The Wedding Issue

Chapter Thirty One - Fifty Shades of Red

Elie Saab knows how to accentuate the features of a woman's body beautifully with his gowns, and the red sequence dress I had on tonight was literally to die for. It was a seventies inspired, seductive strawberry red made of satin, lace and sequence. It flowed beautifully around my body and had a little tail for that extra dramatic effect. It had a plunging neckline that was very New York classically provocative and would also make Killian want to run his hands up and down my neckline. I did my hair up in a classic low bun with a side fringe for a more romantic, feminine look. Smoky eyes, glossy lips and a six-inch daffodile heel tied this whole look together. I admired myself in the mirror.

Killian wasn't going to know what hit him.

I was looking around for the perfect clutch when I heard the elevator doors ring open. Who could be showing up unannounced like this? Fear started building in my chest as I thought it could be my mother trying to pull another fast one of me. Today, of all days, was not the day for her to rain on my parade.

I stomped my way down the stairs to make the dramatic entrance I needed. May be that would shoo her away. The moment I hit the landing, however, my knees went weak and my heartbeats accelerated in my chest.

Claire was standing before me, in a white dress pretty similar to mine, with a look in her eyes that could scare the devil away. Her makeup was somewhat runny; she was crying and tried very poorly to hide it. She had a bouquet of roses in one hand and her other hand hid behind her back curiously.

'Claire', I managed to whisper despite my dry mouth.

'I must admit, Genevieve, you do look gorgeous in that dress', she complimented icily.

'How did you get in here?', I asked her as I folded my arms, feeling the instant need to protect myself.

'I'm a lawyer; I'm resourceful. Besides, your door attendant knows better than to have Genevieve Fernandez waiting on her flowers', she said as she waved the bouquet of red roses at me.

I noticed the card on the bouquet was that of my regular florist's. How could she possibly know who my florist was?

Madison.

Of course Madison would want to help her twin out. After all the horrible things I've said to her, she must still hate my guts despite the conversation we had earlier today.

This is why you should always be nice to people, I chastised myself.

'What do you want?', I said more firmly, my temper flaring a little bit.

'I passed by the gallery and for some reason was banned from being let in. I managed to get a sneak peek at the guest list and noticed that your name, so unrightfully placed on top, still wasn't crossed out. So I thought of paying you a visit', she said as she paced around.

She dropped the roses on the side table and produced her other hand that she sneakily hid behind. She was carrying an overly sized clutch. I let out a small sigh of relief. The worst part of me thought that she was carrying a gun.

'I'm sorry but I have to cut our little meeting short. As you can see, I'm late for a very important event. I'm sure you can show your way out', I said as I was making way to the elevator myself.

'Not so fast, husband stealer', she said as she blocked my way.

'Claire, you and Killian are over. Please, don't embarrass yourself more than you already have. Take what's left of your dignity and walk away', I warned her as calmly as I could.

It was so hard for me to resist the temptation to bitch slap the shit out of her. She was every bit as mental as Killian claimed she was. If I felt any shred of guilt before, it has completely evaporated by now. Not only was she completely out of her mind, but she actually had the audacity to show up in my penthouse for an evening catfight. How pathetic!