Scandalous Wedding

Chapter 7

Though it was hard to concentrate, Sang managed to finalize everything. The wedding, the guest list, the upcoming fashion event, everything. Though she had help from the New York's best wedding planners, she supervised everything on her own so that there were no last minute flaws or something. After all it was an union of two powerful families, The McCoy's and The de Silva's. Everything had to be perfect and there was no chance of mistakes.

She just finished her meeting with the security agency, who were responsible for the Wedding. The media and tabloids would be starving hounds, ready to grab any piece of juicy meat for their news on the wedding day, and not to forget those unwanted guests who would try to maneuver their way into the wedding. She had to take extra precaution to keep them all at bay.

As soon as the last of the people left, Kaya sauntered into the room looking frustrated. "You shouldn't have had that 'Open heart' program with McCoy Sangavi", she shook her head irritably,

"I agree", Nimmy spoke up after being silent for a long time,

"What do you mean?" Sang asked not understanding where this conversation was heading. She sat behind the table and began putting the folders away, as she knew she won't be around for a while.

"This is war", Kaya said placing her fists on her waist, "How can you let your enemy know your weaknesses?" she asked,

"First of all, this isn't war, it's my marriage. And second of all, he isn't my enemy but my fiancé", she said. "Look guys", she sighed rubbing her face with her hands, "I understand why I am getting married, but why doesn't anyone understand that this is my life we are talking about and not a f*****g business deal. I have one life and I would do everything to make sure I live a good one regardless of who I am marrying and what our relationship is like!", she said with determination.

"Oh my god. Please don't tell me, you will forgive him so easily. He slept with a maid, after getting engaged to you", Nimmy said clearly displeased with her boss's fiancé.

Sang sighed, hiding the tinge of pain in her chest by scribbling notes on her writing pad, "We talked about it. He is entitled to have any woman he wants-", Kaya cut her off,

"What about you?" she asked

"I..uh..don't know", she said storming her brain to concentrate on the list she was making.

"Do not sleep with that bastard, or else I will have to kill you", Kaya narrowed her eyes at her best friend.

"You know me Kaya, I won't. He... disgusts me", she said ruefully. She didn't want to feel that way, but she couldn't help the remorse that build up inside her towards Elijah.

"But what about... you know", Nimmy said making a face which made Sangavi and Kaya laugh out loud,

"Pretend for a second that we are complete dimwits and enlighten us", Kaya's eyes danced with mirth as she eyed Nimmy's flushed face.

"Ugh... you know...", she looked at them and both shook their heads in denial, s*x! What about it? Are you gonna take up celibacy for the rest of your life? 'Cause I know you won't be able to cheat. No matter how 'open' your marriage is, it is still called cheating and you are too good for that", she said turning serious at the end of the speech.

"Well..." Sangavi had no words. Nimmy was true. The thought alone made her skin crawl with disgust. She could never cheat on her husband, even if he was a cheater. If she ever falls in love with another man, out of her marriage, then she would talk to Eli and get a divorce before taking her relationship to the next level but she wouldn't cheat.

"Okay. Enough", Kaya yelled, "I don't want to talk about cheating bastards or my best friend marrying one. He is an ass hole. He will always be one and Sangavi, you are too smart to give into that shitface. So," she paused dramatically and a smirk grew on her face. She rubbed her hands excitedly before yelling, "It's time for 'Hens night'"

"Yea!!" Nimmy's cry resounded the room dominating Sangavi's groan of protest. She had been to, too many bachelorette parties to know how wild bridesmaids can get. And she knew Kaya very well to know that tonight was going to be anything but innocent.

***

"So, all set for your married life?" Zachary Carter, Eli's best friend asked.

They were at a golf club, taking a break before they headed for his bachelor party. This particular golf club was not just for oldies who liked to spend their retired time playing golf, but also for rakes like Eli and Zach who sometimes needed a place to break.

Eli gave a long glance at his friend over the rim of the glass. He was contemplating whether or not to share his feelings with his best friend. Unlike Sang, he wasn't an open person. He never shared what he thought or felt with anyone. He was a reserved person whereas Sangavi was like an open book. That's what he thought.

Zach was a rake, just like him, but his loyalty and charming nature always classified him into the gentlemen category. His dirty blonde hair and baby blue eyes gave him the edge which always attracted women like honey attracting flies.

"You kidding me", he smirked at Zach who stared into the distance passively, "This is nothing but a business deal. You know what happened at Sicily, right?" his voice turned grave as he mentioned the name of the city.

"Yeah!" Zach nodded grimly, it was one of the darkest secrets Eli shared with Zach and he was grateful for the trust he entrusted in him.

"Well, so to prevent such incidents in future, we decided to unite the empires. What best way to seal the deal than walking down the aisle, right?" he shrugged. "Anyway you know all this, why are you asking me again?" he washed the brandy down his throat and signaled a waitress for a refill,

"I am not asking you why you are getting married, I already know that. All I want to know is, are you ready for this?" he moved his hands, to say it symbolically

"You are talking as if I am going into the battlefield", he chuckled loudly, the alcohol getting to him,

"It might not be the same, but still, there is a woman now in your life, your wife.... God! I sound like a p***y", Zachary ran a hand through his hair as Elijah broke into a full blown laughter,

"Dude", he said placing his hands on Zach's shoulder, "I got what you're trying to ask me, and trust me, I am fine. Ace is just.... perfect", a frown marred Zach's features,

"Ace?" he asked,

"Sangavi de Silva. that's what I am gonna call her. Ace", he said nostalgically,

"Really?" he looked at Eli doubtfully,

"Yup", he said popping the 'p' like it was not a big deal.

"You are already giving her a nick name. It's the first stage of falling in love", he smirked at Eli, enjoying the discomfort his friend was facing,

"Yeah right", Eli snorted, "Like that's gonna happen. She hates me and clearly told me that she doesn't want to sleep with me and that I can have any woman I want. Provided I maintain a low profile about my affairs", he muttered, irritation clear in his voice

"So it's going to be an open marriage then?" Zach asked,

"Yess. I can take any woman I want", 'except the woman you actually want' a voice yelled at from the back of his mind. Eli's grip tightened on the glass from which he was drinking.

"So, you mean to say, she can take any man she wants as well?" Zach asked carefully studying Eli's features closely.

Glass snapped into pieces in his hands and cut his skin. "s**t", Zach muttered and called for a first aid kit immediately, "Dude", he called for Eli's attention as he cleaned his hand.

Eli snapped from his thoughts when a burning feeling shot through his palm. He hissed slightly as the sprit burned the cut on his palm. He didn't even realize how tight he was holding the glass until it broke.

Somehow he still couldn't digest the thought of Ace being with other men. Ace. His Ace. Only his.

***

"Kaya, will you call up Eli and confirm about the list that needs to be sent to the Security agency? I have an appointment with his mom for lunch and I am getting late", Sang said checking her appearance in her compact mirror.

"Sure thing", Kaya smiled at her best friend as she left.

She was dreading this meeting, that she didn't even realize when and how she reached the restaurant. It wasn't the first time she was dining in this restaurant so she knew the Maitre'D by name, "Hello Jonathan. How you doing?" she greeted him

"I am doing great Ms. de Silva. How you are you this afternoon", he asked politely,

"uh, just wonderful", she said in a monotonous voice, where as in reality she wanted to yell 'I am freaking out',

"Please welcome", he guided her to the table to the extreme corner, where they can have all the privacy they needed. As soon as she sat, he excused himself and a waiter appeared offering her a menu card. She declined him politely and told that she was waiting for someone. Right across from her, a couple say who looked so much in love. She sighed regretfully, she wasn't going to experience anything as such, anytime soon, she thought.

"Ms. de Silva, your lunch date is here", the Maitre D' said and an elegant looking Sharon McCoy walked into the dining room, all elegant and poised.

"Hello Sharon", Sang greeted her kissing her cheek.

"Hello you", Sharon returned the greeting with a polite smile. A genuine smile fitted across Sang's face. She knew for sure that her relationship with her mother in law will be civil, nothing like in the movie 'Monster in law'.

"All set for the big day tomorrow?" Sharon asked as the Maitre D' pulled a chair for her.

"Yes", Sang's breath caught in her throat. Sharon threw her a tight smile and looked at the waiter awaiting for the orders, "We'll have some red wine. The best you have, please", she said and dismissed him with a flick of her wrist.

"I just wanted to know how far the arrangements are done", Sharon asked politely and Sang began to brief her about everything that was organized. From the meeting with the wedding planners to the caters meeting, she told her everything.

Sharon was an intent listener, she thought. Not once did she interrupt her, except when Sangavi asked for her input or opinion. Her confidence that her married life would be fine hitched up a notch with her mother in law's behavior.

"....and yes, I want a list from you and Mr. McCoy on who should we watch out for. The security agency stressed on the list of nemesis, who might want to gate crash or create a scene. So,... do you have anyone in mind?" she asked.

Sharon let out a throaty laugh, "any 'one'? I have a list dear. And I am sure, James must be having a file", she shook her head. Sang was taken aback with that piece of information.

"Do we have enemies?" she asked carefully. Sangavi knew that being in the competition meant having more rivalry. She herself was familiar with a lot of competition, bitchiness and also nemesis. But never did she think that there would be actual enemies to deal with.

"Guess, you don't know much about this world, do you?" Sharon asked scrutinizing her eyes closely at Sangavi.

"No" Sangavi choked once again. She cleared her throat and lifted the wine glass, the waiter just served and took a much necessary sip from it. She felt childish and inadequate in front of her. Sharon McCoy was a renowned lawyer. Along with James, she ran the company giving her input into the legal matters whenever required. Though she retired along with James, she still participated in the company matters more than James. Eli said himself, how much hi mom's interference meant to him.

"It's okay. You will learn everything soon". She said

"I don't think so", she muttered under her breath but Sharon heard her clearly. Sangavi realized her mistake and closed her eyes for a brief moment, ready for a scolding but it never came.

"Look Sang, I can understand what kind of relationship you and Eli are getting into. Trust me when I say this, it is not something I wished upon my son. I am saying with the wisdom and experience of twenty seven years of marriage, you have a lot of music to face yet. It won't be easy. My son will drive you crazy and sometimes you would want to murder him", Sangavi chuckled, "But remember your vows. Eli can be stupid enough to suggest something really atrocious but you gotta stand strong on your principles and make him see behind his stubbornness", she said placing her hand over hers.

They stayed silent for a while and then Sharon let out a excited sigh, "So", and her eyes gleamed with a mischievous glow which she often saw in Eli's eyes when they were back in school, "When is the bachelorette party?" Sangavi laughed at her excited tone.