章 13: It's done (3)

"Who is the young master talking about?" They asked themselves as they turned around, looking at each other. There was slight fear and apprehension on the faces of the people in the room. Some also felt that it was the childish talk of an almost emotionally deprived boy, but none dared to say that, though.

"There is no man here, young master Gabriel."

"But he is right there!"

"There is no-"

Katie lightly tapped Shelby's shoulder and said, "Gabriel, what have I told you about this?"

"But I see-"

"Gabriel?"

"Okaaaayyyyy," he said solemnly and lowered his head.

"What do you say?"

"I'm sorry, new mama."

Shelby observed the tense atmosphere and decided to go along with the flow,

"You don't have to be sorry for something like this…"

"Really?"

"Of course!"

"So, you see the man too?"

"Gabrieeelll?" Katie cautioned just as Shelby chuckled, "Let's talk about this man later, okay?"

"You promise?"

"Yes, I promise!"

"Miss Shelby, you do not have to indulge him on this. He is fond of saying unnecessary things like these…."

"That's okay, Miss Katie."

"Oh no, please call me Katie."

"Sure, Katie, it is okay," but Shelby couldn't help but look back at that empty space again.

"Katie, I like my new mama!"

"Of course, you do," Katie murmured as the others in the room laughed,

"Go play with your sisters; we must prepare your mother for the wedding…"

"Will daddy be there?" the hopeful voice went unnoticed by Shelby, but she did not understand this then.

"Gabriel?"

"Okayyy…. I will not ask any more questions, but can I stay with my new mama?"

"No-"

"It's okay, Katie."

Katie sighed in resignation as Gabriel settled comfortably between Shelby's legs and leaned over her thighs as the make-up and hair artist busied themselves on her.

He watched intently as they worked and asked a few questions here and there. They were all very patient with her in a way that touched Shelby. She occasionally rubbed Gabriel's back, and the boy snuggled closer.

It surprised her that Gabriel had become so attached to her, and she made a mental note to ask Katie more questions.

Soon, they were all done, and Shelby gasped as she could not even recognise herself.

Her long blond hair had been worn in an updo swept up over one shoulder and secured with diamond studded pins. Very light makeup that highlighted her features and a long white wedding dress that looked to have been pulled out of a fairy tale book. Just like the one that princesses were described to wear.

'I look beautiful,' she thought as she admired herself in the mirror. She had never taken a good look at herself for once because she disliked doing that. Her looks had gotten her into more trouble than she cared to think of, but… at least now, 'I should be safe, right?' She thought.

"You look beautiful, new mama!" Gabriel's childish voice sounded, and she smiled down at him,

Gabriel had just said the words on most of their lips. Nods of acknowledgement went around the room.

"Thank you, Gabriel, but can you stop calling me 'new mama? Just call me Shelby."

"But you are my new mama."

Shelby smiled and ruffled his hair. Gabriel slipped his hand through that of Shelby's and held on tight.

The two walked hand-in-hand out, following Katie. Soon, they came out to a large garden in an outdoor space decorated beautifully for the occasion.

"It's about time you showed up!" Geneva said and nodded in satisfaction at Shelby.

"The guests are all seated. We should start."

'Where is the groom?'

Shelby wanted to ask this, but she did not have the courage to do so. Looking around, she saw her mother and James in the front row gorgeously dressed, but found no sign of her younger brother.

'I did not even have the chance to invite anybody to my wedding. Whether this marriage is against my will or not, I would have loved one friendly face of support as I stepped into this unknown world.'

Clara waved widely at Shelby, but she lowered her head and avoided eye contact mostly because of the presence of James right behind her.

Just then, "You must be Shelby."

She turned around to see an older man in a fashionable suit. His face was squarish, and he wasn't that tall, too. The man had draped his hand casually across Geneva's shoulders. This told Shelby who he was without the need for any introduction.

"Yes, I am, sir."

"Hmmm…. You are right, Geneva. I do get a sense of familiarity from her."

He said to his wife and kissed her temple.

Without glancing at Shelby again, he focused his full attention on his wife and asked, "Where is he? We need to get this over and done with."

Geneva sighed and shared a look with Katie, who left right away.

"Mr Thornston, it is so nice to meet you on such an auspicious day..."

Shelby lowered her head as she could recognise this voice anywhere: James Wendover!

The two men shook hands, but Mr Thornston did not linger, to James' dismay.

Clara moved to Shelby and fawned over her a bit. But soon, she and her husband were guided back to their seats because Geneva could sense the tense atmosphere between Shelby and her stepfather. She stared hard at them but made no comments.

She had learned to read between the lines in all her years. She narrowed her eyes and decided to tuck that thought at the back of her mind to deal with later.

Gabriel acted like the perfect gentleman to his new mother but never left her side.

"Can I walk to the front with you?" he asked, tugging at her hand.

"Gabri-"

"Grandma, is it okay for me to walk Mama Shelby to the front?"

Geneva nodded but pursed her lips, concealing the slight displeasure, just as the bridal walk song started.

In the end, Shelby ended up walking down the aisle with Gabriel because he refused to let go of her hand.

'At least, I am not walking down the aisle with James,' she mused.

But she walked up to a no-groom there. She could hear whispers all around her, mainly on one question:

"Where is the groom?"

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