The Arrangement

Chapter 11

Around five I head back home to get changed, I’m a little relieved that Michael isn’t home. The kiss is occupying my mind. After a shower I head for my closet, unable to decide what to wear. I want to look hot; I know Lilly will be there along with everyone else that doubts this. If we get caught I could up in jail. I put the thought out of mind. I rummage through my closet once more. After what feels like an eternity I’m just about to give up when I remember my shopping spree. I pull the bags out from the back of my closet and throw everything on the floor; I search through the pile, hardly remembering buying all these clothes. Mom would be so proud, I smile. Some sadness floods over me. I wish that they were here. I stumble on a white halter neck dress. Yes! I shove everything else back into the bags and pull the dress on, it comes to just above my knees, I put on my white cork sandals and add my diamond hoops my dad bought me and the diamond necklace my mom gave me on my sixteen’s birthday. I pick up the box with my mother’s engagement ring; I put the ring on, trying hard not to cry. I let my hair fall down and add a little mascara and eyeliner. I stare at myself in the mirror. Damn I look good. I wonder what Michael will think when he sees me; the thought gives me butterflies in my stomach. I hope I can manage to keep my cool when I see Lilly; no doubt she will verbally attack me.

I arrive at the Wellington Estate as I get out the car the valley gasps at me. Okay. I frown at him and he shakes himself, he nods at me politely the takes my keys. It’s working. Mission accomplished.

When I walk into the ballroom all eyes turn to me. Now I’m becoming more self-conscious and uncomfortable with all the attention on me. Almost everyone is staring at me. Why did I have to go and wear something so ridiculously short just to prove a point? I’m still stuck in the doorway embarrassed. Michael strolls over to me looking so handsome in his black tux. He grins broadly as eyes shift to him. Michael kisses my cheek and puts his arm around my back.

“I’m the envy of every single man here, you really look stunning but then you always do.” He whispers to me.

“Thank you.” I mutter and right on cue I blush. He does have a way with me.

“Jenny! Michael!” Harry calls and we make our way over to him, I hear whispering and feel eyes on me. If Michael wasn’t holding on to me I would run away.

Harry kisses both my cheeks and hugs me tightly.

“You look so beautiful!” Sarah exclaims joining us, she hugs me too.

“I feel super uncomfortable.” I whisper to her.

“Nonsense.” She says then softly adds, “Michael can’t take his eyes off of you.” She smiles. I blush. I wonder if she knows we kissed this morning. I glance over at Michael, Harry is chatting away but Michael looks only at me.

I can’t resist, I give him a smile and wink, his breathe hitches and Harry abruptly stops talking, looking from his son to me, then he grins. Now I know where Michael gets it from.

The rest of our guests take turns congratulating us, some seem genuinely please while others are more skeptical.

I try my best to ignore the stares. Michael stops as do I, when I follow his gaze I see her. She’s beautiful, her red hair hanging over her shoulders; she’s wearing a tight black dress much shorter than mine. She doesn’t look pregnant at all must not be showing yet. I involuntarily look up at Michael. He is tense. It must be so hard for him to see her here.

I excuse myself to use the bathroom, more to get away from this uncomfortable situation than actually needing the facilities.

I look at myself in the mirror, trying to find any answers. It’s all so complicated. Ironic that she’s wearing black and I white. She hurt him but he still loves her. He kissed me. Really kissed me. I feel tired already and I know this night is far from over. I give up and exit the bathroom where I’m cornered by Lilly. I’m dumbstruck at a total loss for words. She was waiting for me. Is she going to make a scene?

“You must be the gold digging slut who stole my man.” She hisses.

What now? Is she serious?

“I didn’t steal your man; you threw him away when you decide to cheat on him with a man old enough to be your father.” I tell her. Yeah I went there.

“You’ll never make him happy.”

I turn to leave but change my mind. “Don’t blame me for your stupid decisions. It’s your fault. You made your bed now sleep in it and leave him alone.” I’m proud of myself.

“You b***h!” She yells and tries to smack me but I grab her wrist mid-air.

“I’ve never hit a pregnant woman and I’m not about to start now but while I have your attention there’s something else I want to tell you. You don’t know how damn lucky you were to have had Michael in your life, he is a good man and you screwed up. If you interfere in our lives again you’ll have me to deal with.”

I let go of her wrist surprised by my outburst. She turns on her heel and storms off muttering something to herself.

 I let out a sigh of relief and turn around. I see Michael leaning against the wall. Wow, he looks good.

“I have to admit, I’m impressed.” He smiles. I’m frozen in place, I feel uneasy. He walks over to me cups my face and kisses me, I can get lost in his kiss. Desire replaces unease.

I can hear clinking of champagne glasses and Harry calling for everyone’s attention. I straighten myself and we move to stand in the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for joining us on this special night. Michael. Jennifer. Please join me.”

Michael takes my hand and we walk up the little stage, I stand next to him, he puts his arm around me and whispers, “Thank you for what you said to Lilly.” I can’t help it the butterflies invade my stomach, I think he already thanked me enough back there when he kissed me.

“I have the pleasure of toasting two of the most important people in my life, caring, smart and loyal and together they’ll be something amazing, I just know it.” Harry smiles lifting his glass, “To Michael and Jennifer, may you have a lifetime of wonderful memories.”

Great speech. The crowd raises their glasses in unison I almost forgot it wasn’t real. We leave the stage and Michael says, “May I have this dance?”

I smile at him. “Sure.” I place my hand in his and we walk out onto the dance floor. He spins me and pulls me into his embrace, his hand rests in the small of my back, he starts to sway, I put my free hand on his shoulder, it is so easy for me to follow. If I ever saw heaven it would like you. Won’t ever stop trying only give you the truth coz I’m one step closer to making my move. If I ever saw heaven it would look like you. This is a beautiful song I make a mental note to get it later and listen to it over and over. My heart skips a few beats when Michael says, “I love this song.”

“Me too.” I whisper looking into his eyes.

“This the right song for us.” He says just before the song ends. Oh wow!

We take out seats for dinner, I feel odd with all these people around me, so out of place. I have nothing in common with anyone at our table only the Wellington’s. I nervously put my hands in my lap. Conversation is flowing around the table and I only speak when spoken to. I’m glad Sarah is sitting next to me.

Sally Anne Livingston asks, “So Jennifer, are you pregnant?” Her glasses are on the tip of her nose.

I nearly choke on the sip of water I took. I’m pissed off and I would so want to give this troll a piece of my mind. Michael puts his hand on my thigh, somehow I relax. How does he do it?

“Not yet, Mrs Livingston?” Michael says winking at her and gives me a little squeeze. I flush. Mrs Livingston closes her mouth in a tight line. Ha! That’ll teach her. Then it hit me. What? Okay, he was only joking. Right? Sarah giggles next to me. I’m panicking for nothing.

Mr Livingston asks, “Michael, why would you be getting married so soon after your breakup with that lovely Lilly Rosenberg?”

Michael’s hand stills on my leg, he been gently stroking my thigh sending sparks up and down my body. Bastard! Why don’t these fools just shut up? These people are all in each other’s business I’m sure they know what happened between Michael and Lilly. I put my hand on his, he turns his hand up and takes hold of mine, I think he’s trembling. From anger? We are both going to be on trial for the wedding, this much I can see. I know a little about the Livingston pair. Thanking Sarah mentally I ask, “Mr Livingston, why did you get married?”

“What do you mean dear?” He asks shocked. Because you old man, you made a deal with the devil and got his daughter for the rest of your life, must be hard since everyone knows you’re gay. I smile inwardly.

“Well seeing as we’re on the topic, what drew the two of you together? For us, I think it’s because we can’t seem to keep our hands off of each other.” I smile lifting my and Michael’s hands up so they can see even here we are touching. I’m lying off course but they don’t know it.

The Livingston pair looks at each other briefly then away quickly. Seems I hit a nerve. Good. I mentally fist bump myself. I know Sarah wants to start laughing out loud; Harry wisely takes her to the dance floor. Michael leans in and kisses my hair. I know it’s to hide his smile. I don’t mind.

Mrs Livingston seems to have recovered. “Jennifer, what are your plans after the wedding? Would you stop being Harry’s personal assistant and just live off the Wellington fortune?”

Damn troll! “Actually Mrs Livingston, I’ll probably continue working, you see it’s who I am and I could never expect my husband to support me financially while he works his fingers to the bone and I alone spend all his hard earned money.” I reply with my most innocent smile. I’m on a roll.

“That’s very grown up of you honey. How old are you?” Mr Livingston asks and gets an ugly glare from his wife.

“You should never ask a lady her age, Mr Livingston.” I reply, putting my free hand on my chest in mock horror.

OMG! Is he blushing?

“Mr and Mrs Livingston. Please excuse us I need a moment with my soon to be wife.”

The both nod. Glad that I’m leaving I think.

Michael leads me outside into the rose garden, there’s dim lighting but the roses still look beautiful. The moment we make it outside we each let out a long deep breath, then we look at each other and laugh.

“Was it as bad for you as it was for me? He asks.

“Not the worst night.” I shrug.

“You definitely hit a nerve with the Livingston’s.” He smiles.

“I hate it when rich people treat others like that. They think just because they have money they’re better than everyone else.”

“If only they paid attention to your last name.”

I fight the urge to roll my eyes at him. “Our parents taught us respect no matter what the other person’s financial state is.”

“You really are an amazing woman; these people are all idiots for not seeing that. You deserve better.”

“So do you.” I say softly. Why doesn’t he see that? I take his hand and pull him towards me. I wish he knew how amazing I think he is.

His eyes change and he bends to kiss me, I feel a sharp pain in my side, and then I hear a loud bang. I look to my side and see my white dress getting redder with blood. The pain is indescribable and it is everywhere at once. It’s too much for me to handle and I feel myself collapsing. The last thing I hear is Michael calling my name.