At 6 PM..
The awaited wedding party finally arrived. Inside the Clinton's event hall, a crowd of guests– strange and familiar faces roamed noisily with drinks in hand.
Two long gold, chocolate, and milk colored dining tables with professionally arranged table wares that gave a sophisticated appearance stood on both sides of the hall, creating an aisle in the middle. At one end of the hall was a big fireplace, producing barely enough heat to warm the guests who wore winter coats and fur shawls over their elegant outfits.
Above the dining tables were beautiful chandeliers, adding elegance to the interior.
The invited guests present were not more than a hundred. It was an exclusive gathering with only friends and family. All invited guests were the echelon of the society — young and old, men and women. Wilfred's family didn't miss the opportunity to show their faces, even though they were the least people Old Man Clinton wanted to see in his house.
Servants walkabout with trays serving drinks and refilling glasses, while some serve desserts and pastries.
Standing by the entrance with Aiden, the aroma of the sweet appetizer whiffed into her nose and her stomach protested with greed– she wanted a bite.
"Let's go in," Aiden said and angled his elbow for her and Alexa placed her hand on his arm. The two walked in, arm in arm.
The noise died down when Alexa and Aiden caught the people's attention.
Alexa wore a simple but elegant bottle green, round neck, silk evening dress with a low side split. The dress was tight fitting and outlined her curves in the right places. Her silver heels made clicking sounds with every step she took forward. She looked confident and classy, a contrast to whom they saw earlier on the altar with Aiden.
Jealousy and hatred burned in the minds of many Madams and Misses. Some felt the shift in Alexa's personality was due to the pride that came with marrying someone whom she thought would become the CEO of the Clintons' empire...
She was indeed a gold digger. Some concluded, but even so, her new personality made her even more attractive.
Some men couldn't take their lustful gazes off another man's woman. They were boldly gawking at Alexa's beautiful curves that Alexa feared she may have had an embarrassing wardrobe malfunctioning. No iota of respect was left for her body, or even her husband who was clearly by her side.
Alexa has had people admire her outfit and beauty in the past, but not one person looked at her like she was a prostitute or a fortune hunter. But the glances she was getting from these men and women were far from admiration and respect. Their eyes made her feel naked and vulnerable and she wasn't liking it at all.
"Aiden, is my dress bad? Do I look ugly in it?" she whispered to him. She certainly didn't feel like she was ugly when she looked at herself in the mirror before coming out, but these guys made her feel otherwise. Has her taste and fashion suddenly gone bad?
Alexa had never had a moment of self doubt in her life until now. And right then, the only person she felt safe around was her husband.
Aiden stopped walking, halting Alexa in her steps too. Suddenly, he took off the white shawl she wrapped around her shoulders and gave it to her. "Hold it," he said.
Alexa had no idea what he wanted to do, but trusted that he wouldn't embarrass her in public as he had shown her nothing but respect since that morning. She took the shawl from him. Everyone was staring at them, probably wondering why he was undressing her.
Much to Alexa's shock, he took off his overcoat and draped it on her, then arranged it to conceal her curves. He brushed her dreadlocks behind her ear and planted a kiss on the top of her head.
"You're the prettiest and most elegant lady in the room, and your dress is spot on," he uttered above her and drew her into his embrace.
Alexa's heart palpitated with excitement. She felt like a teenager who was getting complimented by her older brother. Alexa didn't know that this pure feeling existed. She felt ultimately treasured and held in high regard.
Lucian never complimented her looks with words. Instead, he would grope her even in public. Believing it was because he loved her too much and couldn't keep his hands to himself, she would take him to enclosed places and give him her body.
She was simply his whore.
At that time, she was over the moon. She thought she was too special to him, which was why he was addicted to her body. He used to tell her then that sex was affection. But now, Alexa wouldn't be wrong to believe that Lucian never did any of that because he loved and was crazy about her like he claimed. He must have done so to cover his tracks.
"Shall we?"
Alexa snapped out of her reverie and what came into sight was her husband's smiling face.
His fitted light gray satin cotton full sleeve shirt had its first few buttons opened, revealing some flesh.
He protected her at the expense of his own health. The night's cold was biting, still, he gave up his jacket for a woman he barely knew.
Aiden's kindness was starting to make Alexa feel bad. She swallowed her guilt and put her faux shawl around his neck and wrapped it skilfully to shield him from the cold.
Their eyes met and a tingling sensation ran through her veins. She quickly lowered her eyes and stated, "You'll catch a cold."
"Thank you," he uttered, bent over and scooped her into his strong arms.
"Ah!"
Alexa gave a startled cry and her muscles stiffened. As he ambled towards the decorated seat that was obviously made for them, warmth filled her heart and her body started to relax.
He must have done it to shield her from those lecherous stares.
Once they were seated, a man walked over with a glass of wine and uttered, "Congratulations, Young Master Aiden." He raised his glass for a toast.
"Thank you," Aiden responded with a smile. He wasn't holding a glass, so he couldn't toast.
While some guests lost their manners, some didn't fail to keep to protocol. Even though Aiden was of no benefit to them, to not anger his grandfather, they had to show him some respect, albeit superficial.
Aiden and Alexa received all the fake congratulatory greetings with broad smiles.
After a long time of socializing, Aiden looked around, but couldn't find his grandfather anywhere. Aaron, his mother, and two siblings were present but their father, Wilfred, was not there.
Aiden bolted up. His grandfather and Wilfred cannot be left alone in the same space. Just as he was about to dash for the door, a familiar voice drifted into his ears.