CHAPTER TWO

RHEA’S POV

Three unanswered calls and several messages from my mom which I wasn’t in the mood to respond to. I was fully dressed for my mom's wedding, it was almost time for her to walk down the aisle and Leonard still wasn’t back nor called or texted to give me a heads up.

I grabbed my phone again, my fingers clicking rapidly at the screen as I sent him my eleventh text in an hour. “Fuck! He can’t embarrass me today of all!” I panicked, my breath unsteady as my phone started ringing. It was Selina… My mom, again.

I quickly steadied my voice and temper as I answered the call.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong? It’s almost time, you’re the one giving me away, you should be here already.” Mom said softly and I immediately broke. Tears rolling rapidly from my eyes as I sat back on my bed. “Not today, Sweetie. Is this about Klein’s asswipe son?”

“Mommy…” I cried, unable to hold myself together. “He still isn’t here! What will people think

if I came to my mother’s wedding ceremony without my husband? That he cares so little about me that he couldn’t take a day off to attend an event so dear to my family and I?”

“Sweetie, you can’t let Leonard ruin this day. I don’t know what’s going on with both of you, but I want you to come over here let’s celebrate.” My mom replied as I nodded to myself, stood from the bed, grabbed my bag and walked over to my mirror.

“You’re right, Ma. I will be there to walk you down the aisle.” I said between a sniffle and ended the call.

I looked at my reflection on the mirror, slight tear lines had smudged some parts of my makeup. I picked up the makeup products scattered on my vanity to do some quick fix-up. In a few minutes I was looking ready to head out.

“Here comes the bride… All dressed in white…” I sang as I entered my mom’s waiting room,

she quickly turned around on hearing my voice as her lips slowly spread into a smile. “You look gorgeous, Mom.” I pouted as she stood up, approaching me with her arms spread out in anticipation for a hug, her large Vera Wang crystal white gown flowing on the floor behind her.

“Oh Sweetie…” She cooed as she held me in a tight hug. “Leonard had no right making you cry on my happy day.” Mom said as we pulled away from each other, she smile at me, I could see her sadness for me masked in that smile. “You look beautiful too, Sweetie. Satin was a great

choice.”

“Congratulations on finding love again, Mom. I’m so happy for you.” I uttered as she blushed.

“I’m so happy with Connell, He makes me so happy. I think I made the best decision choosing him.” I nodded in agreement, my cheeks almost hurting from smiling for too long.

“It’s time…” A lady said, peeking her head through the door. “Let’s do this, Mom.” I said as I grabbed her hand.

Seeing the smile on Mr Connell’s lips as I walked my mom to him at the altar made me realize that my mom always has one thing I never seem to genuinely get… Love, real genuine love. Her first husband, and now this one seems to be much better.

Yes… This isn’t my mother’s first marriage. She had divorced my step father over a year ago after she found out that he had cheated on her and got the unknown lady pregnant. They were married for 8 great years, yes… in my opinion the marriage was great even though he ended up cheating, it was good while it lasted.

Few months after the divorce, mom met Connell and they have been in a love nest ever since. I should say that my mom’s moving on was too fast, but then again… It was Selina.

After the wedding service, we all headed to my mom's new home for refreshments. I sat on a couch with a plate of vanilla cake as my eyes occasionally watched my mom and Connell giggle excitedly while exchanging greetings with family friends and colleagues.

As I sat alone, bored I spotted a familiar figure wearing a black shiny body-con dress, accentuating her fit skinny body, her dark wavy hair richly oiled and glowing effortlessly in the natural light. She was clearly scanning around looking for me.

“Arizona!” I called out calmly enough for her to hear me in the semi-crowded room, she turned and I waved my hand slightly, indicating towards me, she smiled, grabbed a glass of white wine from a waitress’s tray and strutted over. “You look fab!” I muttered as we hugged and air-kissed on both cheeks.

“You look stunning too, Rhea. I’m so sorry I couldn’t meet up for the wedding service, I had an asinine wardrobe malfunction so we had to do a quick fix.” She explained with a dramatic sigh as we sat down.

“It’s fine, I expected you to be late. The service went well.”

“Where is Leonard?” Arizona tepidly asked as she sipped her wine. I shrugged and rested my back on the couch, there was no need lying to Arizona, she knew everything… Well, not the recent developments. She’s my best friend, I would be doing myself a disservice by making

excuses for Leonard.

“He’s seemingly at work, he didn’t show up for my mother’s wedding.” I stated. I could feel her static gaze on me, her fingers holding firmly at the wine glass stem like she was frozen.

After a few seconds, she placed the glass on a table and adjusted her butt on the couch like she had lost balance. I expected her to say something, but she kept mute, resting her hand on mine soothingly.

“Do you think he’s seeing someone else, Arizona?” I questioned, now turning to face her.

“Like… Cheating?” She inquired and I nodded. She shrugged. “Rhea, I wouldn’t know that, he’s probably not, but…” She sighed. “Leonard not honoring your mom says a lot, you should talk to him, try…”

“I have tried, Ari. He claims we are good, he keeps shutting me out. I think I’m losing him, he doesn’t look at me the way he used to, it feels like he hates me now.”

“No, don’t say that. Try talking to him again, let him know how his absence in Selina’s wedding hurt you. He will come around.” Arizona assured, tapping my lap gently.

“What if it’s because of my inability to give him babies?” I murmured more to myself than for Arizona’s hearing.

“Rhea…” Arizona called quietly, tapping me out of my distant thoughts, I followed her gaze and turned. He was finally here, but not alone. My eyes rolled down to their hands, the way he held

the blond haired ladies hand like a fragile glass, speaking to her with a prideful smile.

My jaw ticked as I stood from the couch, Arizona quickly stood up too. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to teach his spoilt rich ass a lesson.” I muttered between gritted teeth as I grabbed a full sized untouched cake from the table and stomped to him.

“Rhea, sorry I…” I smashed the cake on his face before he could complete his sentence, earning perplexed gasps and stares from everyone in the room. “What the f… Rhea!”

I turned to the lady next to him, her gaze alert and wandering. He had picked a lady who almost looked like me… Blonde, Slim, Olive skinned.

“Meet me at home, when you’re done frolicking” I said, shaking my head at both of them and walked out.