Alfonso's Bride

Dance-19

Helena opened the letter slowly then handed it to Alfonso without reading it. It had been a week since Alfonso had been discharged from the hospital and he was feeling a lot better despite the occasional gags. He was wearing out everyday and the fatigue was now frequent. He spent most of his time lying in bed and taking afternoon walks for thirty minutes which he now planned to reduce to ten minutes.

Alfonso held the paper between his fingers and started reading.

"We are invited to a get together at my Uncle's house. Tomorrow evening. My father will be there too."

"Oh...."

"Its a simple gathering, extended family will be there too. You just have to smile and wave at everyone. Good news is Camille will be there too turns out she is a cousin from my step uncle's side..."

A smiled formed in her lips when she thought of Camille. She had almost thought she was never going to see her again.

"So all you do before we go is choose our theme colour..." Alfonso went on.

"Suits and gowns?"

"Yes. It is formal."

"I shall prefer we go in navy blue then sir."

"Ladies know the dressing best, how can I argue with that," Her lips twitched at the complement. She smiled and he loved it that way. He loved it when she smiled, it just gave him sense of being.

"I can prepare a black suit for you with a navy blue waistcoat and a tie of darker shade, I'll see what I'll wear..." He nodded, he agreed with all she said. He wanted all she suggested.

"I shall take my leave then...till morning sir Diego." She gave a bow and he nodded. She turned heading towards the door with her head hung low as she smiled happy to be getting out of the house for something fun for the first time since Alfonso started chemotherapy after being diagnosed with Clatercynclosis.

"Helen!" She turned to look at him. "Goodnight." Her smile broadened and again she bowed her head before taking leave. He seemed well today. Brighter again. All the sadness gone from his eyes, it seemed like he had chosen to forget about his illness for a while and focus on being happy again. But she still needed to know who Melanie exactly was. She had to know what this Melanie did to him and why she did not stay with him.

She sighed getting into her own bed. She was ready for tomorrow, in fact she could not wait for tomorrow.

** ** **

"I prefer a bowtie Helen, this thing makes me look like dog. It looks like a dog collar to me," he said handing the necktie back to Helen who was done with dressing up.

Her hair was held up by a diamond pin and a tiara settled on the crown of her head. The navy blue dress clung onto her highlighted by silver beads from its left upper hem to her right side of the waist. They were laid in a thin band of embroidery. A threatening vent cut down from her left thigh to her ankle. A diamond bracelet hugged her wrist and it had a weird magnet that pulled one's eyes to the silver shoes on her feet.

A pang hit Alfonso, he had never felt this insecure in his whole life.

"Well I think a bowtie will make you look like a Teddy bear. Plus... a necktie will blend in well with the waistcoat. Please sir Diego?" He looked at her and thrust the bowtie on the bed before pulling his necktie back on. Teddy bear? He chuckled.

"I'll fix that for you..." she said positioning the necktie into the curve of his first button and collar.

"Shall we leave? I hired a car to come and get us. There is a chauffeur too..."