Sweet Surprise

Chapter 2

"Dia,

I am sorry, that I said Goodbye, like that. I don't love Adam, but he is so besotted with me.

I chose the easy way out. I know you would have told my dad upfront, but believe me I tried,

I could not. I am not the perfect cousin you think I am, and although I don't know what lies in future.

I know I want to marry someone I love, I could not cheat Adam especially when we take our vows on Saturday. I leave you with a few gifts, I don't know If I can ever see you getting married, but I'll be happy knowing you wear them.

I love you. Take care of yourself. Mom and Dad are so proud of you, I always knew you would be a wonderful woman, as you were my favourite "dolly". I'll miss Uncle Lawrie and Aunty Neeta's jokes.

Love,

Karen"

She read the note once again, and saw that they had reached the famous Carson Mansion. The Elder Carson lived with all the extended members of the family. A marriage between these two families was a much anticipated fairy-tale, but then this was reality, and Karen's disappearance was leading to a possible dishonor. The Richmond family was ready to bear the consequences, and since the media did not get a whiff about the impending marriage, there would be minimal damage.

"Nicholas, what a pleasant surprise. Is that Lawrie? ", a jolly voice welcomed them, a white haired plump grandpa greeted them, he had a commanding presence, and his eyes twinkled happily. Dia noted, that the Carson patriarch was a kind hearted man.

"Indeed it is Uncle Gerry", Lawrence answered, and then nudged her forward, " and this is my daughter Dia"

"You can call me Gramps dear ", and shook her hand, and gave her one his beaming smiles, Dia reciprocated with a happy one of her own, and then she noticed Karen's note.

"Why the frown dear ? Troubling boyfriend, you can tell Gramps anything." Dia looked at her father, and he encouraged her with a nod. She closed her eyes momentarily and then answered, "Gramps, Karen left this note. We thought it would be best if you read it", and she proceeded to hand him the note. A warm hand snatched the note, and a stormy pair of midnight blue eyes looked at her and said , " If you don't mind, I'll read it first ."

5 minutes have passed.

Stormy blue eyes stood like a statue. Dia felt disheartened, when she saw the emotions that were brewing in his eyes, from shock, betrayal and finally rage. He crumbled the paper in his hand, and said, "Gramps, the wedding is off."

"I'm pretty sure that there is a misunderstanding sonny, we sh..", Gramps said in a slightly serious voice, but he still had that gentle smile, then the smile faltered when stormy blue eyes thrusted the note into his hand. The very first line of the note, was a cruel reminder to call off the wedding.

"I am extremely sorry Adam, I thought she was happy, ", Nicholas apologized. Adam turned the other way and said, "Leave. Mr. Richmond. Just leave.", and then walked away with his fists clenched.

"Uncle Gerry, we are truly sorry, Karen visited us during lunch, if she had told us of the troubles, we could have helped her," Lawrence squeezed the old man's hand and said, " We can speak with Ben if you want."

Gerry looked sympathetically and said, "That is the real problem Lawrie, Ben will not.."

" Exactly what will I not do father? Nicholas you should have told me Lawrie would be coming, I would have come earlier.", a slightly grey haired man joined the conversation, an older version of Adam and a younger version of Gramps, and then went on to hug Lawrence. Dia felt awkward, Gramps and Ben behaved with her father as if they were all long-lost friends, while herself and Uncle Nicholas were mere add-ons.

Lawrence returned the hug and said, " Ben, there is something we have to say, please listen to us before you get angry, ok ?", Ben just nodded for him to continue, " Well, Karen has left. We have no idea where. For the last 5 hours the security team as we speak is trying to trace her, but for now the marriage has to be called off."

"Hahahahha", Ben laughed heartily, and Dia's eyes widened, she had expected a graver response, so she said, " Mr. Carson, we are not joking,". Ben turned around, his eyes flashed recognition, and he said, " Neeta you look gorgeous as ever, although you look younger. Lawrie fooled you didn't he ?". Dia shook her head and said, " I wish this was a joke, but we can't reach her on phone."

Ben viewed the Richmond's tense posture and he finally realized that the situation was catastrophic. The guests would start arriving on Friday, he was enraged and he managed to say, " How dare she? Our reputation is at stake." He flipped out the phone, speed dialed someone and said , " Karen Ann Richmond. Mother's maiden name Catherine Orville. Another surname, Singh and Orson. Find her before Saturday."

A young attendant rushed, towards them and said, "Please sirs, Mr. Adam is hurting.." No sooner had they heard, everyone including Gramps followed the young butler, they entered a bright hallway, and right in front of a mahogany door. They could hear someone repeatedly punching the wall and screaming

"No... How could she? She promised...."

A regal middle aged women frantically knocked the door and said, " Please Adam, open the door. Please"

"Leave me alone Mom".

"I will I just need to see you once, please".

The punches on the wall stopped, and the door was left slightly ajar. Dia winced at the broken lamps, the glass pieces were smeared with blood, and the door quickly shut.

" I don't want to see those people ever again."

Gramps turned towards them with sadness and said, " Nicholas , Lawrie I'm afraid, I have to ask you to leave." And he walked away dejectedly. Dia found her eyes turning moist at Gramps retreating figure, she felt the old man was suddenly burdened with the heaviest weight. Ben nodded at them, and ruffled her hair affectionately.

As they were proceeding to move outside, Ben called out, "Lawrie, is that your daughter ?" Dia nodded and returned a smile. Ben's smile grew automatic, and he announced, "Adam and Dia. Lovely. Even better. " to a shell-shocked Richmond family.