18

Every cloud has a silver lining.  

My mother always repeated it to me. If I caught a cold or if there was trouble in school I would remember what she said. She would also say that somethings happen for our own good. I knew she said that when she couldn't explain somethings. These two things echoed to me when she and dad passed away and they didn't make any sense to me. They still don't. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't find the answer to my questions. She is not here to explain it to me. I had to find it out by myself.  

The workers were giving the last finishing touch to the hall. The back was blocked for any person to access the set up which was being constructed for the wedding. Doan really did it perfectly well. Everything that Selena had ordered was right on the platter.  

"Don't put those lights there. It's already enough."  

"But ma'am Selena ma'am told me to put them up."  

"I am her maid of honor. I decide where it goes. Put them with the wedding ones in the backyard. The chandeliers are enough."  

"Yes ma'am." The worker got down from the giddy ladder with the lights he was putting up.  

"And listen, if she shouts for this tell her my name." The worker was surprised. I gave him a nod and he smiled back.  

"Thank you, ma'am." He slightly bowed and then left.

"Give me a reason that I shouldn't tell this one to her." David spoke from the back. I jumped at his voice. 

"Shit Dav you scared me." I turned around to him. "And yeah don't you tell that."  

"Wow look at you. Taking orders like a waitress. With the writing pad and that typical pencil."  

"I am giving them."  

"Hey, can I order something?"  

"Oh yeah and what is that?"  

"Stop this thing."  

"Stop what thing?"  

"This engagement party. It's ridiculous. Yeah, we are engaged." He sat at bottom of the stairs with his elbows on his knees twiddling his thumbs.  

"Why?"  

"It's really ridiculous."  

"Are you afraid that somebody who shows up at this party will be against it?" I teased him.  

"No. Even if somebody does I don't care I will punch that person's face. Beat him to a pulp." He huffed out.  

"Alright. What's up?" I closed my notebook pad and leaned on the post looking down.  

"This party sounds like showbiz."  

"Well, it's not like that."  

"No I am serious. You know it's like we are confirming a business deal and showing it off. I mean c'mon your and Dylan's wedding was like as if you guys were in love and got married in court."

I was slightly taken aback by what he said. Business deal sure it was but when you put it so bluntly.  

"Uh-" 

"It's not funny, Dav."  

"God I crossed my limit." He got up looking towards me.  

"It's alright. Consider yourself lucky you didn't get Selena like that. If you have so much problem with it why didn't you discuss it with Selena?"  

"I did."  

"And?"  

"She told me it's needed. She thinks it's because Reynold is getting married. You got married in court with no expense at all. The 'media' wouldn't describe it so well. It's a Reynold marriage."  

"Reputation you mean."  

"Yeah according to her. She didn't take it pretty well you know. She was like "You want to call off everything and blah blah. Then she was saying its wedding jitters."  

"Is it?"  

"Ha. It's not that."  

"What are you really afraid of Dav?"  

"I don't know. I think it's the crowd which is going to attend this function. I am not royalty."  

"Royalty?" I laughed a bit at it but then stopped. "I get it you know. Don't worry that makes us two."  

"C'mon you are a Gray. Even worse." He sighed.  

"People never saw me as a Reynold or Gray. They think I am just an orphan who got lucky and taking advantage of it."  

"Bah-"  

"And the people who think that is the people who are attending this function today."  He looked at me for a while opening his mouth and then closing again. He then wanted to talk but he stopped again.  

"Alright, you win." He admitted.

"Anyway see you later."  

"Yeah."

I entered my room to see Selena pacing back and forth looking a bit nervous.  

"Hey what's wrong why are you here?"  

"I just wanted to check on stuff."  I folded my hands and observed her frantic pacing. She was muttering to herself.  

"Stop it."  

"Huh? What?" She jumped on her spot.  

"Stop walking like that. You look crazy." I came forward to her as she kept on fidgeting.

"Is it about-"  

"Yes, it's David." She breathed.  "We had an argument yesterday night."  

"About the party I know he told me."  

"You met him? How's he?"  

"Yeah, he's fine looked a bit upset but fine."  

"Okay, okay. Okay." She sat down on the bed. 

"Selena you have been acting a little crazy."  

"I know. I don't know. Ugh, I have been too snappy these days." She massaged her head.  

"They are too many big people coming tonight. It's going to be too glitzy. He doesn't want to feel small. He needs your support."  

"He thinks he is not good enough for this stuff. He has no idea how handsome and awesome he is."  

"I think he knows that. He is too cocky about that. Don't act freaky though. This wedding is supposed to bond not break."  

"I know that. Thanks." She smiled. "Oh yeah, this is for you." She brought out a box and kept it on the bed.  

"What's that?"  

"The dress you will wear today."  

"You and Clara." I muttered. "You didn't have to do this. I already borrowed a dress from you."  

"Shut up okay. I bought it for you."  

I opened the box and removed the gown which was inside it. It had the texture of a tree's bark but it was velvety and green in color. It shimmered at certain folds. The front side was full of no cleave as full-length sleeves. I turned the dress backward.  

"Sel."  

"You match it with a choker it'll look awesome. Maroon lipstick and black mascara and..."  

"Sel."  

"You should do as I say you will look awesome. And hold up your hair in the bun. Maybe-"  

"Sel."  

"What?"  

"It's backless."  

"Yeah, I noticed that."  

"Look at it. It's like there is nothing. It just ends above my butt."  

"I know it looks so sexy. You need a tall person to pull this one off and I thought of you."  

"Sel."  

"C'mon just wear it!"  

I gave her a look but she wasn't affected by it. Too excitedly she tripped out of my room. I breathed out and looked at the expensive gown. One tear or stain then I would be done.  

The whole party looked a construction site except for the fact that the yellow helmets were replaced by crafty fedoras. Although I was supposed to be attending to the guests I was practically working "backstage" with the workers. Doan and I were continuously communicating over the mini-mic given. There were little situations coming up in between such as the champagne shortage the people were just consuming that and that only, but they were handled perfectly well. Even while I glittered myself for this party I was still "working" just like how I did back.  

As for Selena and David, they were happy with each other. I just wondered how would they be on the wedding day. Each person was coming and greeting and expressing themselves congratulating them. The couple was smiling and accepting them.  

"Hey Doan I think we need to provide refreshments to the couple."  

"Yeah, you are right. On it."  

Things seemed smooth and fine. I winked at both of them and they gave me the thumbs up.  

"Everything's fine Doan?"  

"Yes, it is. I believe you should leave the rest to me. Just go ahead and enjoy it. Let me do my job."  

"Alright, I am taking off then."  

"Okay."  

I took off the mic from the choker and gave it to the waiter beside me instructing him to give it back to Doan. Everybody was present over here. People busy talking laughing. All the ceremonies were over. The journalists were banking on this day. As the wedding drew near the reporters outside the villa's area increased reporting about the preparations each and everyday. One of the workers who had just gone out to bring the decorations was interviewed by a reporter. And when he came back in a very exciting manner he explained how the reporter questioned to his colleagues, the other workers. He called it his "golden moment" to be on live tv. The whole thing was so Royal. I thought about how David had called it.  

"Doan and you did pretty well." Edward said from behind and I turned towards him.  

"Yes. Thank you."  

I hadn't talked to him since 'that' day. It's not that I was avoiding him but it was naturally happening. I guess the wedding preparations took my mind off everything. But not off Dylan. He always seemed to plague my mind. Always.  

"You look beautiful today Tessa. Really beautiful."  

I had put in some effort today just because of Selena. I didn't want to listen to a rant from her again. Other days you could handle her but these days you could never. Some of the books say that the bride is like that at this period. Oh yes, I was reading books. I just nodded to that still looking for Dylan.  

Suddenly the band started playing music and the couples mover towards the center. Selena and David were already dancing while the others joined them. I quietly moved backward till the party was out of sight. The backyard was deserted and went through the patch of forest. I walked until I saw the rocky cliff again.  

It was windy and I felt really cold especially at the back. My bareback was completely exposed and I was nearly chilled but I welcomed it anyway. I puffed out a little bit. The whole sea was black and gigantic. It's waves thundering against the cliff frequently. My hair's tendrils beat against my face because of the wind.  

I walked more closer to the edge of the cliff. The wind was picking up more speed. I heard a small sound of stone crunching which made me alert. I looked behind but I couldn't see anything. I looked backed ahead peaking over the cliff.  

"Are you really thinking to jump off?"