Ten

Jada and Marilou had a relaxing day at the spa. They got mani/pedis, facials, full body massages, and spray tans. Another place provided waxing, professional makeup application and hairstyles. Jada said she really felt like a princess with all the attention. It was a full makeover for them both.

When Brayden picked them up, he praised them both on how lovely they looked. “Let’s go pick you both out evening gowns for our cruise since you look so beautiful already,” he suggested.

Jada chose an emerald satin off the shoulder gown and Marilou chose a teal blue satin sleeveless one. They had him take pictures as they styled the gowns for Brayden.

He talked them into wearing their new gowns out to dinner with him. When they arrived at the restaurant, Marilou was delighted to see that Carl had met them for dinner.

Marilou smiled and gracefully took Carl’s arm that he offered her, and she smiled up at him. Jada and Brayden smiled as they watched the two romancing each other.

The two gentlemen seated their lovely ladies and sat down opposite them. Carl took Marilou’s hand and pressed a soft kiss on her fingers “you look so beautiful tonight, Marilou,” he said, staring at her.

Brayden told Jada that she too was gorgeous in her new gown. “We are lucky men to be escorting such beautiful ladies around, Carl,” Brayden said, kissing Jada’s hand as well. Carl agreed, still holding Marilou’s hand and caressing it with his thumb.

“So, I was thinking, Carl,” Brayden began. “I may need you to help pick up some of my slack while I’m in Hawaii,” he said. Carl nodded. “You know you can count on me, Brother,” Carl told him.

“Well, but I was thinking I may need you there with me,” Brayden said, waiting on Carl’s reaction. Carls eyes got big, and he looked at Brayden in surprise.

“Are you serious, Brother? Are you taking me with you to Hawaii?” He asked with excitement in his voice. Marilou looked at Jada, surprised as well.

“Yes, Marilou may need an escort when we take her to the shows and such. Would you mind doing that?” Brayden teased. “I would be honored if it pleases her,” Carl said, looking at Marilou. “I would be delighted,” she said, smiling at the man.

When they got back in their room that night and Brayden was helping Jada with her dress, she turned around and threw her arms around his neck, jumping up to give him a quick kiss, smiling at him.

“Well, thank you, Pretty Lady. What was that for?” He asked. “For being so wonderful,” she said, still smiling happily at him. “Ok…what wonderful thing did I do that has you so excited?” He asked curiously.

“You invited the children, then you invited Marilou, and now you’re bringing Carl along too. You’ve just thought of everyone! You’re just the sweetest man I’ve ever known,” Jada told him.

“See…I’m thinking of myself and what I need,” he explained. “The more people I have to take care of each other, the more time we have for Honeymooning,” he teased, pulling her up off her feet and wrapping her legs around his waist.

“Brayden!” She cried out, surprised. “That’s my name,” he teased, laying her down on the bed and beginning to deliver passionate kisses down her neck. “Say it again,” he whispered in her ear. “Brayden,” she said softly, enjoying his kisses. Jada loved her husband so much and treasured their relationship. Once again, he made sweet love to her, and she called out his name again to his delight.

Brayden called for breakfast in their room that morning. Jada came out of the shower drying her hair and was happily surprised to see that they could enjoy eating in peace this morning.

It was a warm morning, so they set their meal up on the balcony and enjoyed the light breeze and sunshine. Beverly had prepared French toast and bacon for them, and Jada said it was the best she had ever tasted.

“I wonder what antics your mother and Daphne have cooked up for us today,” Jada pondered out loud. “Who knows, but I feel sure you can handle whatever it is. Just keep your distance from Caleb. I don’t trust that guy,” Brayden said. “I don’t trust any of them,” she replied.

After Brayden had his shower, he stood at the sink shaving. Jada hopped up on the sink and watched him. He smiled at her. She enjoyed watching him. “You are so handsome, my husband,” she said, admiring him.

“And you are adorable, my little wife,” he said, getting some shaving cream on his finger and plopping it on her nose. Jada rubbed it back on Brayden’s nose and kissed him, putting her arms around his neck.

“Oh! I hadn’t seen your feet since you had your pedicure!” He said, picking up one of her feet and admiring her painted toes.

“Daddy like,” he said, kissing the top of her foot and trailing kisses up her leg. She playfully pushed him away with her foot. But to her surprise he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.

“Put me down you caveman,” she teased. He spun around and fell on the bed with her, tickling her until she begged him to stop. “You’re gonna make me pee myself,” she said, laughing.

Their fun was interrupted by a knock on the door, though. Evelyn had sent Marcy to tell them she would like for them to join her for coffee. “Your mother saved me,” she teased, escaping him and running to the bathroom to get ready.

Marcy heard the laughter before she knocked on their door. She smiled at the playfulness of the couple. It was obvious that they were madly in love, and she thought it was simply adorable. Never had she heard laughter in the mansion before, and it was a welcome sound.

Brayden had always seemed quiet, withdrawn and sullen. He had always been good to the staff, but Marcy had rarely seen the man smile. Jada had transformed him. Now, he couldn’t stop smiling when his bride was near him. Marcy smiled, hoping one day she could find that kind of love.

Jada came downstairs dressed in a pink suit dress with gold and white threads from Neiman Marcus looking very elegant. She had done her hair in an updo and wore Jimmy Choo high heeled pumps. She was looking every bit the woman of her status. Brayden had his arm around her, looking very proud of his wife as they entered the dining room. Daphne looked as though she may explode with jealousy.

“Where are you two going dressed like that, Son?” Evelyn asked. “We are going to a groundbreaking ceremony of a new facility. I’m going to publicly announce my wife today,” he announced.

Evelyn stood angrily and shouted at him. “I won’t permit it!” She shouted. “Brayden, don’t do this,” Daphne pleaded with tears in her eyes. “She is not supposed to be your real wife. This was not supposed to happen!” Daphne shouted.

“There will be so much scandal, a DeRoya marrying a no name girl. Oh, I can’t bear it!” Evelyn said, pretending to faint.

Brayden remembered what Jada had told him, that his mother was playing on his sympathy. “Get up mother. Drink some water,” he said, catching her peeking at him. He was sure then that she was pretending.

Daphne stood by her, fanning her face. “Brayden, surely you can’t leave your mother in this condition,” Daphne pleaded.

“I’m sure you’ve got this, Daphne. After all, that’s why you’re here, to take care of my mother, right?” He asked. “I don’t want to be late. Come, Jada, let’s go,” he said, turning to leave.

Once in the limo, Jada asked him if he was alright. “Yes, My Love. I saw her peeking at me. I know you were right about her playing on my sympathy. It was another of her and Daphne’s games to control me. I’m watching them now,” he said.

“Have I told you how beautiful you are today, Pretty Lady?” He said, kissing her cheek so not to mess up her perfect make up. “Yes, but I never get tired of your compliments,” she said, smiling and holding his hand. “I love your manicured nails,” he said. “Very elegant,” he added, admiring them.

“I’m so proud to announce you as my wife today, Jada. The public is going to love you and your sweet personality. Don’t let Mom’s words bother you,” he said, caressing her jaw.

“The tabloids of course will do their best to sling mud at you, but I promise you, the public will all eventually see what I see in you. They will see the precious jewel that you are, and they will fall in love with you too,” he promised.

“You are Jada DeRoya, you go in there and hold your head up high. You own your title today, My Love. Stand strong, my spunky girl. If they ask you a question, you answer them with confidence. You’ve got this, Pretty Lady,” he encouraged as they pulled up to the venue.

As Jada stepped out of the limo taking Brayden’s hand, she was bombarded by flashes of cameras and the paparazzi crowding in on her. Brayden had two bodyguards with them for their protection, so they immediately started holding back the crowds.

Once Brayden got to the podium, Carl announced that Brayden would address the crowd. He held tightly to Jada’s waist as he stepped up to the microphone.

Brayden addressed the crowd and spoke about the new facility they would be opening, what they would be producing there and how many jobs that meant for their area. It would be located in the Bronx area and bring much revenue to the poor area Jada was from.

A reporter asked who the lovely lady was beside him. Brayden looked at Jada proudly and whispered, “here’s your moment, Pretty Lady,” he said. “May I introduce my bride, Jada Pence-DeRoya,” he said. Flashes and questions surrounded them.

“Opening this facility here, bringing jobs to the Bronx was actually my wife’s idea,” he admitted. “She wanted to open up opportunities for the people of her hometown that they had not had before. So, this will bring revenue to one of the poorest areas of New York,” he said. “And we plan to open a park and a pool and a recreation facility here as well,” he promised to applause.

“We just got married on Saturday, so you are the first to meet her. Yes, I do hope to have her assisting me later, but right now we are just taking time to enjoy each other’s company,” he said, kissing her cheek as he answered their questions.

“Mrs. DeRoya, is Brayden taking you on a Honeymoon?” One reporter asked. Jada took a cleansing breath and stepped closer to the microphone to answer. “Yes, Mr. DeRoya is taking me on a 14-day trip including a cruise to Hawaii,” she told them.

“Can you tell us about your ring? It’s stunning,” another asked. “It’s a 3-carat princess cut white sapphire with white gold vines and six marquis diamonds within the vines. It was specially made by Gallperin Jewelers in New York City, designed by my husband,” she said, smiling proudly, looking over to Brayden. They asked about her outfit and shoes as well, and she answered without difficulty.

After that, the questions started going back to Brayden about the new facility, and he gave them answers to their questions. When it came time for the ribbon cutting ceremony, Brayden had Jada to stand by him and Carl. He allowed her to cut the ribbon, giving her the credit for her idea.

From now on, everyone would know the name Jada Pence-DeRoya and associate her with these impressive additions to New York. Brayden smiled and put his arm around Jada’s shoulders. “Can we get a show of appreciation for Mrs.DeRoya?” The mayor asked, and the crowd gave her a thunderous applause.

Brayden had taken the secrecy of where Jada came from and turned that negative into a positive for her. Now, when people say her name, it will be associated with good changes in New York’s Bronx area. It was true that they had talked about these plans, but Brayden had given all the credit to his wife for these improvements.

Once they were done, several ladies of high society came up to meet Jada, complimenting her and showing appreciation to her for her efforts. She received several invitations to events and Carl took notes for her.

“I’m gonna hire an assistant for you, Sweetheart. When we get back from our trip, I think we should get you an office to work from. Then, we can get you enrolled in a college, and you can take your classes online from your office. How does that sound to you?” He asked. Jada liked that idea very much.

Once they got back in the limo, as always, Brayden reached for Jada’s small feet to massage them. “Bring those little feet over here, Pretty Lady,” he said. “Well, it looks like my wife has become an instant celebrity,” he said, looking at her with pride.

“You gave me all the credit and it was your project, Brayden. All I said was we need something to help that area. The rest was all your doing,” she said, kissing his jaw as she snuggled against him. He rubbed her soft legs and relaxed with her, and they both dozed off to sleep.

When they got to the mansion, Gerard woke them up as had become their custom. Once inside, Evelyn attacked him, yelling at him over their event, which she had watched on television. “You made that girl sound like a genius! You gave her all the credit for our new plant, and now everyone thinks she’s some industrial leader! Well, I hope you’re happy,” she shouted.

“She’s nothing. She’s trash. She’s going to embarrass this family when you start taking her to events and she doesn’t even know how to have an intelligent conversation!” She shouted, giving Jada evil looks. Jada did not break down under Evelyn’s harsh words. She stood strong beside Brayden.

“Are you done, Mother?” Brayden asked her. “This is my wife; she is going to remain my wife. She is going to be involved in business matters and she is going to be working on her degree from an office at the new facility with me. She will also be the mother of my children, your grandchildren, Mother,” he reminded her. “That was the reason you introduced her to me in the first place, to have an heir, remember?” He spoke.

“So, if you want to see me, you will start treating my wife with kindness and accept her as your daughter in law. I will not stand for her to be mistreated by anyone. Do you understand me, Mother?” He asked. “I’m not kidding. I’m not having anyone badmouthing her anymore,” he told her.

“Brayden, how dare you talk that way to your mother!” Daphne scolded. “The same goes for you, too, Daphne,” he said. “We divorced, you are not my wife now and you will never be my wife again. So, if that is your plan, then hang it up. I’m not leaving Jada, and I will never be unfaithful to her,” he told her.

“If you are really here to help Mom, then you are welcome to stay as long as you leave Jada alone,” he told her. “If you continue to harass her, I will personally kick your butt out the door,” he told Daphne. “But if you can behave yourself and take care of Mom, I will pay you as her caregiver, and you can stay here as long as you want,” he promised.

“Caleb, we can discuss development opportunities and the possibility of joining forces on the Bronx development plan, but the same goes for you. If you can mind your manners and keep your eyes and hands off my wife, you are welcome to stay here. But the first sign of you causing any trouble, you are out of here. Understood?” Brayden asked the man.

“Yes, Brayden, I completely understand. I will not bother you or Jada. I am very interested in hearing about your plans and discussing possible ways I could participate with you. I appreciate your generosity, and I won’t let you down,” Caleb promised him, extending a hand out to Brayden. Brayden shook the man‘s hand in agreement.

Jada did not trust any of them, but she trusted Brayden and she knew that he would be watching them. She knew he would protect her against any evil plans they devised against her. She put her hand in the bend of his arm and stood beside him. He looked down at her and saw uneasiness in her countenance.

“Let’s go take a nap, Pretty Girl. It’s been a long day and I’m tired. I know you are too,” he said, patting her hand that rested in the crook of his arm. Jada nodded and the two went upstairs.

“Well, this is good, Evelyn. Brayden has given us the okay to stay here. Don’t worry about today’s developments. We will get rid of that girl,” Daphne assured her.

“I don’t want to get rid of her yet, Daphne. I want her to provide me a grandchild first. Just have patience, girl. Soon I will have a child to hold, a DeRoya heir in this mansion. Then and not until then, you can get rid of her,” Evelyn said with determination.