An Unexpected Gift

Chapter 11- 'Fleeting Joy'

We marched to the traditional wedding song down the aisle left then right. I still felt delicate and fragile; I wasn't sure what felt the most fragile my appearance or my heart because I was slowly falling for my 'Escort'. I never knew why he was upset or at least I wasn't aware why but all I know is with every stare it felt more intense and direct. I was lost in thought to everything and everyone until my mother came in with my baby sister on her arm both giggling away at some transparent joke, unaware of my action I glanced in Demetri's direction and as I did he was staring right at me, I couldn't help but blush and it was visible because I saw Dominic behind him using his hand to make fun of me with the heart symbol.

"Let anyone who object speak now or forever hold their peace" "What are you doing?" "I'm Sorry but this is a mistake, I can't do this" "I'M PREGNANT"

"I now pronounce you, Mr. and Mrs. Summers. You may now kiss your Bride!" The whole auditorium erupted in applause; my baby sister was finally married. I saw my mom clapping with tears flowing from her eyes, tears of joy. I couldn't help but cheer for her; I wish her all the happiness life had to offer.

The reception area was buzzing with excitement, as my sister and her now husband danced in the center to Najee- All I ever ask. His reaction from earlier still had me puzzled so I started. "Did I do something wrong?" I sat staring into his face, he looked so calm and peaceful but thinking, focused. I watched as the shimmer from the candle lights reflect in his eyes, eyes I could get lost in, "You look stunning" he replied with a smile on his face, unaware he saw me...., I blushed "Thank you!", "Was the amount not enough?" He looked into my eyes as if he could see into my soul, "You think that's why I did it, Nas you don't understand, do you!?" he said leaning forward, "You think it's about the money? I don't need money!" then he got up suddenly "Excuse me" and begun to walk away;

I was confused, I needed answers that he was reluctant to give, was I supposed to let him know that Dom told me what was up? So naturally I got up after him "What is your problem?" I snapped, "YOU!..... You're my problem NastassIjah! Maybe this was a mistake." He countered, "Excuse me!?" I snapped as he continued, "You think the other night was about money, you think everything is about business" he snickered

"You're too damn stubborn to know when you've got a good thing to appreciate it" "What the hell are you talking about Demetri!?" he walked off again out the reception area, out the back door to the lawn. "DEMETRI!" I called out. "What Nastacijah? You hired an escort!" He walked off.....again with a painful look on his face!

I couldn't help the bewildered look that crossed my face. It was 4:30 pm in the evening and I decided that I needed further enlightenment. I looked up to see people staring as if to wonder what our arguing was about, I was mirroring their looks as I ran off to go find him, I ran into Mom at the buffet table eyeballing a young Hispanic man who looked easily 10 years her junior. "Mom, have you seen Demetri?" I asked hastily, "No, but you should try this cake darling it's delish...." she replied scrapping the dessert fork in her plate, "Dom have any of you guys seen Demetri?" he said pointing in his location with the martini glass to his lips, "Oh ye he's over there", "Ok thanks!" and before they could finish I took off.

"What are you talking about, wasn't the money part of our agreement? I'm confused" I said on my approach not allowing any indication of his intervention evident, then he turned and said "I LOVE YOU Nastacijah it was never about the money, I'm not who you think I am" He grabbed my shoulders, and continued "I made love to you because I have never been so attracted to any female like this before....... That's why, I did it, I .....", "Nastacijah..... Demetri...". We became distracted by the way our names were said, we bout turned to see Patience standing with her arms crossed wearing a snarl on her face. "What do you want Patience?" I couldn't help but sound a bit defensive, I never appreciated her approach or stance, she has been nothing but a bitch since we met and I definitely did not need her disruption at this moment."I see he's told you", "Patience leave!" he snarled at her with the darkest look I've ever seen on anyone's face but she stood her ground. "I'm not scared of you Demetri, she should know!" she bit back with a pout.

"What is it? Don't you see adults having a conversation? What the fuck do you want Patience?" I was now annoyed, and bewildered, What was this girl talking about? What could she possibly be so smug and proud about to reveal? "Oh so now it speaks... You know him for a whole weekend and think he's Mr. Perfect?" "Patience don't do this!!" I looked up at Demetri, he was wearing a pissed-off expression that changed in an instant to a devilish smirk. "No, I will! Because if I don't apparently no one else here plans too! Not even your own sister!" she spat "Bitch if you don't leave, I will ma......", "She was carrying his child!" I stopped midway in my threat when she revealed this epiphany but I must admit I was still clueless as to why she felt to bring that up now.

Suddenly there was complete silence from every inch of the garden, even the birds silenced. I was now more confused than the shirt Jackson was wearing. "What are you talking about? Who was carrying who's child and why is this ........ Wait?" I don't know if I was assuming correctly but I looked up from my thinking to see everyone now in tune to our little brawl, including Lacy who was slowly heading toward me with her Omg!! look on her face,

"Kay K, I'm sorry!" Lacy slowly started to apologize "About?" I questioned. It was getting so clear I looked from her face to Demetri's who now wore an even more distraught look. "Excuse me" I said quietly was all I could muster before I briskly walked off.