3
977 Words
ELIAS
Her hair looked as beautiful as ever, her light brown eyes flared at the people who watched her “Mr Thorne, I didn’t know you would be here” a young fellow pranced towards my direction.
“It is my son’s wedding— I have to be present” I said with a candid expression as I glanced in her direction, her skin shimmering in the sun as she kept her arms folded.
“But you never seem to adhere to his invitations—what changed?” Marcel, my assistant asked, his lips on the rim of his glass of champagne.
“I thought it best to attend this, since our franchise will be in the city and I will have to face him at some point” I answered with a bland expression, my eyes still glued to her.
She looked somewhat distressed, her eyes seemed to hold some sort of pain, one that can’t be easily forgotten. Just as I was about to turn my attention to the parading couple, my step son and his new wife, I heard a scuffle from behind.
At first it was her trying to defend herself but then it looked as though she was alone. The other ladies turned at her, their eyes and lips throwing so much animosity towards her, it hurt to see her this way, yet, I clenched my fist and stood in place, until I couldn’t take it anymore.
“That’s no way to treat a lady” I intervened, holding her up. “Are you okay, miss?” I asked subtly, It had been years since I last crossed paths with her. Her eyes were distraught and she shrugged my arms away like they were filth.
I looked at her, she stared back and looked away conspicuously like she didn’t know me.
“She’s not worth it father” Jason muttered the moment she ran through the doors of the hall, tears in her eyes.
“It’s so great to finally meet you Mr Thorne” the bride said with a smile, I couldn’t focus any less than I was. My eyes lingered to the door. The woman looked painfully familiar, though her eyes passed over me as if I were a stranger’ that was quite odd.
“The pleasure is all mine” I answered casually as she wrapped her arms around her newly wedded husband. I couldn’t understand what this was all about but one thing was certain— Jason and his new bride hurt Ophelia and they both do not seem fazed by their action.
“Who is she?” I asked, signaling about the Ophelia who had rushed through the venue.
“That’s my ex-wife, Ophelia. My wife and I wanted to do something great for her and we thought it would be… mature of her to attend. For appearances but she almost ruined it” it made no sense, what kind of person would want to come to their ex’s wedding.
“Why would she be here to give her blessings?” I threw the question at him.
Unfazed, he stared straight at me “Because it’s her sister’s wedding” I paused, turned to the door of the hall and back to him with questions etched on my face.
“It’s quite a long story, father—one I shouldn’t bore you with right now” he smiled, his bride’s arm locked in his, her eyes glistening as though she hadn’t just humiliated her very own sister.
“So what will you have? Drink cake?” Jason asked, my patience running thin.
“It’s alright—I can get whatever I desire myself” I answered sharply.
The wedding wore into the night and all I could think about was Ophelia, how she exited the hall with tears in her eyes, how she pulled away from me with disgust, how she couldn’t recognize my face.
“Did I age so much?” I asked Marcel who seemed to be enjoying the festivities more than I would.
“Sir?” He asked for clarity.
“I mean, is it possible that I aged so much that it’s hard to tell who I am?” I asked, my mind lingering on the thought that she hadn’t recognized my face even in the slightest.
“Is everything alright sir? You never seem to care about your looks- I mean, not until now” his calm British accent slipped in, his voice has always been so sophisticated.
“I’m okay” I said as I watched the newlyweds walk towards me.
“Are you enjoying the party?” They asked in unison with wide smiles on their faces.
“I’ll be taking my leave” I picked up my coat and headed for the door. Jason wouldn’t be so nice to me if I didn’t already have what I have, the company, the franchise, I could tell from his smile and cheerful attitude that he wanted it all.
“But father—”
“Call me by name Jason—you know very well I don’t have that title ever since your mother died” I said sternly as I walked out of the venue, urging Marcel to stay if he truly enjoyed the party.
I couldn’t take the image of Ophelia out of my head, she looked almost the same as she did years ago.
I remembered her as diligent and composed- the kind of employee any company would value, yet, today, she looked so perplexed and I couldn’t even comfort her, just this once. I opened the car door and drove straight into the night.
Tomorrow was about to be a huge day for Thorne industries and I wasn’t about to jeopardize that.
***
“Pack your things,” Jason said coldly. “You don’t belong here anymore.”
- Writer
