Behind a facade

17.

Back to the present, The wedding day….

LOVE!

It was the greatest power humans had from the beginning of human civilization. No matter in the past or present, it was like you are wielding a double-edged sword. Love can be a blessing to certain people, while it can be a curse to other people. The way you chose to wield this double-edged sword will decide whether you deserve a blessing or a curse.

Loving someone earnestly is a choice humans make. When the love is sincere, its presence can be deeply felt. Sincere love can overcome everything. Not everyone is fortunate enough to find partners who love each other guilelessly, not conditionally or selfishly. A few people in this world have that gift in their lives.

Getting married to that blessed love of your life is such a rare and magical moment in a couple's life. On this particular day, Josh Rooney and Emma Rooney are experiencing it. They are living in that magical moment. It is their day. Not anyone else’s, but their own special day that they are going to remember for the rest of their lives.

The bride and Groom set an adorable sight for the guests. Their attires were simple and elegant. Josh’s blue tuxedo was exquisitely cut and a perfect match for his suave manners. Emma was wearing a vintage-inspired wedding gown, which brought out her radiant personality as well as her beauty well.

The way the couple interacted with each other was natural, and their chemistry was undeniable. They gazed into each other’s eyes all the time as if things around them and the people who are looking at them don't matter to them.

All the guests were looking at the couple with admiration. The couple looked like they are floating on the floor together, letting the rhythm control their movements. No one could find a single flaw in their dance.

Suddenly, Josh drew Emma close to his chest, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. They shared an affectionate kiss, and the crowd let out cheerful noises. Even Dakota couldn't help but shout their names.

“Well… I must say this. They are nailing it,”

Miles’s words made Dakota smile. His eyes were also on Josh and Emma who is about to finish the first dance. “I know right!”

Not only the couple but also the surroundings added a heartwarming vibe to people. Soothing romantic music, the fresh fragrance that comes from the flowers used to decorate the reception hall, the effect of scented candles planted inside the reception hall, the fresh homely smell of various food items, and the aroma of fruity wine and other beverages invite everyone to fall in love. Indeed, love is in the air.

“I think you have to get ready,” said Miles, showing Amber Halt who is waiting near the dancing area of the tent. She was beaming, but her energetic behaviour mixed with restlessness. Amber was continuously bouncing on the balls of her feet.

As the bride's younger sister, she has every right to be happy and energetic. It is natural. The problem with her was she didn't know how to control her own overflowing energy and transparent emotions since the moment the ceremony began. It was to the point, she ended up making some mistakes during the ceremony as well as at the reception. Almost all the time at the wedding, Amber reminded Dakota of Ron Weasley in Harry Potter because of her clumsiness and often making mistakes.

Dakota noticed Tessa was standing next to Amber like glue this time. Finally, Tessa has decided to keep Amber close and supervise her every action to make sure she does not mess up with the timeline or the wedding reception order.

Miles cleared his throat. “This bride squad is really scary times like this. Look at those two. Why are they so serious?”

“Why don't you ask them?” Dakota suggested, flashing a teasing grin.

“I do not dare. Who wants to willingly go through their torture again? By the way DK, you remember what you have to do, right?”

Dakota nodded. “Yeah, I remember Tessa explaining it,”

“Good. If one of us screws a single thing, she will literally eat us alive,” Miles shrugged his shoulders making a goofy face. He pretended to shiver for a second. Dakota chuckled.

Though his statement sound like funny remarks, there was an irony behind those words. They both knew Tessa never tolerated people who ruin her perfect arrangements. This time as the maid of honour and as the person who works with the wedding planner often, Tessa was on the edge. Tessa was way more serious about this wedding compared to the bride and groom.

Dakota recalls the wedding reception order of events that was explained to the team before the ceremony. Though they heard the order many times before the wedding day, Tessa and the wedding planner didn't spare them until the last moment. They kept reminding every other event, making the groom squad; Dakota and Miles go crazy during the whole day. It was indeed an endless torture.

According to Tessa and the wedding planner, team bride and groom had to follow their parts without any excuses or delays because they have to end the reception at 7 p.m. As a part of the team of groomsmen, and as the right-hand person of the groom, Dakota is supposed to share a dance with the bride right after the parents dance while Tessa is supposed to share a dance with the groom as the maid of honour. Then bride's maids and groomsmen were supposed to join them as an encouragement for others to come to the dance.

It would be a lie if Dakota says she didn't feel uncomfortable during the ceremony when she has to be close to Tessa. The entire photo session felt like an ever-lasting nightmare to Dakota. Especially whenever she has to take photos with Tessa, she wanted to escape from the place. Yet she forced herself to smile thinking about Josh and Emma's happiness. She was determined to do her best for Josh, Emma and their wedding. It was the least she could do for their friendship. That was the only thing preventing Dakota from walking away from Tessa during the photo session.

Fortunately, there wasn't a dance for the best man and the maid of honour. Dakota was grateful to the person who made a far-sighted decision regarding not including that dance in the order. Considering Tessa's and Dakota's current distant behaviours, it was for the best not to let them get involved with each other. If they forced them to interact with each other for the sake of the wedding, that will only make both of them uncomfortable.

“As soon as you and Tessa have done dancing with the bride and groom, I and Amber shall enter from the other side,” Miles stated, taking a deep breath. It sounded more like he was talking to himself rather than telling it to Dakota.

“Don’t worry. We will be fine,” Dakota assured. "Make sure Amber does follow your lead in dancing,"

Miles grumbled, walking towards the dancing area with Dakota. "I will. Otherwise, you and I are the people who going to get the blame from our dearest bride squad,"

Dakota smiled while fixing her tuxedo. Before stepping into the dancing area Dakota whispered something to Miles and gave him a friendly pat on the back. "We can do this dude,"

The entire dance went smoothly. Dancing wasn’t Dakota’s greatest talent, but she wasn’t bad at it either. Even Miles was able to dance well without any visible mistakes though he had to put some extra effort into guiding Amber in the dance.

As soon as the bride and groom squid dance ended, they heard Carter Rooney’s joyful voice through the mike. He was doing a great job as the Emcee of the wedding.

“I believe, everybody here collected happy memories today, and we are going to catch more happy memories now. Ladies and Gentlemen, now it’s your time to hit the dance floor. The best way to show you are appreciating the bride and groom is by you getting into the dance floor. The dance floor is yours now,”

The guests started to invade the dancing area as if they were waiting for that announcement. They made loud noises and cheers while slowly spreading across the dance floor. There wasn't soothing music anymore.

DJ made sure to change the music according to the vibe of the crazy crowd.

Dakota, Amber, and Miles slowly stepped away from the crowded dancing area while Tessa headed to check something with the wedding planner.

“Jesus!” Amber let out a relieved sigh. “What’s with these people!”

Dakota followed her gaze. She was looking at the people who are dancing insanely manner. A lot of people were continuously bumping into each other while making weird dance moves. Some were pulling and hugging their partners while dancing. Dakota was pretty much sure most of the people over there moving and shaking thanks to the effect of the alcohol.

Miles scoffed. “You are a still child. You will understand it when you became old,”

“Very funny,” Amber frowned. She got close to Dakota, directing a rebellious glance at Miles. “I am no child, I am twenty this year,”

“Still a child. Not even passed the legal drinking age. Isn’t it DK?”

Dakota shook her head from side to side. She could see Amber looking at her hopefully until she chose a side. “Don’t involve me in your arguments,”

"Whatever," Amber rolled her eyes. "I am going to sit with mom and dad. You old grandpas and grandmas can do whatever you want,"

Miles opens and closes his mouth like a fish, looking at the way Amber walks where the bride's relatives were sitting. Dakota burst into a laugh upon hearing those words and seeing Miles's reaction.

"Kids these days!!! We are not that old," Miles complained, rubbing his forehead. "Or are we?"

They start heading toward the table arranged for the high school friends of the bride and the groom. It was where Ashley, Caleb, Vincent, and Maddison were sitting. Only Vincent was sitting there when Dakota and Miles arrived. They could guess others might have already headed to the dance floor.

Dakota couldn't help but notice this weird arrangement from the beginning of the wedding. When did Josh and Emma become friends with these people? Though Ashley and Maddison were here as companions of Miles and Vincent, there was still something off with all of this. Dakota felt as if something changed. Something she can't understand was among them. Or is she reading too much about this?

"Oh... here comes the team groomsmen," Vincent lifted his glass suggesting a toast. Why is he drinking by himself? "It was really hard to catch up with you guys today,"

"Unfortunately..." Miles stated while sitting next to Vincent. "We were under the supervision of the great Tessa Brown. You guys should be thankful to see us alive, right Dakota?"

Dakota took a wineglass the waiter served before answering the boys. "No comments. I value my life,"

Vincent and Miles start laughing. Vincent's drunken state made him laugh quite louder.

"See, the brave Dakota is also afraid of Tessa,"

"I don't think Dakota is scared as much as you do, Miles boy," Vincent mocked.

They both started an argument that lasted for a couple of minutes.

“It’s sad that the reception will end at seven, right?” Miles suddenly asked, stopping their argument.

"Yeah. It's a bit early. Normally, a reception will last at least until ten or eleven," Vincent agreed. He took a glass of champagne from the waiter and took a sip.

Dakota let out a sigh. The couple has to take a flight to Hawaii for their honeymoon. “Can’t help. They have to catch a flight tomorrow afternoon,”

"You are also leaving tomorrow..." Vincent raised one of his brows. "aren't you Dakota?"

“You can stay a few more days…. Josh and Emma won’t be here, but we are in town. Perhaps we can hang out together,” Miles added before Dakota say a single word.

A silence fell among them. They could still hear the sounds coming from the dancing area.

“I wish. But I have a meeting with some clients on the day after tomorrow, in Austin” Dakota explained that she has to be in Austin, Texas and Chicago for meeting some clients. She couldn't rearrange those meetings at any cost. While she was explaining her photography career and the company-related things to Miles and Vincent, and sharing each other career problems someone interrupted their conversation.

It was the wedding planner; Mrs Judith Winston.

“Excuse me. Sorry to bother you. Miss Dakota Kent, a lady is looking for you. She is waiting outside,”

"A lady?" Dakota repeated.

"Yes. She specifically mentioned she is here to meet Miss Dakota Kent,"

"Does she mention her name?"

"No. She didn't tell her name though. She said you know her well enough," Judith stated. "She is waiting right outside. I let her in because I thought it was dangerous to a beautiful girl waiting outside the residence,"

"Thank you, Judith. I will go and check,"

Judith smiled and walked inside the tent, while Dakota was exhausting her mind thinking who is this mysterious lady. Why some random woman is here to meet her? She doesn't know anyone in States except for the few close people in Lakeville.

Vincent and Miles both raised their brows as soon as Dakota moved her attention to them. Vincent didn't forget to whistle.

"Girlfriend?" Miles teased.

"A beautiful lady....." Vincent also winked.

Dakota rose to her feet, smiling. She responded to them with a dismissive wave. It only made them shoot more teasing words at Dakota.

She walked outside the tent and looked around trying to find the lady whom Judith mentioned. It took Dakota a few seconds to find a female figure who was leaning against a tree. Still, Dakota couldn't see this woman's face because she was facing the other side of the garden.

Dakota cleared her throat. "Excuse me,"

The woman looked in the direction where Dakota was. Dakota gasped. She closed her eyes and open her eyes again, trying to make sure she is hallucinating things. No... It wasn't her imagination. The person in front of her was real.

"What... What are you doing here!!!"