At the Bailey Native Home
Freya, who loves her brother Denise so much, had extended the same love to his wife to-be. She got wedding accessories for her, and she was trying them on. Olivia puts on a shoe and pulled it out immediately, indicating it was not what she wanted. Freya was surprised at her action and she asked, “What happened? Don't you like them?”
“I do, but they are too big for me.”
“In that case, I will have to inform Julie to get a smaller size when she is coming for the wedding.”
“Auntie, Freya.”
“Yes?”
“I wish to suggest that we buy some of these accessories locally instead of spending so much buying them abroad. There may be a good wedding accessories shop in Dover.”
Freya smiled and pointed out, “Allow us to worry about that, Angel. These things are nothing to Julie. She had been abroad with her husband for some time, and she has a good job. So, sending wedding accessories to her cousin’s wife won’t be too much on her.”
Olivia, who was speechless, began to arrange the wedding gown and accessories and muttered, “If you say so, Auntie Freya.”
At Mr. Fields' Residence.
The next day, when Denise got off work, he paid his Godfather, Mr. Fields, a visit to inform him about the good news. He radiated so much joy that it could be noticed at a glance that he was in love. After he narrated his story to him, Mr. Fields joyfully inquired.
“Denise, what is it like to fall in love?”
Now, Denise was bashful, and smiled. Then, Mr. Fields continued without waiting for his response.
“I can understand how you feel. I was in your position nineteen years ago when I was twenty-three. We got married after one year, and we have never regretted being married. You said you were at the registry yesterday.”
“Yes, Godfather.”
“It is okay. You have my support. One of these days, you will bring her over.”
“I will do that.”
A few days later
Dover, At Denise's Resident.
Just as Louis promised, he decided to take a day off to see Denise and his wife to-be before embarking on his trip to Egypt. He drove into Denise’s compound, and got off to meet Denise, who was standing in the courtyard to receive him. They hugged and greeted as they walked into the house while John helped with his luggage. Then, Denise asked,
“Why didn’t you come by train? Please take your seat.”
“I chose to drive because, I would not want any form of delay. Besides, I will be returning to Sevenoaks tomorrow morning. So, how are you and where is your bride?”
Louis asked as he began to walk towards the staircase to check on Olivia, but Denise stopped him with his words.
“You know she can’t be here. I don't think it is right for her to be here until after the wedding.”
Louis teased as he set out to take his seat.
“Denise, you are too principled, and I like you for that. So, if she is not here, where is she? I can’t wait to see her.”
“You will see her, but relax. I know you must be tired. She is actually staying with Mom in the Native House.”
“I see.”
“By the way, why are you returning to Sevenoaks tomorrow morning? Hope there is no problem.”
“My flight to Cairo is tomorrow by 9 am for the International Property Exhibition.”
Denise became distraught and could not conceal it, and he blurted out.
“Trip to Cairo? Does that mean you would not be present at the wedding?”
Meanwhile, Louis had hidden his worries behind the trip. He had occupied himself with the preparation and the hope that he would meet his love in Egypt, and that had kept him going. He gave a reassuring smile to Denise and promised.
“You know it would not be possible. I'm leaving with my staff members tomorrow. Before the wedding, I should be able to excuse myself and attend your wedding.”
At this point, Denise's face beamed with a warm smile as Louis' explanation gave him a ray of hope. Louis was happy, too, he had succeeded in keeping his burden under wraps.
“It is all right.”
“Excused me. Let me change.”
“No problems.”
Louis walked to the guest room and locked the door. Denise noticed that he locked the door, but he did not attach any meaning to it. He got to the kitchen and instructed Caleb on what to prepare for lunch, while he climbed upstairs to his bedroom to inform Olivia and his mom that he would be coming around with his cousin.
In The Guest Room.
As soon as Louis got into the guest room and locked the door, he threw himself on the bed and poured his burden of frustration and failure to protect his love on the pillow. He moaned and lamented in disappointment.
“I should have been the one proudly introducing my beautiful Olivia to him. I started dating before him and now…”
After pouring his heart out, he slept off.
At Denise's Bedroom.
He was on call with Olivia, and they were chatting leisurely. Denise was rolling on the bed as he laughed. At last, he announced.
“All right, sweetheart. We will be there after lunch and I will leave for work afterward. I love you.”
Denise got back to the parlor for lunch at 12 o'clock and sat down in the couch to wait for Louis to get off the guest room. He switched on the television to keep him busy and to his amazement, after one hour, Louis was not out of the guest room. He quickly gave him a call which he picked sluggishly and responded with a husky and irregular voice which was as a result of his excess cry and sleep.
“Oh! Louis, are you sleeping? Wake up. It is time for lunch.”
“Okay.”
He replied with his morning voice and got off the bed and dragged himself to the bathroom for a warm bath therapy. Later, he got off the bathroom relieved, though his eyes were still swollen and red, but it can be mistaken for the after effect of sleep. Furthermore, he found solace by talking loudly to himself.
“Olivia, you are my everything. I'm coming for you tomorrow.”
He opened his travel bag and removed some cold wears that Olivia got for him and layered up before joining Denise at the dinner table.
“Wow! You look good. I like this. You have a good eye for clothes.”
“Thank you.”
They had their lunch silently. Denise observed that Louis was moody, but he attributed it to the sleep and did not dare to bother him with questions. After lunch, they rested for a while before leaving for the Bailey Native Home in Mr. Louis's car.
At The Bailey Native Home.
Nichole got off from work and came back home to keep Olivia company.
“Welcome back, Mom. Hope your day was good?”
“Oh! Olivia, thank you. My day was good. You must be bored.”
“It is all right, Mom. I had been busy with my business proposals. I'm fine. Denise promised to be around with his cousin.”
“It is okay. He informed me.”
At that point, Freya walked in with her four-year-old son Daniel, who had been itching to see Olivia again after the last time she visited his house with Denise. He was so happy that he was going to be the Page Boy at their wedding.
“Good day to you, Granny and Olivia. Good to see you.”
He greeted when he got into the house. Olivia, who was standing beside Nichole, turned and responded.
“Oh! Daniel, my Page Boy. How are you?”