Third person's pov
After the cake was cut, everybody in the family fed each other and Evelyn the cake happily. Turning to the dance floor, Evelyn danced first with her father.
Smiling Alexander swayed Evelyn along to the soft tunes of the music. Meera standing beside Elijah on the side of the dance floor saw Evelyn carefully. Her mind was filled with what kind of surprise was Evelyn talking about. She felt movement beside her, and turning, she saw Elijah moving towards Evelyn for the following dance.
Fondly smiling Elijah twirled Evelyn in a circle who giggled sweetly. After him, Xavier and Eros stood to dance with her. Meera could only stare at how like a princess Evelyn was treated by her family and Eros. She was dressed like a princess, courtesy of Elijah who bought her such a classic and elegant dress. It was a red gown, embroidered with fine gold thread over the silk clothing. The sweetheart neckline was adorned with diamond beads in an intricate design. It was filled with beautiful and extravagant dark red velvet designs till her waist and the gown flared in a waterfall pattern from her hips gorgeously. The large skirt was complete with beautifully embroidered silk red thread in a floral pattern. Her look was completed with a ruby tiara placed on her head along with the complementary simple but stunning neckpiece consisting of a single teardrop ruby pendant and earrings. Her bob hair was perfectly done in a brilliant updo giving her a literal fairy tale princess look. She was a sight for sore eyes looking magnificently beautiful. Elijah has good taste in dresses.
She saw Synthia laughing along with all the men in the family dancing with Evelyn and she danced on too with them. Meera felt like an outsider watching the family happily dancing and celebrating Evelyn although she was a part of the said family. She felt a strange uncomfortable longing watching them. She felt the urge to join them but her conscience reminded her of why she was here in the first place, her true intentions of leaving all this behind like a bad dream and not getting attached to such wickedly heartless people who she has now come to doubt.
Too deep in her head, she didn't see Evelyn leaving the group and approaching her. Shaking of her shoulder brought her to the real world. Blinking at Evelyn clueless, Meera only stared. Smiling too sweetly, Evelyn said in honey coaxed voice,
"Feel left out, sister-in-law?"
Scantily clenching her jaws, Meera sobered to the seriousness not liking the effect of the obvious fact biting her skin sadly. She avoided the feeling, she shouldn't feel like that. Was she getting attached to them?
"Well technically you are not part of us, never was and never will soon to be ex sister in law"
continues Evelyn in a mocking tone when Meera remained silent. Meera felt the harsh truth and words pierce her skin surprisingly swirling sadness in her gut. She continued to be tight-lipped staring poker-faced at Evelyn remaining unfazed at her remarks or pretending they didn't affect her. In reality, it did which surprised her. She didn't want to entertain Evelyn and her more than apparent dislike towards her and always pointed out the unwantedness of her in this family. It's not as if she wanted badly to be part of the family then why these unwanted feelings? It is so confusing for her. Add to it the feeling she now feels for and around Elijah.
Meera saw Evelyn looking at someone behind past her shoulder. Her face lightened up like a Christmas tree. Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Evelyn stood straighter attaining a tense stance, and leaned down to her face whispering,
"Your surprise is here, sister- in -law"
Frowning in confusion, Meera turned around when she felt a presence behind her. And was it a surprise?
Standing in front of her was a beauty to behold dressed in black. She was a tall brunette with blue eyes smiling arrogantly at her. Meera didn't know who she was, a family friend? She doesn't remember seeing this stunning woman at her wedding. She can already feel bad vibes from this newcomer an instant dislike from her arrogance.
Evelyn subtly acknowledged the woman in question sending a hidden message. Nodding in return, the blue-eyed woman forwarded her hand to Meera for a shake,
"Nice to finally put a face on Evelyn's so-called sister-in-law"
Hearing that Meera knew she was part of the plan, which now she recalled having told of someone, a vital personality resulting in Evelyn doing what she is doing. Taking her hand, Meera confidently shook it saying,
"And I heard nothing about you. Seems quite unimportant"
Gesturing towards Evelyn beside her Meera finished, indirectly ridiculing the woman who laughed humorlessly at her remark. Squeezing Meera's hand, the woman retreated her hand back announcing,
"You won't understand my worth darling"
Meera saw Evelyn looking at the woman with fond eyes. She can tell the woman has a great influence on Evelyn.
"May I know who you exactly are so that the worth can be sorted?"
asked Meera sweetly. Evelyn glared at her but Meera avoided it, she doesn't give respect to arrogant people. Smiling the woman answered,
"I already like you but too bad you have what I want to have most"
Meera raised a perfectly arched brow in question at the woman. Her mind can only think of Elijah who the woman can want that she has. And the thought didn't settle well with her.
"I am Angelina Cabello"
introduced the woman herself. Leaning forward, Angelina whispered in her ear as if telling a secret,
"I am Eli's ex-girlfriend and soon-to-be wife"
Meera couldn't decide how to react to that so she remained poker-faced giving nothing away at the smug face of Angelina. Evelyn snickered subtly beside her like she knew what Angelina said. She didn't like it. She was compelled against her will to join hands with Evelyn otherwise she wouldn't even bat her eyes in their direction, such vile women.
"I am Meera Elijah Mancini"
Meera doesn't know what came over her to introduce herself like that, to feel superior to throw it on now-bitter face of Angelina. But she liked the sound of it. Before she can bask in the smugness, a rather possessive and protective hand engulfed her waist, and an angry and menacing voice spat out,
"How dare you show up uninvited!"
Meera can feel the hostility flow in waves from Elijah. He looked livid seeing Angelina who smiled sweetly at him saying,
"I am invited, Eli. And my! You look marvelous like always"
If only she can burn to ashes from the burning gaze Elijah threw at her. Gritting his teeth, he chewed the words out,
"What were you saying to my doe?"
"Only about us, Eli"
replied Angelina rather seductively and suggestively. Elijah if possible looked angrier ready to shred her to pieces. In a glacial voice that can freeze anyone's blood, Elijah pronounced,
"There's no us. Get out now if you don't want to see my wrath!"
"I live for your wrath baby. You are so gorgeous, being all dominant on me"
said Angelina unaffected by Elijah's open fear-causing threat. Meera was astounded by her rather foolish bravery in front of Elijah. She was the first person Meera saw unfazed and standing up to an angry Elijah. But beneath her brave facade, Meera can sense unease and subtle fear from her shifting on her feet and little perspiration forming in this air-conditioned hall on her forehead. Xavier, Alexander, and Eros stood behind Elijah, stance protecting and angry. Meera wondered what history they had with Angelina which Evelyn didn't tell her but only the part she has to play. So going into her work she asked,
"What is she to you, Eli?"
Surprised by the sudden question, alarms filled Elijah's face, and for the first time, he looked nervous and hesitant just like Evelyn has told her he would be. And now she can only wait for their plan to commence further. A weird thought rattled her to not go forth in the plan and leave it. A gloominess loomed on her head.