Coming Home

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The room broke out into excited chatter as the children ran around the room, playing a good-natured game of tag as they walked in. Applause spread like fire among the crowd. The scraping of chairs pierced the air as the guests stood to greet them at the entrance, grinning from ear to ear as Venice forced a smile on her face. The tight bodice around her breasts took her breath away, her head growing dizzy as she gazed around; familiar and unfamiliar faces stared back at her in both wonder and excitement.

The unfamiliar band around her ring finger glinted against the fluorescent lights. The wedding had taken place later in the afternoon in a beautiful church downtown where not much people knew. The ceremony was private and only the people they'd wanted in the wedding had attended. Jill had been her maid of honor--as she'd promised, while Eunice became one of the bridesmaids.

Max stayed quiet throughout the ceremony and only spoke when it was his turn. She'd been a nervous-wreck after she'd woken up this morning, heart pounding as she realized today was the day she'd get hitched with Max, and become Mrs. Smith. It had taken the whole afternoon to calm herself and remind her that this was only temporary. The marriage contract would be over before she realized it.

She felt his hand slid around hers as they approached more people. Cameras was shoved in their faces, lights blinding them with every step they took. Somehow, she felt reassured knowing he was right beside her, going through the same process as she was.

He squeezed her hand. "Smile. You look like you're about to faint."

"People are going to see right through this faux, Max." I whispered back.

He glanced at her. "They will if you don't smile for the camera."

They'd reached the front table where a large bouquet of pink roses waited. She'd held that bouquet in her hands during the ceremony while Max had lifted the veil, and leaned down for a kiss. Their mouths had barely touched--a simple peck that lasted for a millisecond, but the touch had burned. She'd felt the touch seep right through her bones and made goose bumps erupt along her skin.

So when he tucked a strand of hair into her ear, the crowd went wild as another round of applause came. She blushed, unable to hide the warmth spreading in her cheeks as she risked a look at her boss. He seemed unabashed and unaware of the heat spreading from her neck to her cheeks.

Her new father-in-law stood up from his chair and everyone else sat down. He rapped the side of his fork against his flute signaling everyone to be silent, except for the kids who continued to run around the room like a bunch of hyenas, only shushed by their parents.

"I've never thought, twenty-nine years later, I'd be here to witness my elder son's wedding." George began as he gazed at them happily. If only this wasn't a fake marriage, she'd have appreciated everything he'd say.

"None of us can deny his history of being a playboy," he continued and everyone laughed. "But I'm glad he decided to settle down with a woman I couldn't have chosen better for him."

Few more people gave their speeches before the celebration began. They were led to the three-layered cake in the corner as the host handed her a knife. Max's warm, larger hand fell on top of hers, guiding her as they sliced through the soft, moist layer and placed it on the plate. Everyone was cheering and laughing as the camera flashed once more, her eyes landing on Max's face as he held out his fork, cake at the tip waiting for her to open up for him.

Her lips closed around the sweet dessert at the same time her husband ate his. Her heart pounded harder as they were ushered to the dance floor, taking the first dance as Max wrapped his arm around her waist, their bodies swaying gently to the rhythm of the music.

The guests fell away as soon as he spoke. "Thank you for being amazing at the ceremony today."

She smiled. "I was just doing my job."

"You made everyone believe you were deep in love with me," Max commented. "I ought to give you a raise on that performance." The happy bubble she lived in for the last couple of hours popped and forced her back to the life of reality.

Before she could reply, Max's little brother, Caleb, swooped in and took her away. His arms enveloped around her back before she could let out a breath. Venice craned her neck and found her husband whisked away by a blonde woman she'd never seen before.

"He won't go anywhere without you, Venice." Caleb chuckled as she tried to tear her eyes away from Max.

"I just saw him leave with another woman!" she exclaimed.

"Relax," Caleb said as he turned her around. "She's just an old colleague of his."

"You don't mean it's Shirley, right?"

Her brother-in-law threw his head back and laughed at the look of horror in her face. She'd not expected Shirley Jones to be invited to the wedding. She'd not even seen her face in the ceremony while she'd scanned the crowd, knowing it was an intimate event and thought Max would be kind enough not to invite his ex-lover. But he'd gone ahead and went against her wishes. Why did it even matter anyway? They were just playing pretend and it shouldn't surprise her if he took her for a lover again.

Her good mood turned sour as she finished dancing with Caleb. She sat back down on her table, sulking, as Jill approached her. She tried to wipe the expression from her face but her best friend had already seen it. Jill smiled and took her hand in his.

"What got you so upset? You were beaming earlier with pride and happiness."

"I just..." her voice trailed as she debated whether she should tell her friend or not. It was stupid of her to feel envious for the woman. She'd shared history with Max and Venice didn't. So what had her panties in a twist?

"Is it stupid to feel jealous for a woman who had Max while I never did?"

Jill's face softened as she squeezed her hand. "It's normal to feel protective over him, Venice. You two are married in spite of the agreement or what other people say. Your vows are sacred so it's important to respect what you said back at the altar."

"I'm just being silly," she concluded.

By the time the party had ended, she went directly to the car without waiting for Max. She'd been too upset to talk to him after he'd come back thirty-minutes later. Shirley had sneaked her arm around him as if she had the right to do so. Every cell in her body screamed at her to let go of her husband, and not to touch what was hers. But she held herself back and didn't utter a word to him unless people were watching.

She waved goodbye at the Smiths and Jill as Max followed her minutes later; the car moved and drove forward without her casting a glance toward him. She could feel his gaze lingering, and it took everything in her not to turn and meet his eyes.

"Why do I get the feeling that you're mad at me?" he asked after a stretch of silence.

"Maybe you've done something unpleasant?" she returned.

Much to her surprise, he turned fully to her and crossed his arms. "And what do you think I've done that made you mad at me?"

He was asking her why she was mad? Unbelievable.

"Maybe it's best if you answer that yourself." The car stopped moving and she got out. She'd spent the rest of the night talking with other people while he'd left with Shirley. What kind of a groom that left his bride to defend for herself?

She jammed at the button of the elevator until the doors slid open. She'd intended to leave him alone in the cold when Max appeared before the door closed fully. He marched toward her, pressed her back against the cool wall before trapping her with his heat. His eyes flashed, jaw clenched, furious for making a fool out of him. She didn't want to stay married if he was going to disregard her and rather chose to side on his ex-mistress.

"I suggest you start talking on what I did wrong or I might just have to force it out of you."

She turned her face away not wanting to look at him. "I want to rest, Max. Let me go."

"Not until you've told me what's wrong." His breath fanned her face, his nose gently nudging her ear as he inhaled, as if memorizing her scent.

"Just let me go, Max."

"No."

She wanted to tell him not to talk to Shirley, to stop whatever communication he had with her. She had the right to do that, didn't she? But she doubt he would listen to her. The last thing she wanted was to let him see right through her, and see the jealousy that shone brighter than the moonlight. But the best way to work this out was to communicate, right?

"I don't want you talking to her, Max."

Confusion stared back at her. "Talk to who, Venice?"

"I don't want you talking to Shirley," she stated through gritted teeth.

"I was talking to her?"

She snapped. "I saw you leave with her earlier at the party, Max! I thought you've agreed not to establish any relationship with that woman after we've agreed to sign the contract?"

Bemusement gave way to slight irritation. "She was the face of our product campaign, Venice. I can't just not talk to her because you want me to."

"I thought you were willing to make this marriage work for as long as we have to pretend, but I guess I was wrong." The door opened and she walked out without a glance. Tears sprang at the back of her eyes, threatening to spill down her cheeks as she headed straight to her room. How could she lose her mind and think he'd listen to her? Max was a stubborn man--she'd been a witness to that many times, in and out of the office. But she'd at least thought he'd change and listen to her for once the knot was tied.

"Open the door, Venice." Max roared from the other side of the room.

"I'm going to sleep, Max," she returned and started undoing the lace at the back of her dress.

"We need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about."

"Let me in and I'll show you there is," he shot back.

She'd managed to unhook the top button before the lace loosened. She didn't want to deal with him tonight, not when they were both upset. She feared they might say something hurtful and end up ruining the marriage before it even started. Tonight was the first night they'd spend together as a married couple and it was also their first fight that made her upset even more.

It had gone quiet and she figured he'd gone back to his room. Max had always been private and retreated back to the safety of his office or room whenever things didn't go his way. And it seemed he was doing that right now.

At least I had my peace of mind again, she thought as she tugged at the last string. She clutched the dress to her chest as she headed toward her dress, reaching out for one of the nightgown's Eunice had forced her to buy. It was a black, lace nightdress that came about to the knees. She was just thinking of wearing it when the door burst open, Max walking in as the dress slipped down, almost baring her breasts to him.