Fated My Perfect Wife Is A Substitute

The 20th birthday party was themed “unicorn.” Mr. Fanny invested much of his time and talent into it; food, games, guest reservation and red carpet were perfectly featured. He had set out a budget for a few families and friends that could fit into their swimming pool arena with enough room to walk around. Kate seemed to be missing in the crowd as families and friends were up her sleeves to exchange pleasantries and gifts.

Brian was late and he panted his way into the party; neighborhood security meeting he had with residents ate deep into his schedule, that he thought he wasn’t going to make it- that would’ve been so feckless for a first impression, he had imagined. The moment he entered the ground he adjusted his hat, looked himself from head to toes as though he hadn’t noticed them before now. His black jacket over polka-dotted sleeves and jeans spoke the language of a celebrity. His stare combed around for Kate, as he tried not to be fussed over his lateness. He glanced at his watch- they might have come to a close or about to- and all the fun dilated away with it.

“Oh gees, where’s she?“ he said in his head, seeing Kate in every girl that came in sight.

A touch came on his shoulder, as he swirled only to behold the face of his mother, protuberant with smiles, “Where’ve you been, baby boy?”

He was still on the lookout for Kate. “All over the world seeking for whom to devour,” Brian replied, and she chuckled.

She handed him a flute of wine, waved at a greeter, and turned to Brian. “You’ve missed the fun parts of the party.” She caught hold of his disturbed countenance and hardworking stare. “…Gift presentation, red carpet, and music.”

“Who planned the party? All of that comes at the tail of the party. That’s wag.” He never had thought he would be calm without Kate being with him; locking eyes with her; and telling her he loved her so much that he could take her bullets.

“Let’s have a seat over there,” his mother said; she stared at a table with fewer guests.

“What’s up, Brian,” said a voice behind Brian.

And his heart was suffused with excitement; where’ve you been, my soul proof? He said in his head.

“Been a while,” the voice sounded again.

As Brian turned around to behold his greeter, behold it was this neighborhood kid called Tony who stayed a few blocks from theirs. His countenance changed, his roving heart seized and his jaw pulled in disappointment.

He fought to say, “I’m good,” and refocused his search for Kate. She had baulked him of catching fun at the party even discussion with anyone was indeed an issue.

“It feels good to be our guests tonight,” that was a voice in the microphone and it was Mr. Fanny’s. Kate was standing by; all smiles, glittering in her off-the-shoulder red prom dress. A batty, contagious smile possessed Brian- he had seen her. A world record was broken!

“Brian, where’re you off to?” Tony asked, his looks running after Brian who gave him the cold shoulder, advancing to the front to see if he could lock eyes with her. He jostled his way through the attentive crowd and shot his stare as speeding light.

“Next is the game I entitled; a pick of love,” Mr. Fanny’s voice continued. It’s an interesting piece I pulled through. My daughter’s going to come forth and deep her hands into this basket to pick a paper. Anyone whose name is written on the paper will be with her till the end of the party.” He smiled at Kate and said, “Let the game begin.”

That was the moment Brian’s heartbeat resumed like a ticking bomb.

Anyone whose name is written on the paper will be with her till the end of the party: it resounded in Brian’s head and those words by Mr. Fanny weren’t making him unflappable. He suffered the pains of a body whose soul was having a road walk. Pick any gender except a male, please, he said in his head, stroking his hair confusedly, his hostile looks questioning Kate if his name was in the basket, and was there any trick she could wave for his name to be picked so he could make her night blissful.

She had picked a paper, handed over to her father who opened the paper to announce the name. With bated breath Brian waited for the name to be pronounced. He shut his eyes and his heart did likewise. His knees were moving apart and his sniffing was as the snore of a speeding train. He could hear the bass beat of his heart; heaven was crumbling while he read the lips of Mr. Fanny make the pronouncement;

“On this paper is Tony Rightman. So who’s Tony Rightman?” he asked yet further, his stare combing through the booing crowd.

Brian knew who it was but for the smiles on Kate’s face he didn’t know why.

Is she happy to be with another guy? He thought.