Chapter 17 The reception
ViolaConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
Elizabeth entered the car and stared at me before she scoffed and looked out the window while I dabbed my face with my handkerchief.
“I can’t believe you cried. You’ve not even seen anything yet, that was just Klyde and you’re acting like –”
“– Elizabeth! I’m not a Harold so don’t expect me to act like I don’t have a heart or I can’t feel.”
“That’s what you think of me?”
“I think that all the bullshit the three of you have suffered at the hands of your parents have made you guys used to nasty situations. I don’t have that kind of mind so just give me a break! Have you ever seen a woman who’s happy to marry a man who almost raped her?”I lashed out and she just shook her head.
“I heard what Klyde did, it was awful and I’m glad Kade saved you but at least you’ll be marrying someone who has your best interest at heart.”She said and I could sense the anger she felt over what Klyde did, I guess she was right about being better off with Kade.
“Why did they switch places?”I asked and she just frowned.
“That’s for Kade to explain to you, not me. I’ll send someone in to fix your make up because the worst thing that can happen to you is for you to walk into the reception looking like this. They’d eat you alive – those women.”
I sniffed and nodded my head, “but did you know about the switch?”I asked but I didn’t look her in the face.
“Yes, this morning. You were asleep when it happened but Kade would explain better.”
I scoffed and covered my face with my palms, “He barely speaks to me, that’s never happening.”
“You’d be surprised. Anyway, lose the accent a little Viola. You’re British not American.”She said and I groaned in frustration.
“I can’t help it just go already”I whined while she smiled at me.
After getting my make up done, Kade didn’t join me so I was driven to a hotel were they dressed me in an off-white gown that stopped at my ankle. Something about the design was familiar but I couldn’t quite place my fingers on it. I looked in the mirror when my stylist had left my hotel room.
The dress was simple yet elegant, I turned around about twice before it finally hit me. I struggled not to cry as I looked at myself in the mirror, it was the exact same style of the dress I wore on prom night.
Why would anyone make me wear something like this? It wouldn’t take long before people see the similarities between this dress and that one. Then I’ll become a meme of some sort!
I heard a knock on the door and it was Victoria who came in. “are you okay?”she said as she gave me the bottle of water I asked for.
I nodded and drank the water before I gave it back to her and headed straight for the reception. It was held in one of the hotel halls and I was surprised by how many people were already seated there, laughing and chatting high-spirited.
“Oh, there’s the bride!”I heard someone say.
“That’s April, kade’s ex-girlfriend”Victoria said startling me.
“You’re following me?”I asked.
“Of course, you’d need my help with all these people.”
“Just smile at her and head straight to where Kade is seated.”she added and I did as she said, smiling faintly at April before I quickly joined Kade at his table. I was thankful that only us two would sit there.
His eyes surprisingly didn’t leave my body as I sat next to him. I wondered if he was the one behind the styling, of course it would be him! I bet he wanted more reason to be angry with me for no reason.
“I was saying hi but she wouldn’t respond”I heard April say as she joined us at our table. I looked at Kade and he smiled at her and said, “she probably didn’t hear you. I’m glad you made it,”he said and I started noticing more people coming to join us at the table.
Viola you fool, of course Kade invited his friends to sit with us since the atmosphere would be too weird for either of us to handle!
One of the people heading our way was a lady while the other three were men. They all looked filthy rich and they seemed very hostile until they sat down and exchanged pleasantries with Kade.
I scoffed at how well mannered they acted, if it Americans you’d see them go, “hey Martin, what’s up bro!”instead they acted all stiff saying, “Mr Martin, Mr Harold,”this would surely be boring no doubt.
Suddenly they burst into spasms of laughter, Kade was literally dying of laughter and I was so confused.
“The fuck are you being formal for eh?”he asked his redheaded friend and I stared at him. It was the first time I saw a male with ginger hair and he looked absolutely dashing.
“I thought I should be respectful to the newest married man in London. All girls around the world are weeping right now, Viola must be one lucky girl.”He said and I saw kade’s smile gradually disappear at his friend’s remark.
“Hi, I’m Evan. Kade’s best friend since college.”He said and I smiled at him.
“Come on, it’s okay. You can talk to us, none of us are nasty as we look outwardly.”April said and I just shook my head.
“I don’t talk much.”I said instead and tucked my hair behind my ears as I looked at my nails.
“is that true?”the other lady asked and Kade sighed before he said, “she never talked much.”
“I dated Kade once you know? He was the best but he never wanted to settle down like I wanted. I’m married now with two kids!”she said elatedly and I made eye contact with her for the first time. She wasn’t that beautiful in my opinion but she definitely had class. Her blue gown was highlighted her skin so well and her choice of jewelry was immaculate. They must’ve cost a fortune.
“wait, I think I know you.”I blurted out and she bit her lips to stop herself from smiling but eventually giggled in the end.
“You’re April Dean, I love your art work!”I said and she flashed me the biggest smile ever. She was actually very adorable now that I thought about it, no wonder Kade liked her – I thought, feeling a little jealous.
“Thank you, I already like you so much for because you love my work!”She said and I smiled back at her.
“Are you doing an exhibition any time soon? I’d love to come.”I found myself gushing and she just gave me her phone and said, “I’ll save your number and call you the minute I’m ready for my next art exhibition”
I was honestly stunned at how nice she was. I thought she’d hate me, I thought all of them would.
“By the way, it was so tragic what happened at Clarices art museum, did you hear?”
“April you can talk about your museum shit later, we’ve not seen our friend in over a year.”Another of his friends said. He was a bit chubby and looked older than the rest of them.
“Yeah, the last thing I wanna remember is some talk about boring paintings.”Another said and I noticed how handsome they all were. I couldn’t help but admire his curly hair and dimples when he smiled at April’s annoyed face.
“Yeah me too.”Someone said and I almost choked on my drink. I knew that voice, but I didn’t understand why I was hearing it since I never even imagined that the person would be here.
“Gina?”I said and she smirked.
“Miss me blossom?”she asked saucily and I just stared at her.
“Well I don’t suppose you did since I made your life miserable.”She said and gave me a subtly sympathetic look.
“Why is she here?”I asked, unable to control my anger.
“Oh don’t be that way, the sextape really made a shit tone of money, I’m going to have to have to split the money in half since it’s your body some men are–”
“- get out!”I lashed out and everyone stopped their chatting for a while and watched us.
“Oh my God Gina? Thanks for coming!”Klyde said as he placed his hands on the headrest of Kade’s seat and smiled at her.
“You invited her?”Kade asked and Klyde grinned as he said through a fake smile, “fuck yeah. You really think I’d let you enjoy your wedding?”
“Kade please, get her out of here.”I begged but Kade said nothing! He didn’t even look at me.
“I’ll leave but before I do I’d like to say congrats to Kade for being dumb enough to marry his brother’s left over side chick! And Viola I’ve got to give it to you, you are one hell of a rider, I mean what man wouldn’t want your –”
“– Get out Gina, before I make you regret your entire existence!”Kade roared at her before she finished her sentence.
Gina scowled at him before she got up and placed a huge bag on the table.
“What is that?”April asked and everyone started to panic thinking it was an explosive device.
“It’s your money. Like I said, I’m giving you half!”she said as she opened the bag filled with Dollars.
“No matter what you say in the press conference today, I know you’re nothing but a whore but even whores need their pay.”She said and walked away.
“That went well…”Klyde said while Kade glared at the money on the table.
“I’m leaving.”I said, trying as much as I could not to cry but my voice betrayed me. I got up and I didn’t look back until I got out of the hotel and entered kade’s car.
“Madame is everything okay?”kade’s driver asked but the door suddenly opened and Kade entered the car and yelled, “What the fuck are you waiting for? Drive!”