TONIGHT'S PARTY

The tears in my eyes disappeared the moment Reggie walked in and got close to me.

"So sorry I am late," He bowed his head slowly at my grandparents.

"-Hey, have you been crying? I'm here now." He hugged me…

"Shall we begin?" The priest said, and we both stood in our right positions.

He asked me the right questions, which I answered respectfully. But when it got to Reggie's turn, he wasn't responding.

"Reggie, I ask again. Do you take Maya Lawrence, as your lawfully wedded wife? In sickness and in health, till death do you path?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat as Reggie still didn't give the priest a response.

I turned to my grandparents and then to him. I stretched my legs to get his attention, but he still didn't say a word. My body trembled and my heart ached. Why is he taking forever to say yes? Was he having second thoughts?

Or maybe he doesn't love me well enough to get married to me.

In Reggie's mind; He wasn't sure if he should be getting married to someone he has no feelings for. He thought the wedding would trigger Angelica to leave his father but it seems he was wrong.

If only Angelica could just come and stop whatever this is. if only she could just say. I have divorced your father! you don't have to get married to this clown. He would be the happiest man on earth. He loved her way too much to let her go.

He looked at the door one last time but it seems his girlfriend was gone forever. he heaved a deep sigh and cleared his throat. "I do, Father." He reluctantly said.

"I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss your—" I didn't wait for the priest to finish. I got close and gave him a good kiss.

They all laughed at what I did, but I didn't care. I am the happiest woman on earth right now. I am married to Reggie Smith, the most handsome and successful bachelor in this city. He slid the Ring into my finger and I did the same.

I showed my grandparents, who were sitting not too far from us. The smile on their faces showed they were happy for me. When we were done and about to leave, my grandpa whispered something to Reggie.

"Reggie, your father? Does he know you're getting married today?"

"Yes sir, he had a tight schedule. So he couldn't make it."

"I'll believe that. Take good care of my grandchild. You know she's the only one we have. She's now in your care. Please, don't hurt her."

"You can count on me, sir." My husband replied, and we both went to his house as a couple.

After getting into the car, I was absent-minded, not noticing where we were going until I saw the view outside the car window.

"Where are we?" I asked, with my eyes fixed on the environment.

"Home,"

"But, this isn't your home, yesterday you took me–"

"That's the guest house. This is where you and I are going to leave, baby." His eyes were focused on mine. For a moment there, I was confused.

Reggie slowly drove into his villa and stopped in the garden of one of the most elegant, spacious, and luxurious homes I had ever seen. It's a mansion.

He got out of the car and instructed me to remain calm. He opened the door and carried me in a bridal style.

As soon as he brought me out, I was stunned to see how big the garden was. It was as big as a small park. And the cars parked in the garage? They all look so pretty and expensive.

When we got in and a middle-aged man in his late forties welcomed and greeted us respectfully.

"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Smith."

His words made me smile, this was the first time someone was addressing me as 'Mrs'

Reggie turned and introduced the man.

"This is our butler, Mr. Anthony," I responded politely. "Good evening, Mr Anthony."

He replied and introduced the rest of the staff. But there's something about Korozon I love. Compared to the rest, I love how polite she was.

"I'm sure you must be really exhausted, come with me… I'll take care of you and also prepare you for tonight's party,"

Korozon said as she gently held my arm. Wait, what party? I turned to Reggie and shook my head.

"Go with her, you need to be prepared for tonight," Reggie said, I just nodded and followed the staff.

✓✓✓✓

"This one, this looks good on you." The make-up artist applied the lipgloss on my lips.

I was staring at the mirror when I heard the sound of the door.

It was Reggie's stepmom, she looks 22 to me though. I don't like how she stares at me.

"Leave us.." Her eyes fixed on mine.

"But ma'am, the boss instructed–"

"You heard her, I'm sure you wouldn't wanna upset the boss' wife, am I right..." The lady with Angelica said, and the staff obeyed. She walked close and sat right in front of me.

"Hello, I'm Angelica, the boss' wife and this is my friend, Monica." She said pointing at the lady with her.

"I see you just got married to Reggie."

I don't know if I'm supposed to answer that so I just kept mute and allowed her to finish.

"You look so beautiful, and you know what's going to make you more beautiful? A good makeup from me."

"You, you're a make-up artist too?" I asked as I watched her clean the makeup on my face.

"Yes, of course, I'm sure you're going to love it." She said and I allowed her, she's Reggie's stepmom so I'm cool with it.

She kept putting some pink stuff on my cheek.

I think it was a little bit too much but I couldn't complain since she's a makeup artist.

She was done and I couldn't wait to check my face out. I got up to look in the mirror but I didn't see any mirror.

"Uh… do you have a mirror? You see, I'd love to see my face."

"You don't have to, here, take some wine." Monica suddenly placed a wine glass on my lips. I wasn't prepared for what was coming. I took the drink and it tasted nice.

"You want more?"

"Not real–" I was about to say but she gave me another one. I gulped three glasses of what she calls wine. Never heard of it before.

I felt dizzy and tipsy, I tried to walk but everything seemed unclear. My eyes were almost closed but I still had to be with Reggie at our marriage celebration.

They changed the dress Reggie got for me. Though the dress Reggie had bought for me was way prettier than this. I just kept mute and allowed her.... She's a woman, I'm sure , she knows best. I still wasn't able to see the makeup Angelica had done on my face.

In a few minutes, Angelica and Monica were kind enough to take me outside the villa, where the party was held.

I stood behind her on stage as she held a mic. I was trying hard not to fall, as the heels they made me wear were too high and weren't even my size.

"Can I get your attention please?" Angelica spoke into the mic, and everyone's attention was fixed on her. I was able to see Reggie talking to a few people, I think they were congratulating him.

"Congratulations Son.. so proud of you." Mr. Renato hugged his son.

"Well, thanks Dad… At least you can't steal this one away, am I right?" Reggie said with a sarcastic tone.

"C'mon Son, I didn't steal Angelica from you, she came to me herself."

"Bullshit," Reggie gulped his wine as his dad walked away.

The people seated around were not just sophisticated, they looked powerful and influential.

"I see we are all here to celebrate and congratulate the CEO of Smith corporations, Reggie Smith, on his marriage to his lovely wife." She paused and then continued with her eyes fixed on Reggie's.

"But I am sure you all must be wondering who his mystery wife is? Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mrs. Maya Smith! The CEO's wife." Angelica said and moved from where she stood.

They clapped as their eyes were fixed on me. The look on Reggie's face was something I couldn't comprehend. As I could see the shocked expression on his face. He turned his eyes to see some group of people laughing and making fun of my heals and dress. "That can't be the CEO's wife."

"Is this a joke? Does this look like a masquerade festival to her?"

Reggie heard most of his guests making fun of the situation. And it made him feel so embarrassed.

I took a step with these oversized heels and I bet everyone's eyes wanted me to fall. I saw Angelica and her friend, Monica laughing at me.

I ignored their gaze and walked slowly towards my husband. Though, I felt kind of shy. I staggered and almost fell but Reggie was sweet enough to catch me.

"Careful," Reggie stared at the people, whose gaze was still fixed on us.

"Your–your makeup… your dress, the heels…" Reggie stared at me… as if he was trying not to laugh or something.

Just then, we saw Angelica walking towards us.

He quickly pulled me close and gave me a kiss.