Beware the Social Butterfly

Spring sunshine lights up stained-glass windows as I precede Abigail’s stick thin, hot off the catwalk bridesmaids, down the aisle.  My curvaceous figure is a stark contrast to the supermodels sashaying behind.  Had I not been humiliated enough?

***

Abigail is what is known as a social butterfly.  Fluttering her wings, she flits from person to person, room to room, captivating all before her, leaving behind a trail of broken hearts.  If asked how many, would she remember?  Would she care?

We’d shared a room at university.  Someone obviously had a questionable sense of humour pairing me with the beautiful and charismatic Abigail.

At first, I was in awe, then cracks began to appear.  She seemed devoid of empathy.  Delighting in her conquests, showing no remorse for those she hurt, merely contempt.

Post-graduation, we agreed to stay in touch and I wasn’t surprised to hear she’d been snapped up by a modelling agency, while I secured a position with a prestigious city law firm.

Long hours achieving impossible deadlines, on my climb up the corporate ladder, left little time for socialising.  That all changed when Cameron joined the firm.  Tall, broad shouldered with an easy smile, he was everything missing in my life.  We soon discovered we shared common interests and it wasn’t long before we were enjoying each other’s company outside of the office.

I’d never been so happy or felt so lucky.  When the invitation to Abigail’s birthday party arrived, I accepted at once, eager to show him off.

The moment she greeted us at the door, I knew I’d lost him.  What Abigail wanted, Abigail took.  How naïve to think she wouldn’t take what I’d thought was mine.  I left the party early, doubting they would even notice.

But one question continued to haunt me.  Was love at first sight the reason she took him or just because she could?

***

A vision in white; she might have been lifted from the cover of ‘Brides’ magazine.  At the altar she turned and handed me her bouquet before leaning in and whispering ‘he’s mine now’.

I had my answer.