The Blackmail Bride

Chapter 35 Part 1

Quite a long day. We're still on their wedding day.

Reception

I completely disjointed from reality from that point.

It should've amazed me how only Sydney and my mom did my hair and makeup. My hair was let down my back with the left side combed back to accentuate the gigantic red amaryllis flower tucked behind my ear. My makeup was completely changed. Peach eyeshadows and gold eyeliner. Light blush on my cheeks that coupled more pronounced highlighter on my cheekbones. And coral lipstick.

I changed into a scarlet gown. Halter-top that tied at the back of my neck with a gold string beaded with tiny pearls. The dress itself was of two materials, an inner that fit to my upper body like a glove and dropped down to the floor in a small circle; over which an outer layer of see-through loose material dropped from the neckline down to the floor in waves of shimmering fabric to silhouette the emphasis the inner cloth made of my curves. A belt of bigger salt-water pearls completed the look. It tied right above my hipbone to show-off the tiny waist that came from losing too much weight in the last two months.

I recalled Jace's vehement dislike of the red ball gown last time. But it took one look into the mirror the be almost too hateful of how this gown gave off the illusion of a young woman's nubile body.

The only jewelry I wore was the wedding ring on my finger and absently, I stared at it.

I wasn't sure how my feet moved. But somehow, Sydney and mom got to drag me out to the reception.

"If you want to go home with us after the wedding," Mom repeated, "I could make that happen. It wouldn't matter what the Blacks or your father say."

Which in rough translation meant: I had to finish the show for the benefit of our audience. And like any actor at the end of its play, I got to go home.

I glanced up at her and opened my mouth to answer—

"About time you get here. Had you thought to do it a little earlier than you did back there, everyone would have thought you were leaving your groom at the altar and running away."

My heart skipped a beat before pounding madly inside of my chest. I twisted around to see Jace so close behind me. His hand clasped over my arm and tugged me closer to him. He dipped his head, so his gray eyes could bore into mine.

"Jace," my mom spoke from behind me, "I didn't know you were waiting out here."

Jace broke eye contact to fix my mother a hard stare, "Isla and I are entering the venue together. Supposedly, we should've exited the chapel together as newly weds too if you didn't drag off my little bride. I should be the one asking questions... mom."

I froze at the address to my mom. And Jace, sensing so, peered down at me with an indescribable look.

"You should tell our mom to run along now. We can't start the program with her still here."

It was difficult to tell what the man thought. A casual smile... and calculating eyes.

Just a few more hours and I could drop the act.

I nodded back with a small smile. I took the hand on my arm and slid my fingers between his. He seemed surprised. But my eyes couldn't hold his, and I turned to my mother.

"Dad's probably floundering without you there," I mused lightly.

Mom got the message. She pursed her lips then straightened with a regal air. "But of course, that man could do nothing without me there. Don't you dare stumble this time."