章 23: That Night (4)

"What pictures, Brianna!" Shelby shouted as she started to get more irked with her friend's behaviour. She had been trying to calm herself, but the occurrences of the past few hours and Brianna's attitude got the better of her.

"Check online yourself!" Brianna also snapped, matching Shelby's anger as Ava struggled to calm them both. Ava knew that Brianna was in the wrong and Shelby was hurt but at that moment, she did not know what to say or do.

"Also, if you did not know this and claim that you were forced to do this whole marriage… why did you do that 'witchcraft dance'? It was well-rehearsed, too! You know what, I don't have time for this BS!" Then she dropped off the call.

It was so sudden that the silence that ensued was deafening!

"Are you sure he was not there?" Ava asked softly. "It's not like I don't trust you but …."

"I am not lying-"

Shelby shook her head as she quickly searched online and glanced through the pictures of the just-ended wedding. It wasn't hard to find them at all as they were the current hot item. The pictures showed the man who was supposed to be her husband standing by her side with his arms around her and smiling like she was his world!

"T-this- what is this?"

Her surprise faded away immediately, replaced by a sad, knowing smile, "James!"

"What did you say?"

"Have you forgotten James' job?"

"Oh…" Ava's voice trailed at the end as comprehension drew on her face.

As much as Shelby did not like her stepfather, James was the best in media editing! He could edit anyone into any media space, whether it was still or moving media.

"I should be glad that he did not have time to work on the video yet, or else even you, Ava, would not believe me!"

"That man is a bastard through and through! But Shelby, ignore Brianna. You know that she did not mean what she said. She is just hurt!"

Shelby nodded, but this time, she was not so easy to coerce. Brianna's statement had been insensitive and insulting in many ways. The fact that she had felt hurt did not give her the excuse to hurt another. Shelby looked at the picture a little too long, for she longed for something like that herself. 'Wouldn't this have been nice if this picture were true?'

"Even without James's intervention, this will be no more real than it is now. I am now married to an old widower with three kids!"

"Something is not right here, Shelby. Do you really think Ian was married prior?"

"Without a doubt! Why would you ask that, Ava?"

"Just look at how the pictures of your ceremony are all out there on the same night of the marriage ceremony that he did not even attend. If he married once, don't you think that we would have such media from their ceremony? Also, -"

"Wait, Ava, what are you saying?"

"Just think of it, Shelby. Did you see any prior wedding pictures of the supposed first bride?"

"Maybe it's not in the public domain?"

"What of at the estate? Have you seen anything like that there?"

"Who in their right sense will keep such pictures when another bride comes in? Besides, I came straight to my allotted room, then, to the wedding and back to my room. I will not know if such exists…"

"Well, finding those pictures in the Thornston home is up to you now. You have all the time, at least this year, to find any."

"Anyway, let's just drop the subject. What am I going to do, Ava?" Shelby whimpered.

"Unfortunately, I can't help you with this, Shelby. But I know you will be okay! If they threw a garden wedding, then they at least cherish you to an extent, so – fight and push through to make it! And don't take NO for an answer. Remember! You are married… if you know what I mean. As for Brianna, I will talk to her."

At that time, Shelby did not grasp the meaning of some of Ava's words. It would take a while before she arrived at Ava's conclusion. "Thanks, Ava!"

"Take care! And Shelby?"

"Huh?"

"Don't you dare cry!"

The room returned to its soundless state, and Shelby lay back on the bed, spent! Both emotionally and physically.

***

Just opposite Shelby's room, Ian had managed to return to his room. The return trip took about twice the length of the initial one. A more profound wave of dizziness had washed over him, and it had taken all of his will to get him back on that secret path back to his room. However, contrary to what his demeanour had seemingly looked like at the wedding reception, it was more than met the eye.

Indifference? That was far from it! Ian had never in his life taken more than a second glance at any other woman who was not Aliya or his mother. The fact that he watched the entirety of Shelby's dance was commendable!

He slumped back on the bed with difficulty and lost consciousness temporarily. He started shaking a little while later and pulled the thick blanket over his whole body as the tremors increased. He remained like that for a long while until the cold phase passed. By then, he had fallen asleep and returned to his sweet haven- his memories!

***

"Ian! Over here!" She giggled and ran ahead of him. The day was clear and sunny.

"Come on, Aliya, stop it and let's go!" Despite his words, he had a smile on his face and ran after her.

"Heehhehehheeee!!!!" Her sweet laughter flew towards him as she rounded the curve of the estate, and he followed only to stop abruptly.

"Aliya? Where are you?" His frantic voice sounded, but she was nowhere. It was as if she had rounded the corner and disappeared. It was too sudden and unusual because there were no obstacles in front of him, but he still could not see her anywhere near where he was!

"Aliya! This is not funny!" He turned around and searched anxiously, to no avail.

"I am going to close my eyes, and when I open it, she will be here…." He muttered to himself and raised his shaking hands to his eyes, one …. Two …. Three! …"

Ian opened his eyes and dropped his hands in shock. Gone was the bright day; the sky had darkened, and a girl in bridal wear stood alone, a few meters away from him. He was too drawn to her to notice the peculiarity.

He could not take his eyes off her as she raised her hand slowly and started swaying her body fluidly to a song that only she seemed to hear. His eyes followed her movements until the dance was completed. She stopped and turned to look directly at him, causing him to stumble back unconsciously as his heart did a summersault on him.

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