Vagaries of Fate

Dealing With Guests

Chapter 18 

Clarissa was thankful they were able to take the elevator back up. Not that the stairs would have been impossible, but tackling them in a dress again was something she hadn't been looking forward to. Before they got to the 40th floor, Genesis took his jacket off and draped it over her shoulders. She gave him a curious look but didn't get to ask him why he had done it before he explained. "That should hide the worst of the damage. It won't do to panic the guests."

Her eyes widened as she hadn't thought about that part. She was thankful that he was so attentive to the details. She also noted that he still had that same unreadable look. Now that things were calming down, she was able to think about it, and it had her worried. He wasn't the type to stew over anything. Usually, if he had something to say, he said it immediately. The fact that he had some sort of issue and hadn't said anything yet had her nerves on edge. She resolved to ask him about it as soon as they were alone.

When the elevator stopped, Genesis took her elbow and they started walking back to the room where everyone was waiting. They hadn't gone far before she remembered her shoes and pulled away to go back and get them. He didn't say anything, but he did watch with furrowed brows until she returned. She was hopping on one foot and trying to put them on at the same time. The sight of it made him smirk. She ignored it as she caught up and then followed him.

Before they got to the door, they started hearing raised voices. Clarissa shared a concerned look with Genesis and hurried. When they opened the door, it was to the sight of Cloud being yelled at by a small blonde woman. He had been one of the guests. It took Clarissa a moment to understand the fact that the woman had tried to leave, and Cloud had prevented it. There had been two Soldiers outside the door, so she wouldn't have gotten far, but she was not happy that another guest had prevented her from leaving.

Genesis immediately moved to defuse the situation. Clarissa finally got her first good look at the woman when he led her away, and her eyes widened. It was the same woman that he had been with at their celebratory party after the treaty was signed. She knew her instant jealousy was irrational, but she started to go confront them anyway. She was stopped when she noticed Cloud and some of the other guests giving her worried looks. She realized that despite the jacket, they could probably still see her blood on the front of her dress. She pushed her irritation down and instead moved to speak to Cloud and her new in-laws. "The situation has been dealt with. The enemy has gone, and we are currently working on getting the first floor back in order. You are all welcome to leave now, but please be mindful that if you need to leave the building, it may take some time. I am sure they have at least one of the elevators on lockdown to accommodate their clean-up efforts."

Several of the guests started talking at that point, but she ignored them. Her attention was snagged when her mother-in-law wrapped her in a tight hug. The woman held on for a moment before she leaned back and looked at her with concern. Clarissa managed to give her a smile. "Don't worry. I am sure it looks worse than it actually was. It was only a scratch, and it is already healed."

The woman didn't look convinced. "It may be fine now, but I hate to see such a wonderful event end this way."

Clarissa grimaced. She wasn't any happier that the wedding had been interrupted either, but she didn't want to make anyone worry more than necessary. "I will always remember my wedding as a highlight, so please don't let it bother you. What just happened will be relegated to forgotten history if I have any say in it."

The woman smiled at that and gave her arm a squeeze. "Ever the optimist. I am so happy to welcome you to the family."

Clarissa's face finally relaxed into a real smile as her father-in-law seconded his wife's welcome. They finally stepped back to let some of the other guests talk to her, although they didn't go far. Clarissa looked around and saw that Genesis had several guests that he was speaking to as well. When she noted the small blonde near him, she had to fight not to frown again. She allowed the guests that were wishing her well to distract her.