𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐑 |

chapter thirty-one

Vera

Katherine, for the hundredth time, shoved the bag into my arms before sliding into the backseat of her car. I bit back the brewing snarky remark and tossed it in the passenger seat then jogged to the driver's side. The stress of the day is at an all time high being Katherine and Lucia's chauffeur. I know pushing through is needed right now since part of the deal was to help with this wedding.

But the urge to strangle both of the pompous women in the backseat has been there since eight o'clock this morning.

Again, I bit my tongue and just started up the car. Today would be my first time seeing the venue fully decorated. I was more curious than anything to see how done up this whole thing was. If it wasn't over the top, I'd fall out right then and there from pure shock.

Something I noticed when I'd glance in the rearview mirror every so often, their eyes were already on me. We'd lock eyes and Katherine would fight off a smirk before averting her gaze to Lucia, starting up a conversation again. Since our deal for Katherine to leave both me and Aiden alone was made, it's always been looks, whispered conversations, and any other tiny thing of the sort.

Ignoring it is easy until you feel laser burning into the back of your skull.

"How far until we get to the venue? I'm impatient," Lucia complained, staring at me through the rearview mirror.

"It's a few minutes, Lucia. Don't break out into a sweat," I mumbled out a reply, making a right turn.

She rolled her eyes and sighed, looking down at her nails.

"If you weren't driving three miles an hour, we would've been there already," she muttered.

"Oh, sorry that I don't speed on a day to day basis like some people."

I looked at her through the mirror once again, this time rolling my eyes. That strangling is sounding really tempting again. When the venue came into view, I blew out a sigh of relief and pulled into the closest parking spot.

Lucia was the first to run out of the car, of course. I unbuckled my seatbelt and grabbed my bag to step out of the car. Katherine had a firm grip to my shoulder as she led me inside, following the faint sounds of Lucia's excitement. I attempted to pull away with a groan but Katherine tugged me back, pulling me into the building.

Holy shit.

First things first, shimmery. It's shinier than I'd ever imagine it to be. The wedding aisle runner was a fresh white with hints of peach sprinkled across it. I was too scared to even step foot on it and risk staining the material. The chairs on either side were neatly aligned and workers were placing flowers on each one as they passed.

My eyes scanned around as I walked forward to get a closer look at the altar. In front of the large window were sheer white, floor length curtains; tall crystal vases held the biggest bouquets I've ever seen, standing on wooden podiums on opposite sides of the altar.

And those vases and flowers lined up, following the guest chairs. They were stunning to say the least. I was starstruck. That's putting it lightly. Some decorators were still walking around putting the finishing touches on things and dusting off the pillars.

Katherine and Lucia squealing and shouting about how pretty everything is, caught my ears. I turned their way and my chest tightened when she kissed Lucia on the cheek with the utmost excitement. As much as I dread the two of them, I can't help but imagine what my life would be like if they at least tolerated me. Liked me.

One can dream.

I forced that fantasy down either way. But there was no denying that it was beautiful here. More than I imagined.