Chereads / The Rifter: Machi Harkness / Chapter 3 - 03: Rehersals

Chapter 3 - 03: Rehersals

If there was anything that Evermore could change, was the amount of time she spent with her son. Which, right now, was barely any. But sitting in a hospital room, seeing three of her best agents injured to this extent, was harrowing and scary. "Lady Harkness, they won't wake for a while, it's best if you head home. I assure you will be the first to hear any word for when they wake."

Rubbing her temples, she walked out and looked at the time, seeing it was past 7pm already. "M-My work can wait I can't think straight." She whispered to Zac and they left from the back and headed to their peaceful...

"Is that... shouting?"

Evermore opened the door and Zac shrugged his shoulders as they walked into the living room and saw Machi playing games on the floor... with a friend. "NO! Damnit! Why are you so good?"

"Cause you don't practice as much as me Rocco." He went to the selection menu and looked at his mother who was more shocked. "I can see why you do not enjoy getting any form of public transport. I see we meet again Zac Kalona."

"He's the plus one to the rehearsal dinner." Machi mumbled. "And wedding."

Evermore smiled and sat on the couch and grabbed her son's controller. "You play Miss H?"

"How else did I get Zac to move in?" Both boys just looked at one another and Rocco handed Machi the controller and it was now mother vs son. A legendary fight. Zac chuckled and ate the snacks and looked over and saw a suit bag hung on the door and then looked at Machi who was being cheered on by Rocco.

"How--"

"And the winner is... Machi Harkness by a lot of points. Ok Machi your mom is just bad." Rocco admitted. They continued to play games when a message came in and Evermore looked up. "It's a call, I'll head out." Zac smiled and headed to the garden.

"As much as it is nice to see you socialising, what's the occasion?" Ever asked. Machi looked to the suit then to his mother. "He lives too far to arrive on time to the rehearsal dinner so I said he could stay here. We have the spare room and mattress and on one too many overnight trips we were forced to sleep in the same bed. He kicks."

"You've been on one overnight trip." Rocco defended. "All because the teachers don't--"

Machi urged him to shut up but Ever looked concerned. "Machi... tell me the truth." Rocco apologised with his eyes and looked to well... the most powerful person... and realised he should have kept his mouth shut.

"The teachers don't want me on trips because I attract too much attention or if I get hurt... the higher ups would force them out of their jobs and ruin their reputation." Machi admitted. "I don't like trips anyways. Never been out of Academy City but ain't like I like change..."

*

Zac answered the call and sighed.

"Mom seriously, I answer you out of courtesy."

"Son, please, let me try and persuade you one last time before you throw your life away."

"How is marrying the woman I love, throwing my life away?" He asked her a little too loudly, "literally everyone else is happy for me.. why aren't you? Why aren't you happy for me Mom?" He asked.

"She's not good for you honey. And she already has a family. You can't fill the gap."

Machi heard from the kitchen and looked to Zac before heading back. "Who actually is attending this wedding? And dinner? And what food--"

"Rocco. I sent you a text."

Ever chuckled and answered. "People wise... Zac's family, his mom, dad, sisters - he has 4 - their kids. All are babies or children. A lot of friends... work friends mainly. Food wise well, Machi wasn't coming unless he had an incentive. Lobster rolls for the head table."

"Sweet!"

"And steak for the rest of the guests. Apart for the odd vegetarian and vegan."

Rocco yawned and headed up to get an early night and Machi looked to the garden and saw Zac on the phone still. "Evermore Kalona."

"I have been told that a change in my name will be costly. And doesn't have that what was it... umph that Harkness has. In all honesty Machi, I am not changing my name."

"It's my father's name ain't it?"

Surprisingly, she shook her head. "Your father changed his name to Harkness when he married me. He didn't want you to carry his family's name. And quite frankly, I am a free woman, I legally do not have to change my name."

"Is Zac going to legally be my dad?"

Evermore remained silent and she sighed. "Does my name have to change if that does happen?"

"No, lord no, you are 17 Machi, I cant touch your name or tell you who is legally your parents. Well we'll have a stern talking to if you remove me but other than that--"

"Mom." He whined and she just smiled and chuckled.

*

The next morning, the Harkness house was a mess since Evermore decided to do her own hair. Seriously, the lady doesn't dip her feet in basic luxuries. "I have no idea what to do with my hair." She said while also wearing a satin robe and her face covered in green clay.

"I have someone." Rocco yawned as he walked out.

"GOD PUT ON A SHIRT!" Machi yelled.

"Miss Harkness it is a pleasure--" Rocco just asked his mom to do her hair and Machi just whistled and walked into the kitchen. "You're marrying that."

"You are her son." Zac reminded. "Are you going to give a speech?"

"1. No. 2. Cameras. 3. Don't know what I would say... same goes for the wedding I don't want to attend. Rehearsal dinner is fine, not many people. The wedding? Broadcasted to the entire City and beyond."

*

The venue was indoors, since it was winter, with chairs and tables lining in rows perpendicular to the entrance, decorated with silk sheets wrapped around each walnut chair. Each row of tables sat around 20 people, ten on each side. The tables were long, and remained uncovered to show off the walnut carved table which matched the chairs. Each table had vases filled with white lilies which suited the rustic clean theme the bride and groom went for. Fairy lights decorated the hall, with a massive glass chandelier overseeing the entire venue. At the front, sat a long table, which would seat the bride, groom and their respective families. For Evermore, that would be her and Machi, and Zac, his sisters and parents.

"Wow." Zac and Machi had went ahead since the house had become a ladies festival and so they chose to change at the venue. Seeing the head table, Zac looked at all the names. Hilary Kalona, Daria Kalona, Lucia Kalona, Wendy Kalona...

"Mrs Lena Kalona and then Mr Atticus Kalona who will seat right beside Sir.."

"Oh so we are doing Sir now." Zac chuckled at Machi's joke.

"Isaac Ru-- Rufus Kalona. My, fancy I see."

Zac sat him down at a table and Machi didn't question it and sat with him. "Kiddo, I am glad you are here."

"My mom needs it--"

"I do too." Zac admitted. Machi couldn't help but smile a little at that. The feeling of being wanted somewhere by someone that was not his mother was nice. Seeing the staff set up the bouquets, he smiled and nodded. "You don't have to come to the wedding, your mom and I know how you feel about crowds and the cameras. It isn't ideal and we'd love for you to be there but all we want is for you to feel comfortable and happy. Now go, change"

*

Evermore's rehearsal dinner dress was a mid-length silk dress with long sleeves and a v-neckline which was kept to a modest length. The dress cinched in at the waist to emphasise her figure and the elegance and simplicity of it allowed her to stand out in front of everyone. Elegance and regal was the words used to describe her tonight. Shoes were a stiletto heeled white shoe which has a silver chain around her ankle which helped support her feet. Jewellery was kept to a simple silver necklace which accented her shoes and a pearl bracelet which matched her pearl studs in her ears. And of course, her diamond engagement ring.

"No way he takes his eyes off of you." Jo chuckled as she zipped the back of her dress. "Now it's all adults apart from your fiancé's sister's children but they are all too young to realise--"

"Machi and his friend are attending." All of her friends stopped and looked to her.

"We'll meet your son for the first time since he was a kid. That's amazing." Jo chuckled and knew Machi for years so at least there was someone else for him to escape to.

"He doesn't like socialising. Hence his friend... coming along. I've met him, he's a real nice guy."

Seeing herself in a wear she never thought was possible again. "Don't cry Eve, Zac is supposed to make you cry. I do not think he will. I do not think you will cry at all."

"I hope not, my makeup will be ruined."

*

Arriving at the rehearsal dinner, all the cameras pointed towards Evermore Harkness and they were snapping it. Recordings were banned. "Hey when are they gonna come?" Evermore turned and saw Rocco. "Machi is leaving me out here to dry..."

She wondered what her boys were doing and why they were taking their time. "Fashionably late?" She shrugged, only to see a lot of the crowd whisper as two men walked in.

Machi arrived in, wearing a regular suit however, it looked a little oversized which was the style he normally went for when at home or going out. It was what he felt most comfortable in. His sleeves were rolled up, showing the band he was very conscious about as the 'ghastly pink' as he called it would stand out. His shirt was untucked but it didn't look out of place with his look, and he sported black trainers. Evermore wasn't unhappy or annoyed he didn't look all dressed up, her son wasn't like her. He hated the act of going full out, suit and all. He hated tight clothes and it showed in his outfit.

Besides Machi was Zac. He was a stark contrast wearing all black, no tie or shirt but a turtleneck, and his suit was also black. He wore a necklace - it being silver - which helped tie the look together. The pair had eyes on them as they arrived in and everyone was shocked by the appearance of Evermore's son, more than Zac - the groom - since Machi rarely was seen with Evermore.

"Oh my Eve is that Machi?" Jo asked and she nodded. She sorta knew that he wasn't going to wear a tie (properly) or fancy shoes, but she liked it. The band he was so self conscious about was out for show and an arm was wrapped around his shoulder almost leading him through.

"And that, ladies, is my fiancé." Evermore smiled before heading to the pair that had all the cameras and eyes on them. Assuming they'd receive an interaction between the bride and groom, everyone looked to them and waited.

"Keep the forehead kisses away you have lipstick and gloss on." Machi warned.

"Is that gel in your hair? I thought it was too precious." She teased and he nodded. "The things I do to look nice for you two, stop." He moaned and walked over to the head table.

"The hair looks nice." Zac smiled and went to see his sisters and pulled Evermore over with him.

Ever was concerned about Machi but saw him talking to Jo.

"Evermore, it's nice to finally meet the woman who has been with my brother for the last 3 years."

"Daria."

She smiled and hugged her and then went along the line. "Mr Kalona. It is nice to see you again." Evermore smiled and looked to Zac's mother and she gave her the cold shoulder.

"Let's eat." Zac clapped before Ever could say something. Sitting at the table, they limited the number of drinks everyone was allowed since well... Evermore is the literal ruler. Zac didn't drink either, he saw his uses were more valued if he was sober. "Lobster roll." Machi's eyes glittered as he was presented with the lobster roll and Rocco began eating without hesitation.

After a while, Zac was handed the mic and everyone watched as he stood up. "I think we can begin my speech, or would someone like more time to eat?" He turned to Machi and he wiped his mouth and mouthed 'sorry'. Then, with Machi finishing his lobster roll, did the speeches begin.