What I Want

Chapter 10

Aubrey

I was busy organizing the last few details for the party. The guests would be arriving soon, and I needed everything to be prepared before then.

A couple minutes later the doorbell rang indicating the delivery man with the cake had arrived. I thanked him while he along with four other men delivered the cake to the center table in the room. The cake was huge and consisted of many flavors ranging from vanilla, chocolate, lemon, and red velvet.

I managed to take a quick shower before the party. I wore a black sequin dress that showed a little cleavage. I matched it with my pearl necklace and earrings my father bought for me on his trip to Europe. I curled my hair and left it down. Finally, I did my makeup and wore my black suede pumps. I looked myself over in the mirror and was satisfied with the way I looked.

I hurried downstairs in time to start welcoming my guests. Haden's parents were the first people two to arrive right on time.

"Hello dear." His mom greeted.

"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt."

"Enough with the formalities dear." Haden's mom smiled as I showed them to their table.

Within half of an hour the entire room was packed with people.

"I'm impressed Aubrey. This party is very nice. Where's Haden?" Mom asked.

"Thanks mom and Haden is just running a few errands. He'll be here soon." I lied. I silently prayed that he would show up soon.

I spun around to see Vincent and his cousins enter the room. Vincent wore a white Armani suit and his hair was slightly ruffled which made him look hot. I'll admit he looked good. Dennis wore a black suit with his hair combed back. Jennifer wore a cute pink frilly dress as she marched into the room, her hair bouncing with every stride.

Veronica wore a tight silver dress that had a long slit at the side of it. She was showing way too much cleavage and wore a lot of makeup. She paired her earrings with a huge silver necklace and silver stilettos. She looked like a hooker in that outfit and she's only 16. Nevertheless, I made my way over to greet them.

"Hey guys. Glad all of you could make it. There's food over there and drinks as well." I pointed out.

Veronica ignored me as usual and sauntered away while Dennis and Jennifer thanked me for inviting them to the party. After talking to Jen and Dennis I realized that Vincent was already gone. I had no idea where he went. I figured he's avoiding me. I'd have to worry about that later, right now my mind wandered back to Haden. Where the hell is he? Both of our parents are gonna start getting suspicious and I cant keep lying for him.

"Aubrey !" Emma squealed as pulled me into a bone crushing hug.

"Hey Emmy," I smiled as I returned the gesture.

"Blake's here." She pointed. He was currently talking to some of the other guests.

"It's okay. I'm sure he means well." I said even though I was finding it hard to believe my own words.

"It'll be fine."

I spotted Vincent in the middle of the room talking to a model for Vogue. Her name is Jessica Mraz. She is very famous and I suppose I invited her because she is a friend of Haden.

I had to intrude on their conversation anyway.

"Hey, are you guys enjoying the party?"

"Its wonderful Aubrey, absolutely marvelous." Jessica praised as she side hugged me.

"Thanks Jess." I smiled.

"Um Vincent, mind if I talk to you for a minute?" I questioned.

"Actually I'm busy right now Aubrey." Ouch! that hurt. Now he's definitely avoiding me.

"Alright no biggie I'll catch you guys later then." I smiled awkwardly as I left.

Its time I formally welcome everyone to the party .I held the microphone as I walked unto the stage that was set up in the center of the room. This grabbed everyone's attention as they focused on me.

"Good evening everyone. Are you guys having a good time?" I questioned and they cheered.

"Great. The reason for this party is that Haden and I wanted to bring each and everyone of you on our honeymoon with us, but we couldn't do that obviously. So we threw a party instead because it doesn't matter if him and I were alone on some island in paradise. What matters is that we spend time with the ones we love. Breaking the traditional "honeymoon thing" was perfect because we wanted to share our lives with you all. Haden and I have the rest of our lives to be alone but right now we want to share every moment with you. Besides parties are way more fun. Am I right?" I paused as I heard a chorus of agreements. " Without further a do please enjoy the party and have fun. Thank you." I finished and earned a loud applause.

No sooner than I was done, Haden entered the room with Ivory on his arm, her polished fingernails all over him. She wore a beautiful red sparkly dress. There was a decent slit at the side of it. The dress hugged her curves and showed off her baby bump. Her hair framed her face and she wore just enough makeup. Haden, on the other hand, wore a black Gucci tux paired with a red tie. His hair was neatly combed, and a smile was plastered across his face as he strode.

How could he do this to me? After I just said all that stuff on stage.

I rushed over to meet them but his parents beat me to it.

"Haden! What is the meaning of this?" His dad barked.

"Dad this is Ivory, she's my girlfriend and she is pregnant with my baby," Haden stated and the entire room fell silent as some of the guests sent looks of sympathy my way. I ignored them as I focused on the situation at hand.

"This is not true. Tell me this not true? You're supposed to love Aubrey and build a family with her." His mom interjected.

"It's true mom and I do not love Aubrey and I never will. She's nothing to me." Haden spoke coldly.

A gasp was heard from Haden's mom as she leaned on his dad for support.

"That's enough Haden. Aubrey is your wife and you will respect her-

"Don't go preaching about respect, you should have respected my opinion on not wanting this marriage. Aubrey is pathetic and isn't worth my time. If I hadn't known any better, I'd say she is just another gold-digging w***e. Aubrey Evans will never be my wife." Haden's voice boomed.

My heart crumbled at his words. I bit back the tears that were threatening to fall. I promised myself that I would not cry.

In a split-second, Haden was on the floor and Blake stood over him. However, Blake did not stop there, he continued punching Haden as Ivory stared in horror, pleading for Blake to stop.

I rushed in and began pulling Blake away from Haden with help from some other people. Haden got in a couple punches on Blake and burst his lip.

"Blake stop it." I begged. After a few seconds he complied but he turned on me.

"I didn't do this for you Aubrey. I did this because he was disrespecting our family's name. Personally, I think he's right about you. You don't belong in our family and you will never truly be part of it. You're pathetic." Blake spat as he looked at me in disgust.

"I get it. You hate me Blake. I know I'll never be part of the family and I'm sorry I ruined your life and Haden's. For the record, I wish I was left in the basket that morning. None of this would've happened." I yelled at him and ran into the terrace. That's all I could do, run away.

I broke down and began full out sobbing. How could this have happened? Tonight, was supposed to be perfect. I pulled my legs up and put my head in my lap. I guess I'm just unlucky with relationships on a whole. Firstly, my birth parents did not want me. When I get accepted into a family, Blake hates my guts and now I'm stuck in a loveless marriage and Vincent doesn't want to talk to me. I really am pathetic.

Releasing a tired sigh, I looked up to see Vincent in front of me.

"Vincent, you've been avoiding me. I'm sorry about the kiss. I shouldn't have encouraged it." I spoke as I stood.

Vincent didn't respond. He only stared at me with an unreadable expression.

"Vincent?" I called but he still ignored me.

"I know you probably hate me now. For leading on that kiss when I'm married to Haden. I'm used to it by now. People don't bother staying in my life long enough to figure out who I really am. Its fine I'll leave now." I whispered as I turned away.

Vincent grabbed my hand and pull me into his chest. In a split second, he crashed his lips on mine. He kissed me slowly, our lips were moving in sync. I wrapped my arms around his neck as his hands steadied my hips. We broke apart from the kiss a while after. Vincent was staring at me as he ran his fingers through my hair.

"Vincent, I'm confused. You can't kiss me and then not talk to me. That's totally unfair." 

"I'm sorry Aubrey. I kissed my best friend's wife for crying out loud. My mind is in a mess and I just acted on impulse. I wanted to kiss you don't get me wrong but maybe I shouldn't have, that could have ruined things between you and Haden. You don't deserve to be treated like this. I know you may be mad at me and I'm absolutely sorry."

"It's fine Vincent. I understand what you're saying. This isn't easy for me either. But strangely enough, I'm not mad at you. It's fine."

"You have a warm heart Aubrey. Thank you for forgiving me." Vincent smiled charmingly.

"Now let's get back to that party."

~

Haden's parents rushed to me and held my hands.

"Are you okay love?" His mom asked.

"I'm fine. Is Haden alright?"

"Haden is well dear. We managed to handle everything. The baby will be part of the Vanderbilt family but will not receive any companies whatsoever. The child will be entitled to wealth and riches and can be raised here but will not be an heir. When you and Haden have a child, he or she will be the rightful heir to the company." His dad responded and I nodded.

I politely dismissed myself and went in search of Haden. I spotted him at a table with Veronica. I suppose Ivory had already left and so did Blake. Meanwhile, Veronica was trying as hard as she can to get Haden's attention. However, he did not even spare her a single glance. 

So that's why she was mean to me. Because she has a crush on Haden.

I decided to go to the balcony to take some fresh air to clear my mind of the day's events.

"Aubs I'm sorry about Blake. He really overdid it." Emma sighed.

"Its fine Emmy. It's not your fault." 

"Do you really not feel like part of this family?'' She asked.

"Sometimes. I love you guys but sometimes I feel like I'm intruding on you and Blake's life."

"You're not Aubrey. We love you. Even Blake loves you. Believe it or not."

"Blake hates me Emma, I'm sure of it."

"Remember that guy, Stephano, in middle school who use to pick on you." She paused and I nodded. "Well, Blake beat him up and warned him to stay away from you. He made me promise not to tell you."

"Blake did that? No wonder Stephano use to look the other way when I walked passed." I laughed at the memory.

"Yup. Remember when we were messing around and you broke aunty Carla's expensive vase?" Blake took the blame that's why you never got into trouble. Also, the time when you went out into the rain to look for your heart-shaped pendant you lost, Blake was the one who found it and returned it to you and he made chicken soup when you got sick. Aubrey, he really cares about you and loves you."

"Well he sure has a funny way of showing it. I get that he did all those stuff but the way he treats me anytime we meet says otherwise."

"I know it's bad right now but he'll come around."

"He is a 30-year-old man Emms. The time for him to accept me has already gone. I don't think he ever will."

"Just keep your chin up hun. He'll come around. I promise you that." She placed a kiss on my cheek and strode off down the hall.

All I want is for everything to turn out right for once. 

But that's life because we all can't get what we want.