree to marry Henry?\u201d he asked again.<\/p>\n
The words echoed in her mind, each syllable pounding like a drum. Inside, everything screamed \u201cNO!\u201d But when she opened her mouth, all she could say was, \u201cY-yes, I agree.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suddenly, the church doors flew open, and a breathless Max walked in.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop! I object to this marriage!\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n
The priest looked startled. \u201cI haven\u2019t asked that question yet,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Max shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t care. Rachel, please, don\u2019t do this,\u201d he said, walking towards the altar.<\/p>\n
Rachel\u2019s heart raced. \u201cWhy?\u201d she asked, her voice barely a whisper.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you deserve to be happy,\u201d Max said, his eyes pleading.<\/p>\n
Henry stepped forward, looking angry and confused. \u201cWhat makes you think she\u2019s not happy? Rachel, tell him you\u2019re happy,\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n
Rachel opened her mouth but found herself unable to speak. \u201cI\u2026\u201d she stammered, her voice trailing off. She couldn\u2019t lie, not now.<\/p>\n
Max took a deep breath. \u201cPlease, I love you, Rachel. I loved you in school, and I love you now. And I know you love me too,\u201d he said, his voice filled with emotion.<\/p>\n
Rachel shook her head, tears in her eyes. \u201cBut I\u2019m getting married,\u201d she said, her voice trembling.<\/p>\n
Max stepped closer. \u201cSo what? For once in your life, do what makes you happy, not others,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n
Henry looked at her, concerned. \u201cRachel?\u201d he asked softly.<\/p>\n
Rachel felt a wave of realization wash over her. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I can\u2019t,\u201d she whispered to Henry. She then turned and ran to Max, throwing herself into his arms and kissing him as if her life depended on it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
While planning her perfect wedding, Rachel unexpectedly falls for her wedding planner, Max. As her big day approaches, she faces a heart-wrenching decision between following her plans or listening to her heart. Rachel stood at the altar, staring at Henry, her fianc\u00e9, the man she was about to marry. Inside, she felt nothing but emptiness. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14725"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14725\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14732,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14725\/revisions\/14732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}