Chapter 2: Wedding(1)

Janice darted to the washroom in the cathedral for the umpteenth time today as she felt the strong urge to pee. She groaned whilst checking out her reflection in the mirror as she rinsed her hand. Her tired and sunken eyes gazed back at her. She had always looked her best and hardly looked like this. Yet, she had to keep up appearances since it was her best friend's wedding. Moreover, she was the matchmaker which means she needed to be present to witness all of it. Janice had called in sick, but her friend, Maggie had almost bit her ear off through the phone. She indeed looked pitiful, Janice noted as she stared at herself once more. She inhaled deeply, and let it out slowly as a familiar wave of nausea surged through her. "Not again!" She winced as her stomach did a flip-flop. "Please, let me just have today to myself. I promise to rest for the rest of the week as you wish." She pleaded whilst resting her hand on her taut stomach. Still, it paid no heed. Janice darted towards the toilet to empty the content of her stomach in it. She winced as she felt a pang in her stomach. She had barely eaten anything since morning because she knew what the outcome would be if she did. "How would I go through today?" She asked herself. A soft rap sounded on the door followed by a, "Who's in there?" "I'll be out soon," Janice whispered, but loud enough for the person outside to hear her. She rinsed her mouth, then popped gum into it to take away the bitter taste in it. She wiped her lips, then redid the lip gloss that had smeared on her lips due to her retching. She straightened, tucked a stray lock behind her ear and whispered whilst gazing at her reflection through the mirror. "Be nice to me." She patted her stomach gently then stepped out. The person that had been waiting outside of the restroom for her staggered to it as soon as she stepped out. She must have stayed too long for her to feel that way, Janice mulled. Janice's nose wrinkled, and her lips curled up in disgust as she heard the sound of what could be a fart, followed by the sound of poo. "Gosh, this is the last thing I wish to hear right now." She mumbled. "Please, try to cleanse your stomach because this place stinks!" Janice hollered before darting out of the restroom. She tossed the gum in her mouth into a nearby bin as she imagined chewing fart. "Ugh!" She moaned. Luckily, she had two more gums in her back, she slipped one into her mouth and resumed her chewing. As she got to the venue where the reception would be held, she let out a relieved sigh as she noticed nothing out of place. Janice liked everything to be in an orderly manner, that was the reason she was known as the best matchmaker and event planner in this small town. Also, her charges weren't exorbitant like the others. Though she was only twenty-six years old, Janice had planned a lot of weddings in her lifetime to see how happy couples could be. Moreover, she had seen how it could crumble within seconds as well if the couples didn't see eye to eye or when they realized they weren't compatible after living with each other for a long while. That was her case. Her father had given her mother a divorcement paper when she was barely a toddler. After staying together with each other for twenty years, her father found someone whom he said was the one for him according to what her mother had told her. Janice was the last of three children, and she hadn't got to know who her father was since she had been with her mother for as long as she could remember. Again, she loathed the man called her father for leaving her mother, for not staying true to the vow they had shared on the altar. Plus, Janice was more like her mother since she didn't have much luck with men either. Most had stayed longer with her because of her pleasant personality whilst the others hadn't had a choice. They all had told her this whenever they decided to call it off at their convenience. Janice wondered if she was the one not paying much attention to her love life or men were just being the jerk they were. They were after body, demanding to have most of her time with them and when they realized she couldn't offer it to them, they would eventually run away. It wasn't entirely her fault because she hardly had time for herself. She was in her office most times planning one event or the other as people had started recommending her to their friends. Janice had a desire to be successful in whatever she did. That was the path she had wanted ever since she knew she had a passion to match people. The most exhilarating thing was, none of the people she had matched had ever called it a quit. That was one of the things that made her a success. Janice gaze travelled around the vast cathedral that consisted of about three hundred guests which were mainly from the groom's family to witness his day. Margie looked radiant as ever, Janice noted as she stared at her. She had assisted in choosing the elegant dress she donned. It was a strapless wedding dress with embroidery on the bodice. Rhinestones and pearl beads were scattered on the gown. The gown looked ordinary, but it cost a fortune. The minister nodded and asked, "If anyone objects to the marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace." Janice counted to three, and as assumed, no one said a word. "With the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." The minister declared. Janice giggled as the crowd roared when Jeremy lifted the two-tier veil of his wife for a kiss. It was sweet and brief. Janice watched as a broad smile lightened Margie's face. The same appeared on Jeremy's as well. Even before Margie had come to her for help, Janice knew it would be a great match since she had seen the way Jeremy looked at Margie. Not in a perverted way, rather in a loving way. She had met Jeremy and Margie at a function five years ago, and they had been together ever since. Margie was an actress who at first had thought of quitting her job or running off to elope with the love of her life since the queen- Jeremy's mother had deemed her incompatible to be part of the royal family. Janice had rolled her eyes and dismissed it. Also, she had encouraged Margie to follow what her heart says but not by doing the wrong thing. She didn't quit and the queen mother accepted her though reluctantly. "At least Jeremy accepted her." Which was something Unlike her that all the men had been running away from. A grin lit up Janice's as she noticed the joy in the couple. That was what Janice wanted. Everyone she matched should be happy with their matches and not see it as an obligation.