ART AND TALE OF ESTELLE

Two weeks before the wedding, Estelle thought she was having a romantic evening dinner with Art at a hotel. She was asked to be dressed in white, and she didn’t really think much of it.

For her, it was an ordinary date night with her fiance.

But instead of leading her toward the hotel restaurant, he took her upstairs. “Love, where are we going?” she asked, already eyeing him suspiciously. Strange, the restaurant’s that way… she thought.

He smiled and held out his hand. “Trust me.”

“Isn’t the restaurant downstairs? We’ll be late for the reservation…” she asked, confused. Still, she took his hand.

Then they stopped in front of the hotel room door. From behind her, he kissed her cheek. “I want you to experience everything in life.”

And that left her even more confused because what the freaking hell was he referring to?

When he finally opened the door to the suite, the lights suddenly flickered on. Confetti flew everywhere. A champagne bottle even popped out of nowhere. “Surprise, bride-to-be!” Eli and Pen shouted, followed by loud cheers from her ELLE coworkers. “Happy Bachelorette!”

Estelle was left completely stunned. “What the freaking hell…” Her eyes darted around the room before landing back on Art. “Gosh!”

“Hey, you all knew about this?” she asked as she looked around the whole suite again. Art nodded and chuckled. “Surprise,” he simply said as he followed her around.

Estelle was left horrified by the small decorations placed on the food trays, the booze, and the cake itself that was shaped like a… a… you know!

“You went all out,” she muttered to her friends, who were already giggling and popping another champagne.

It didn’t take long for the surprise to get even more shocking. Eli casually revealed that they had arranged for two male strippers to make an appearance later that night. Estelle’s eyes widened, and she choked on the glass she was just drinking. “You guys booked a what?”

Art’s hand automatically settled on her back, gently tapping it.

“Performers,” Pen corrected. ”For entertainment purposes!”

But Art didn’t seem bothered by the revelation. He was already oriented by it right from the start. And maybe it was because he had already accepted the idea of her getting a striptease from another man. He could easily do that himself, but he reminded himself that he shouldn’t gatekeep the experience from her. It was normal, totally normal for a bachelorette party, he convinced himself.

He was already secure with her, and he knew that she knew her limits. He trusted her enough. If anything, he wanted Estelle to experience it at least once in her life. She deserves that, he thought.

Pen was already placing a clip veil on her, along with a sash that read ‘Bride.’ “You’re actually okay with this?” Estelle asked Art, still trying to process the whole surprise bachelorette’s party.

Art replied with a nod, then pointed a finger at her. “There’s one rule, though. No touching. If you want to touch them, fine. I’ll live through that. But don’t let them touch you.”

“Pen. Eli,” he called out. “What we talked about.”

Eli scoffed. “Oh, trust us!”

Art shook his head, already preparing for the worst. As long as Estelle could handle herself, he was good with that. As long as she has a good time, he told himself.

“Wait a minute.” Estelle narrowed her eyes at him before pointing a finger right back at his chest. “What about you? Where will you go?”

“We’ll be at the club beside this hotel,” he answered, scratching the back of his head. “Chase also arranged a bachelor’s party for me,” he added.

“Then you better follow the same rule tonight or you’re sleeping on the streets,” she said strictly. She crossed her arms and clicked her tongue. “Got it, Mr. Young?”

Art raised a brow at this new side of her. Strict and feisty wife. “I’ll just be drinking with my friends. That’s it.” He’d already turned down the stripper idea when the guys brought it up, having no interest in repeating something he’d already experienced at previous bachelor parties.

“I don’t need to experience it again,” he added, reaching for her hand.

“Well… do you want to, though?” she asked more seriously this time, but Art shook his head. “I won’t get mad if you really want freedom for tonight.”

“I’m free with or without it,” he said, rolling his eyes. Diva! she thought.

Estelle smiled, already satisfied with his answer, then leaned up to kiss his cheek. Art caught her by the waist before she could pull away then he stole a kiss on her lips.

What was supposed to be a quick goodbye kiss quickly turned into them smiling profoundly against each other’s lips. “Enjoy, okay?” he whispered.

“You too,” she whispered back. “But not too much, hmm?” she added, tiptoeing to lean in.

“Want me to come here after your party, hmm?” he asked softly, also leaning in.

“Should I extend the party to you?” she whispered back, giggling.

“That would be a great idea,” he replied with a teasing smile.

This was supposed to be a celebration before the actual wedding, yet somehow, they still managed to flirt with each other. 

His nose brushed against hers before they closed the gap between them. The kiss was soft and sweet, followed by a few playful pecks that left Estelle smiling against his lips. My sweet husband, she thought.

For a moment, they completely forgot about the room full of people watching them. “Okay, bride and groom. Time’s up!” Pen finally called out before they could demonstrate a full make out session. Estelle immediately pulled away, her cheeks burning crimson red as she remembered they weren’t alone.

Eli laughed, then glanced at Art with an amused yet teasing grin. “You know what? At this point, we might as well cancel the other two strippers.”

“Performers!” Pen corrected once more.

Art raised an eyebrow before Eli pointed at him. “Art’s already doing their job. He’s got the bride’s full attention.”

Estelle’s eyes widened in horror. “What? No!”

“Will we be in a separate room if that’s the case?” Art asked, curiosity lingering in his voice. “Let’s say… a private performance?”

That question made Estelle question everything. Is he serious? Is he really considering that? she thought. 

“Nope,” Eli answered straight away. “You’ll striptease in front of everyone as your bride sits in the middle.”

There’s no way he’ll do that, Estelle shouted in her mind. Over my dead body.

“Well, I can do that as long as—” Art started, but Estelle covered his mouth and pushed him towards the door.

“Not in this lifetime,” Estelle interrupted, pushing Art’s large frame as he protested even more.

“What else do I need to do?” he asked Eli, who was laughing nonstop by now. For sure, she was just bluffing, but he easily took the bait.

Penelope waved at him as Estelle successfully pushed him out of the suite. “Go! Before I call security.”

Art sighed, already accepting his defeat. Then just gave Estelle one last kiss on the lips before finally letting her go. “Eli, Pen, what we talked about,” he reminded them once more.

“Yeah, yeah,” Eli said without looking at him. “Bye!”

“And you… have fun,” he said as he turned to his fiancee.

“You too. And remember, don’t touch anyone,” she reminded with an overly serious expression. He couldn’t take her seriously, though. She still looked adorable in his eyes. “I’ll eventually know! Chase is more of my best friend now.”

He only smiled at her, completely whipped. “Ya! Got it?” she repeated once more.

Art lifted both hands in surrender before saluting. “Yes, ma’am.”

He gave her one last look before walking away. Estelle watched until Art disappeared down the hallway before turning back to her friends. Penelope sighed and immediately grabbed both her hands. “Finally. He’s gone.”

Estelle laughed at her statement. “You really planned all of these.”

“Of course we did,” Eli said. “And tonight, you’re not an editor. Okay? You’re the content!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She asked, her heart already racing. Her eyes wandered around the suite again, taking in the decorations, the drinks, and the familiar faces from ELLE. Her expression softened as the realization settled in. There’s no need to be nervous, it’s just a party they all took time to plan. “Thank you. This is all too much for me.”

“You deserve all of it,” Pen said, pulling her into a hug. “Now about the content part…”

“Oh my gosh!” Estelle squealed, no longer knowing what to do with the night.

Across the hotel, Art was already being escorted in the opposite direction by Chase, Isaiah, and the rest of the guys. “So,” Chase said, placing a hand on Art’s shoulder. “The bride is officially out of your hands.”

“For tonight,” Art replied.

“Which means you’re ours now,” Isaiah said, his brows going up and down.

Art laughed at his statement. “That sounds concerning.”

“It should,” Chase answered that made everyone laugh.

The men headed toward the club next door, where another celebration had already been arranged for the groom. Unlike Estelle’s party, there was no veil, no sash, and certainly no surprise strippers waiting for him. Well… Art had made his decision clear from the beginning. He wanted a night with his friends, a few hard drinks, good food, and nothing that would cross the boundaries he and Estelle had just agreed on.

Meanwhile, back in the suite, Pen handed Estelle a drink with a provocative straw design. “To the bride!” Eli announced. ”One last fling before the ring!”

Everyone raised their glasses. Estelle looked around at the people gathered around her and smiled. She had been given an entire night with the people who had watched her grow throughout her time at ELLE.

“To the bride,” she repeated, giggling as she sipped through the straw.

The evening quickly became more chaotic than she had anticipated. There was office gossip she had never heard before, her countless embarrassing moments from work, R-18 games prepared by her friends, and plenty of teasing about her upcoming marriage. There were also unfiltered gifts, mostly toys, lingerie and suspicious chocolates to share with Art.

At one point, Pen leaned toward her. “You know what’s happening next, right?”

Estelle narrowed her eyes. “I’m not fond of that question.”

Eli grinned. “At least tomorrow you’ll wake up knowing that Art’s body isn’t the only thing you’ve memorized.”

“I don’t think that’s something to be proud of,” she said, laughing as she took another sip from her glass.

“Oh, you’ll be proud!” Eli said confidently.

Estelle eventually groaned, her palm meeting her face. Oh, what a night, she thought.

The drinks started making her vision blur. She hadn’t drunk that much, but she was already feeling the alcohol in her system. A sudden wave of nausea made her swallow hard before she turned away to the bathroom and let it out. She wiped her mouth afterward and went back before anyone could even notice. The music grew louder, and the adult-themed decorations had everyone laughing nonstop. Estelle could barely look at some of them without turning red. Everything made no sense now that alcohol has gotten into them.

Then came the surprise they had been teasing her about all night. The male performers arrived. Estelle immediately covered her face while the girls screamed and cheered around her. “That’s way too…” she said through her laughter. “God, help me!”

“Look at them!” Penelope shouted. “You need someone to compare to Art!”

Estelle eventually gave up trying to hide, laughing along with everyone else. It was completely ridiculous and embarrassing. It was exactly the kind of night she knew her friends had planned just to see her shy and flustered despite being little miss too much information.

In the end, she let loose and enjoyed herself. She’d only get married once anyway, so she might as well enjoy this part of the tradition. 

Across the hotel, Art’s bachelor party was going just as well. Chase had arranged their table at the club with drinks, food, and enough decorations to make Art question every friendship he’d ever made. “What the fuck is this?” Art asked as he held a highly questionable item on the table.

“You’re most certainly welcome,” Isaiah said, laughing hard. “You’re only getting married once.”

Art just laughed and shook his head. He’d just go along with it, especially since they’d taken the time to prepare everything. Plus, everything had gone exactly as he’d wanted. Drinks with his friends, plenty of food, and no unnecessary surprises.

There were the usual manly conversations about business and love, and they went on for hours. At one point, they made Art chug hard liquor for fifteen seconds straight, doing everything they could to get him drunk.

When he was offered a cigarette, he declined, despite the alcohol already starting to hit him. “I’ve quit for a long time,” he simply said. “Wife’s a nonsmoker.”

Then Chase stood up. “Alright, bro,” Chase announced, grinning as he approached Art. “Time for your surprise.”

Art immediately narrowed his eyes. “Time for what?”

Before Art could move, Chase caught one of his wrists and playfully cuffed it, then grinned before signaling toward the stage. “Are you serious?” Art leaned back. “I told you I wasn’t interested.”

“Relax,” Chase said, already attempting to cuff the other end to the chair. “You don’t have to do anything. You’ll just watch, I promise!”

Before Art could say anything else, his phone started ringing. He took it out of his pocket with his free hand and thanked the heavens above.

He looked at the screen and immediately smiled.

Wife

“Give me the keys, Chase,” he said firmly.

“No, man,” Chase said more firmly as he attempted to cuff the other end again, but Art had already stood up. ”Live life a little!”

“I’ll be right back,” Art said as he took the keys from him himself and removed the cuffs.

Chase raised a brow. “You’re leaving?”

“I can’t hear anything in here.” When a girl was about to approach him, he immediately shook his head and stepped away from the table. Art made his way toward the exit, answering Estelle’s call as soon as he was far enough from the noise.

“Hi, love,” he said, his ears still buzzing from the excessive noise inside. 

Estelle appeared on the screen, lying sideways on the couch with her veil crooked on her head. “Hi,” she mumbled. “Why did you call?”

Art laughed softly. ”You’re the one who called.”

“Oh…” she hummed. The moment he stared at her, the noise behind him seemed to fade into the background. His expression softened as he looked at her. There was this quiet look of love settling naturally across his face. “Are you drunk, my love?”

“No,” she lazily answered.

“You’re drunk.”

She yawned before scratching her eyes. “Just sleepy all of a sudden.”

He smiled, watching her ramble sleepily. There was something about seeing her like this. She looked so unfiltered, so completely his. Heaven-sent, he thought. 

“Want me to go there?” he asked, secretly hoping for a yes, but she shook her head.

Why not? he thought. Just a single yes from you, I’ll leave this club.

“They’re all wasted here,” she mumbled. “This is what happens when everyone with low alcohol tolerance comes together,” she added, giggling. She eventually bit the insides of her cheeks, her eyes wandering on the ceiling. It was as if she was thinking about something deep.

Then Chase appeared outside the bar, clearly looking for Art. “Fuck you, man. You can’t just ditch like that. They’re waiting!”

Art glanced back at him before looking at Estelle again who was either lost in thought or dozing off. “I’ll be there,” he called. But he didn’t move an inch. Estelle blinked at him through the screen. “Where are you?”

“Just outside the club. I wanted to hear you better.”

She smiled sleepily. ”Miss me?”

Art laughed at her sudden question. “I sure do.”

Behind him, Chase groaned loudly. “Art!”

Art rolled his eyes and ignored him. By then, Chase already knew he didn’t want to go back to the party. “Be there by five or I’ll drag you back inside,” Chase warned before going back inside.

He didn’t mind the threat. He was too busy talking to his fiancee. Priorities.

“I’m sorry for calling. Did I ruin your party?” she asked on the other end.

His wife had called at exactly the right time, completely unaware that she had just saved him from Chase’s latest surprise. “It just ended,” he said, chuckling. “Can I go there?”

“Well, I’m not sure if Eli would want that,” she said, looking around as she tilted the phone with her.

“Are they asleep?” he asked, and she nodded. Joy filled his heart when she confirmed that they were. It wasn’t that he didn’t want their friends’ presence, especially when they were celebrating their milestones, but he just simply wanted to be with her even more. “Want anything to eat?”

For him, they’d already had their fun with everyone else. Now, he just wanted to rest beside the love of his life.

“A smoothie bowl,” she said, smiling as her eyes closed. “Strawberry.”

“There’s no smoothie bowl at 5 AM,” he said, which made her frown. But I’ll find one for you, the thought automatically popped in his head. “Okay, love. I’ll find one.”

Estelle remained curled up on the couch, barely awake, still holding her phone. They were still FaceTiming each other, but they were no longer talking. The next thing she heard was a knock on the suite door. She didn’t stand up. She was too tired. Then came the click of the door opening. It had never been locked.

“You didn’t lock the door,” Art scolded as he walked toward her.

The room was a mess. Balloons and confetti were scattered across the floor, along with Polaroids of Estelle hiding her face behind her hands while the male performers did their job. There was also a photo of her blowing out her bachelorette cake and other random moments that made the night unforgettable.

“Lover,” she said joyfully as she looked at him upside down.

She was already wearing matching short-sleeved pajamas with her friends, some of whom were practically lying down on the carpet and the other couches. Others had made their way to the rooms, leaving Estelle alone in the middle of the suite.

Art sat next to her, placing the smoothie bowl on the table. “Drunk Estelle,” he whispered as he caressed her hair.

“I’m not drunk,” she mumbled, barely opening her eyes as she sat up. “Just tired.”

Art smiled. “Sure. Eat something first.” She took a few sleepy bites while leaning against his shoulder. As Art looked around the messy suite, he picked up one of the Polaroids. His eyes lingered on the photo of Estelle hiding her face while one of the male performers stood behind her.

He felt a pang of jealousy, but he didn’t let it show. He wanted her to enjoy herself. There’s nothing to be jealous about either. She already chose him. Plus, he trusted her with his life, and he knew this was simply part of the celebration her friends had planned for her. “Jealous?” Estelle murmured as she noticed his indifferent expression.

“A little,” he admitted, then he put the Polaroid back down and looked at her instead. “Did you have fun?”

“Uh huh...”

“Good.” He brushed her hair away from her face. “That’s all that matters.”

Estelle looked up at him with a sleepy smile before resting her head against his shoulder again. “I missed you, though.”

Art smiled and kissed the top of her head. “I missed you too.”

He picked up the spoon and offered her another bite of the smoothie bowl. “One more.”

She opened her mouth without complaint, then mumbled, “You’re so sweet.”

“Am I?” he said, chuckling. He looked around again, concern lingering in his eyes as they darted toward her friends’ current state. “Should I help them up or something?”

Estelle looked in their direction, giggling at the sight. “They look cozy. Besides, they’ll freak out once they see a man here.”

“Good point,” he said, laughing, then leaning in to kiss her temple.

“How about you?” she asked sleepily. “Did you have fun? You don’t seem drunk…” she accused, her finger pointing at his chest.

“High alcohol tolerance,” he said proudly.

Estelle squinted at him. “Arrogant. Show off.”

Art laughed at her remarks, but before he could say anything else, she suddenly opened both arms toward him. “What?”

“Bear hug,” she mumbled, wiggling her arms.

He stared at her outstretched arms, clearly amused. “A bear hug?”

She nodded, her eyes already drooping. “Come here.”

Art chuckled and leaned down, wrapping his arms around her. Estelle immediately melted against his chest, her arms tightening around his waist as she buried her face against him. “Better?” he asked.

“Hmm…” He smiled, resting his cheek against the top of her head. He couldn’t help but find her adorable like this, especially after seeing how lively she had been in those Polaroids. Now she was barely awake and simply wanted to be held. “Did you really have fun?” she asked once more.

“I did.”

“Then why did you leave early?” she asked, which caught him off guard. She knew he had lied when he said the party had already ended. He hesitated for a moment before admitting that he simply wasn’t fond of the next segment of the party.

“You called just in time,” he assured her. “And I wasn’t really interested in what they had planned next,” he explained further.

“As you should.” She pulled back just enough to look at him, her sleepy expression slowly turning into a smile. “You love me?” she asked in her baby voice.

“I do. The most,” he answered, kissing her hair.

Art pulled her back into his arms. “You’re clingy,” she mumbled.

“You mean… your clingy,” he playfully added, pressing a kiss to her temple.

”Yes, my clingy,” she agreed. She smiled against his chest, completely content in his arms. Art held her a little tighter, his hand slowly rubbing her back as she settled against him.

“You know… I like this better than the party,” he whispered.

“The party was your last night of freedom,” she said, placing a peck on his lips.

“Marrying you doesn’t mean I’m caged, you know,” he reiterated.

“Still, I want you to enjoy,” she said, her eyes sleepy. She leaned in more closer and got lost in his manly scent.

“You want me to enjoy?” he asked, a smirk etching across his face.

“Uh huh…”

“Then extend the fun to me,” he whispered, which made her pause for a second. She didn’t really understand right away what he meant, so he added, “Care to striptease for me?” 

“Love!” she said in horror. That made her look at him in the eyes. He looked so serious, and she wasn’t sure if he was just messing around. “There are other people here.”

She nibbled on her lip as she thought about it. “I’m not sure if the bedroom at the end is already occupied. So… bathroom?”

Art let out a loud laugh at her suggestion, shaking his head. “I was just kidding.”

She was burning red, flustered even. Her drowsiness from sleep wore off from embarrassment. Before she could hide herself, Art hugged her again. “I’ll just stay here until you sleep, okay?” he said more lovingly this time. “We wouldn’t want your friends freaking out with my presence.”

She pouted. Adorable, he thought.

“Come,” he said, lifting her carefully and walking carefully toward the bedroom at the end of the hall.

He tucked her into bed before climbing in beside her. Estelle immediately curled into his side, resting her head against his chest while his arm wrapped comfortably around her. “Tell me everything,” he murmured.

Estelle smiled and started talking, telling him about everything that happened during the bachelorette party. There were so many side quests, though. She went from one story to another, pausing every now and then because she was too sleepy to remember what happened next. She even told him they made a TikTok video of themselves singing to Dua Lipa’s Training Season. Art listened patiently, laughing along and teasing her whenever she left out a detail.

“Drunk,” he teased.

“I really am not,” she defended herself. “I only drank three glasses and I already got sleepy. I don’t know why.”

“Drunk,” he teased again, which made Estelle’s brows furrow.

“I even threw up earlier,” she added casually. “I don't know what happened. The drinks tasted weird tonight. I usually don't get sick that easily.”

Art's smile faded for a second. “You threw up?”

“Just once,” she assured him. “I'm fine now.”

He studied her face for a moment, but she was already moving on to another story, completely forgetting about it. “Still drunk,” he muttered, earning another sleepy frown from her.

“I almost got cuffed to a chair,” he said when she finally paused. “Chase was worse when it comes to this type of party.”

Estelle lifted her head. “What happened?”

Art grinned. “Oh, you want to hear that story?”

So he told her about his own night, letting her interrupt whenever she wanted. She laughed at the insane parts and asked both theoretical and nonsense questions. There was no doubt that her party was more fun than his. Maybe that was why he was here right now.

Before long, they were simply talking about random things. The broken hairdryer at their room, the decorative candle they just threw away. Flirty remarks, endless teasings and all. There was no rush to end the conversation, even though both of them were already tired. Estelle’s voice eventually grew softer, her words becoming slower as she snuggled even closer.

Art looked down at her and smiled. “Sleepy?”

“Hmm...”

“Goodnight,” he whispered. “I’ll stay right here.”

“Keep talking,” she murmured as sleep slowly took over.

He chuckled. “Okay, love.”

And he did, his voice soft and almost soothing as he continued telling her about his night while his fingers gently played with her hair. Somewhere between his story and her sleepy little responses, Estelle drifted off in his arms. 

Art stayed awake for a little while longer, simply holding her before whispering his usual line of I love you most.

It wasn’t a grand moment, but somehow, it was profound enough to make her feel safe, cherished, and wanted. This was the true luxury in their lives; not extravagant things or grand gestures, but being able to sleep and wake up without wars raging in their minds, with healthy bodies and nervous systems finally at peace.

Maybe this was what marrying your best friend was supposed to feel like.