Cruel Sanctuary

Chapter 14

Kai and Sofia Knightley (Emma's parents)  

Today I decided it would be a great idea to go into school with Emma after missing school yesterday. It turns out that wasn't such a great idea since I didn't have Noah to defend me today and Emma sure as hell wasn't going to be dragged into my mess with Clara because, as far as I know, Clara has nothing against her and I'd like to keep it that way. 

Obviously, the relief I feel when I walk into the home that isn't really my home is entirely understandable, "Oh, you're home! How was school?" Owen asks me and I huff blearily, dropping my bags to the floor and flopping onto the sofa, exhausted. 

Owens expectant expression reminds me to disclose the terrible day behind me, "I tried to ask her to be a bridesmaid but, before I could even say a word, she just started on me and I just...it doesn't even matter...let's just get this checklist done for the cake and write the invites. Clara can decide on the invite if she wants to be a constituent," I rant and give up telling him about my day before he can even defend Clara like last time.

Owen follows me into the kitchen like a lost puppy and sits down next to me on the stools under the breakfast bar, "So, mum dropped off the checklist," He informs me and drops it in front of me. I immediately grab it and skim through the information, "We need to send it to the address on the front once we're done. I was thinking we could write the invitations and post them tonight and, whilst we're out, we could post the checklist?" He suggests and I nod, "Sounds good. So, what size and shape?" I ask him in a perfunctory manner and we check out the options. 

After some pondering, we decide on a twelve inch round cake. It serves sixty. Owen was convinced that it wouldn't be enough but I am not planning a humongous June wedding like those of a fairytale.  "What cake flavour?" I ask and, honestly, I shouldn't have asked because I know what he is going to say, "Chocolate!" I deadpan him and he pouts, "Pretty please?" 

His swirling eyes open wider and he playfully flutters his eyelashes, I sigh in defeat, "Fine, but I'm choosing the icing!" I insist and check off the chocolate option, "We're having the white chocolate icing but in a fondant style," I tell him and check it off. 

Without consent, he snatches the checklist from my hands and thoroughly drags his eyes all over the page, stopping when a lightbulb pings in the back of his usually empty mind, "I think we should have the wavy comb design, it looks cool!" Owen puts forward, shifting closer to me in order to show me the design and I nod, "It does kinda, doesn't it?" I agree with a nod and check it off. 

Before I can open my mouth to ask the next automated question, he interrupts, "Can we have the four tiered cake? I've always wanted one but mum always says they're too messy," He pouts childishly and I give him an 'are-you-serious' look, "Of course we're having four tiers! Do you even know me?" I joke and he laughs, "Check." 

My agreeing with his ideas must've sparked his creative side as he rises from his chair, prancing around the room with dramatic gestures as he envisions his ideal cake, describing it vividly to me, "I think we should have the milk chocolate dipped strawberries with the white chocolate drizzle on the rim of the cake!" Owen exclaims and I roll my eyes, "Owen, that's such a man cake! We have to think of something prettier!" I pry, imagining all the men from the guest list diving onto the cake like wild animals, tearing it apart and shovelling it into their troughs. 

However, Owen doesn't seem keen on the idea as he huffs like a spoilt child in the sweet section of the supermarket, pouting heavily with his arms crossed over his chest, frantic movements dying down to a minimal, "How about we have the dipped strawberries in clusters on each tier and add a couple of roses in with them? That way you get your strawberries and I get my...my umm...prettiness..?" I suggest, hanging on by a thread, my inner artist not being so in touch than Owen's.