His Wife

Chapter 8

Our reception was to be held in the beautiful back CourtYard of the Blue Waters Resort. I had only imagined coming to a place like this.

It was only a few miles away from where I reside but places like these were only visited by me on the internet where I browse and bask in their beauty.

However here I was delighting in the white and gold splendour of the three-story building that branched off into a vast array of indoor dining areas and entertainment booths, both for private and public guests. The third floor was mainly rooms for guests who wanted to spend the night or longer.

It was absolutely amazing with its champagne-coloured canopied balconies, its burgundy carpeted pillar entrance, and the wrap-around porches that house chairs and tables for guests and occupants of the hotel who wanted to sit and just bask in the splendour of the beautiful blue beach beyond.

The immaculate lawns, courtyard as well as the vast outdoor expanse that was designed for various recreational activities and private gatherings were a sight to behold with its lovely fountains, mazes, pools, and birdbaths bordered by cobblestone pathways.

I remember reading that there was a private garden that housed twenty-five different species of rose bushes. The infamous black rose could be found here.

My eyes drank in every detail and wish we could have travelled the beautiful grounds but I had only one purpose for being here; to have my so-called wedding reception and convince everyone present that would be a part of my child's life that Daniel and I were here to celebrate a love that I prayed deep down he would one day feel for me.

I was so caught up in looking at every bit of the things around me and places I pass that when Daniel stops walking I stumble into him.

"Be careful darling," he said, steadying me as I gasped at the sight before me. I had stepped into my very own fairytale.

In front of me in the courtyard was a huge raised platform fitted with about fifteen tables that housed four chairs each at the left and right. In the middle of the platform was an alone table draped with ivory and gold, unlike the other tables that boasted white silk. Sheer curtains made a tent that was draped with teardrops pepper lights that twinkle like fireflies in the cool blue-black mystic cloak of nightfall.

At the entrance of the tent where I stood staring in awe were two makeshift lanterns that offered help to the many pepper lights. Further along, the courtyard was other makeshift lanterns.

Was this even real? I was dreaming, right? Any minute now Ian would wake me up and drag me back to my boring reality.

Down by the beach, two bonfires blaze brightly and I saw figures with musical instruments playing and I realized that the sweet island sounds that drifted from the tent were their doing.

I look at Daniel who stared expectantly down at me. He wanted my approval. I felt tears sprang to my eyes and tried hard not to cry.

"Why?" was all I could ask.

He smiled and said nothing as he took a sash from the attendant who stood patiently waiting. He placed it across my shoulder, it read. His Wife. I almost choke on my unshed tears as I saw him take the other and don it, his read Her Husband.

The attendant stood aside and Daniel placed his hand that has become so customary on my lower back and guided me up the platform, as we did so the gathering erupted in whistles and cheers.

I looked around me and saw my coworkers along with my beaming brother, the only relatives I had left. I look on to the other guests to see Trevor and Cynthia cheering. The other faces were unfamiliar except for that of his mother, brother, and his business partner who had trained with him in the Hong Kong robotics program.