TEACH ME NOT 2 HATE LOVE

77

👧Tajea POV 👧

Now that I'm actually here, I don't think I can do this sh*t. I can't bear being in the same environment as them and not getting upset.

Ugh! This is all Nik's fault. He was the one who convinced me to do this crazy thing a few days ago. And when I tried backing out earlier, he used little Nik (saying that the boy would be disappointed if we didn't come here after promising that Nik would). As an excuse to force me into getting ready and practically drag my ass out of the house to get here.

Now Nik is holding me close to him like a hostage, so I can't even escape this place. Damn him. He's so lucky I like him a lot now.

And in case you nosy people haven't realized by now, Nik, little Nik, and I recently arrived at my second-eldest brother's Tayson wedding. It's being held in the courtyard of Orion's Hotel.

Humph. Roll my eyes. Just look at them. Look at them all. My aunts, uncles, and even cousins are stealing glances at me. Gossiping and chattering away like a farmer's horse.

I dare them to come and face me. Say something I don't like.

Inhale. Exhale. You know what? I won't let stupid people who don't even have the courage to tell me their minds to my face draw me out.

Heh, easier said than done.

Wow! Wait. Is that my mother sitting right next to my ex-best friend upfront? Dang, mom is on fire. I barely even recognized her in that blue bodycon dress that cut out her figure. And though she had put on a little weight on her bones, ass, hips, thighs, and a little tummy, it didn't change the fact that she looked amazing.

The woman was also beautifully painted in make-up and wearing a wig. Somebody, please pinch me. Because I must be seeing things.

I mean, I've never seen my mom like this. She never, EVER wore tight-fitting clothing or makeup. And she definitely did not wear wigs. As if my old-fashioned, controlling, and abusive father would allow it.

And speaking of the devil, he was well groomed, properly dressed in a blue Tux, and seated up front. But I noticed he was several chairs away from Mom. That's odd for a married couple.

Hm, I wonder what's going on with them.

It seems the news of my presence just hit my parents and Regina, because they are now looking in my direction. My mom, Jane Marshall Donovan, was trying to get my attention. But I pretended not to notice. I was filled with too many mixed emotions right now.

Dressed in the purest form of white. The gorgeous bride, Serena Wakefield, came marching in to the wedding tune. Arm in arm with an elderly male, whom I assumed was her dad, towards the altar where my handsome brother, Tayson, clad in a white Tux, stood. Theo was also next to him at the altar. It seems he's the best man.

The exchange of vows. The exchanging of rings. The kissing part. It was truly magical. Extraordinary. It was perfect, like those weddings in fairytales. Beautiful and romantic. I'd want a wedding similar to this someday.

Now that's over. Time for the after party, which is being held in the function room. And it was also nicely put together. The decorations, food, drinks, and music—a hundred percent, I tell you.

The fashionista Regina waved in our (Nik, little Nik, and I) direction, signaling that we should come sit at the table where she's at. But I hesitated, for she was with my mom and my mom's two sisters. My aunt Janet and Roberta, Theo (his wife and his children, I presume), and my brother Tajray were also there.

"Shall we go?" Nik hauled me in the direction of the table before I could provide an answer (which would be no), and let me tell you, it felt like a long journey to hell. But we reached it eventually.

Nik pulls out a chair for both me and Little Nik before he sits down.

"Glad you could make it." Theo was the first to say something to break up the awkward silence. Everyone else. My mom was busy staring me down. Making me all self-conscious and nervous.

"She's happy to be here," Nik answered on my behalf when he saw I was giving Theo the silent treatment. And I know I promised him that I would think about talking to Theo, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

"And who are you?" Theo asked Nik.

"The name is Nik Anthony Phoenix," Nik introduced himself.

"The billionaire," he uttered, a bit shocked.

"The one and only," Nik responded, a bit too arrogant. Roll my eyes. Show off.

"Don't take this offensive, but how does a man of your status know my crazy little sister?" Theo asked. Humph, more like prying.

"My friend, that's a very long story." Nik smirked. His comment seems to have amused Regina, who tensely kept eyeing me. Yeah, I miss her as much as I know she misses me. However, what she did. I'm still upset about it. It might take me some time to get over it.

"So, are you two together?" My other nosy big brother Tajray asked, causing everyone apart from Regina to look at Nik, awaiting an answer.

"Are we?" Nik turned to ask me. He's so damn annoying. I mean, why did he have to get me involved in this?

There had been a few seconds of silence again before Theo began introducing his wife and kids to me. However, this cold, nasty b*tch couldn't even put aside her anger and be nice. Not even for the kid's sake.

And to make matters worse, the wife and kids seem so nice. They were all excited to meet me. But I just can't do this. I can't pretend that all is well when it's really not.

Not that I have an issue with the wife and kids. But you get what I'm saying. If you don't, then that's your problem.

"Mother, I want to use the bathroom," Little Nik said to me. Alarming my relative. I don't need to explain why, do I?

"Daddy will take you there, little man." Nik just added more sauce to the baked chicken as he got up from the table. Ugh, he's such a pain in the ass.

"OK." Little Nik takes Nik's hand. And before they left the table, he warned me to be nice. I nod to please him. But as long as no one provokes me, then everything will go nicely.

"You have a kid?" My mother finally said something to me. Like seriously. We haven't seen or spoken to each other in years, and instead of asking me how I am doing or offering apologies for what she did, she wants to pry into my business. Heck no.

However, I stay quiet instead of giving the nasty response I just think of. Despite everything that happened between us, she is still my mother.

"Don't be rude, young lady. Answer your mother's question." My father. Tajrick Donovan, who recently arrived at the table, butted in. And that was the last straw that broke this camel's back.

"Excuse you." I scoffed, giving him the nastiest eye look I had in store. "You have some nerve taking that tone with me. Ordering me around like I am a child."

"Don't you dare talk to me in that manner. I am your father. You will show me some respect." Tajrick tried to bully me. But, as you all know, this is one girl. Crazy b*tch that is not so easily intimidated by anyone. Not even my father.