16

"David!"  

"I am sorry. What am I supposed to do?"  

"I can't."  

"Please. For Selena? Please."  He took his hands in mine shaking them. He looked at me so desperately that I reconsidered. Still.

"No."  

"Can't you do this small thing for your brother?"  

"Sorry I am thinking of being the evil sister!"  

"Pretty Please?"  

"David."  

I was cut off by Dylan. He was all suited up leaving for office at the noon. It was unusual.  

"Selena was looking for you David."  

He said it in his usual cold rigid tone. He was glaring at David and at our entwined hands. Tightening his watch more and he fisted his hand. The veins popping out at this which made both of us gulp.  

"Are you alri-"  

"Now."  

David scuttled his way out looking scared and confused. He mouthed me 'please remember' at the end and ran up the stairs. We were left alone in the huge hall standing apart. His fist slowly loosened a bit. He checked his watch again and walked away. I followed him from behind.  

"Hey, I noticed that you were leaving. I just wanted to know when will you return because I have to talk-"  

He stopped abruptly and turned a little but he didn't look behind. I was waiting for him to say something but he walks straight ahead. He looked pissed. Maybe it was not the right time to talk about it. But there was no time left.  

"Hey, there you are I was searching for you. That was Dylan right?" Selena suddenly came in between scaring me a bit.  

"Yeah, that was Dylan."  

"Okay. Listen Glendora invited us for this party she has actually set up a girl's night out like the bachelor party you know for me at her place."  

"Okay."  

"I know Glendora and you are not on good terms but that doesn't matter. She was not so pleased about the whole maid-of-honor thing so I will let her do this. Right?"  

"Yeah, I don't mind it. But don't you think it's a bit early?"  

"Yeah but she 'squeezed' it in cause she has this fashion week to attend."  

"I guess it's fine then."  

"Alright, she has invited us. It's tomorrow."  

"Us? I thought it's for you."  

"Don't be silly. We both are going tomorrow." There was no escaping this at all.  

We stood before the huge door on which the initials G.V. were carved in bronze. The bell rang and a voice spoke through the intercom.  

"Is it you Selena? Tell me it's you."  

"Yes, it's us."  

The door opened up separating the G and V. Glendora wore a very small, really small red bikini that had a little bow in between which helped her cleavage a lot. She also wore sky-high heels and a see-through robe. Her hair was curled and clipped up. She balanced a cocktail in her hand gave her a white sparkling smile. She really looked at something. But it's Glendora after all.  

"Oh, you also got Tessa." She hugged Selena tightly and just touch my shoulder. "Come in."  

She turned around and walked ahead of us making Selena and me both gasp at her. That robe didn't really hide anything at all.  

Glendora Vincent was into Feng Shui. That is the first impression you will get once you enter her house. Her house was as extravagant as her. The huge balcony reminded me of Dylan's house except that balcony had a swimming pool in it and for the first, I actually found something cool about it.  

We came in and were greeted by more bikini-clad ladies who were very well acquainted with Selena. All the high squealing voices brought about a headache for me meanwhile Selena got pounded by all of them and we'll she wasn't complaining at all.  

"Alright, ladies this here is Tessa Gray." Glendora patted on my back with a force that made me stumble forward. And I got three glares and two smiles. One of them who smiled at me came forward. She had blonde hair which she had let down which almost reaching her waist and brown eyes. She wore a blue-white striped bikini and had a really good figure. She looked like a model.  

"I'm Kaley." She smiled at me.  

"Hey."  

"That's Jasmine she's a writer. Lily is the city's best interior designer. Denise is a host maybe you know her from the show 'Currently with Den'."  I nodded and yes I did remember watching that show. I liked the way she spoke.  

"You are pretty good at that." I complimented her.  

"Really? Thanks."

"And that's Tiya the rich heiress of Luxon."  

"Hi." She didn't acknowledge it though and ignored me.  

"Don't mind her," Kaley whispered to me and I nodded back.  

"Okay get changed both of you we have less time and lots of fun to have," Glendora announced. 

"I don't have one."  

"What?" Glendora asked.  

"Selena didn't tell me we were having a pool party. I just knew there was this party."  

"Shit and I thought I told you. I am sorry." She really was. She looked very sorry and she knew how Glendora would bank on this one. In time also caught the evil smirk on Glendora's face but I didn't say anything.  

"Hey Glen why don't you give her one of yours," Kaley suggested.  

"But I am not sure that it would-"  

"You owe me half of your collection." Kaley folded her hands.  

Her smirk was replaced by a frown. For a minute she stood there contemplating what to do. I was so sure that she would come up with an excuse but today I was wrong.  

"Alright follow me." I glanced at Kaley and she winked at me.  

We entered her majestic room and she opened and another door which no doubt was her own wardrobe. Her whole house was like a palace, especially her room. The draperies and the interiors and her bed. She lived like a queen. A little too much but I guess for me it was too much.  

"You don't want me to drag you." She shouted from the other room.  

I went inside and she had some huge closet. She had everything. Even Dylan's wardrobe was not so stuffed as hers.  

I reached the section where all the lingerie were kept and it was a huge one. They all looked very beautiful and dangerous to wear. They were stringy and lacey colorful. All from Victoria Secrets.  

"Check one of the boxes down there there must be some extra ones."  

I went through the boxes but I couldn't find any of them. I opened one box and found some really weird stuff which I may not describe it wasn't really appropriate enough but when Glendora saw it she immediately snatched it away from me dumping it on one shelf and covering it. She turned around and adjusted her robe and randomly pulled out a plain black bikini.  

"Wear this. It should fit you."  

"Okay."  

She-cat walked her way out giving me the room to change. As I tied the strings around the neck. I observed myself in the mirror. The black bikini was clearly outlining my slim frame. My hip bones were little pronounced and there was 'V' contouring down. My mid was absolutely flat only the navel distinguishing itself. My chest was not moderate enough to fill the upper piece but I still had to tighten it more to make it fit. It was Glendora's after all and she was buxom. My collar bones were also visible but what caught the attention was the silver chain that rested in between my breasts.  

What would Dylan think about this?  

"God you need to stop thinking about him." I told my reflection. I clipped hair my hair back again and left the room-closet with my shorts and t-shirt in hand.  

In the hall, the girls were having fun at the pool. The curtains fluttered in the strong wind and the huge umbrella by the pool was barely holding itself. I approached the pool shoving my jean shorts in my bag.  

"Wow, those are some damn legs you have." Kaley's comment made the rest of the girls look towards me. Glendora removed her own aviators to look at me and then put it back on.  

Kaley got up with the cocktail in her hand and she and also balanced her sunhat.  

"You really look amazing." She grinned at me. For the first time, I felt welcomed over here. "And out of the collection, you gave her this, Glen."  

"Oh, c'mon this was the only one which would fit her. She was lucky enough."  

"It's true. In fact, I had to tighten this a little bit from the top." I pointed at my chest. Kaley chucked out her drink and coughed.  

"Hey, you alright." I handed her a tissue from my bag. She wiped herself and looked up taking the support of me.  

"Yeah, you were lucky enough." She said through her cough. She was still giggling in between.  

"What's the joke girls?" Selena asked us. She wore a sexy white bikini.  

"You wore white"  

"Yeah, cause I am the bride." She sang.  

"Why then you should were it under the wedding dress."  

"I agree with Tessa." Denise nodded.

"Hey show us your wedding dress. You didn't show it to us."  

"Yeah show it." Tiya agreed.  

"You might want to get out of here cuz they all are going to go crazy." Kaley suggested. "Come on."

We both walked away from the hyper group to the opposite side of the balcony at the intersection of the two glass panels. I could see the whole city. The skyscrapers looked dusky and in the neighboring building, I could see the reflection of us.  

"The balcony is the coolest part of her house. And then comes her closet."  

"What did you mean by owing half of the collection?"  

"Oh that. Yeah, I do."  

"How so?" She looked at me for a while.  

"You are not very well acquainted with the magazines, are you?"  

"Not really."  

"Ha. I am actually Victoria's Secret model. So yeah.."  

"Oh my, I knew you looked familiar but in the Gucci and Armani ads."  

"Oh, so you do read magazines?"  

"No, I have seen you. Billboards. I sometimes stop and just look at them. Some of them do catch your attention."  

"Oh, that." She laughed again "That yeah. Sounds fair enough."  

"I mean to say you look gorgeous."  

"So do you. You ever thought of modeling?"  

"No way."  

"No seriously. You have got the height bod everything. You should consider it."  

"I already have a job."  

"What do you do?"  

"I am a Civil engineer. I work for Knight's."  

"Wow. Damn." She adjusted her hat again. "But the offer is still up in case they fire you which they shouldn't but.."  

"Maybe I will."  

"Hmm." She sipped on her drink.

After a long pause, I said. "I don't know why I came here. I mean I don't belong here."  

"Hey, you do."  I gave her a 'really' look and then she realized. "Yeah, you are right. But you are welcome here." She pointed towards herself.  

"I knew that already." She smiled at it and then glanced at the group of girls who were too busy in the or own world.  

"They still salivate over Dylan. Till now. And you just reminded them that he is gone for them. So yeah if I were in your place. It's justified to feel the same way."  

"It's hostile in here. But it's all for Selena and David."  

"But don't worry I have got your back. They can't scratch you."  

"Or try to kill me?"  

"Ha ha. Yeah, that too."  

"How come you hangout with them?"  

"I have known Glendora and Lily for many years. They all might act bitchy but in the end, they were all dumped by Dylan and the impact wasn't so good. Believe me."  

"I don't blame them at all."  

"The worse was yet to come. When Dylan married. Ugh, they went crazy. Even I was shocked you know. Guys like him don't settle down. Now I know why he married. But you know out of the blue he did it. How?"  

Oh boy. 

"What about you? Weren't you one of 'them'?"  

"Are you crazy? No way but yes I have to agree Dylan is something alright. Men like him are rare but lucky me I already have my darling here." She showed off her hand I which displayed a diamond ring on her finger. I touched it in disbelief.  

"You are married?!"  

"Yup. Christiano. He is an environmental lawyer. He proposed to me four years back and I had to say yes. He wouldn't take no for an answer. As if I would say no. I love that idiot."

She played with her ring with a satisfied smile on her face. But that wasn't for long when a frown overcame her face.  

"We have been trying for a kid but it's not happening. We have tried a lot but it's not happening at all. There is something wrong with me the doctor says. I feel guilty about that." Her voice was choked and her bright brown eyes weren't so bright anymore. They showed despair.  

"Hey. Don't feel guilty about it. I don't think you should stress over it. Stress is not good, it could probably make it worse."  

"Christiano says the same thing. But I can't help it sometimes. I see a couple with their kid and am like 'oh god why!' It's just not fair."  

Her head hung down and the way she clasped her hands, her blonde hair lashing across her face interfering with the course of her tears. She looked so dejected. She just wants to have a child of her own with her loved one. I may not be able to gauge her pain but I knew one fact that it was very similar to mine. The pain of not having something. I had to cheer her up.  

"You know you don't look good when you cry. And You never told how Christiano proposed to you."  

"Ah, that jerk." She wiped her tears and hugged her hair behind. "In the most ridiculous way. We vacationing in Hawaii. I love that place. Sunset, we were dining and suddenly he pops this ring box. I am excited and bubbling and he opens it."  

"Then?"  

"Blank absolutely blank. I am furious and I scream at him causing a ruckus at the restaurant. He tells me to look at my hand and there is see it. Sitting just like that. He tells me to never remove it. It's more like an order but I am not complaining. I was on cloud nine that day. We even apologized to the manager explaining to him and they understood. In fact, they arranged for our wedding two weeks later."  

"Amazing."  

"I know. We were seeing for two months. I actually met him at a party about some environmental stuff. I was supposed to model for it and promote it. He was the head of that and that's how we met. People said it was crazy, suicide is what his friends called it. But then it's been crazy four years. And I am looking forward to the next crazy fifty of them with him."  

Yes, it was crazy. In that path, you can hurt yourself but they took all the risks. And now the outcome of it was evident from her.  

"Hey, love doves come on in here." Glendora shouted from behind.  

"Shut up Glen." She shouted back. "Come on let's go."  

It was girls' night out and we went totally crazy. At first, I pretended to be crazy and happy about it but then I started getting along. We were having too much fun to bother about the tension and awkwardness between us. I forgot that I was hanging out with my husband's ex-girlfriends and it's not everyday you hear that or even do that. But keeping that aside we still did. We totally sucked at the karaoke and danced sickly. We also decided to play some volleyball at the club house's swimming pool which was booked entirely for us.  

"Don't keep Kaley and Tessa together I swear the opposite team will lose." Selena shouted. Her voice echoed throughout the whole pool room.  

"Stop shouting Selena." Lily said.  

"My voice is echoing. It's so cool. Hellllloooo?"  

We covered our ears as she squealed in excitement and it really hurt. Since Kaley and I couldn't be on the same team. We were made the captains. Kaley had Selena on her team so we both made a secret deal. Kaleys' team won at the end making Selena squeal to the highest tone. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea.  

Exhausted we sat outside on the balcony in a circle each one of us taking the support of cushions in the middle were all the wine bottles. All the lights of the house were dimmed as it was eleven in the night. The only light source was the billboards outside and some of the skyscraper in which the lights were still on. The wind blew softly cooling us and the wind chime rattled too. Most of us were drunk. Selena was totally gone and in a few minutes she could pass out. Kaley was also drunk. The soberest person was me. I hadn't touched the alcohol at all. I was 'appointed' as the bodyguard for Selena by David. He didn't trust Glendora at all. So all the drinks which were offered by Glendora were dumped in the flower pots or the swimming pool, or sometimes I just passed it to Tiya. Glendora was just a little bit tipsy but somehow I didn't think she was drunk at all. I really believed that she was acting it out.  

We all were silent in our own world. Nobody bothered to speak. I gazed out at the tall skyscrapers which surrounded us.  

"You know what baffles me," Glendora spoke.  

"And what is that?" Tiya asked. She took an umbrella from Lily's drink output in her drink.  

"Is that how did Dylan end up marrying this-" She wavered pointing a finger at me. "This Tessa."  

"Yeah, you are right. I mean I had everything." Tiya tugged one umbrella behind her ear.  

"Ugh, here we go again." Kaley grumbled.  

"No no, hear me out." Glendora said.  

"Yeah. I mean how? She doesn't have anything. I mean look at her." Jasmine added. She looked at me with a frown and I could smell the alcohol from her.  

They really had forgotten that I was right there sitting and listening to every word they spoke against me.  

"Shut up Jas and listen to me."  

"Oh you shut up."  

"Hey Sel. Don't you find it odd too?"  

"Huh? Dav?"  

We all were silently staring at her awkwardly. Selena then drifted off again.  

"Nevermind her. As I was saying-"  

"Does anybody want a refill?" I announced cutting Glendora in between.  

"Yeah, yeah." Everybody agreed.  

"I'll come with you." Glendora offered and I let her.  

I silently walked towards the cabinet where all the bottles were kept. Glendora was right behind me the sound of her heels clicking made me aware of that. I opened the cabinet to remove two wine bottles.  

"I am a little curious about Dylan and you."  

I knew she would bring it out. God, I was in no mood to listen to her nonsense but I gave it try to ignore this one too. Taking a deep breath I continued with bringing out the wine bottles.  

"Drop the act, Tessa. You don't do well."  

"What are you curious about?"  

"I am serious here. Dylan cannot marry you out of all the people and that also all of a sudden! He can't like you. You are not his type. At all."  

"Well you know they say opposites attract. I guess."  

"Dylan can never like a girl like you. He would never even look at you."

She was right about that. He would never.  

"So what do you want Glendora?"  

"I don't want anything from you."  

"Okay alright saves me the trouble then."  

I moved to take the wine bottles to the group but she blocked my way. Staring at me suspiciously.  

"I know this marriage is a sham. There is something more to this marriage. What's the deal behind it, Tessa?"  

She was something. She hit right on the spot. And I had to reposition that arrow.  

"I am not surprised, Glendora." I tried to be as cool as possible. I didn't want to be busted.  

"What?"  

"Okay. You and Dylan had a history of dating hooking up and whatnot. I am fine with it. You should also be fine with the fact I am his wife."  

"How did he propose then?"  

Okay, I did not see that one coming. Think Tessa, think.  

"What?"  

"How did he propose to you?" She said it slowly, stretching each word painfully.  

Oh damn. We had never discussed this. I remembered the day how we met.  

"We were in the library."  

"Library?"  

"Yes."  

"I removed a book. We were reading a book together."  

"Book's name."  

"A tale of two cities by Charles Dickens."  

"Then."  

"I opened to the page where we left reading and there was the ring stuck on the page."  

She was silent for a minute or two. It seems her ever-active conspiring brain had a hard time processing what I had said. After a while she said.  

"Library..ha...He woul-."  

"I like libraries. He knows it."  

"Wait a minute-"  

"Glendora. Please what do you want me to say? Do you also want to know what we do everyday? In the morning how we cuddle against each other and in the night what we do? What do we do when we have our free time? Or how many minutes we talk to each other on the phone when we are away from each other? Do you want to hear all of it and make yourself feel pathetic? Stop the chase, Glen. It won't make you feel any better."  

She shivered. I couldn't pinpoint it but I could definitely make out she was upset. I didn't mean to but sometimes it's the only way to save the truth which could ruin others.  

"You..you...stole him." She jabbed her finger on my shoulder. I caught her finger and opened her palm and held it.  

"I didn't steal him. He chose it by his own free will."  

After all the lies I lay before her that was the only one truth that remained. I had debt but he had a choice. Don't know what made him chose this.  

I took the bottles and moved away from leaving her stranded in the room while I joined the group. I saw the girls sipping away their loneliness and singing it out aloud. How many hearts did he break? I didn't want to end up like them.  

Morning came fast. I had slept on the huge beanbag which was more comfortable than the sofa back at home. The balcony was open with sunlight streaming through. My breath didn't smell that bad. It was time to go back and I had to deal with Selena. David must be freaking out back there so it had to be fast. I saw Selena sleeping on the couch peacefully with something under her head. My slip-on canvas shoes were her 'pillow'. I snatched my shoes which made her jerk. 

"What the-"  

"Get ready it's late morning. Where is your stuff?"  

"I don't know." She yawned. "It should be in my bag."  

"Where is your bag?" I wore my second shoe and tied my hair.  

"I don't know. Let me sleep." She stretched and turned to the other side to sleep.  

"No, get up now." I pulled her but she had a strong grip on the sofa.  

"Ugh...go get my bag then I will be ready. And some water with a pill to cure this damn headache!"  

It took me half hour before I found her bag dumped in one of the bathtubs of the bathrooms.  

"Your bag. This pill. Gulp it down." She got up slowly holding her head.  

"You look fresh. You didn't drink?"  

"No. Somebody has to answer to David."  

"Oh shit. I have to get ready. Did he call?"

 "I am not checking my phone. You just don't check yours. It won't help."  

Suddenly the bell rang and we both became alert.  

"Who is it?"  

I walked towards the door and opened the door staring right into Dylan. He looked up. His eyes dangerously raked across my body causing me to heat up, in embarrassment. I shut the door immediately.  

What the hell is he doing here?

I sprinted across the hall. Selena was nowhere to be seen. I saw my bag fallen on the ground. I grabbed it and jumped behind the sofa. I fished through my bag and found my shorts and some mint which I chewed upon. The doors clicked open again and Glendora was also surprised to see him at her doorstep but she welcomed him. As I zipped up my jeans shorts I peeked through the sofa. She was giving a full view of her chest laying her claws all over him. Dylan talked to her politely smiling maybe even enjoying the damn show she put on especially for him. I knew it she wasn't drunk at all. Looks like last night whatever I said was in vain. He bent and said something in her ear which made her giggle. She then kissed him on the cheek and left the room. That bit-  

"What exactly are you doing behind that sofa?"  

I slowly got upstanding. I looked down not meeting his eyes. I knew he was looking at me but I was too scared to look in his. I moved around the sofa towards the balcony. Where is my shirt?  

"Shirt. My shirt I can't find it."  

I got my answer when I saw Kaley sleeping in the middle of the pool on the rubber float wearing my shirt. Just great.  

I heard footsteps drawing close towards me. I looked at him. He stood right before me. He took off his suit's jacket and put it around me. I slipped my arms into its sleeves. His knuckles brushed against the swell of my breasts sliding down to my mid. They left a trail tingling sensation. Slowly my body was heating up not bothering to cool down. His mouth was very close to mine. My mid reflexively pushed forward to feel the tantalizing touch of his fingers. Our pelvis was gently touching against each other. My mouth was open and I leaned behind away from his but his mouth followed mine as he was trying to catch it. Our mouths never met but our breath did. I was breathing heavily and it heard a very negligible grunt from him. Our bodies swayed in a rhythm only separated by an invisible inch. He gently buttoned up the suit. When he finished it he hands still gripped upon the jacket. I looked up to see his face. His eyes were shut and his face grew tight. In a swift motion, he distanced away from me. He stood beside the sofa with his back facing me. No one spoke until he said.  

"David had called me to pick you both. I was on my way back."  

I said nothing. I was too dazed to say anything. I felt light-headed, hot, my body tingle weirdly. It was as if I got a fever or something with a bad case of tonsils. I couldn't even speak.

I went and pick up my bag. The suit was big for me but it was warm and so comfortable. I could sink into and sleep. Now I know why he always wore suits.  

"Selena must be getting ready."  

Selena and Glendora entered at the same time. To cover her face she wore Glendora's aviators and Kaley's sunhat. She carried a pink bag again along with her other one. Glendora didn't look pleased while we were in the car. Serena was way better than in the morning.  

"What's that pink bag?"  

"Glendora's wedding gift."  

"What happened to your shirt?"  

"Kaley." She nodded and looked away.  

The car stopped and I saw David a down beside the edge of the rocks. He looked relieved when Selena ran into his arms. He looked at me as he hugged her tightly. I gave him a thumbs up. They both went inside.  

I turned to give his suit jacket back to him. I saw him closing the car door and drove it away.