David, Lizzy’s brother, opted to use the hotel reservation when Lizzy unexpectedly called off her wedding and told everyone that it was non-refundable. He came up with a daring scheme to expose a dishonest groom and restore his sister’s damaged reputation after discovering what he did at the location.
I’m David, Lizzy’s lone sibling and elder brother. Lizzy shocked everyone by calling off her wedding six months ago.
“David, I can’t go through with the wedding, not without Grandma here to see it,” she said, her eyes welling with tears.
After all the wedding arrangements were set, our granny passed away, and Lizzy felt that she couldn’t enjoy such an important day without her presence.
We didn’t cancel any of the wedding plans in spite of her choice.
“David, the reservations are not refundable,” Lizzy stated. Losing that much money seems like such a waste.
Consequently, her name was still attached to the location, caterer, and even hotel stays. While it made sense financially, emotionally, it only made her decision more difficult.
I had no idea that the true tale was far more nuanced and that I would soon become enmeshed in it.
I chose to use the hotel reservation because I had already made my travel arrangements. I found the wedding décor still in place when I got there.
It’s a pity it’s all going to waste, I thought to myself as I made my way over to the front desk.
I waved my phone at the receptionist and said, “Hello, I’m checking in.”
“Please give me a moment,” she said, checking my reservation.
I glanced around and noticed the hotel personnel rushing around, as if they were getting ready for something.
“You’re here for the wedding?” said the receptionist.
Yes, I was, I replied. “But since the wedding was canceled, I’m just using the booking right now.”
“Sir, the wedding is taking place,” the receptionist said, her expression bewildered. “At 3 p.m., the first event starts.”
“Explain what you mean.” Stunned, I inquired.
She handed me a tablet containing the event details and said, “Here’s the itinerary, sir.” “You are welcome to look.”
With my finger moving over the screen, I was able to see the groom’s name. Mike, my sister’s ex, was there.
“How is this even possible?” I gave a shocked gasp.
It was Mike’s turn to wed someone else in the hotel that Lizzy had reserved for her nuptials. Everything was ready for Mike to get married to someone else.
I took out my phone right away and gave Lizzy a call.
On the first ring, Lizzy answered, her voice laced with concern and perplexity. “David, how are you? You are contacting me from the hotel, but why?
I said, “Lizzy, you won’t believe this,” my voice trembling with rage and shock. “The hotel receptionist just informed me that the wedding is still scheduled while I’m here. Mike is getting married to a different woman today at 3 p.m., not to you!
A moment of profound quiet fell across the line.
David, what are you talking about? That’s got to be wrong,” Lizzy said at last, her voice breaking.
Yes, Liz, it is true. I looked at the schedule. There’s another name there alongside him. How is this possible to be occurring? Have you not canceled everything?
Lizzy gave a long sigh. “I… David, my grandmother, did not cause me to call off the wedding. Mike was cheating on me, I discovered. I was unable to proceed, but I was also unsure of how to explain to everyone why I couldn’t.”
I felt a surge of anger and protectiveness, and I balled my fists.
How come you didn’t tell me? I would have assisted you in cleaning up this mess.
David, I was humiliated.
“We must clear your name,” I firmly stated. “Mike cannot get away with this. He’s playing the victim here, giving the impression that you withdrew. Everyone believes that you are to blame.
“Yes, but what can we do right now?” Lizzy asked in a helpless manner.
I walked back and forth, racking my brains. “Liz, I’m going to reveal him. I’ll reveal his true nature to everyone.
I raced out to chat to some of the hotel personnel I had seen putting up earlier, a plan taking shape in my mind. I required proof and insider knowledge.
I described the matter to a pleasant waiter I knew from setting up the ballroom, and he listened.
When I was done, he remarked, “I can help you.” “Mike has been showing off to everyone here about how your sister and I avoided a bullet.” He has made frequent use of his phone. There could be anything there that you can find.
“Is there a way I can get into his room?” I enquired, thinking that would be okay.
I’ll handle that, the waiter said.
I was able to enter Mike’s room an hour later since the waiter had managed to obtain a spare key card.
His phone was charging on the bedside table, so I immediately located it. His failure to use a password was the result of his negligence.
I found plenty of proof of his adultery when I went through his emails and messages. I sent everything to myself after taking screenshots.
So I picked up the phone and contacted a computer-savvy acquaintance.
Tom, I need your help very badly. Could you compile these screenshots into a PowerPoint presentation? It must be prepared to be seen today at a wedding.
I need an hour, please,” he said.
After setting everything up, I went back to the wedding location. Tom and I met there, and he sent the presentation to the audiovisual system.
I had my retaliation ready.
The ritual was about to begin. Unaware of the drama that was about to happen, guests crowded the room and chatted cheerfully. I took a seat close to the rear, my heart racing.
I took the remote Tom had given me and turned it to our presentation as the lights went down and the romantic slideshow’s first slide showed.
The first damning message filled the screen, and then another, and another, and the room fell silent.
As Mike’s duplicity became clear, the crowd gasped and whispered.
When his secrets were revealed, Mike’s face became white. His spouse, meanwhile, fled the room in shock.
The visitors whispered to one another in disbelief. A few consoled the just arriving Lizzy.
In the midst of it all, I went up to Mike.
“Everyone is aware of the truth about you at this point,” I muttered. “Your ability to hide is gone.”
Lizzy received many excuses from the visitors for falling for Mike’s falsehoods, but Mike’s reputation suffered and the truth destroyed both his personal and professional lives.
Lizzy gave me a hug as the visitors left, her eyes filled with tears of relief. “David, thank you,” she muttered. “You’ve given me the opportunity to go on.”