SPICES

CHAPTER FOUR :shy compliments

Tonia watched quietly as the car turned

in to Leonard's street slowly. She was

sitting at the window and could see

everything clearly. The Kress mansion

was looking magnificent and seemed to

be more be beautiful than it was the

night she'd met with her future

husband.

The decorations have been extended to

the beginning of the street. The last time

she saw something like that was during

Christmas when everyone in Seattle

were busy competing for who would win

the award for the most beautiful

Christmas decorations. She smiled at

the memory. She could remember how

Ella and Kat had made sure to visit the

mall everyday just so they would be the

first to get their hands on any new

decorative materials. A chuckle

escaped her lips and Talia turned to her

with a smile. Tonia quickly understand

what she was thinking and returned her

smile. She turned back to the window

immediately. Truth was that she was not

feeling herself. Two days ago she'd

given Damien Kress her words and now

she was going to disappoint him.

"You're okay? Talia asked.

"Yeah, sure. Just a bit nervous... and

missing dad ". She replied. John Hughes

and Antonia had left a long time ago but

Perrie had to stay behind for the ladies.

"We would have left with uncle if you

ladies weren't taking so long ". Perrie

complained after pulling over.

It was just a family get together but it

seems the Kress had invited a few

guests. The compound was packed with

cars and there was barely enough space

to pack theirs.

Tonia got off the car hand in hand

with Maddie. She needed her support.

Her legs were shaking vigorously she

could tell she would fall. A lot of guests

were inside. It would be a shame if she

was to make a bad impression. The

kress are very popular people which only

meant she would be the center of

attention.

"Come on ". Maddie led the way

inside.

A few guests were in the living room and

the music from the courtyard could

penetrate through the walls of the living

room. Some of the guest were moving

rhythmically to the beat. She walked into

the courtyard still clutching to her aunt.

She couldn't help but wonder how she

would feel on the wedding day. If it does

happen.

The second they stepped in to the

hall, Tonia felt something sharp pricking

her skin hard. All eyes were suddenly on

her making her feel extremely nervous.

Is this what being popular feels like?

She asked herself.

She was dressed in a blue dinner

gown reaching her feet. An armless

gown with glittering sequins making a

wonderful cascade as the light shown

on her. She was also putting on a pair of

heels that made her tall and elegant and

a red rose was pinned to her doughnut

styled hair. She'd left a few strands

hanging behind her ears, a very dark red

lipstick and a black purse that was

stocked to her right hand.

Betty with her arms stretched out

went to welcome her gorgeous would

-be- daughter in-law. She was equally

beautiful and was looking twice her age

. One would think she was yet to have

grand kids. Her hair style was similar to

Tonia's but no strands were left hanging.

"Good to see you Maddie ". Betty hugged

her after releasing Tonia.

"Good to see you too ". Maddie

replied.

"Come, make yourselves at home ".

Perrie came in few minutes later and

joined his father and uncle.

The hall was looking more spatial. A few

furnitures had been removed and

replaced with party chairs. Now she

understood why they'd held the party at

their house rather than a hotel or an

event hall. The view was magnificent

one could see the open skies with

thousands of stars.

A few guests came to greet her, both

known as well as unknown. Amongst

was the popular George Andrews ,the

owner of Sakamoto empire as well as

Irene Woods. She owns a charity home

both for kids and elderly. She'd also

helped in raising funds for the

orphanage and her donations to public

schools and development of churches

were highly appreciated by the good

people of Seattle.

"Can I have everyone's attention

please ". Betty began, interrupting her

conversation with Irene.

Everyone turned towards her giving

her their approval to continue.

"As we all know, the kress will be

welcoming their newest member ". she

paused giving them opportunity to

cheer.

Perrie was with Talia while Kate was

with her friends. Kat and Ella were also

with her.

"There for, I will like to raise a toast to

our darling Tonia ". She continued

welcoming her on stage. Everyone

raised their glasses as they cheered.

She tried to smile but it didn't come out

naturally.

A soft music started playing after

both ladies went back to their position.

Some couples went out to dance

including Perrie and Talia as well as

Dylan and his wife Layla. Tonia couldn't

help but watch Perrie and Talia. She was

looking so lovely in her red ball gown.

Her tommy could tell on but it didn't

stop her from dancing beautifully. Perrie

turned her around gently.

Tonia was still busy admiring them

when she felt her yelp. She rushed to

them as Perrie led her to a chair.

Everyone else was too busy to notice

them. Tonia grabbed a glass of water

and gave it to her.

"Are you okay ? She asked her.

"Yes I am, I think the baby kicked ". She

said smiling at Perrie. Perrie returned

her smile and rubbed her belly. Tonia

looked at them with surprised gazes. A

few seconds ago she'd felt a twinge and

now she's happy about it. That _was

what she wasn't ready for. She wasn't

ready for marriage, she wasn't ready for

pregnancy and most of it all, she wasn't

ready to have babies.

"Don't worry about Talia, I'm here.

You go ahead and have fun. I'm pretty

sure you haven't been able to talk to

your friends properly ". Just like the

caring big brother he is, Perrie said

pointing at Kat and Ella.

It's Damien Kress  I want to talk to.  She

told herself. She really needed to talk to

him and let him know what she had

decided but she hasn't even seen him in

the party.

"Hey girls ". Tonia said getting to her

friends. They'd left Kate and her group of

friends.

"Hey future mrs Kress ". Kat teased.

"Girl I'm so happy for you. You are yet to

get married in to this family but you are

already so popular ". Ella added.

And that's what I don't want. l want to be

known by the name I make for my self

not by my husband's name.  She

complained within her.

"Wow you are looking...oh... my...

gosh ".Ella said bit by bit ignoring her

previous statement.

"What is it? Tonia and Kat asked.

They were facing her. Ella turned their

heads around.

"He is so handsome ". Kat admitted.

Tonia felt something sharp in her

stomach as Damien Kress finally got

down the stairs. He was instantly

crowded by guests _Important guests.

"You're one lucky girl Tonia. Isn't he

the cutest thing in this room? Kat asked

bumping her elbow on her shoulder.

Tonia couldn't deny that fact. He was

but his elder brother was equally

handsome. Tonia stole a glance at him.

His black suit went great with his grey

eyes and ebony hair. His lips were so

pink it almost feels like fake. And his

face was spotless. Being thirty years

was no joke.

       How did I not notice this when we

first met?  Tonia asked herself.

Kat was about saying something but

gasped instead.

"Who invited them to the party? She

asked angrily as Jeramie and Norah

went in hand in hand. They walked in

flawlessly. No doubts she was beautiful

and Jeramie was no difference either.

"How dare he show his face here?

Tonia was boiling in anger as her fist

clenched tightly. Jeramie must have

noticed her because he pulled Norah

closer and winked. Norah was smiling

delightfully. It felt as though he was only

using her and she wasn't aware of it.

Oh heavens, how can I have been so

foolish to think he actually loved me?

The bastard cheated on her and still

had the guts to show up at her party,

that too with the one he's been cheating

on her with. The image of him kissing

Norah played in her mind and she shook

it off immediately. She felt like hitting

him with her heels and telling him how

much he disgust her.

"I will...". She took a step but Kat held

her back.

"Look behind you ". She whispered. Tonia

obeyed and saw Damien staring at her.

She turned around immediately unable

to look into his captivating eyes. Sooner

or later she will have to tell him about

her decision.

"He's coming ". Ella gave a warning.

"Excuse me ". She said and went to him

stopping him halfway.

"You are looking extremely stoning ".

He passed the first compliment.

"Thanks, and you look extremely

handsome ". She replied trying to sound

as natural as him.

"You wouldn't mind dancing with me

would you ?

"The music is still on so I don't see

any reason to say no ". She replied

shyly.

He led her to the dance floor. His parents

were also dancing with a few other

couples including Jeramie and Norah.

He placed his hands on her waist and

she she put her hands on his shoulders.

The dancing started with slow

movements but the music became a bit

fast. Damien twirled her around and she

came back sliding into his arms

perfectly.

"I need to talk to you ". He didn't stop

dancing neither did she.

"Not now ". He replied.

"It's important ". She urged.

"I'm listening ".

"Not here please ". She said giving him

her perfectly cute puppy eyes.

They were still dancing and didn't realize

all eyes were on them. Everyone else

had stopped dancing just to watch them

dance. They were looking so good

together.

"Alright then, we will talk outside if

that's...". The music stopped

interrupting him. The air was filled with

noise of cheering and clapping coming

from their audience.

"Thank you...thank you all ". His voice

was inaudible amongst the crowd but his

message was delivered. Tonia smiled

nervously following his lead.

He held her hand and led her out of

the dance floor.

"Come with me ". He said and took

her outside as everyone continued with

their normal business.

She caught a glimpse of Jeramie talking

to Kat. There was tension between

them. She was curious to know what

they were busy arguing about but talking

to Damien Kress was much more

important.

"Is everything okay? He asked

noticing her hesitation.

"No...let's go ".

He led her to the porch. There were a

million stars in the sky. The glittering

lights used in decorating the house were

no match for the shimmering stars. The

ambience was looking so romantic and

it felt as though the moon was smiling

at them.

"So what did you want to tell me? He

asked still holding on to her hand.

"Um. ..my. ..you're.. .my hand ".

"Oh so sorry, I forgot ".He confessed with

sincerity letting go of her hand

immediately.

"It's about the wedding ". She began,

turning away from him. She couldn't

look into his eyes.

"What about it?

"I'm ready to get married to you ". She

blotted. There was no other way she

could put it.

"What!!!

"I know you don't accept it but I have

already made my decision and I can't

change it. I'm really sorry but I tried my

best ". She looked up and blinked a few

times to hold back the tears.

"I'm really sorry but...". She felt his

palms on her bare shoulders stopping

her unexpectedly. She cleaned her eyes

as he turned her to face him slowly.