บท 8: Chapter-8
Charlotte was blabbering about the conversation she had with her future brother-in-law on the way to the party. But Scarlette wasn't hearing any of it as her mind was on something else. She subconsciously rubbed her right wrist which Augustus had twisted behind her back earlier that evening. She would never forget how he treated her in the hallway. Pushing that thought at the back of her mind, she looked around the room. Almost all guests seemed to have arrived. The press would be arriving anytime soon. Her eyes swept around the room, coming to land on the group along the bar. Jason was sitting there along with some of his friends. His black curly hair giving him a boyish look though he looked more handsome in his champagne coloured suit with cranberry red tie. It matched perfectly with his wife Usha who was wearing a floor length red gown with golden hem.
Usha was looking quite beautiful with her blonde hair tied in a messy side bun. Daniel was wearing a same suit like Jason and was looking like a prince in her mom's arms. Usha was talking with some of the lady guests. Daniel was flailing his hands and Usha laughed and said something to the other women. Then she went to where Jason was and almost dumped their son on him. Jason was baffled by this and before he could open his mouth to say something, Usha was already heading back. She looked back and gave him a wink that left him gaping at her while his friends laughed. Scarlette smiled a little at their interaction. It was so warm and intimate. Scarlette wondered if her married life would ever look like that. She looked where Augustus was and found him on the other side of the room near the stage. He was wearing a charcoal grey suit with a silver tie. Scarlette was wearing a charcoal grey off shouldered gown which was made of sequin lace. The colour of her dress matched his.
In fact, everyone was wearing a colour in pair. Jennifer was wearing a maroon mermaid gown. It has frill from one shoulder around the front. Norman following suit donned on a marron coloured suit. Lucy was wearing a yellow tissue gown with colorful birds printed all over on it. She looked quite beautiful in that dress. She was the only one in their family to have straight black hair but she got the customary brown eyes though hers were a shade darker that her mother. Jamie had the same black curly like his brother but was the only one with hazel eyes. He looked dashing in his navy blue suit. Suprisingly that somehow matched Charlotte's dress as she was wearing a royal blue lace gown. It was sleeveless and high low gown with the front reaching just her knees. Her dyed silver ash hair flowing down in ringlet made her look gorgeous in Scarlette's eyes. But looking around the room seemed to prove otherwise as she caught many men's eyes.
On the other hand, Kelly was wearing a violet off shoulder floor length gown. Matching her, Charlie was wearing a deep purple suit. Her parent looked perfect in their own as they mingled with guests around the room. Her mother always had a flair for dramatics, which Charlotte had definitely got from her, that worked wonderfully for her to blend in now.
"Scar. Scar. Are you even listening to me?" Charlotte almost screamed at Scarlette.
Charlotte would have even smack her upside the head if they weren't in a party with her future in-laws and press. Charlotte wasn't as childish as her family painted her to be. Sure, she liked to do mischief whenever she got chance which was always and she like to include other people in it too. She remembered one time when Charlie had thrown a party to celebrate the opening of their third Medical Store. All the staff from the other two shops were invited along with some prominent doctors who had business with their company. The party was held in their home. It was an incident of two years ago when Scarlette started High School. Charlotte had blackmailed Scarlette to participate in her mischief. Charlotte smiled as she remembered what mischief they had got up to. It was their golden time. But she wasn't that dumb to not know how much important today's party was for her brother-in-law's family. After all, the party was more for a political benefit than to share the happiness of their nephew's engagement. Charlotte become solemn when she remembered that Scarlette wasn't going to be with her in any more mischief after her marriage. She was brought back from her reviere when a hand nudged her shoulder. She looked at Scarlette who was looking at her with an raised eyebrow.
"What?" Charlotte asked confused.
"What got you thinking so deep that you stopped talking? Anyone here got your interest?" Scarlette asked slyly.
Charlotte rolled her eyes at her sister and shoved her a little at her shoulder with her own. Before Charlotte could retort with something, they heard a tapping on the mic from the stage. They both looked at the stage and saw Jason holding the mic.
He started speaking, "Ladies and gentleman, may I have your attention please? I would like everyone to sit down so that I can reveal the reason for today's occasion. Please everyone have a seat."
Scarlette and Charlotte both took seat at their designated table which was, the big round table in the middle. The tables were labelled. One side of their table contained press and the other side their guests. Charlotte was sitting on Scarlette's left and beside Charlotte sat Kelly and Charlie. Beside Charlie, sat Norman, then Jennifer, Lucy, Jamie, Daniel in a high chair, Usha and then Jason whose seat was empty and finally Augustus. With a blinding anxiety, Scarlette realized that Augustus was sitting on her right. She nearly had a panic attack at the sight of him beside her.
When did he get here? I didn't notice him when we sat down. Scarlette thought.
Scarlette took deep calming breaths as silently as possible. She would not let him ruin the evening anymore. She would stop thinking about him and his evils and ignore him for the rest of the evening. She didn't realize that how she would have to do the exact opposite of what she planned.
Scarlette was brought out of her inner turmoil when everyone laughed. She looked at Charlotte to see her laughing and almost had tears in amusement. She placed a hand on Charlotte's shoulder and shook her a little. She turned to look at her.
"What are you laughing at?" Scarlette whispered to Charlotte.
Charlotte gave her a confused looked before replying, "Jason just cracked a joke about Augustus having planned to be a forever bachelor. Where is your mind, Scar?" Charlotte's voice now coloured with concern.
"Sorry. I'm just nervous." Scarlette said nervously laughing.
"I'm fine. Don't worry too much."
Charlotte gave her a disbelieving look before returning her attention to the stage. Scarlette too turned her attention to the stage to stop her thoughts. Jason was still talking.
"So now I'm going to call my beloved father, Mr. Norman Hill to come on stage to give you the news that you all were eagerly waiting for which many of you may have already guessed. Come on, Dad."
Norman got on the stage and Jason handing him the mic left the stage and sat down in his seat at the table.
"Good evening, everyone. I am very glad all of you have been able come on this happy occasion. I am really really happy to announce that my second son, Augustus Hill is engaged to Miss Scarlette Matthew, daughter of the owner of Matthew Pharmacy..."
Scarlette stopped listening after Norman announced Augustus as his son.
Wasn't he his nephew? What's happening here? Scarlette thought.
Clearly she wasn't the only one. Charlotte was looking at her confused too. Charlotte was mouthing "what is he saying?"
Scarlette just shrugged and looked at the stage only find Norman calling her and Augustus on stage.
".....Augustus and Scarlette come on stage."
Augustus got up from his seat and held out his hand out for Scarlette. Scarlette stared at his hand for a few moments. She wanted to slap that hand away from her. That was the hand that twisted hers behind her back. She wanted to break that hand. But she can't do anything now. She would have to wait for her turn. For now, she would just go with the flow. Scarlette looked up at him and her eyes locked on his. His face was emotionless. Holding his gaze, she slid her right hand in his. He pulled her up and lead her to the stage staring at the front. She too stared at front and smiled. Everyone clapped as they reached Norman and stood on each side of him. Cameras flashed blinding Scarlette momentarily. The claps felt like beating drums on her ears. She felt dizzied for a moment before she tried to control herself. Norman was wishing them good luck and she tried to smile. He gave her a smile and then announced that the wedding would take place soon and the press would be informed through a press meet. Again claps were heard as cameras flashed.
Scarlette was smiling at everyone but inside she was feeling very uncomfortable being stage at the centre of everyone's attention. Charlotte was giving her encouraging smile which she tried to return. She knew how much Scarlette hated being the centre of attention. But soon Norman called the whole family on stage and Scarlette let out a silent relieved sigh. Scarlette and Augustus were in the middle with their own families on their sides. Now she could bear the claps and camera flashes a little with her family beside her. After announcement, Norman called everyone to have dinner. The tables were filled with food while the announcement was going on. They sat in their seat and started filling their plate. However, Scarlette was busy thinking to notice that everyone had started eating. Charlotte nudged her and gave her a look saying "What the hell are you thinking when you're sitting infront of such heaven?"
And yes, Charlotte was a foodie. She loved food with every inch of her life. Sometimes, Scarlette thought if she was given a choice to save only one between her family and food, she would without hesitation choose food over her family. So, she was an overdramatic foodie who always try to relate evrything to food. Recently and suspiciously enough she hadn't said any such things for the whole day. Scarlette narrowed her eyes at that thought and replied Charlotte with her own eyes giving her a suspicious glare. Charlotte suddenly took on a more innocent look like trying to hide something. But Scarlette knew her better than anyone and she gave her another look that meant "Don't think you can get away from this."
Charlotte just gave a shrug before leaning towards her sister little enough to whisper without anyone noticing what they are talking about.
"Seriously, Scar. What's got you thinking so much? You have been so preoccupied today and you have that look."
"What look?" Scarlette looked at her sister confused.
"That look you get when you're planning to destroy someone for crossing you. It's really scary, you know." Charlotte told empathetically.
"Did anyone else notice?" Scarlette asked worryingly.
"No. But who's the bloke?"
"How do you know it's a bloke?"
"Gut feeling."
It was almost common knowledge to all who knew Charlotte that she had an aptitude for gut feelings and she was always right somehow. Thus, it left Scarlette with no retort at all.
"Do you need some help in planning?"
Scarlette smiled at her sister grateful for her not prying in on who the bloke was. Her smiled turned into a devious smirk, Charlotte's own lips mirroring hers. With that, the two sister started one of their famous devious plans that had ruined many lives before as they filled their stomach with the delicious food infront of them.
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