Aeri's heels clicked sharply against the polished floor of the hallway, her fast-paced steps echoing in the dimly lit passage. *Tap, tap, tap*. Her light blue dress swayed with each stride, the silver watch on her wrist glinting faintly under the soft glow of the wall sconces.
Her brow was furrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line as worry churned in her chest.
"I wonder what they're doing that's taking so long," she thought, her mind racing with possibilities, each one more unsettling than the last. "I have to check it myself."
The grand hall's festive hum faded behind her, the laughter and music growing distant as she approached the bride's dressing room door. Her heart thudded, a mix of curiosity and dread urging her forward.
She stopped in front of the door, its dark wood looming, and took a deep breath, steeling herself. Raising her hand, she knocked firmly. *Knock, knock*.
"Sara! You in there?" she called, her voice slightly raised, carrying a hint of impatience.
