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Music wafted softly from the stereo system and across the backyard of the house as the guests associated with each other with warm and welcoming smiles engraved vibrantly on their faces.
Different gifts of varied sizes crammed the centre table as the celebrant's family delivered more wrapped presents to the already piled heap on the table.
Emerald, Armani, Maggie and Luca, together with Oriana and Logan — who had arrived the day before to help with the preparations — tended to the guests, mingling with them with wide smiles on their faces.
Feeling as though her legs would fall off anytime soon, Emerald walked over to an empty chair, away from the crowd and plopped down into it. She loosened the straps on her heels, freeing her feet from the hellish hold of the three inched devil.
Heaving a sigh of relief, she massaged her feet before setting them do
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬“I'll keep you updated.”These were the words that presently caused a turmoil in Jordan's head as he stared wordlessly at the mahogany coloured drink swirling between the mini ice cubes in his glass. He groaned loudly for the umpteenth time since he and Keelan had arrived at the bar tonight.Looking away from the bevy of half naked ladies who were seductively batting their fake lashes at him as they twisted and turned their curvaceous bodies in all directions humanly possible, Keelan took in his friend's seemingly frustrated figure with an eyebrow raised.He scrutinised him as he continued to have a staring contest with the Jim Beam bourbon whiskey glistening in his glass. His friend, who was usually — if not always — quiet whenever they hung out together, that Keelan already knew he had inherited the position of the conversation starter, had been groaning and mak
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬There were just three days before the d-day - the wedding day and Emerald had to admit this month had been the busiest month of her life. It seemed as though it had turned her life totally upside down.Her usual commute from home to work and from work back home again had been completely ruptured and the unbelievable thought that had been consistent in her mind had been 'Why didn't I purchase a vehicle of my own?'Her brain kept reminding her of Oriana's annoying words that had always prodded her into getting her own car but she had found no reasonable use for it since the only places she ever had to drive to were her workplace and her home.But since the past weeks had been very busy and hectic for her, since she had been making several stops at different stores and shops and had been having to travel to and from Boston every weekend to get things done over there as well, she could
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬It was finally the day of the wedding and everyone couldn't be busier than ever. Emerald stood at the threshold of the glass door connecting the kitchen to their huge backyard slash garden, which happened to be the venue for the nuptials to take place.As earlier stated, the couple wanted a simple and small wedding with only close family members and friends present and thankfully, they had been wise enough to not put Maggie in charge of invitations this time.Emerald stood, dressed casually in a brown sleeveless top and a pair of fitted knee-length denim shorts, occasionally marking away at the crammed checklist beaming vibrantly on the clipboard in her hands while adjusting her spectacles on intervals.From where he stood with Maggie, arranging the wooden and intricately decorated chairs around the long and large table, Jordan couldn't help but let his gaze linger frequently on Emerald
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬ A/N: The latter part of this chapter contains some triggering contents explained quite explicitly. Suicidal attempt and near insanity, amidst other things, were mentioned and if any of my readers cannot handle such content, please skip the latter part of this chapter, especially the part after the third demarcation graphics (▬▬▬▬▬). I repeat, Skip the latter part if you cannot handle such contents. Thank you. ▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬ For the first time ever, the usually dark room was filled with beautiful blinding lights. For the first time ever, the curtains weren't thick and heavy enough to not be lifted by the breeze of dawn or penetrated by the rising sun. For the very first time ever, the curtains were drawn to the side and the windows left wide open to accommodate the candescent presence of the beaming rays from the fulgent sun
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬ “The amazing Keelan Mason Mars has arrived!” the familiar voice of the seemingly unyielding pest – aka Jordan Kale's best friend – resonated round the eerily silent and gloomy office. Like always, the thick black curtains that shielded the floor to ceiling windows in his office, were drawn together to keep every ray of sunlight from entering, as well as to prevent any of the thick and heavy atmosphere of the room to seep out through the glass and affect the hustle and bustle of the busy streets of the great Manhattan below. “Oh my goodness! Why is it so stuffy and freezing in here?” The slam of the door coupled with his unnecessarily exorbitant voice were the only sounds perceived in the otherwise, mum room. As expected, the lone figure in the dark corner of the room paid no heed to his best friend's presence; not even a slight movement was made by him where he sat still in
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬ You could listen to Fall on me and Say Something by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera. It helped in getting me into the right mood. ▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬ “I know this sounds really rude of me to ask, considering the fact that this was our first meeting, but I'm really desperate, son. I hope you can understand me?” Jordan nodded affirmatively, seeing her despondent countenance, albeit confusedly. “Yes I do, Aunt. Plus, I'm ready to grant you any and every favour you require of me. It's your wedding day, after all,” he teased, trying to get her to smile. For some reason, he didn't like seeing her melancholic or worried. Over the few days that they had been spent together, Jordan had grown close to the middle aged woman and although she was Emerald's mother, he felt like they both had some kind of connection; a mother–son connection.
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬ “Pa? Are you feeling any better now?” Oriana asked her father, who laid awake on the hospital bed. “Any aches or pains anywhere? I could always go get the doctor,” she pushed, watching as her mother replaced the lid back on the rim of the water bottle before adjusting his pillows so he could sit comfortably. “Ana bear, calm down.” Peter, her father chuckled, “I assure you, I'm perfectly fine. I have no idea why your mother panicked and deemed it necessary to call you all the way down here,” her mother shot him a glare at his words. “What do you mean by that? She's our daughter, she has every right to know.” Doris, her mother frowned with her arms crossed. Oriana rolled her eyes and sat back in her chair, settling herself for the drama that was sure to spring up between her parents. “Not what I meant, darling. I was just trying to say that it was just a mild accident. No need to over–exaggerate and make it seem like it was a severe issue,”
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬ “Good day, Mr. Kale.” “Good day, Armani. To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?” “Nothing at all, sir. I just wanted to inform you of our progress on the project. My teammates and I are done with the blue prints and have forwarded them all to your email. All we need now is your affirmation or. . .” the voice trailed off nervously, “. . .repudiation, sir.” Jordan sighed, hearing the uncertainty in Armani's voice. He had decided to render a land of his to her and her teammates for their university project and so far, he hadn't regretted it one bit. Working with her and her teammates had been so easy and stress-free. “Rest assured, Armani, judging by how well you, your teammates and I have gotten along, repudiation would be the last thing on my mind,” he encouraged her. “Thank you very much, Mr. Kale. I really appreciate your help, sir.” he could hear her voice brimming with happiness. “Regarding your affirmation, sir, a