Life after Death: The Afterlife of Hezekiah Chamblee

Chapter Thirty-Three: Wedding Plans and St. Anslem Confidantes

Third-Person POV

Chamblee residence, nine weeks after Hezekiah's murder...

"Everything is almost set," Adelle said crisply to her Mariah and Andrew as the three of them sat down to a light lunch of chicken Caesar salads and lemonade made by the chefs. "The wedding itself will take place one week before Cameron heads to Eton in London and will be held at St. Angus Cathedral while the reception is to be at the country club in Stoneview Springs. The invitations have been mailed out to the guests and we'll be making sure to do more visits to our social circles to ensure them that our family is back on track. Mariah, have you been consistent to the diet that you and I arranged for your wedding dress?"

Mariah nodded, pausing to sip on her glass of lemonade. "No fats, added sugars, or carbs," she assured her mother. "My trainer's been on my case with my workouts to ensure that the Marchesa gown you and I chose is going to be well-fitted to the final stitch. Andy's been keeping me on track as well."

Andrew nodded. "I figured that she and I could make sure that we'd be photo-ready for the pictures," he commented. "That, and I've been at the gym myself with Mr. Chamblee to make sure that he and I would be ready for our tuxedo fittings. Armani."

"Marvelous," Adelle noted. "Again, you two, I need you both to keep your open relationships and escapades to a slim minimal to avoid causing another scandal for this family. It's been bad enough with Alex and Leigh-Anne after Cameron abandoned us. We can't make any mistakes anymore. We have to stay on point no matter what happens."

"Have you talked to Cameron since he left?" Mariah wanted to know.

The older woman sighed. "He made it clear that as long as this family continue to disregard Hezekiah and treat him as if he was a disease, he wants nothing to do with us," she replied. "He's certain that this family is heading downhill and wants no part of what's going to happen. As far as I'm concerned, he's not coming back to Boston after this wedding."

Mariah took her mother's hand into hers. "Cameron's going to come around, Mom," she assured. "Maybe this wedding will make sure that he starts seeing the light. And who knows? Cameron could give Andy a chance to properly bond like Alex and Leigh-Anne has."

"Maybe so, dear, but Cameron has been around Simmons and the former help just as long as Hezekiah has. I wouldn't be surprised if Hezekiah left us a curse after he died after everything. But I'm still glad that he's dead. That boy reminds me way too much of the rapist who violated me and I am glad that he's finally out of our lives. Still, we can't leave anything to chance anymore. The family's diamond standards must be back to full glory and we gotta do what we can to make sure that we're back on track."

"Definitely," Andrew agreed, biting into his salad and pausing to eat before continuing with, "It's all the more reason why I admire this family for striving for perfection in everything and anything they aspire to be. I can't see why my parents see you guys as rivals and think that you all are full of evil."

"That's their business," Adelle sniffed, giving the younger man a look of pity. "Dear, you are the son that I wished I had instead of that boy. Maybe your parents would've been better off with Hezekiah in the first place. If anything, I would've gladly placed him in the system. But as they say, you live and learn. Anyway, enough about the boy who gives me grief. Let's get back to the wedding plans."

The next hour or so was spent in finalizing and editing decisions for the planned nuptials as Adelle, Mariah, and Andrew continued their camaraderie and placing any thought of Hezekiah in the back burner. And the silent butler continued to montior every move while ensuring himself that the hidden cameras captured every moment. "Won't be long, Hezekiah," he told himself after clearing the plates away. "Once we have enough evidence to confirm the suspicions, your death will be avenged and this family will meet its end."