* * * *
Mira
The team did a great job with my hair and nails. I was to sit a short while to allow everything set before putting on my bridal dress.
" Where is the dress? She has to put it on now." One of the women says.
As if on cue, mother walks in crying. What drama is she about to put on now?
" Oh poor Mira, her dress is ruined. We found it shredded to pieces and stained with spices. I don't know what to do now." She bursts into fake tears again.
Lies!
Mother never got me a dress. She even seized the sari the groom's mother gifted me without batting an eyelid. She had asked me to wear the only dress I owned. The worn out, plain blue sari I wore to Nandiri's ceremony.
How vain!
" Aadhila, don't worry, I'll handle the situation. How about her jewelries?"
I can't help but notice Aunt Amyra called her by name. She hardly does that. There is a smile in her otherwise firm gaze.
" Those are all gone too. The only thing we have left are her shoes." Mother whines.
" What a shame! How can someone steal the bride's things right before she's dressed?"
" The lengths people go to for money!"
" Many…"
"Enough now! I'll take care of that too. We will have to manage what we have now."
I love Aunt Amyra right now. She speaks with so much authority even mother goes quiet. She had advised me not to give mother all the money that rude guy gave me and I obeyed.
I guess getting the milk spilt wasn't that bad after all.
Quickly, she walks out of the room. Mother is staring at me with so much gloatingly, burning hatred in her eyes.
"Why not just show it to the world?" I think, lowering my head.
Aunt Amyra is back now with a suitcase. She gives it to one of the women.
" Here, I hope those will do for now. That's all we have."
A gasp escapes me and I feel my eyes filling up. The dress takes my breath away. It is so beautiful that I doubt if my money alone could get it. I knew I could trust aunt Amy but I wasn't expecting something this beautiful.
" These jewelries are more than enough. And the dress is so beautiful. Even the shoes would fit better than the other one. She'll look like a Queen by the time we're done." The team leader remarks smiling at me.
Mother looks so furious she might hit the roof.
" Where did you get that from Aunt? It does look familiar." She spits, barely keeping the venom off her tone.
" You might have seen it before. I got it few days ago as a gift for Mira but since she needs it more now, I'll gladly let her use it. Who knows what might have happened if I had given her before now. Maybe that mystery dress slasher would have slashed it to bits now. Right Aadhila? " Aunt Amyra says with a wry smile.
Mother is hopping mad!
She shoots daggers at me but this time, I don't look down. I stare back at her fiercely, watching her anger grow.
" You can't do nothing now." I hope my eyes tell her.
They do because without a word, she storms out of the room.
" She's going to replenish the tears." Aunt Amyra whispers to me with a triumphant smile.
I sigh softly.
We've won. At least, for now.
* * * *
Bob
From the first time I saw the man, I knew he was telling the truth. He didn't have to show me the picture for me to believe him but I let him show me.
It was the guy alright. With a girl. The fool! Even on the run,he can't avoid bitches.
What a good development. And it took me just two days.
Now, we're in front of a house in a private area. We brought the man along. He's in a butler's uniform and has access to the house.
He rushes through as quietly as he can, the boys behind him. We move very stealthily. I'm the last to go in.
Quietly, I give signs to my men and we all split into four groups. I lead the group staying with the butler.
If he's really there with a primma donna, I'll love to see the look on his face when the boys assault her and pop her open. Of course he doesn't care about her but he wouldn't like to see that either.
We come to a halt by a door and the butler signals it's his room. He is backing off now but I have better plans. No more incompetent spies like Scott for me.
" Stay with us."
I order my guys to burst the door open.
What?
I'm seething with anger. Raw rage.
What nonsense am I seeing now? The room is empty but it still looks normal and there's a light scent of aftershave hanging in the air. But still….
" What is this?" I ask the butler. My voice even to me is a low growl.
" He was right here. I swear it! He was_"
" Jim! Have you found him?"
" It's all clear Boss, I think he escaped not so long ago."
I glare at the butler. I'm so angry I can blow out his brains right now. But not yet….if our boy escaped,he must have an idea how or where.
" How did he escape?"
" I don't know. Honestly. I was with you all along and_"
"You better have an idea where he went bastard. Boss, should I waste him?"
I smile slowly at my guy who just spoke. He must have seen my anger as he clamps his mouth shut.
I turn back to the butler and aim my gun at his temple.
" Now you do have an idea don't you?"
" Y-y-yes. I do."
* * * *
Aeon
" Is this the brilliant plan you had?"
" Do you have something better?"
" It's really kinda cool. Especially since I get to party."
We are in one of Rahid's houses but it's not the house he stays with his family.
" Have it. Now dress up. We're late."
" You want me to wear that?"
Rahid is putting on his clothes and he ignores me totally. It's not a bad cause if all I have to do is look local,blend in and party.
I'm putting on the tunic when Rahid comes over to help me.
" You look handsome in that, just like a
Peacock." He pats me on the shoulder and leads me to a large mirror on the wall.
I'm smiling now. I do look very handsome. I look like a prince in this outfit.
I smirk, checking out myself in the mirror.
" Aeon! You're trying to escape. That's your reason for going there and not girls or hook-ups, so you better focus. This my friend, is the last time I'm helping you."
I look at Rahid. I can see genuine sympathy in his eyes but it's clear he can't go any further. He has done all he can and I appreciate it.
" I understand that."
He nods and we both head out of the empty mansion. My life depends on this single plan now.
On a party, and a lie.