The Second Bride

Chapter 1 1940 Sinclair Town It's true Cinderella met her prince charming at a ball but Genoveva is not one to fancy fairytales, in fact, she finds their happy ending very cliché, cheesy and unrealistic but her sister, Greta beg to differ. Funny how the twins ended up with different character traits and tastes. It's a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon with so much to see from the tree Genoveva is sitting under, in the middle of their enormous green field. She is one to never take nature for granted and yearns to see more of it outside the wall of Sinclair, where she'd been all her life with her sister, their father, and their workers. She flips the book in her hand to the next page, totally engrossed in the content. It's a historical book that detailed the events of what happened after world war II, many girls of her age would find this act of hers very boring and unladylike but she's not one to follow the rules, she breaks them and makes her own but tonight, she is not going have it her way. Her sister shows up in a tea-length chiffon turtle neck and long-sleeved floral dress, her hair is cornrowed in two sections, its braided length dropping on her waist. If there's anything the Kesington sisters are known for apart from being noble breeds, it's their extremely long, thick, brown hair that appeases their hazel eyes. "Nana says we should get prepared, we leave in the next three hours" Greta offers her a cheeky wink and Genoveva grunts in annoyance. "Do i really have to go? You going is enough for our household, i don't want to attend some stupid ball" she hisses, looking up from her book and silently wishing she has some magical power to disappear or better still give their father a magic potion that'll let him do her bidding. But magic does not exist, she of all people knows that. "You know you have to, Father will go ballistic and sad if you decide not to go, he's doing this for us you know" Greta sits on the grass gently stroking Genoveva's hair backward. "I know he's doing it for us but i don't want it" she goes back to reading. "Well i want it and you're coming period" Greta waits for an answer when none came from her twin's mouth, she grabs the book in her hand, racing towards their castle-like house. "I'll kill you and feed you to the ugliest man in Sinclair, you'll die a horrible death and buried in a ugly man's belly!!" Genoveva screams, running to catch up with her sister's pace. "That's not a noble thing to say sister" Greta replies as she makes it indoor. "I told you girls, no shouting, it is unladylike" Nana warns. Unladylike? Not that word again, Genoveva hates it. "It is her fault, she doesn't want to go to the ball" Greta shrugs. "Now I'm sure that's a joke on your end, who wouldn't love to go to a ball and have fun? it's every debutante's dream, plus, you even get to meet other worthy single men who would make very good suitors" Nana links each of the sister's arm in hers as she leads them towards the grand ancient staircase in the middle of their enormous living room. Greta's giggle echoes into the empty hallway from the stairs. "Oh my! You girls look absolutely stunning and so grown up in those dresses" Nana stares at them in admiration while sitting on the edge of Greta's bed. The sisters twirl in front of the mirror, taking in their outfit. The crinoline and petticoat under made their dresses very wide. Genoveva is dressed in a shimmering red gown that bared her shoulder and arms, completely revealing the top of her robust cleavage. The corset she had worn underneath made her waist extremely tiny and sexually appealing. Even though it's uncomfortable to be in it, she admires her beautiful self in the mirror. Maybe, just maybe attending the stupid ball isn't so bad after all. Her hair is pulled up in a high tight bun that revealed her soft delicate neck and also complimenting her diamond-studded chandelier earrings that dropped above her shoulders. The only make up on her face is a bright red lipstick on her deep cupid's bow full lips and extremely light powder. "Don't you think this is a bit extra? I love it don't get me wrong" she turns to face Nana "I have been your nanny for as long as i can remember darling and this is not extra, you girls are going to turn heads that's for sure which is a good thing" she hands each girl a set of elbow-length silk gloves that leaves their fingers out in the open. " I can't wait to see the look on father's face" Greta beams in the same exact outfit as Genoveva. Nana always makes them wear the same outfit to public functions, and as usual, she didn't miss any detail. They had the same hair updo, makeup, accessories, and outfit. One wouldn't be able to tell who is who if not for their different facial looks. Forty years old Louis Kesington and Baron receive his girls in a big hug. He steps back to take in their stunning look. The man hadn't realized how fast his kids have grown up. Just yesterday, they were crying little infants but today, they are grown up and ready to face adulthood. Their matured faces always made him remember his wife who died immediately after childbirth, their mother. "You both look like your mother" he chokes on a tear. "May her soul continue to rest in peace," Nana says from the stairs. Mary Kesington had died seventeen years ago and even though the Baron had tried to honor his late wife by turning off ideas of remarrying, he couldn't deny the disturbing affection he was having for Nana. She was employed by the Kesington household at the age of sixteen to help with the kitchen staffs and at the age of eighteen, she was catering for the twins. She did it to earn more money for her sick father who died a few years back but most importantly, she agreed to it because the Kesigntons treated her with love and respect. Maybe when the twins are settled in marital homes he'll give it shot and court Nana. They all arrive at the ball and Nana was right, they made heads turn from all corners of the grand room. "Wow, i didn't expect to see so many people," Greta says in amusement as they take a stand positioned in the center row. "I'll be back, i need to make a few greetings" Louis gives them a kiss on both cheeks as he leaves. "Seen any guy you like?" Greta teased "I'm not here for husband-hunting Greta, you, on the other hand, are free to go searching, I'll stay with Nana" "You are such a bore" Greta hiss in disappointment which left a guilty hole in Geneova's heart. "Ok fine, thirty minutes" she sags her shoulders in defeat as Greta yelps in excitement. "We'll be back Nana" Greta says before grabbing her sister's arm into the crowd. They sight a mutual friend, Katherine spears, daughter to another Baron. "Your outfits are stunning, I'm jealous" Katherine beams. "Katherine! So good to see you!" Greta greets as they engage in a girly hug. "This is a public function Greta, we can't be acting like this. I'm sure Nana will oblige" Katherine silence her giggle with her palm placed above her mouth. "So we cannot even hug each other freely at this same stupid ball, what can we do?" She turns to face Greta with an inquisitive look. "We bow" Katherine gives a bow and the Greta follows suit. "How ridiculous" Genoveva mocks their strange-looking mode of courtesy. "I think Nana should make you attend public functions more often, cause i don't think you will get married in lieu of your weird sentiments" "I don't want to get married Kat, i don't even want to live in Sinclair, i want to leave and explore the world out there, no offense to the people I'll be leaving behind" "None taken," Greta says "I don't want to get married and become a mother, grow old and then die with no fulfillment, there's more to life, its an adventure" "We find that fulfilling Genoveva, it's our duty to grow up, get married, support our husbands as full housewives and f**k them to oblivion." Katherine let out a naughty smile. Genoveva gasps in bewilderment at Katherine's blunt remark. "Either you want to grow old a virgin or you are as excited as i am to losing my virginity" Katherine leads them to another stand in the hall. "I'm no prude, in fact, i can't wait to be deflowered, I've read about it in books and can't wait to try it out, I'm not some boyish girl at all, I'm still a girl, just with a different perspective" "Well then Miss I'm no prude, the ball is about to start, go take your seat and come fetch me at the after-party" "What after-party?" Greta asks. "You girls didn't know there's an after-party?" "Maybe the mailman forgot to deliver that one" Greta says. "There's a mask themed after-party, I'm guessing you don't have masks too" Katherine sighs. "Who cares about an after-party anyway?" Genoveva blurts out trying to ease Greta's disappointed look. "I do, we'll tell Nana to go get us a pair of Masks before the shop closes" "Never mind, i brought five of them, i felt i might change my mind as to which one to wear once my mood sets in, I'm sure i can sacrifice two" Katherine hands them one mask each from her rectangle-shaped rhinestone clutch bag. "Thank you" Greta mouths as she admires the piece in her hand. It's not the same as Genoveva's. Hers is a swan lux mask with lacy gold material above the black plastic while Genoveva's piece is a Giglio see-through black mask. They cheek kissed each other before retreating to their seats. "Looks like this stupid ball will be interesting after all, I've only read and heard about masked balls, this is a total game on," Genoveva says as they take their seat while the program begins. A few minutes later in the event, all the debutantes are backstage with their Fathers on the elevated platform with smiling faces, mostly excited to get their cherry popped by a handsome noble that will be introduced to them as escorts as custom ordains. This act is performed by the debutante's Father. The Master of ceremony calls out Genoveva and Greta's names. "Genoveva Kesington and Greta Kesington, from the household of Baron Louis Kesington and Late Mary Kesington". After their father leaves them on stage, the twins smile and curtsey before walking gracefully off the stage. " Kristen pierce, from the household of.." The MC's voice trails off as the Kesingtons take their seats. The announcement took a bit long because of the long list of debutantes, Genoveva's eardrums ached from the continuous clapping as the boring process prevails. The second to the last part of the program which is the father and daughter dance commenced after the fundraising for families of soldiers lost in battle ended. Louis cheerfully danced with his cute daughters on the dancefloor as they waltz to the song emanating from the enormous phonograph that perfectly filled the hall. The serious part of the event is over, all the guests find their way to where the after-party will hold. "I didn't know you girls would be staying over for the after-party?" "You don't need to chaperone us anymore Father, we are adults now and besides, we have Nana to take care of us, we'll only be here for two hours" Greta whines and Louis chuckles. "Ok ok, have them home by midnight Nana and girls, don't do anything stupid ok? If you like a man, you come home and tell me, I'll sort the arrangements" They knew what he meant and simply nod. "If i had known there was going to be an after-party, i would have made your dresses less uptight" Nana mocked at the sight of the twins trying to make their dress look less serious for the party and they fail. "Don't beat yourself up Nana, we will sway to the music with our wide petticoats." A suggestion dawned on Genoveva as she finishes the sentence. "We can take off our petticoats!" They say in unison, beaming at Nana. "Ok fine, let's go get you out of them"