Juliette used to be that Ah Lian that hangs out at arcades, dates Ah Bengs, and smokes with her friends at HDB staircases in her younger days. She has since moved on and found someone she wants to spend the rest of her life with. Someone who doesn’t know about her checkered past. She unexpectedly bumps into her ex-boyfriend James who is her wedding photographer. And he’s not about to let her sail off into a happily ever after that easily.
I looked at the 1 carat diamond ring on my finger as i trot happily towards the bridal studio along Tanjong Pagar.
After going through a few studio, i finally picked out my gown and i’ll be meeting my fiance Tom, together with the photographer he picked for our bridal shoot. In a few months time, i’ll be happily married and starting a new chapter of my life with him.
As i walked, i turned to look at my reflection against the numerous reflective glass panels along the street.
My tall, slender frame was accentuated by the perfectly fitted knee-length dress, hugging every curve in just the right way. The heels elongated my already long legs, making them appear even more graceful as I walked. Every step felt like a dance, with the fabric of my dress swaying elegantly around me. I could see the eyes of men walking past giving me a second look, and i also noticed the disapproving stares their other half gave them when their partner looked at me.
It could not be helped. I’m hotter, that is a fact they cannot change. In a few hours time, i’m going to be hotter, fully made up and strutting in the studio in my wedding gown.
A moment that will be forever preserved in photographs.
Pushing the door into the studio, i saw my fiance Tom talking to someone with his back facing me.
Juliette : Hey dear…
Tom : Hi baby…
When he stepped aside, revealing the photographer in front of him, i froze and almost dropped my bag. Lucky for me, Tom came for a hug, taking me into his embrace.
I felt the goosebumps on my skin and i fought back the urge to run out of the studio.
Tom : Dear, come, let me introduce you to James. He has really good work, i’ve seen his portfolio.
I was on the verge of jumping out of my own skin as i looked at James. He seemed calm, a lot more calmer than me considering the circumstances.
Tom : It was really hard getting him you know, the waiting list is like one year in advance, but thankfully, i pulled a few strings here and there. hahah…
James extended his hand and i hesitated before extending mine.
James : Hi…nice to meet you Juliette.
Juliette: hi…hi…
The moment our hands touched, i felt as if i was transported back a decade back into the past. No longer the stylish and trendy Juliette of today, i became that blonde hair Ah lian that hung around the Macdonald at Yishun interchange.
I could see myself sitting on the stone table, marlboro menthol lights in one hand, sharp comb in the other while trading curses with my group of friends. We were underage smokers, we shoplifted, we terrorised the neighourhood shops with our loud music and antics. I even went as far as to create some crappy gang cheer with techno mix for the group.
Instead of elegant dresses and high heels, i was wearing tight, waist high PVC pants with tube top and too many accessories on my fingers. I even took pocket money from juniors that used to go to the same secondary school i did.
I could almost hear the techno music on my mobile ring tone as well. James, back then was just a delivery man, but that meant he had a motorcycle. And it was a big deal to date him, because it meant i have my own helmet. One with my name engraved on it.
Being a couple of years older, and more financially sound than the 16 year old i am, he gave me a sense of security that i sought when i was that stupid teenager.
We were together for almost a year until i found someone better. Not only did i leave without a word, i took the opportunity when my family moved out of Yishun to disappear. I changed my phone number, and before i went MIA, i stole from James because i wanted to go on an overseas trip to Bangkok with my friends.
I took his ATM card, emptied his savings of 3000, and took the cash from his piggy bank in his room. I even sold the helmet he gave me.
Moving to Jurong gave me the chance to cut ties with my wayward friends. I enrolled in a private school, finished my O levels and my life started to get back on track when i went to a polytechnic.
Singapore is a small place, but lucky for me, i never met my old group of friends from Yishun.
Not until the day i meet my wedding photographer.
The firm grip of James’ handshake sent a shiver down my spine, his intense gaze penetrating deep into my soul. I know he was hurt deeply back then but i was 16. What the fuck do i know about responsibility?
Suddenly, fear crept into every fiber of my being as I realized the weight of what was at stake. All of my hard work and achievements could come crashing down in an instant. The pressure and anxiety tightened its grip on me, threatening to suffocate me.
Tom is a banker from Holland Road, with a privileged upbringing that contrasts greatly with my own. I am about to become part of his family through marriage, but if they were to discover the truth about my past, it would be disastrous.
Tom : alright…let’s get changed shall we?
James : Yeah, my assistant will be joining us. I hope you guys are ready. It’s going to be along day.
I swallowed a gulp of saliva as Tom walked towards the changing room, leaving James standing in front of me.
James’ assistant Cindy came out of the back office and gestured for me to follow her. I walked past James and i felt him reached out with his index finger.
Just one finger.
It grazed against the side of my wrist as i walked past him. It’s just two seconds of skin contact.
Two seconds.
And it already felt like the longest moment of my life.
As if bumping into my ex-boyfriend that i stole from is not bad enough, i suddenly remembered Tom wanted to do something a little more adventurous for our shoot.
Besides the usual wedding shoot, he wants the kind with a little less clothes. Not to the point of me being naked but just, very little material.
Very.
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