The Wife's Resolve

Chapter 18: The Wedding Day

In the bridal suite, Elena, Valerie, and Natali were getting ready. The carried on a pleasant enough conversation as their hair and makeup were done. The morning seemed to be running smoothly. Valerie had promised Damon to try to have fun.

When it came time to put on the dresses, Natali and Valerie helped her slip into the dress. Then started the endless routine of buttoning. Valerie's fingers worked on what felt like a hundred buttons. Elena was a beautiful bride. Valerie made sure to comment on that fact anyhow. Once she was prepared, Natali and Valerie excused themselves to the adjoining room to get dressed.

Valerie helped Natali into her dress. Natali complained the whole time, “Pink, Valerie, why did it have to be pink, and how did I get roped in as a bridesmaid?”

“Relax,” Valerie put her at ease, “At least it is not the hot pink from last night. It is subtle.”

“Subtle,” Natalie huffed, “sure it is. Let’s get yours on.” Natalie pointed to the dress hanging by the window.

Valerie ran her hand over the fabric and let out a deep breath. “Let’s get this over with.” She stepped into the dress, and Natali helped zip her up. Then Valerie sat down at the mirror to put her jewelry on.

In the other room, Elena called for help, and Elena patted her shoulder, “I’ll go this time. Taking one for the team,” she laughed, then disappeared into the other room.

When the door closed, Valerie noticed that her skin felt like it was starting to burn. She reached for her phone and dialed Nicoli’s number, “Come to the bridemaid's suite now and don’t tell anyone,” she ordered and then dropped the phone.

Nicoli arrived minutes later and knocked on the door. There was no answer. “I’m here, Valerie, open the door," he said loud enough to be heard through the door.

Behind the door, a single barely audible voice came, “Help, Nicoli.”

He kicked in the door, and the noise caused Natali to enter the room through the other door. “What the hell, Nicoli?” she yelled, and then she saw Valerie lying on the floor. “Valerie, are you okay?” She ran to her, but Nicoli was there first.

“Don’t touch her, and back up,” Nicoli ordered.

“What’s going on?” Elena called from the other.

Natali looked at Nicoli, and he called out, “Nothing to worry about, Elena.” Then he turned to his sister, “Get back in there and don’t let her know what happened. We don’t need anything affecting this day for Davius.”

Nicoli picked up Valerie and carried her out of the room. He opened another room and brought her inside. He checked her vitals; she was breathing, but it sounded hindered, and her skin was red and raw. Nicoli took his knife out and sliced the back of the dress, leaving her in just her slip. He picked up his phone and dialed Donivan. “Donivan, come to the suite next to the bridal suites.” He watched Valerie and started to see her breathing regulate somewhat.

A knock on the door signified that Donivan was there. He opened the door. “ I need you to have this check checked,” Nicoli stated, holding up Valerie's bridesmaid dress.

Donivan eyed him, “Does the Boss know you removed his wife’s dress?” he laughed.

“Keep joking, Donivan.” He said seriously, “Her skin is still red from whatever irritated it from that dress, her breathing is not back to normal, and I am not sure what we are going to tell her when she wakes up.”

“I’d be more worried about what you will tell him. Who would be so bold as to poison his wife?” Donivan thought, “I'll have traces run on this dress to see what we are dealing with.”

“That fixes one problem,” Nicoli huffed.

“One is better than none,” Donivan answered, “what's the other problem?”

“I cut her dress off her,” Nicoli stated like it was obvious.

“Oh yeah, that,” Donivan laughed, “I’ll have Philippa send up another one.”

“These dresses are custom-made,” Nicoli shook his head. "Someone will notice a change in dresses."

“I know it is her design,” Donivan boasted, then left the room.

True to his words, ten minutes later Philippa had another dress sent up. Valerie had woken up, but the rash was still visible. They had half an hour to the ceremony. Nicoli’s phone beeped with a message from Damon, wondering where he had run off to. Nicoli looked at Valerie, “Damon is asking about me.”

“You can go back to your suite,” she smiled, “I’m fine now.”

“You’re not,” Nicoli argued.

“I’ll be fine,” Valerie promised, “You have done enough.”

“I haven’t done near enough,” Nicoli stood his ground, “someone poisoned you here with all the family around.”

“You already have Donivan looking into it,” Valerie argued back, “until we have information, what is there for you to do?”

“What about Damon?” Nicoli asked.

“Tell him I had an allergic reaction to something in the suite and that I am fine now,” Valerie said without hesitation. “If I were you, I would not mention to him that you cut me out of my dress and watched me while I was unconscious.

“You think this is funny?” he raised his eyebrow.

“Hey, if your conscience gets the better of you and shares that piece of information, I will not be held responsible for how he reacts. The important thing is I had an allergic reaction outside of that; we do not know anything for certain until Donivan tells us that we do.”

“Okay, okay,” he agreed, “I’ll leave and give him your version. Though if Donivan comes back and tells us it is poison, both of our heads are on the chopping block again.”

“Sounds about right,” she smiled. Then both left the room. Valerie sneaked back into the bridal suite and finished putting on her jewelry.

The wedding coordinator appeared and handed all the girls their bouquets. “It’s time.”

Nicoli and Natali walked down the aisle so quickly, Valerie laughed, wondering if the photographer even had a chance to take the pictures. Then Valerie linked her arm through Damon's. “You look beautiful,” he whispered. “Nicoli, said you had an allergic reaction. Are you okay?”

Valerie nodded as she walked down the aisle. A fake smile was plastered on her face meeting the expectations of everyone present.

The wedding march played, and everyone stood as Elena made her way down the aisle. Through the church, Valerie spotted Paxton coming in late and sitting with his family. He seemed concerned, and when the minister asked if there was anyone who objected to the union, she felt like he was fighting himself. He looked at her and patted his pocket. She was not sure what that was about and just smiled.

Davius and Elena were pronounced husband and wife, and the procession filed out of the church. Everyone’s attention was on the happy couple, and they missed the SUV driving slowly by. As Elena threw her bouquet, shots rang out, and the car peeled away. With the screaming and chaos in took a few minutes to realize that Paxton had been hit. Valerie screamed his name as she watched him hit the pavement. Damon and Davius both pulled their weapons and fired at the rear of the SUV, but it was too far away to do any real damage. Nicoli and Valerie ran to Paxton. Nicoli pushed her out of the way as he took his suit jacket off and used it to apply pressure to the wound. Valerie picked up his phone and read the message that lit up the screen, "A warning is not a suggestion."