Damien entered the lounge that served as a waiting area for the dining room in search of Neil. They found one another. “Damien, over here. April will be following, I assume?” He asked after the server took Damien’s drink request.
“Yes, she insisted on resting and changing for dinner. She promised to meet us for dinner.” He said as he accepted his drink and sat down across from Neil.
“Good, then I’ll ask, after that incident in the tearoom. What is your plan, Damien? You’ve Caro worried. How does April work into them?” Neil asked his friend. He despised it. The stakes were high. Damien was his friend, but April was Carolyn’s. Need I be concerned about any confrontations?
“No, not yet. But I can’t make any guarantees. You saw what he did. Neil, I should have him removed. Arrested for assault if she’ll allow it. I’ve resisted finding him and having a chat. But that’s because your wedding events start in mere hours, and he shouldn’t be a part of them.” Damien grimaced after taking too big a sip of his drink. He let the alcohol burn his throat as it went down.
“Please my friend, try to avoid any violence with David, for Caro. If you can’t do it for April.” Neil said. His request is as much between friends as gentlemen. What he hadn’t expected was the look in Damien’s eyes shift and telegraph through his body. It’s subtle, but Neil knew his friend better than anyone.
“What do you mean can’t do it for April? Nothing’s being done for April.” Damien halted what he said then, but Neil suspected he’d heard from Carolyn at least some of April’s situation.
Neil turned to Damien and blinked at his angry reaction. This wasn’t what he’d expected from his friend. “I’m sorry Damien. I didn’t know you felt like that.” He’d forgotten about Damien’s old interest in April, before the incident in the tearoom.
“Neither did I. Not until I saw the state of her arm. Such treatment of someone you vowed to cherish, Neil? Who would do that?
“David Moore, it seems. But how did I never know my best friend was interested in my fiancé’s business partner? Don’t you think that’s something you’d mention to me?”
“I don’t know. Opportunity never arose; she wed another. By then it was too late. Following that, it appeared we never attended the same event together. If I was, then we were in different rooms.” Neil watched Damien do something he’d not done in years. The man pouted into his drink, unhappy with his thoughts of April and the years that he’d missed.
“Are you still interested in her?” The answer was obvious to Neil. He looked at Damien and could see his reaction. Damien never acted differently with women. Now Neil understood why he didn’t. Damien had fallen for April years ago and hadn’t realized it. Her uniqueness made him fall for her at first sight.
Neil pretended to scratch an itch on his nose to hide his smile. This was a fine mess his friend was in. Even if it’s not a laughing matter.
“I don’t know.” Damien said as he pondered his thoughts and the ripples the ice made in his drink. “Yes, maybe. I think so.” He looked up and studied the ornate ceiling tiles as he continued to come up with a plan that didn’t include murdering David Moore.
“You think so.” Neil asked him. Before he gave him a rueful smile. “God, you’ve got it bad. She’s married to a creep. Prioritize addressing that issue before moving on to anything else. Remember, she’s struggled with a reputation worse less than a beggar’s. You’ll have to deal with fools and idiots.”
“I plan to. Don’t worry and he’s making it easy to lose him. Dealing with haters and their toxic comments is something I approach similarly to my other endeavours. They won’t know what hit them.”
They received the signal that the dining room was ready to seat everyone for dinner. Damien received a text from the wedding planner, asking the wedding party to attend a dinner to plan tomorrow’s events and rehearsal.
The wedding guests and the wedding party members filtered into the hotel’s dining rooms. The wedding party kept the smaller dining room for themselves, while the guests enjoyed themselves in the larger dining rooms.
Damien was assisting Carolyn’s mother to her seat when April entered the intimate dining room. “Oh, for heaven’s sake. Carolyn, why is she here?” Beatrice Roy asked her daughter in a furious whisper. Her eye narrowed as she looked from April to Carolyn.
“Mother, please be kind. Remember you’re not the one who’s paying the bill, I am. I can invite whomever I like. April is my business partner and best friend. I want her as my bridesmaid.” Carolyn asked her mother. No, she felt she pleaded with her mother not to start something in front of Neil and his parents. But her mother ignored appeared to her pleas.
“Isn’t she married to that Moore fellow? Where is he? I don’t see him. You could have invited him and made it worth our suffering her presence.” Beatrice clung to the old families’ wealth beliefs. Carolyn knew she’d never change this part of her mother. Beatrice would never see April for the business savvy entrepreneur she was. Carolyn represented their brand with her face.
“David Moore’s attending and claiming to be April’s plus one. However, he’s not on the guest list and April does not have a plus one. David’s a party crasher, Mother. I’m confident you will turn it into a redeeming quality.” Carolyn knew she was relying on the Bridezilla title too much. She was using it to ensure her mother understood she was a married woman and no longer under her thumb.
“Carolyn Roy, how dare you be rude like this?” In a snippy manner, Beatrice questioned Carolyn about teaching her to put on such a public exhibition. While she ignored April’s presence as if she wasn’t there.
Many blamed April for problems she didn’t cause. It’s hurt her reputation. At least the wine was decent. From Carolyn’s rebellious behaviour to poor colour choices. If it doesn’t fit within Beatrice’s idea of the perfect wedding, that is incorrect and it’s a form a corrupting influence. The corrupting influence has a name, April Moore.
“Mother, I’m the bride. That’s my right. Welcome to my party.”
April hadn’t greeted her hosts or sat down at her seat yet. But she’d started a scandal by entering a room. “Good evening, everyone. I hope I’ve not started anything by walking into a room. Can I assist you, Carolyn, in fixing this?”
“You can leave.” Beatrice demanded in a sharp voice.
“No, April. You know how my mother is. Just sit and relax. My mother will have to take a pill and relax also. She’s being rude for no reason at all. I’m sorry Mr. and Mrs. Stone. Sometimes my mother forgets herself.”
“Carolyn, it’s not our place to say anything on the matter. But for the sake of peace. Let’s step back, relax, and try to have a pleasant time. We are here for Neil and Carolyn to help them celebrate their coming wedding.”
“Thank you, Mr. Stone.”
“Where is your husband April?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t seen him since we arrived.”
“Aren’t you concerned?”
“It’s not unusual for Mr. Moore. He loves to find his entertainments without me.”
“Oh, I see. That doesn’t bother you?”
“It has served its purpose and allowed me to enjoy more honest entertainment and develop our business without his interference. I won’t complain just now.”
“Mrs. Roy, I like you. You know that, right?”
“I like you too, Damien. I always have.”
“Good. Then please I want to give you a piece of advice no one else has. Currently, avoid involvement with established family matters. Don’t take sides. Wealth will change hands, and you won’t need to worry about anything. Others will, however, let them succeed or fail independently.”
“Damien. What are you saying? What do you know?”
“I am saying nothing else.”
Chloe Carleton graced everyone with her presence around the third course. She entered the dining room giggling on David’s arm as if he was an expected member of the bridal party. “Your husband has arrived.” Beatrice said. She stated the obvious as he stumbled in, dishevelled with Chloe. They were both giggling and tipsy. It’s embarrassing to see. David didn’t care. He didn’t look at April. He didn’t say a word to her. Everything was for Chloe and gushing for her. Damien pointed to three areas and smiled. It’s a public event. Public events were often video taped for memory, marketing, advertising, or security purposes. April couldn’t help but smile into her wineglass. Let her husband lick Chloe Carleton’s neck for the camera as she watched. David’s reputation now hit rock bottom if it hadn’t been there by now. No one did this in public, even during their own wedding. They weren’t in Los Vegas either and he was already to som
Damien hated the idea of leaving April like this. Because she was speaking with him, and he didn’t like what he saw. He’d never trusted David Moore years ago. Now Damien had enough reason not to trust him. Or allow David near April or any woman. But Luke Miles, his assistant, texted him with an urgent request. He didn’t do that unless it’s one. Damien found Luke, surprisingly, in a supply closet near the concierge. “Luke, what is it? What happened?” Damien asked. He demanded. Luke’s face looked concerned as the door closed behind him. In a cramped storage closet, two big men weren’t in the ideal setting for an energetic meeting. It’s a meeting that would take minutes and seconds rather than hours. The space smelled of cleaning fluids and was far too warm. “I apologize about our meeting location. Next time, I will choose a better meeting place; preparation time was limited. Now I’m sorry but, someone’s tampered with the video cameras. We don
April enjoyed David and Chloe’s early exit from the dining room. She didn’t enjoy how Beatrice blocked her from speaking to Carolyn about the trouble Chloe and David would cause. April felt it’s her fault. She wouldn’t thank David for his insistence of separate rooms. He thought his affairs were a secret; they weren’t. April’s no fool; that’s Chloe. How would Chloe respond when she learned of David’s other lovers? “What am I thinking?” April stared out at the darkness. The picture windows revealed, a hint of the dark, landscape by the well-placed lighting throughout the resort’s gardens. It’s her thoughts that lashed out, intent on making them feel her pain. April didn’t fool herself into believing they’d feel it like her. April wondered if Damien would care that she wished to hurt Chloe. She wondered about the personal questions he’d asked and what he said to David. His dislike of Chloe was a surprise. April’s
Location: Carolyn and Neil’s Suite Carolyn disconnected the call with April and looked at Neil over her shoulder with an amused smile. “Would you look at this, Neil? It’s a pen with ink that disappears. She plans to sign the post-nuptial agreement with it. What do you think?” Carolyn asked her fiancé. “I’m glad I’m marrying you for love and not for money. Your friend has made you into a dangerous woman. I’d never stand a chance at survival in the legal system or life.” “Wait, I thought you liked April.” “I do. I like her as a friend. And I’d prefer to keep her as one. It terrifies me to think of her as an enemy. David has a death wish and he’s welcome to it.” “He’s attacking my business now and April.” “Fine. You won’t be happy until you know both have back up. Am I right?” “Oh, you know me too well.” “You call the wedding planner and do you magic abou
“Damien. What’re you doing here?” April finished with her call resort’s concierge, who made her feel her request was reasonable and she stay silent. They couldn’t halt business, but there’s a silent cost to do business when there were abuses, infractions, and horrible manners. That’s something April wouldn’t say. She assumed David must’ve said or done something to the staff or management. They’re informing her, she wasn’t involved. “I’m here to see what happened. Neil called. Caro’s worried. I’m not pleased to hear David was here threatening you and your business. What’s this about David needing the business centre to develop a document for you to sign over your business to him?” David entered her suite. His blond hair looked rumpled, fresh, clean, and it made him look younger, a little wilder, as he radiated his annoyance at what he’d learned. “Neil said that. I can’t trust him to keep my business private.” April said. She c
Chloe sat in the resort’s lounge and responded to her father’s email. He wouldn’t send her an informal text message or a phone call. They’d have been too close and familiar. He liked to keep his distance from his people and that included his family. [We want results. You’ve not produced in the last five years. If you expect to receive the benefits of being a member of this family, we expect results. Get your numbers up. We don’t care how you do that. Push Mr. Moore to lose that inferior female and replace her. If he doesn’t act fast enough, you’re smart. Speak to her. Cannot take effective action and we’ll show how to take effective action by removing you from the family.] Chloe’s father wasn’t a person anyone could argue with, because he wouldn’t respond to the email. He left her feeling like she was a poor, seasonal part-time staff. The company hired them with a false promise of employment. Her father wanted her to marry Da
Damien awoke to Luke in his bedroom with his leather portfolio under one arm and a couple of large cups of coffee. The scent made Damien increasingly alert with each breath. “I come bearing coffee and information.” Luke placed a cup beside Damien before he sat down in a chair by the window desk. “You’d better have positive news. You seem remarkably cheerful this late. Damien glared in annoyance at his assistant’s face with a warm smirk. Damien’s excessive work left him feeling rough. Luke looked like he’d drunk his fourth cup of coffee and read all the historical precedent setting documents. “You’ll like some of what we’ve found. The rest I’m sure you’ll deal with it as you do.” Luke’s lightheartedness hid the underlying truth about Damien’s ease of doing pretty much anything. His father believed Damien couldn’t deal with anything, unless he had a staff of a hundred experts. His father believed Damien did nothing while the st
“Since your mom and Chloe aren’t here, we can talk. I won’t argue with Chloe or your mom for your wedding. I’ll leave it up to you. But David and my marriage, my reputation. I’ll stand up for myself.” April said. She appeared as relieved as Chloe for this. Though the wedding planner wasn’t happy that Beatrice wasn’t there. He preferred to know where she was and monitor what Beatrice was doing. “That’s fair. Now, I’ve been dying to know. Did Damien visit you? He said he would. He told Neil you needed someone in your corner. Hearing Damien's upset reaction to Neil's account of David's actions was pleasing. He insisted that he’d help you stay safe and protect the business so we can go on our honeymoon. Damien made it clear that it didn’t matter if we went or not, he’d be there to help you. You needed more on your side.” Carolyn asked. She bent over her plate toward April. Her eyes twinkled as she smiled with intrigue. “What? Damien said that?
April didn’t run from Chloe, not with the lights on. Chloe's actions were visible to onlookers. April found herself stuck with no time to create a scenario or narrative to embarrass her. She couldn't quickly discredit April without raising questions about her own motives and presence. Chloe couldn't create false situations to blame on herself. April entered the lobby from the corridor and wrapped her robe closer around her. The lighting appeared so bright now after the dark. The soft sounds of people, music, and machines now appeared louder than before. She sighed because it’s over and she could find everyone else and ensure they’re okay. Then she’d retreat to her suite and hide. At least, that’s what April thought she’d do. That’s not what happened. April stepped toward the front desk and Damien’s voice came from behind her. “April, where were you? I told you to stay in the lobby or the lounge.” His words told everyone he’s annoyed, and Ap
April watched David back away and leave. She sighed, letting her shoulders relax. Her arm hurt where he’d squeezed it. The ass thought she’d allow him to take her somewhere to hurt her. David signed the divorce settlement papers. He still believed he’d manipulate her life. A server appeared out of nowhere, startling and said to April when he refreshed her tea. “Enjoy Madam. If you need anything else, please signal me. I’ll bring it to you.” “Thank you.” Pastries next to a cup showed server presence. April studied the cup of tea as she thought. Damien had the staff watching her. Were they caring for her, guarding her, or protecting her? He wanted her in his life; she wasn’t sure if he understood all her facets. His feelings might change following that revelation. She ate and thought. David wanted his freedom, and then he acted like that. It won’t work; she would’ve to set a boundary. Damien would severely reprim
"I want what you owe me." David said as he loomed over April. His face was in shadow, which meant she failed to see his hate filled glared, but she didn't miss his grip on her arm. The familiar pressure and pain were there. "David, I owe you nothing. Now, release my arm. Anything I have now has come from outside of our marriage and your prenuptial agreement and postnuptial agreement don't include it. You've signed the settlement, and I've already submitted it to my lawyer who's filed it. It's a matter of days we'll receive the official divorce certificates, and this'll be over." April said, and she hadn't cowered or cried. She'd seemed too calm, and her satisfied smile rubbed David the wrong way right now. "No, I don't believe you. It won't happen so soon. It's too early. I'm not ready. It can't be over." David leaned in closer as he spoke. His emotions rose as he spoke and revealed something odd. "What's the matter David? I
April felt the heavy drops of the rain; she stood up from the table. It came with a suddenness no one expected. April held her arm ahead of her face. Damien surprised her by taking her other hand, pulling her from the table. “Damien, a bride will change everything.” It’s out of your hands and you won’t miss your control.” Neil said. Their joking exchange had April questioning their playful banter. Was their banter veiled matchmaking. April didn’t know Damien; a hasty remarriage wasn’t her intention. “Well, that’s an excellent save darling.” Carolyn pinched Neil’s cheek, and she gave Neil a fond smile. “Yeah, wasn’t it? I’m hoping Damien’s taking notes. He’s going to need it.” Neil kissed Carolyn’s cheek and released Damien’s shoulder with a smile. “I heard you I’m still married. Okay, I’m getting wet. Can we move along?” April said from Damien’s other side as she raised a hand in protest. She wanted to set her
“Carolyn, my dear, you can’t be more correct I’ve found my son the perfect woman and he won’t need to wait for a divorce. Damien, meet Emily Franklin.” A voice emerged from the twilight, drawing everyone’s gaze into the shadows behind Damien and April. “Oh, lord, she couldn’t lay off for this event, could she? I feel sorry for you, man. Oh God, that’s not a woman. She’s a child throw her back. I don’t think she’s not done yet. What’s your stepmother thinking, David?” Neil asked in a groan. April noted the men’s fearful, tired expressions. Neither man liked her doing this. Sure enough, Ellen Jones, Damien’s stepmother, trudged through the sand. She’d missed the path by inches. A childlike girl who looked eager and annoyed followed her through the sand in the dark. “Enter stage awkward new group crazy. At least you share no blood with her. I can’t say that for my uncle, he won’t surprise us.” April said to Damien with a small l
“How did you avoid a catfight?” April asked Damien when she saw him, as they walked towards the beach. The beach paths crossed several small dunes. They led down by a cliff and created a distinctive atmosphere. The paths provided safe beach access. If they didn’t, they’d find loose sand under the wild picturesque grasses. The winds made it easy to fall as the guests walked to the beach. The clam bake dinner awaited everyone to watch the sunset as they ate at the zenith of the beach in the region. Lights and flags marked the paths for the return trip. Guests took their time walking down the path in ones and twos. Music filtered up from a steel drum band and the smell of spicy seafood and the sea added to the atmosphere. “We didn’t, the Caddy told Chloe, whoever sent her the photo had set her up. She’s married and showed photos of a woman with three children. The photo was David helping the Caddy climb up to retrieve his clubs off the top of
Damien found Neil at the start of the gulf course. Luke lurked behind him with his golf bag with Neil’s assistant, Danel. Damien had noticed the weather hadn’t cleared, either. The groomsmen eyed the sky, worry etched on their faces. The rain cancelled this afternoon’s game. “Neil, we’re leaving; let’s see how far we go. Let’s enjoy the course for as long as the weather holds. Who knows we might get through the course before the heavens opens on us.”Damien said to the group to keep the groom and the party happy. He looked at Luke, who had everything organized. They started off enjoyable enough. Damien remembered assistants for every groomsman, but David. David was a wildcard he hadn’t planned for. He attended because Neil wanted him there to monitor him and Damien could see Neil’s point. Neil’s question regarding David’s whereabouts became clear; David lacked trust. David arrived late and brought a female with him to act as
April met Damien the next morning for breakfast with Carolyn and Neil. They were their chaperones, in theory. Tradition and friendship put them in their places. Fun and enjoyment had them sitting there laughing together. “Well, something’s changed because it’s changed between you after that rather interesting kiss. I thought David was going to either swallow his tongue or attack.” “I don’t know why, and I don’t care Carolyn. He was there with his signature of documents to end our marriage in his pocket and his hands on his lover. Who I might add he’s declared will be his next wife in front of everyone. It helps get over him faster and let’s me see it’s okay to go after what I want.” “Oh, hey Neil! I think April’s got it! Okay, so we’re having fun this morning. Just us.” Carolyn said. She was all smiles as her hand swept over the restaurant’s patio railing at the grounds beyond. April tried to smile excitedly, but the heavy cl
April had returned to her suite an hour before when someone knocked on her door. She debated not answering the door. She didn’t know who it was, but her dread was there. If it was Carolyn, or Neil, they’d text or phone first. Damien would learn. April sighed; it might be Damien. She needed to check. It wasn’t. Beatrice was behind the door. Waiting for April, the woman paced restlessly. Something wasn’t right with Beatrice. She looked jumpy or shaky. That’s something April hadn’t noticed before. She should mention it to Carolyn when she returned from her honeymoon. Was she on medication that wasn’t working? Or was she drinking with a medication she shouldn’t? April also perceived a nonexistent object. Beatrice wouldn’t leave; she kept banging on the door. “Beatrice, what do you want?” April asked. She opened the door, observing the older woman outside. “Why delay answering, April? Who's there?" Be