The Mini Shanice.

(KAIRA'S POV)

Morning came way quicker than I wanted it to. The first thing I remembered? How hard it was for me to find my room last night. And that thought sure enough, led me to thinking of Slade Horton.

I got around to quickly doing my morning routine. Journaling or reading, few yoga poses….. but someho Slade kept on bugging my mind.

"Such a jerk!" I muttered angrily to myself as I dropped the book in my hand. I was thinking of how he had left me in that dark corner of the hall last night.

I want to move past his stupid charm. To be able to push back from him when I need to. But somehow I find myself getting paralyzed before him.

“Such a jerk!” I repeated again with a frustrated groan.

Then the sound of three heavy knocks interrupted my thoughts. I sat up with a jerk, reaching for my cellphone. It was only a few minutes after six.

The knocks came again. A little louder than the first set. I stood up feeling my legs wobble slightly as I did.

It could be Slade. Here to torment me again and to melt me into an ant with those heavy green eyes of his.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

I raced to the door after throwing a robe over my nightie and smoothing my hair bonnet.

My hand reached for the knob but I stopped myself.

What if it’s him? I wondered to myself. A replay of last night came crashing in to my mind. The way his face had hovered so closely over mine, how breathless I had felt and how the hallway had suddenly become way smaller.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

I snapped out of my thoughts and reached to turn the lock with a racing heart.Immediately I saw who was at the door, a wave of relief flooded my whole body.

"What’s that face? Expecting an angel of death? Your face is so red.” Mum greeted, stepping in to give me a hug.

" I did a little running around to get dressed." I lied, rubbing her back and pulling away. “Good morning, Mum.”

"Good morning my love. You were asleep when I came by last night. I knocked a couple of times and got no reply." She said, cupping my face in her hands.

"Yes, I was exhausted."

And boy was I exhausted after yesterday.

“I—I really wanted us to talk about a lot of things. I feel like we need to.” She said softly and seeing that guilt in her eyes, my stomach dropped .

“We could talk now.” I said with a shrug.

“Now?” Mum laughed nervously. “Honey, we need to get ready—“

"Oh my goodness! You're right, she is so gorgeous!!" An excited voice made me jump backwards slightly.

A tall, beautiful girl made her way into my room with a big smile almost as bright as her hazel eyes. She was definitely older than me by a few years. She was dressed in a simple t-shirt and sweatpants, her brown hair was spun into a top bun. Even though she looked regular, there was something glamorous about her.

Mum shut the door behind us while this beautiful, bubbly stranger eyed me with a smirk on her face.

"Hello mini Shanice." She said, her smile getting bigger.

“Um.. hi "

"I know your name is Kaira, your mum and stepfather have told me tons about you. My name is Erica." She introduced, hand stretched forward. "Erica Horton, Tom Horton's niece and Slade's cousin. The favorite family member. I'm here to guide the bride's beauty journey today."

"Nice to meet you." I said, placing my hand in hers. She pulled me in for a light, brief hug and then stepped back.

"So, how do you feel about your mum's flash marriage?" She asked me, folding her arms, her eyes twinkling in mischief. "Excited? Angry? Unsure? Nervous?"

"Um—I—" Helplessly, I broke into a weird chuckle before I could stop myself as I glanced at mum..

Erica raised an eyebrow. “So, not excited but a mixture of the rest. Got it." She noted.

She led mum and I further in to the room.

"I totally understand though." Erica continued speaking. "My dad had a quickie Vegas wedding and then a reception later for the family. I missed it for a football game." She announced proudly with a shrug.

I narrowed my eyes at Mum who was already mouthing at me ; “She talks a lot”

At that moment, a loud knock came at the door.

"I'll get it." Mum said.

My chest tightened as I stared after her.

It could be Slade. What would mum think if she saw him at my door? Oh you need to calm down Kaira!

"So Kaira, are you ready to join the prettiest bridesmaids club?" Erica asked, wriggling her eyebrows at me.

"Bridesmaids." I repeated thoughtfully tearing my eyes away from the door.

It was only just occurring to me that I was supposed to be Mum's bridesmaid.

She really was getting married. Today.

I felt Erica's arm around me. She was still wearing a smile but this time it was less bubbly and more compassionate.

"I understand you have mixed feelings about this and it's valid. But understand that your mum is really happy with Tom." She rubbed my shoulder gently. "That doesn’t change how much she loves you:”

I found myself nodding to her gently.

"Tom has been telling me all about your mum and I've met her a couple of times before today." She continued with an excited smile. "It's going to be such a pleasure to be a bridesmaid."

I felt a little bit of jealousy to know Erica knew about Mum and Tom way before me.

"Um… Erica? There's like a number of people out here with boxes and stuff saying they are the beauty team." Mum called from the door.

Erica clapped her hands. "Oh yes, let them give us some minutes, Shanice!" She replied. "That's why we're here in the first place, isn't it? To transform." Then she turned to me. "You don't mind us using your room, do you?"

"I don't mind." I answered. I still felt like a stranger in it.

"Perfect!" She clapped her hands. And then her eyes looked me from up to down. "You should have your bath now. There's a million things to do and very little time." Her eyes lit up. "You can't imagine how many strings need to be pulled for a classy next minute wedding on a damned Thursday. Thankfully Shanice, your husband is a billionaire with unending connections."

She reached for my bonnet and pulled it off gently, without warning. My hair cascaded down and her eyes widened slowly.

I looked down shyly.

"You are unbelievably beautiful!" She clapped her hands together and then put them on her waist. "I can't wait to transform you and your beautiful mum, into princesses."

My cheeks felt so hot with the attention she was giving me. I wasn't used to being complimented so much by someone who wasn't my mum.

"Thank you." I muttered, staring at my feet.

"Don't thank me yet." She said, tipping my head up so I looked directly at her face. "Thank me when you are walking down the aisle like a goddess matching Slade, your godlike stepbrother."

My throat went dry.

Just a mention of Slade.

That was enough to make my palms start sweating.