(Martha)
The wedding ended quickly but James has dragged me back to the hotel for the wedding reception.
I felt like crying as I stood behind James who was talking and introducing me to many people
"James, you son of a bitch" the groom called as he came over to us hugging unto his bride
"Max you lucky dog" James said. These two were behaving like they hadn't just seen each other a minute ago
"I meant to ask this all night but who is the pretty lady beside you" he asked
"This is Martha, she's my plus one for the night" he said
"It's a pleasure to meet you Martha"
"This is Maxwell Grant. He's the third son of Grant Co's CEO"
"The fourth largest company in the country" I said shocked
"Indeed" he said smiling charmingly at me
"Wow, I don't think I've had the pleasure of talking to someone who's worth half as much as you"
"That's sad" he smiled
"And untrue" James added, "you've talked to me and Eve and we're worth much more than him"
"What's sad about that?" I asked choosing to ignore James
"Because I'm not worth even a quarter of what you're expecting....anymore at least"
"Huh why?"
"This is my wife, Alicia" he said obviously choosing not to talk about it
"Hello" I said
"It's nice to meet you" Alicia said shaking my hand
"Alicia is from Jamaica" Max said
"You're Jamaican?" I asked a bit disbelieving
"Oh I'm sorry I left my dreadlocks at home next to my reggae CDs" she said
"I'm sorry if I offended you. I didn't mean anything by it" I quickly tried to explain but she only burst out laughing
"I'm messing with you. It's fine I actually get that a lot" She laughed
"Well since we're all acquainted. Let's get some drinks" James said before we moved to a table
"So how did you two meet?" I asked
"It's a funny story. We actually met in Jamaica"
"On one of those white sandy beaches" I asked picturing a movie like scene
"No in Taboo" she answered
"Um what's Taboo?" I asked confused
"A strip club in Jamaica" James told me ruining my mental image.
"Oh" I said disappointedly
"So we're in the club and I spotted a beautiful woman across the room with her friends watching and pointing me out. I immediately thought they were gossiping about how good I looked so I went over to say hi and possibly take one or two of them home" Max said
"But what he didn't know was that we weren't laughing and pointing because we thought he was good looking"
"So why were you laughing?" I asked
"Because we thought he was a fish" She laughed reminiscing
"Fish?" I asked confused
"Jamaican slang for homosexual" James explained again and I immediately looked at Max before bursting off laughing
"You thought he was gay. Why?" I laughed
"Because he was linked with this guy the whole night. I thought they were a couple or that he had some kind of one sided crush. So it kind of threw me for a second when he asked me for my number. I thought he wanted to use me as a cover. I was shocked people still did that but turns out I was wrong" she said and I continued laughing
"Funny right, if there was a one sided crush. It was obviously be Jamie crushing on moi" Max said
"Keep telling yourself that buddy" he said
"Hey it's kinda sudden to ask this but.."
"You want to know if I can speak patois." She asked still smiling
"If you don't want to. You don't have to" I said
"It's fine. What would you like me to say" she said
"I don't know. Um maybe you could order a glass of water?" I said
"Yuh cya bring ova a glass of wata" she said rapidly. The waiter seem to quite understand what she said though.
"Is that it?" She asked returning to English
"That's amazing" I said. I love hearing different accents
"Anuh nuting dat" she said back to patois before suddenly the music started
"It's time for the bride and groom to grace the dance floor again"
"It looks like we have to go dance" Max said standing up before taking her by the hand unto the dance floor
"They're really good together" I said
"Unfortunately his parents don't agree with you" James said oddly serious
"What?" I asked
"His parents are against his marriage to Alicia"
"Why? She seems like such a nice woman"
"Because she unfortunately doesn't have any status"
"What does that have to do with anything. We're not leaving in medieval times or some bad romance story. What does status have to do with anything?"
"A lot" he said deadly serious
"People don't know but there's a price to wealth and it's usually freedom in one way or another. For celebrities it's privacy and for major company heirs it's love. Marriage in our world isn't about who we love. It's about who we can benefit from if even a little. So if she was a small time actress or something. They might have agreed even though begrudgingly" he said
"So what they disowned him" I said
"They gave him the ultimatum"
"The ultimatum?" I asked confused
"It's the ultimatum every parent in our world says. You either do what I say or stop using my money" he said
"My God that's horrible."
"Max is one of the few that actually choose love over a comfortable life" he said smiling at his friend who was dancing happily
"Wait but how did he afford a wedding like this...you didn't" I said
"I did but don't worry. Most of it was handled by his brothers"
"Brothers?"
"Yeah he's the third son remember" he said
"I thought siblings normally hate each other and battle for the preverbal throne" I said but he only snickered before bursting into a full blown laughter
"It's nothing like that for them" he laughed, "those three are so close. It's borderline creepy"
"Oh. I just thought of something"
"What?" He asked
"You keep chasing me. Aren't you worried your parents will use the 'ultimatum' on you?"
"No I'm actually one of the lucky ones. I'm an only child" he said
"Only child"
"How else do you think I get away with half the things I do. I don't even have any cousins so my family's stuck with me" he said
"So you've never gotten the ultimatum before"
"Oh I did. Once"
"Really? What did you do? What did you say? Did you agree? When was it?"
"Yes. It was four years ago"
"For years ago" I said piecing everything together
"Your wedding"
"Yeah I was basically told marry her or get lost"
"I guess you choose to get lost huh" I said smiling proudly at him
"Not at first. To be honest, I chose to marry. However, when I looked at the person in the white dress walking down the aisle I was happy until I moved the veil and noticed that wasn't the face I wanted to see so I ran" he said
"You ran out of the church"
"Like Usain Bolt. I swore I broke the world record" he laughed
"Wow I'm sure the girl must have been devastated" I said feeling bad for her
"She's fine" he shrugged
"So who's face did you want to see?" I asked. Wait why am I asking this. It's not of my business and what answer did I hope I was going to get
"It was Eve's. I wanted to see her face when I lifted the veil" he said.
"But you know who I want to see now"
"No"
"You." He said grabbing unto my hand
"Huh?"
"Next time I lift up a veil I want it to be your face greeting me underneath" he said setting my heart a flutter before suddenly Max came over to us again
"Hey man can you switch out with me? I'm a little tired" he said
"No problem, Keep her company, will you?" he said before leaving
We sat in awkward silence before Max finally said something
"So you're the new girl huh"
"The new girl?"
"Yeah. Let me give you some word of advice don't get caught up in anything he says"
"What?"
"I'm sure he said some sweet buttery words that make your heart race" he smirked
"Is it a lie?" I asked
"No, from my experience he does like most of the girls but he'll never truly love them....not like he loves...her"
"Her?" I asked
"Eve of course. He's been in love with her ever since they were kids" Max said
"So why don't they just get together?"
"That isn't something you can ask me. Far as I know they tried but broke up for some reason. Jamie tried getting back together the day before the wedding but she rejected him. Jamie hasn't loved anyone like that since. Even though he'll buy her fancy food, take her to fancy restaurant, hotel room and jewelries. He'll give her anything she asks for and take her anywhere she wants but the one thing he won't give is his heart. No that only belongs to her."
"So why does he date other girls if he's so obsessed with Eve?" I asked
"I don't know, but if you ask me it's just sexual frustration" he said before noticing my ring
"Married?" He asked
"Yeah" I said
"Yikes he went for another one" he shook his head
"Another one?"
"Yeah you're not the first married woman he had an affair with" he said
"Affair? No it's nothing like that; we're just friends and roommates"
"Roommate? He actually let you stay in the same apartment as him. He didn't just buy you another apartment for yourself"
"No"
"So you sleep together right?" He asked
"No different rooms" I said
"No way"
"Is that a big deal?"
"No just unexpected. Let's change the topic, That dress looks nice. Did Jamie buy it for you?"
"No it's actually Eve's" I said before his jaw dropped along with his glass of champagne shattering and spilling on the floor
"He actually let you wear Eve's clothes." He said after he calmed down and took up another glass of champagne
"Yeah I told him I didn't want to but he insisted" I said before he dropped the glass again
"You're kidding? He insisted you wear it" he said
"Yeah" I said before suddenly James came back
"Hey I'm back. " he said sitting beside me and tried to hold my hand again but I moved it away.
"Did I miss something?" He noticed my reaction before giving his friend a questioning look
"Look at that I think Alicia's calling me" he said quickly leaving
"Is everything okay?" He asked me
"I'm fine" I said taking a bite of the black forest cake in front of me
"Max didn't say anything weird did he?" He asked
"Nothing at all" I lied taking another bite
"Martha" he said holding my hand again
"What?" I asked turning towards him. He couldn't keep a straight face and quickly started chuckling
"What's so funny?" I asked
"Your face" He said
"Huh?"
"There's a bit of cake on your face" he said
"Oh I didn't notice" I said reaching for a napkin
"I've got it" I said taking out his handkerchief and wiped my face.
I felt my face heat up as he caressed my cheek while smiling oh so charmingly at me
Out if nowhere he suddenly kissed and I actually found myself kissing back. I was enjoying the kiss more than I was willing to let myself admit and then I remembered what Max had just told me so I bit his tongue and pushed him off
"Owe what was that?" He asked
"I....I have to go user the bathroom" I said running away.
I ran straight to the bathroom and washed my face clean.
Damn it heart. Will you stop beating so fast? He doesn't really like me. She only likes Evelyn. He doesn't have any feelings towards me
Those were the things I told myself but I couldn't bring myself to come out of the bathroom however I knew I couldn't stay in there forever so I was thankful when my phone rung
I quickly answered it after seeing that it was Carl
"Hey Carl. Is something wrong? Why are you calling so late?"
"Mom I have to ask you a question"
"Sure what is it?" I asked.
"Where are you"
"I'm at a wedding with a friend. Is that all Carl?"
"Is something...going on with you and Dad?"
"What have you heard?"
"Nothing. I just want to know if something is wrong because we can fix as a family right" he said
"Carl this is really a conversation we should be having face to face. We'll talk when I get back okay" I said
"Fine. Just tell me you aren't getting a divorce"
"Carl who told you that?"
"No one. Just tell me you aren't"
"Carlton, we should really talk about this in person" I said
"Oh my God Mom, just tell me you aren't getting a divorce" he cried
"I can't do that Carl. I can't lie to you. Your father and I are going to get a divorce"
"When?"
"Probably as soon as I get back" I answered honestly
"No this can't be happening. You guys can't get divorced!" he cried
"Carl" I said tenderly
"No Mom don't do this. I can fix this; just wait a bit I'll fix everything. Just let me fix it don't get a divorce" he cried
"Carl, this isn't your fault okay" I said before he hung up
"Carl" I kept repeating while calling back but it just always just went to voicemail
Giving up I sighed and got out of the bathroom to look for James so we could get the hell out of here. I wanted to lock myself in my room and cry myself to sleep. After that phone call I deserved a good cry
"Hey Alicia, have you seen James?" I asked
"Yeah he just went out to the balcony with Max" she said
"Thanks" I said before walking to the balcony.
I spotted those two, but didn't let myself known. I didn't mean to listen in on their conversation but the topic was me
"So what did Eve tell you to tell her?" James asked
"The truth. Nothing more"
"How much?" James asked
"One million"
"Dollars?" James asked disappointed
"Kuwaiti Dinar" Max clarified and James's disappointment eased
"Better but I still can't believe you should me out for measly one million Kuwaiti dinar" he sighed
"Not intentionally, I thought she was just another girl you were messing around with. I didn't know you actually had feelings for her" he shrugged
"Why the hell couldn't I have feelings for her?"
"I know you do" he said, "Did you actually let her wear Eve's clothes?"
"Yeah she needed something to wear to the wedding but didn't want to let my buy her any new clothes so I let her borrow some clothes Evie left at my house" James said
"Seriously man. You must be seriously into this chick. You never let anyone, not even us, so much as touch Eve's stuff but you don't mind if she wears it"
"She's different from anyone I've ever dated. She's kind, sweet and compassionate. She's amazing"
"So the sex any good?"
"Wouldn't know" he shrugged
"You're kidding right. The great James McKnight as been with a woman for four years and as yet to have sex with her"
"I told you. She's different man I don't want to just have sex with her. I don't just want her body. I want her heart. Even though it's broken right now; I want to be the one to mend it for her" he said
"Wow dude, I've never seen you like this. Not even to Eve"
"This is different from Evie. Evie isn't the type of girl that shows her emotions but Martha's open with her emotions and thoughts"
"Maybe because you're her psychiatrist" Max said receiving James's glare
"Okay okay I'm sorry." He said, " We should get back to the party" Max said
"You go without me. I'll be in in a minute" James said
"Okay man see you" he said patting Have shoulder before turning around to leave and that's when he noticed me
"Well hello little fly on the wall. Why don't you join in a little conversation with Jamie here while I go back to my wife" Max said before leaving
"So how long have you been there?" James asked
"Oh not that long" I said embarrassed
"You know I mean it right"
"Mean what?" I asked not daring to look into those hypnotic black eyes of his
"Everything I just said. I really meant every word of it"
"Thank you" was the only thing I could say
"That's not what I want to hear" he said
"What do you want to hear?"
"I want to know your heart. Do you like me too?"
"I don't know James" I said
"Come on, you can't tell me you don't feel anything for me"
"You're right I do feel something for you but I can't"
"Why not? Is it the divorce? If that's the issue I can wait until everything is settled. I can even hire the best lawyers to help you"
"That's not it James"
"So what is it"
"Evelyn."
"What's the problem with her?" He asked
"I don't know. I enjoyed when I kissed you but then I started thinking about how Eve rejected you and how you wanted me to get thinner and wear her clothes. I started to think that maybe you're trying to turn me into your own private Evelyn clone. There's also the fact I don't want to be just another girl you took in between pining for her. I don't want to be a girl you sleep with and then move on to someone else." I said before he burst out laughing
"Evelyn clone you're kidding right? Why would I ever want another Evie? I like you okay. I suggested you to get the surgery done because I felt like you would like having the outside matching the beauty within. As for the dressed I already suggested you let me buy you a new one but you made it clear you didn't want me too and lastly you will never be like any other girl. No matter what Max told you or what I use to do. I don't want us to be a one night thing. I want forever. And you can give me that"
"James I-"
"Look if you don't believe me. I'll make a promise to you right now."
"A promise?"
"Until the day we are married I will not touch you in any sexual way or form without your verbal consent"
"You're serious?" I asked
"More than I've ever been in my life. Which is a shame because I really want to kiss you now" he said before I giggled
"Why are you laughing? The mood and environment are perfect for a kiss and with my heart warming confession it'd be a magical moment" he said but I continued laughing
"Hey it's your loss" he said but I just continued laughing