The Fake Vows (Book 1)

Chapter 26

A deep red stained Beth's cheeks as she strode in with Dex by her side avoiding the annoyed stares of the many people that were in the room. Pretending to not notice everyone else, she focused on Karen who got up to meet them halfway to their table.

'This is your fault.' Beth accused below her breath. Dex squeezed her hand and kissed her on the cheek.

'It was a work emergency I couldn't walk out on. And it doesn't look like we've missed much anyways.' Dex said for the millionth time. Beth sighed heavily and bathed in the embarrassment of walking in almost one hour late.

'Care to explain why you're late Dexter Venom?' Karen asked infuriated.

'Work issues. Where's Tasha and Gavin?' Dex asked with looking around the people that occupued the few tables in the restaurant.

'I'm sure you know how important this night is for your sister. I don't even want to state the obvious but the show couldn't start without you. Gavin has had to make up some excuse to Tasha and all these people that were here on time have been waiting for you two. I don't like that.'

'Well, we're here now so let's get the show started.' Dex said leading Beth to their seats on the same table that his his father and Mark were sitting. Beth stopped walking and turned to face her furious mother in law.

'I'm so sorry Karen. We didn't mean for this to happen.' She said.

Karen looked lovingly at Beth and smiled at her. 'Its okay Beth. I'm sorry too for being aggressive about it. I guess all this anxiety of a mother for her daughter is keeping me on edge. I just want this to be perfect for Tasha. It's not your fault though.' Beth slightly felt relieved because honestly her and Dex were in the wrong. Karen hugged her and she returned the warm gesture.

She noticed that everyone awkwardly looked at her with a lot of attitude. 'An apology to everyone else here too would be well appreciated.' One of the voices unfamiliar to Beth said loudly and others agreed incoherently.

'Hi everyone. My husband and I are truly sorry for being late and thank you all for waiting patiently.' The words came out of her mouth before she could let her pride get in the way. As soon as she was done, the walls of tension in the room broke and most people nodded in acceptance. Beth took a deep breath and sat next to her husband.

'You didn't have to apologise honey. I'd already done that on behalf of the family before you arrived. But thank you still.' Karen said softly. Beth smiled back but didn't say a word.

People started making conversation with each other around the room. Beth talked to Gareth, Mark, Karen and Hillary who were at the same table as she.

Mark seemed unsettled by something as Beth greeted him. He was quick to avoid eye contact and didn't talk much with Beth. Thinking nothing of it, Beth didn't dwell on him much.

She then looked around the room. It was a hotel restaurant and besides the beautiful art pieces on the walls, there wasn't much to it that appealed to the eye. Gavin had chosen it because it was where he met Tasha. It had been however nicely decorated for tonight. In the middle of the room was a colourful paper tree with pictures hanging off it. They were all pictures of Tasha and Gavin from when they each were babies to now as grown ups. On the floor were a few post it notes with short poems and messages addressed to Tasha. They lined the pathway created using beautifully arranged candles, which also were used to circle the tree.

There were 4 tables of 3, and one of 8 where she was sitting. Only a few of them were familiar to Beth. The rest were friends of Tasha. She felt so happy for Tasha. Gavin had planned all this to the last detail and he'd got it right.