Cladded in a sparkly customized high-end dress, paired with intricately designed diamonds, Regina was ready to steal the limelight from the bride. She couldn't wait to leave the mansion and showcase her glamorous look to the world.
The whole back and forth questions were beginning to give her a headache. The missing brat was gone for good and now it's time for her daughter to take centre stage. Why can't everyone see it? Must she spell it out for them all?
Raising her white handkerchief to the corner of her eyes, she slowly dabbed at her crocodile tears.
"Why... Why us? Why this family? Why today of all days? What have we done to deserve this level of humiliation?"
'Seriously!' Aunt Judith, Amelia's maternal aunt could not hide the look of disgust on her face as she watched the gold digger spew more trash.
"Detectives, please excuse us. I need to talk to my wife." Senator Shawls said plainly, pointing at the exit door.
"Okay senator, we will keep you posted if there is any new development." The detective clicked his fingers and his colleagues followed him out.
Regina continued complaining as the last detective shut the door.
"What are we going to do to save this family from this embarrassment? What are we going to tell our guests who have travelled from all over the world to support us? How are we going to face the public criticism? What will happen to all those expensive food, drinks, and decorations? What..."
"Regina!" Senator Shawls snapped at his wife, unable to hold back the tumour growing in his heart.
A hush instantly fell inside the living room as all eyes darted between the senator and his wife, waiting for a verbal tussle.
"Are you serious right now? My daughter is missing and all you can think about is food and drinks. What has come over you? Are those worthless things more important than my daughter?"
"Greg please, stop yelling at me. I haven't said anything wrong. I am just stating the fact.
"What fact..." Senator Shawls glared at his wife,
"If my memory serves me right, this isn't the first or second time that Amelia has suddenly decided to leave without telling anyone where she is going. She is a free-spirited child. But the good thing is that she always comes back home whenever she is ready and she always has a wonderful reason for her action."
Some members of the family nodded their heads in agreement.
"So true." Pearl, Regina's younger sister, openly concurred, earning her a scowl from the senator. But Regina wasn't done talking.
"Honey, I know this situation is a bit dicey and it breaks my heart to see our family distressed. But I'm positive that Amelia is fine wherever she is. Nevertheless, I'm still worried about how this would affect the family's image if not handled properly. I don't want us to become the laughingstock of the century. This could even ruin your political career."
"Leave my political image out of this and focus on finding my daughter." Senator Shawls' face hardened, his tone chilly.
"Greg..." Pearl tried to butt in again but was completely shunned by the senator.
"Fine. But have it at the back of your mind that Amelia is also my daughter and I care about her well-being too." Regina lowered her head, pretending to be shattered by her husband's harshness in the presence of everyone.
"Gregory!" Old Nana Shawls called in a rebuking voice. "Don't you ever talk to your wife in that manner again? She has the right to be worried about this family's image, unlike that spoilt brat of a daughter you have."
Aunt Judith's jaws dropped. She always knew that the old woman never liked her niece from birth because of the hate she harboured against the mother. But then, Amelia was missing and Regina hadn't been completely honest about her claims. Shouldn't there be a level of empathy?
"Mother, how could you say something like that?" Senator Shawls' furrowed brows deepened.
"Why wouldn't I, huh? Amelia is a spoiled brat and you are the reason why we are in this mess." the old woman lashed out.
"Mother please," Regina tried to plead while grinning inwardly. She was grateful to have finally won the old matriarch on her side. Whoever said patience wasn't a virtue?
"Amelia is a sweetheart and Greg is right," Regina said holding her husband's dark gaze. "I shouldn't have said all those things. It was insensitive of me."
"More like realistic if you ask me? And don't plead on his behalf, daughter-in-law. If he can bully you like this, then he doesn't deserve your sympathy. Someone has to tell him the truth even though it hurts."
"I don't bully my wife, mother." Senator Shawls was deeply hurt by his mother's remark. "I'm just worried about my missing daughter."
"So am I and everyone gathered in this room." The old woman sighed, taking pity on her son's frustration.
"Greg, I know you love your late wife very much. She has sacrificed so much for this family and there is no question why you chose to favour Amelia so much. You are a good father but you have also made a lot of mistakes with that girl. You pampered her too much. For all we know, she could be somewhere having so much fun while we are here hitting our heads on the wall. This family will no longer condone her excesses. It's time to make a tough decision or I will. If Amelia doesn't show up for this wedding, she will be disowned from this family."
"What? But mother, what if she was really abducted? We can't draw up conclusions based on her past mistakes." Senator Shawls said feeling more depressed than ever.
Finally taking advantage of the opportunity presented, Regina suggested. "What if Gwen stood in for her sister pending when Amelia returned."
"What!" Everyone in the room gasped.
"How generous." Regina's sister was the first to praise her.
"This is really selfless of you, Gina." Uncle Matt commended.
"I'm sure Amelia will be grateful wherever she is." Uncle Desmond concurred.
"Way to go, aunt." One of Amelia's paternal cousins praised the senator's wife.
"That sounds like a good plan if Gwen is willing to help her sister." Nana Shawls shrugged.
The only person who didn't support this insane idea was Aunt Judith. She kicked against the idea knowing it would hurt her niece so much. But unfortunately, she was just one person amid so many people scheming to steal her niece's inheritance.
The senator's sunken mood slowly brightened seeing the possibility of the wedding still holding while searching for his daughter.
"What about Gwen? Would she agree to stand in for her sister?"
"No, I won't, Dad." Gwen suddenly walked into the room with Jerry tagging behind. "I would never do such a thing to my sister." She said before running upstairs, crying.
"Gwen..." Jerry called after her but Regina stopped him.
"Jerry, leave my daughter to me. I can talk to her. Gwen loves her sister so much and would do anything within her power to make Amelia happy including sacrificing her own happiness. All you have to do is say yes to this proposal and I will go talk to my daughter. She will listen to me."
"Yeah right!" Aunt Judith scoffed, picking up her fancy clutch.
"Judith, where are you going?" Senator Shawls asked.
"If you will all excuse me, I will go out and look for my niece," Judith said and walked out of the room with her shoulder held high.
"Bitter witch!" Regina muttered under her breath.
"Judith..." Senator Gregory called after his sister-in-law.
"I can see where my granddaughter inherits all her arrogance from. That family is just impossible. Let her leave." Nana Shawls put out her walking stick to block her son's path.
A glint of pleasure and victory flashed across Regina's scheming eyes as she exchanged quick glances with her younger sister.
"Not everyone would agree with this idea. But there comes a time when we must make difficult decisions to save the family's image." Nana Shawls said in a solemn voice. "Today is the day to make one of those tough decisions. So if any of you in this room are opposed to this marriage arrangement except the groom, now is the time to leave."
There was complete silence in the living room as no one objected to the family's matriarch.
"Splendid." The old woman smiled. "Greg you may take over."
Greg released a long sigh. "Okay, mum."
He took a few steps toward Jerry and patted him on the shoulder.
"Jerry, I already see you as my son-in-law. I know you love my daughter, Amelia but right now we have no idea where she is. I fear she may have run into some sort of trouble. But I'm hopeful that we will find her. The decision is all up to you, now. I will not compel you to marry Gwen in her sister's place. But if you do this for me and Amelia, I will forever be indebted to you."
Jerry lowered his head in deep thought. There was so much at stake and he couldn't afford to disappoint his family.
"Okay, let's do this, uncle."
"Perfect." Regina couldn't help beaming at her successful plan.
"If I may ask..." Pearl cleared her throat while avoiding eye contact with the senator. "Whose name will be on the marriage certificate, Gwen or Amelia."
"Amelia of course," Regina replied in a rebuking tone.
"Pearl..." Senator Shawls clenched his fist.
"It's just a harmless question." Pearl smiled sheepishly.
"Yes, Gwen is standing in for her sister. So it's only fair that Amelia's name should be on the marriage certificate." Uncle Matt agreed with Regina.
"Then it settled." The old Nana clasped her hand joyfully.
"All that is left is to speak to our new bride. I will go fetch her." Regina left for her daughter's bedroom.