SHIMMER'S POV
The table was well set with all kinds of delicious foods. The chefs had really gone all out; because everything was on point. Soon after 7PM, Ciera and KJ arrived, and I was ready and happy to give them a very warm welcome. Ciera, who of course was in her home, felt to me like a guest on that day. She still stayed at the Clear Opal Manor, but I guess the fact that I knew that she was about to get married and leave the manor, made me feel like I was the hostess, and she the guest.
Arianna came in, noisy as usual, and as expected, she peeked on the dishes before she ran upstairs to freshen up and change into her dinner dress. After a short while, Pete and Raelynn arrived. I was especially pleased to see Raelynn. Indeed she had done her best; for she looked exceptionally beautiful, the real essence of class. It was exactly how I wanted it to be.
"Oh Raelynn my dear, you look stunningly beautiful. I am so happy to have you here."
"Thank you Mrs de Milo." She smiled beautifully.
Iris was quick to offer them seats, and I could see that she remembered well what I had instructed her to do. Raelynn and Anisha needed to sit next to each other, so that all eyes could easily compare them. Raelynn was there mainly to point out the weaknesses in Anisha. Her clothes; which I was sure were going to be below standard, her table manners and anything else about her; I wanted it all to be displayed clearly.
Raelynn was indeed looking spectacular. She wore a deep blue dress, which had a low cut neckline, but it was not too exposing. It had sequins that ran from the neckline all the way down. The dress was long and gracefully swept the flow. It had one puffy sleeve which was made of a very beautiful material, with a shiny navy touch to it; more like velvet, but way thinner than velvet. The puffy sleeve ended just before her elbow, and there was a beautiful design at the end. The other side of the dress was sleeveless and in that hand she had two expensive looking sapphire bracelets. Her earrings were also of the same design, and she wore a necklace made of sky blue beads, with a large stone hanging on her chest. Her shoes were showing as her feet peeped through the long elegant dress, and they were extremely beautiful. She looked like an angel. I could not help but stare at and admire her.
She walked slowly and gracefully took her seat.
My Roderick walked in too, looking very smart in his expensive suit.
"Raelynn, blue really suits you. You look like an angel," I could not help but comment on Raelynn.
Raelynn smiled shyly and said her thanks.
"How are the wedding preparations?", Roderick asked, moving his sight from Pete to Raelynn, and then back to Pete again.
The bride to be started narrating how it was all flowing in the direction that they both wanted, and I encouraged her to shout out if she needed any help; for the de Milos would do anything to ensure that the wedding went smoothly.
When Arianna came down, she too was looking seriously good. Her dress was a mixture of black and gold, and it was very short, as usual. Arianna loved short dresses. It had a ruffled design which was shaped like a bra cup, partially covering her right breast. Her left breast was fully covered by the same ruffles design, but they were bigger on the left side. The design went up her shoulder, only to disappear at her back, and be replaced by a gold delicate chain which ran across her bare back. Underneath her left breast, the dress had a wild opening, for it was designed as a huge round opening which exposed her whole left side, down up to her left hip, including part of her back. Just below that opening, the dress extended for a few inches before it suddenly disappeared, exposing her beautiful legs. She wore very high golden heels, and her hair was beautifully fixed.
"Hello hello hello!", she walked in and hugged Ciera, muttering, "did you have a good day?"
"I did", Ciera smiled. She hugged KJ, and as usual, the man did not show much affection or any reaction for that matter. He hardly said a word, he just hugged her back for the sake of duty, and quickly sat back in his position. Not minding that, Arianna went around the table and gave Pete a very tight and long hug. She did the same with Raelynn. And she stood in front of us,
"How do I look?,' she asked, turning around.
"More than beautiful!", three or four people gave their praises to my beautiful daughter.
Arianna threw herself into the seat, and started chatting away.
Ciera, of course, was immaculately dressed, but in a more respectable way. She was not the type that would wear exposing clothes but exquisite, decent clothes. She was very classy, and in her grey dress, did not make much of a show. She was already dressed in it when she came in with KJ, and she quietly sat down without making too much drama.
"Keith Junior and I need to go to work after this dinner," she remarked in a low voice.
I did not like that the two actually intended to go and work after the dinner, but I decided to l just let it go.
I myself had not gone all out. The idea was to give Raelynn the limelight. It was a simple harmless way of opening my son's eyes so that he could see the type of woman we were expecting him to bring home.
I was feeling itchy all over my body. Not literally; but I was just impatient for Dylan and Anisha to arrive. Why were they taking that long anyway?
I could not help but wonder what Anisha was wearing, and I had doubt in my heart, asking myself if she was going to be able to stand up to such a tough competition. I started to feel seriously anxious, and if I was able pull the time, I would have; for I wanted Dylan and that girl to arrive as soon as could be.
My phone rang, and I checked to see that Logan, a cleaner from the hospital, was the one calling me. What did he want? Why was he calling during such a crucial time? I quickly excused myself and answered his call.
"Logan?" I really wanted him to say whatever he wanted and get it over and done with.
"Madam de Milo, things are not looking too good," he sounded scared.
"Just get to the point already! What happened?"
"Your son, doctor Dylan ,called me to his office today. Apparently he did his investigations, and a nurse exposed me."
"A nurse exposed you? How?" I tried hard to remain calm.
"The nurse told your son that I was the one who handed over the note to her." the young man explained.
"Well then just deny it!" I said strictly.
"I could not deny it, madam de Milo. Your son threatened to call the police on me."
"He did?" I was shocked. Did Dylan really mean it, or he was just talking? It was difficult to know.
"He did, and I pleaded with him not to…."
"Well, did he listen to you? Did you mention my name at any point?"
"I did not mention your name, madam. I just said someone paid me to make sure that Anisha received that note."
"You fool!" I scolded Logan. "So what did you say when he asked you who paid you?"
"I…I did not say anything, madam. I told him it was information that I was willing to take with me to the grave." He said in a pleading tone.
"Can I trust you, Logan?" I hissed in anger.
"I am telling the truth, madam."
"If you can't handle it, it might be time to transfer you to a hospital out of Southrain."
"No madam, please. I am happy in Southrain. Don't worry, I won't say a word," he promised before we ended our call.
I had not realised that I was sweating already. My hands shook, and I regretted asking Logan to be part of my plan. Could I even trust what he told me. Had he really not told Dylan about my involvement with the note, or he had kept it to himself?
I quickly forced the matter to the back of my mind, checked myself in the mirror, wore my best smile and then walked back to join the others.