The Wedding Date

Chapter Ten

Jack

I couldn't help but, roll my eyes when I saw the set location for drinks on the itinerary. Of course. Because afterall an event isn't really of note until you've shown everyone your twenty million dollar yacht. Say what you want about the Anderson family, at least they were consistent.

I changed into something more casual before heading over to the docks.

"There you are! We missed you earlier." James laughed brushing his shaggy brown hair from his face. He clapped me on the shoulder as if we were friends. When I did not return his smile he moved off up the dock to meet the yacht.

Little did he know, I knew who he really was. I had seen his true character a few years ago at a retreat. I had seen bits and pieces of the aftermath in the hotel. I didn't know the exactly details but, someone had taken out a good portion of legal funds set aside to protect the Anderson group, should they ever need it. You tend to need legal protection when you constantly broke the law. The Woodleys are very close friends to the Anderson's so it made complete sense they would try to protect him. It wouldn't look good to have one of the son's of famous John Woodley facing charges. The next day after the money was withdrawn, the biggest DA in New York received that same sum of money as a "campaign donation". No charges were ever pressed. But, I had seen all the proof with my own two eyes, through my own investigation. It was hard to stand and pretend to be the man's friend but, I had done worse and would do worse for the success of my company. I had dirt on half of the wedding party.

I spotted Amelia shortly after stepping onto the dock.

She had showered after she had gone back to her room. Her long mane of messy curls was tamed now and shone brightly. I watched her walk up the ramp slightly ahead of me smiling, arm in arm with a woman with red hair. She wore a simple white sun dress embroidered with blue and purple flowers. I felt as if I couldn't take my eyes away from her as I watched the two of them climb up the stairs to the second level of the yacht.

"She doesn't even wear makeup anymore. It's like she's a completely different person." I heard one of the bridesmaids whisper to another as I climbed those same steps to the second floor. I followed their line of vision to see they were both looking at Amelia and the red haired woman as she spoke.

I took a few seconds to look around observing all the women around me. Amelia it seemed was in fact the only woman not wearing makeup on the entire yacht. She was also dressed plainly compared to the others. They were dressed to the nines. Designer dresses and jewelry. Flashy expensive sunglasses and hats. She may have been dressed down but, she still stood out amoungst the others. She was absolutely stunning. An eye catcher to be sure.

As the crowd began to mingle the red head broke away from Amelia. Casually I stood off to the side watching as she made her way over to the bar. She flashed the bartender a smile ordering a drink, presumably. In a matter of moments she was holding margarita glass filled with a blended blue liquid.

A man approached her. One of Damien's buddies. He wasn't part of the bridal party but, close enough to the family to fly out and stay on their dime. For the life of me I couldn't seem to recall his name, Jeffrey? Johnathan? I watched from afar as what's his name made a pass at Amelia.

I picked my way through the crowded upper level trying to get close enough to hear the conversation. Whatever he had said, had made Amelia laugh aloud. Her smile was genuine, it made my stomach turn to see her flashing it at some brainless frat boy. He smiled back at her, a big brainless grin.

Suddenly as she recovered from her laughter her face became serious. So deadly serious, it instantly had me on my toes, watching intently. She leaned in to what's his name and whispered something to him. When she finished speaking she clapped him on the shoulder, like a football player clapping his oppent on the shoulders to heckle him. Whatever it was that she said, what's his name did not like it one bit. His face soured and he practically spat a response in face before walking away. She sipped her drink as of nothing had happened.

I watched her lean against the bar sipping her drink for a few more moments before I approached her.

"Good evening Ms.Anderson." I said striding up next to her. I flagged down the bartender.

"How kind of you to join me, I thought maybe you were just going to watch me all night." she said with a cool expression meeting my gaze. I felt my stomach drop. She knew?

"Was his pickup line really that bad?" I asked her cracking a smile at her. She reached up to rub her neck with her long slender fingers letting out a sigh.

"Men like him walk around like they are a gift from God. Someone had to put him in his place." She grumbled before sipping her drink. We stood in silence for a few moments. Around us music was bumping and different conversations were going on everywhere. It was easy to drown in the noise for a few seconds. I wonder what she said to the poor fool.

She inched closer to me just as she had with the other man just a few moments prior. I had to stop myself from drawing away instinctively.

"So, why are you an outcast at this wedding?" She whispered completely taking me off gaurd. That's when I saw what she was seeing. All around us people mingled and greeted each other, going from group to group and exchanging hellos. None of them however ever turned to acknowledge the two of us standing at the bar. They moved around us like a river moving around a stone. They continued to flow as if we were not even there. I chuckled softly taking my drink from the bartender. She's definitely not stupid, I thought to myself.

"I think the real question is," I said leaning in close to whisper into her ear. "Why are you an outcast at this wedding?"

A shiver went through her.

"Pick your favorite rumor," She replied her expression hardening. Something she clearly did not want to discuss.

"Well, let me have a few drinks and maybe I'll tell you why I'm an outcast at this wedding." I told her meeting her gaze. She looked at me with a quizical look, like she was studying my face.

"It'd take more than a few drinks for me to tell you why I am," She told me in a flat tone. I could see her painting this boundary clearly. Do not ask any further. I made a mental note to make sure I found out what had happened between them as soon as I could.

"Do worry I'll tell you for free. You won't have to spill any secrets in exchage." I told her. I know it is selfish trying to get closer to her with an ulterior motive but, her father is not just any man. He is one of the most cut throat bussiness men in the world. He is not a dumb man. Making him a hard man to take down. And if she really is on the outs with her family, maybe she'd be willing to give valuable information if she was compelled to do so.

An image of pressing her against the wall and kissing her roughly flashed in my mind. I coughed looking away from her trying to hide what might have been revealed in my eyes.

All conversation around us suddenly died, a few hushes rippling through the space. One of the bridesmaids stepped forward with microphone in her hand. The brunette paired with Jason, I couldn't remember her name. It seemed that was a trend with me today.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Here they are! The Bride and Groom!" She yelled into the microphone pointing up at the sky. A gasp went through the crowd. In the distance was a small helicopter. A tiny black blip in the orange light cast by the sunset. He installed a helipad on this thing, that addition alone is another two million on his spending not reported before the board.

Murmurs of shock and awe went through the bridal party as they watched the bride and groom approach. I looked to my left at Amelia, expecting to see her smiling with the others. Instead I looked back to see her eyes distant and thoughtful.

"Amelia?" I asked. She seemed to shake herself straightening before she looked back at me.

"Yes?" She asked with a smile as if nothing had happened.

"Are you okay?" I asked tilting my head to get a better look at her face. She turned to face me and met my gaze.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" She asked with a smile but, there was something different about this smile. This wasn't like the smile she had flashed at the woman in the marketplace or at Fletcher. Nor was it like the smile she had worn as she destroyed that man's ego. This smile held something more behind it... was it anxiety? About seeing her own family?