CHAPTER 9: WEDDING BELLS

CARA’S P.O.V

I can’t believe that I’m getting married in six months. I looked at myself in the mirror and happiness shone from within. Just two more months and I will be a married woman, I couldn’t get the thought out of my head. It was always my dream, a bride on her wedding day is the closest thing to a queen… but that’s not why I wanted to get married, I wanted to get married because I feel that marriage is one of the most sacred things in the world. I mean, how can it not be sacred when the main reason and source of marriage come from a magic so pure and so real…love! And I am in love, I’m crazily in love with Alexander La’Vardo, and the love that I feel for him, has me bursting with happiness. A few weeks ago not only my dreams of being a doctor and becoming an independent woman was crushed but so were all my dreams of getting married when I took on the job of a servant, who would have known that I would have been going from servant to wife?

“I hope that you are happy?” I heard a voice. “Extremely,” I replied, still looking at my reflection in the mirror. “Of course you are. You are finally getting everything that you wanted. You are going from rags to riches. Poor girl, you sold your heart for money” the person said bitterly. Turning to the source of the voice I saw Lily standing at my doorway, a bitter expression on her face, anger and jealously full in her eyes. “I’m chasing after love Lily, not money. I’m not what you think I am. I have a heart, unlike you!” I fought back, I was sure by now the news of our marriage spread around the house… how dare she though? How dare she accuse me of marrying for money? She doesn’t even know me! How dare she? “You can say whatever you want to comfort yourself and lie to Xander, but to me you are as clear as crystal glass, I can see right through you and your lies” she said. “In that case, I’m sure that you can see that I am the complete opposite of how your describe me to be” I said as I walked  towards the door and shut it in her face.

Lily always has a way of spoiling my mood, I can’t even imagine  how she must be spoiling my name to the rest of the employees in the house. That explains why I have been getting some death stares today as I passed some of them in the hallway. Xavier is their employer, yet Lily dictates to them and they believe whatever she says. She has such an impact on how they think…think…why can’t they think for themselves…it’s like they have no mind of their own or they are brainwashed by Lily and her words. If Lily say’s jump, no doubt that fifty per cent or more of the employees that work here will ask how high.

I needed to calm down. I opened the taps to run myself a hot bath. Dropping a bath bomb into the water, I removed my clothes. Just when I dipped myself into the steaming, tropical scent bath, I heard someone furiously banging on my bedroom door. “Come back in 30 minutes please!!!” I shouted and closed my eyes as I allowed all of my worries and anger which Lily has caused flow out of my body and soak into the water. Another set of furious banging disturbed my tranquil moment. Mumbling my curses, I put on my gown and went to check who is at the door.

“Emma?!!” I said, pleasantly shocked. “Oh, Cara! I’m so excited for you!” she said, wrapping her arms around me as I did with her too. “So he has told you,” I said, guessing the reason for her excitement. “Yes, oh my! I am so, so happy. I couldn’t believe my ears when he told me but the glow on his face and the sparkle in his eyes, not forgetting his ear-to-ear smile, convinced me that it is true. I never thought that I would ever see my brother that happy ever again, but today I did! Cara, it’s all thanks to you!” she said, gratefulness in her eyes as she held both of my hands in hers like a sister would. “I couldn’t believe it too…in fact I am still having difficultly believing it, but it is true, I am getting married to Xander,” I said.  “We will be sisters-in-law!!!” She squealed and jumped in excitement. “Wait…so am I invited?...” she joked. “Errmm…We haven’t yet worked out the guest list but if we have space then we would definitely send you an invite” I played along with her joke. “Everyone else in this household hates me,” I said disappointedly. I would love to say that is not true but we both know that Lily has turned everyone against you. But don’t worry Cara, once people get to know what you really are like, they would warm up to you. She can lie to them now but soon everyone would get to know the pure soul that you are” Emma’s word’s held truth. “You are right. Just like how a storm cannot last forever, a lie cannot last too” I said as I realized that. “Yes, now can I see the bride-to-be smile?” she asked, making me smile.

“So Emma, I will need a bridesmaid,” I said and her eyes sparkled if possible even more than when I confirmed that I am getting married. “Of course I would be more than honored to be your bridesmaid,” she said. “Great! So you will be one and my sister will be the other” I said. “Just the two of us?” Emma asked. “Yes, just the two of you” I confirmed. “You do know that you were supposed to have three bridesmaids right” She said in a stern voice. “Yes I know Emma but my parents weren’t close to any of our family members so I barely know any of them and I’ve lost most of my friends because I always had my head in my books and barely went out” I explained. “Head in your books?” she looked  confused hearing that expression. “Yes, it means that I have been busy with my studies” I explained. “Yeah I know what it means. I didn’t know that you were studying though. What were you studying” she asked. “Medicine” I answered. “Were you studying to become a doctor?” she asked. “Yes, I had a year until I qualified,” I said. “So why didn’t you complete that year? ” her question had me sadly explaining my whole story about how I ended up here. However, I wasn’t sad about my past, I’ve spoken about it so many times that I can recite it without feeling any emotion. What I was sad about though, was that my bath water getting colder and colder as each minute passed by.

“We need to book a Spa day,” I came up with the idea as I thought about my bathwater. “We need to start getting our nails and hair treated so that they will be perfect in time for the wedding. We also need to do facial treatments for bright, naturally glowing skin” I was excited as I spoke about the prep leading to my wedding day. “Yes…why don’t you leave the bookings to me. I know the perfect place for a spa day. Maybe we will go on Sunday. I will send one of our drivers to pick up your sister in the morning and we shall all go” Emma said. Honestly, I was so grateful to have her around, our friendship was growing strong. “Thank you, Emma. I would really appreciate that. Thank you so much” I said, hugging her. “It’s no problem. After all, Xander asked me to help you plan the wedding. Oh, there is sooo much to do and soooo little time. Cara, the venue is not even booked as yet!!! We have to still work out the guest list!!! Food…food is the most important thing, even if you and Xander don’t show up, I wouldn’t care as long as there is food!!! Oh, and wine!!!” she said making me laugh. “And Cara you better start looking for wedding dress idea’s …we will get it designed by the best designer in Milan. That reminds me, as your bridesmaid’s, your sister and I would also have to go shopping as well. There is soo much to do!!!” she paced up and down my room, listing everything that needs to be done, rubbing her temples as she thought about it all. “Would you please relax” I laughed at her, making her laugh too.  “Thank you Cara. You have made my life so much better. You have no idea of how happy I am right now. Cara you are truly an angel” She said while she wrapped her arms around  me and it felt good for me to hug her back. It felt so similar to hugging Joyce and for a second I actually began to think that I was in fact hugging Joyce…I missed her and I missed my mum.