Red Carpet.
1782 Words
The first month was passing by quietly.
Everyday felt like a repetition of the former. Same routine, nothing changed at all.
She was given an invitation from the Butler, one morning.
“Hello madam, the elder would like you to attend a family function.” He said flatly without any emotions. “To show your new status as a member of the Jackson's family.”
“That is alright.” She paused. “Is it for me alone?”
“No, your husband will be in attendance. I will send an invitation to him as well.”
“Okay.”
‘So, this was the public cooperation that was mentioned in the contract.’ Erica thought as she walked away into her room, with the invite card in hand.
Kharis was still trying to draft out a proposal for a deal, when a call came in for him from the residence. He picked up using his hands free earbuds.
“Is everything okay at home?” He asked.
“Yes Sir, I have been trying to reach you for a while now. It is something important.” The butler said.
“I'm listening.”
“The elders are having a family function, that you have to attend with your wife to show you are married to all your relatives.”
“Is that necessary?” Kharis asked, sounding uninterested.
“Yes Sir.”
“Okay, what time is it?”
“5:30pm this evening.” The butler replied.
“Got it.” Kharis said before ending the call.
He flashed a quick glance at the clock in his office, it was 4:15pm.
‘I will probably meet up, if I hurry a bit.’ He thought.
Just then, his assistant knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
“Sir, there is an issue with the proposal from yesterday.”
“Call for an emergency meeting with everyone involved.” Kharis instructed him.
All thoughts about the event happening later on, flew from his head.
The only thought on his mind was how to fix the messed up proposal.
Time kept ticking steadily, not waiting for him.
***
It was almost 7pm, when the Butler got back to Erica. She had fallen asleep waiting for a reply and jolted immediately her phone vibrated.
“Madam, you will have to go on without your husband. His secretary called me to inform me about an emergency. Your husband will try to meet up, depending on how fast he handles the issue at hand.”
“What kind of emergency?” She regretted asking, after the words left her mouth.
“He did not say, do you need anything else?” The butler tried to keep a polite tone.
“No, thank you.”
Beep! The call disconnected.
‘Well, well! It seems like my walk of shame has come earlier than expected.’ Erica thought.
She got down from the limousine that carried her over thirty minutes, to the event hall.
“s**t! Why did no one inform me about a red carpet entrance?” Erica cursed under her breath.
Yes, the gown she had chosen was appropriate. She looked flawless, but without a husband by her side? It will definitely be the most humiliating moment.
“It has been over an hour, I should check back to see if he can make it.” Erica murmured as she dialed the butler's number.
“Where is Kharis?” She asked, immediately she got hold of him.
“I have no idea madam.”
“Did you check back with him, after the last call you made to me?”
“Yes, I personally reached out to him.” The butler said. “Hold on for a while inside the car, I'll try to reach him one more time.”
“Alright.” A tired Erica said, before ending the call.
‘Could this night get any worse?’
She decided to fix her makeup, while waiting in the car.
***
“Sir, you have a call from the house.” Kharis' assistant said.
“What is it about?”
“According to the Butler, you are supposed to be with your wife at an event about an hour ago.”
“Oh that?” He looked up, like he just remembered. “You can see that we are swarmed with work. There is no way I'll leave all of this halfway, just to go fake a smile for some pictures.”
“I will handle this, Sir.” The assistant said.
“Thank you.” Kharis appreciated him, before getting his focus back on work.
‘So much for the progress, I thought he was making with his wife.’ he thought as he walked out of his boss's office.
The assistant went back to his personal desk, before getting a call out through to the Butler.
“Hello, he will not be able to make it. I'm sorry for whatever inconvenience this might cause you.” He told the Butler.
“Hmmm, it is alright. I will relay this to Madam.”
***
She was still reapplying gloss on her lips when her phone rang.
“When is he getting here?” Erica was getting impatient.
“He can not come at all…”
“What do you mean?” She asked cutting him off.
“He has so much to do at the office.”
Erica took a deep breath in.
“Alright.”
After the call ended, she reminded herself that she did not need a man by her side to shine. Besides, this was only a marriage on paper.
With that thought, she stepped out of the car and graciously strutted on the red carpet.
**
Lights, Camera, Action.
It felt like a goddess was walking the face of the earth, when Erica walked the red carpet. Her smile was mesmerizing, causing all the reporters to focus on her.
“Who is she?” They murmured, but no one made the move to ask.
The media was going frenzy, taking pictures of her from different angles.
She thought all was over and was about to go into the hall, when a reporter gathered the courage to ask her a question.
“What is your name? You look so stunning.”
“Thank you, my name is Erica Jackson.” She replied.
It felt a bit strange on her lips, but that was her reality. Erica already knew the next question would be about her family and husband, so she took a deep breath and prepared for the shame that was going to come.
“Does that mean you are a daughter in law of the Jackson's family?” He sounded a bit surprised.
“Yes.” Erica replied, nodding her head in agreement.
‘Here it comes.’ She thought.
The reporter was about to say something, when a loud crashing sound was heard behind them.
“After all we have been through together, how could you divorce me for her?” A woman in her thirties lashed out at a man and a younger woman, who seemed to be his partner.
Due to how juicy the situation looked, all attention was diverted from Erica to the unfolding drama.
“Phew! That was close.” Erica mumbled under her breath as she quickly walked into the hall.
The entire hall looked breathtaking, whoever was in charge of decorations really went all out.
Erica sighted her father in law and walked over to offer her greetings.
“Hello father.” She greeted bowing slightly.
“Erica, right?” He asked, because he wasn't sure about her name.
“Yes.” Erica forced a smile on. “How is your health?”
“Ohh, I am doing well, thank you.” He looked over her shoulders before asking. “Where is Kharis?”
“Work is really hard on him, there was an emergency he had to take care of.” She said cautiously.
“This event was mainly to introduce both of you to the entire family and our friends, since there was no wedding ceremony.”
Her father in law sounded a bit upset.
“We can still do that father, let us just make up a nice excuse for him. What do you think?” She suggested.
“Alright, I will introduce you to everyone now.”
He walked up to a stage that was made in the middle of the hall. His eyes scanned through the hall one more time for Kharis, before approaching the microphone.
He tapped on his wineglass, to get everyone's attention.
“Hello and a very good evening to you all. I am sure we all know why we are here, apart from catching up on the latest gossip.” He paused with a smile, as all the guests burst out into laughter. I would like to introduce a new addition to our family, my daughter in law, Erica Jackson. She is married to my son, Kharis.”
The hall erupted in applause, then everywhere went quiet.
Erica took a few steps towards her father in law, just enough to be in the spotlight, then bowed and waved softly at the guests.
“She graduated from Cambridge University, with a first class in event management and decorations.” Her father in law continued, seeing everyone looked pleased with Erica. “I would like you all to be helpful to her, in any way you can be. Thank you.”
“Does that mean she can take up handling the decorations for future events like this?” Aunt Ophelia who was seated close to where the stage was asked. “It will be nice to have someone in the family do it, rather than an outsider.”
“I will be more than pleased to take that up.” Erica replied, after her father in law had given her the go-ahead to answer.
He looked very proud in that moment, watching his daughter in law interact with the guest. His eyes kept searching for Kharis, but could not find him.
‘That crazy son of mine!’ He thought.
A man on the side raised his hands for attention and some silence. When he got it, he started off by praising Erica.
“You look very peaceful and ethereal, but I'm curious about something.” He paused to let the words sink in. “Did you come here alone? Where is your husband?
‘Duhhhh! Was I really expecting fate to shift tonight's humiliation?’ Erica thought immediately she heard the question.
The doors to the hall flung open just then.
“I am sorry for being late.” A calm voice said.
- Writer
