Bridal Shower #2

Thea stood in front of the full-length mirror in the room, hands smoothing down the silk of the dress. It was the kind of dress that made people forget their own names: a soft champagne-gold slip cut on the bias, hugging her waist and flaring just enough at the thighs to hint at movement. The hem ended scandalously high, grazing the middle of her thighs; one wrong step and it might flash more legs than polite society would allow.

The neckline was a plunging V held by two delicate straps that crossed over her shoulders. Her hair, swept up into a loose knot, exposed the elegant curve of her neck. A single diamond drop earring glinted against her skin when she moved.

Behind her, Seth leaned in the doorway, tie loosened, jacket over one arm. He had been ready for ten minutes, but he hadn’t stopped looking at her.

All of this started when she got an invitation to Posy's bridal shower in the mail. It was unexpected and she knew almost immediately that this was a set up. But she shocked him when she told him she would be attending.

He didn't like that at all but something about the look in her eyes and maybe her fingers twirling in his hair as she convinced him that she'd be okay, made him agree to this.

What has he turned into? A finished man. Those were the only phrases that explained his plight.

His gaze followed the line of her back to the hem of the dress and back up again.

“You’re really going to walk into that party dressed like this?” he murmured.

Thea smiled at his reflection. “Is something wrong with my dress, Mr Blackwood?”

She tried to say something but he couldn't form the right words, his eyes traveling down the length of those thighs and how they had wrapped around him a few nights ago…

“It's just a dress..” Thea teased and his eyes finally snapped up to meet hers.

“It’s not ‘just a dress.’ It’s a weapon.” He pushed off the doorframe and came up behind her, sliding his arms around her waist. His hands were warm, fingers splayed over her stomach. “You’re trying to kill me.” he whispered in her ears.

She laughed softly but didn’t move away. “Am I? It's a bridal shower, I have to look my best.”

He bent to kiss the place where her neck met her shoulder. “You don’t have to go.”

“I do,” she said, eyes still on their reflection. “It's the only way this would work..”

He turned her around, palms sliding to her hips. “You’re making it very hard for me to let you go,” he said.

He kissed her lips, slow and deliberate, tasting her lipstick and the faint sweetness of champagne she’d sipped while dressing. His thumb brushed her jaw. She responded for a moment. She always did when he touched her like that but then put her palms flat against his chest and pushed back gently.

“You're trying to distract me,” she whispered, breathless.

He kissed her again anyway, harder this time, and she laughed into his mouth.

“Seth,” she warned, “if you keep doing that, I’ll be late.”

He exhaled through his nose and stepped back. “Fine. But I’m driving you there, and I’m waiting outside. The moment you want to leave, call me.”

“Okay.” She picked up the small white box wrapped in silver ribbon from the dresser; Posy’s gift and headed for the door.

***

The rooftop terrace of the Merton Hotel was all pale wood and glass, the kind of place designed to look effortless and cost a fortune. Now under the evening light, it looked like something straight out of a fairytale.

Waiters in black vests moved towards the main event carrying trays of sparkling cocktails and tiny hors d’oeuvres.

At the far end, a cluster of pastel balloons framed an arch of roses. Under it, a long table was set with crystal glasses, plates of macarons, and a cake shaped like a designer handbag. The mVP area on the rooftop was the main event for Posy's bridal shower. She had booked this place with much struggle, pulling out money from a company project just to make this happen.

No one would find out. She made sure of it. Especially the matching clothes she got for the girls for tonight. There's no way she's going to let them find out they were all wearing secondhand clothes.

Hell no. Tonight had to be perfect!

Camila and Seraphine were already there, perched on velvet chairs, laughing too loud. Yumi sat a little apart, legs crossed, eyes hidden under a baseball hat. Yolanda was scrolling through her phone. The only thing she cared about at the moment was Thea showing up.

They’d all been buzzing a moment before. Until Camila gasped, staring at the entrance into the rooftop.

“My goodness..”

The others had followed, curious to know what had gotten her attention. It was Thea and as expected the sound dropped a notch, as if someone had turned down the volume.

She knew what they had expected: that she would stay away to avoid embarrassment. Instead she walked toward them like the terrace belonged to her. Heads turned from other tables; even the waiters slowed.

“Posy.” Thea’s smile was polite, warm without being soft. She handed over the white box wrapped in silver ribbon. “Congratulations.”

Posy took it, eyebrows lifting. “You didn’t have to…”

Thea settled on a seat at the table, taking off her coat and showing off just how beautiful her dress was.

“I knew that dress looks familiar! It's from Gracie's collection!” Camila gasped.

Yolanda chuckled in disbelief. “You came.”

Thea crossed her legs, leaning back. “Why wouldn't I?”

Yumi's eyes studied Thea in silence, why the hell is she even here? What is she trying to prove? Or is she here to expose her secrets?

Yumi's eyes went wide in horror at the possibility. Yolanda would kill her if that was the case!

“What cheap gifts did she get you, Posy?” Yolanda asks, eyes fixed on Thea in irritation.

Posy pulls the box open and pauses. It was a set of limited edition lingerie.

Yolanda chuckled. “Underwear? What was it expecting from a cheat anyway?” She muttered, sipping her wine.

“I saw it and thought of you, Posy.” Thea interrupted. “You’ve been daydreaming about being in Rune’s bed for so long, I thought you’d enjoy something pretty to wear.”

The words were delivered lightly, almost playfully, but the edge was unmistakable. Camila’s mouth fell open; Seraphine bit back a laugh. Yumi’s sunglasses tilted, just enough to show her eyes widening.

Posy’s smile froze. She set the box on the table like trash. “That’s sweet. Although I’ve already been in Rune’s bed. He just wasn’t into you, darling. That’s why he didn’t sleep with you.”

Thea tilted her head, lips curving. “Keep telling yourself that.”

The tension at the table was almost visible, rippling like heat above asphalt. Camila and Seraphine exchanged glances. Yumi took a slow sip of her drink.

Thea leaned forward and reached for a glass of champagne. “This is lovely,” she said, looking around. “You’ve outdone yourself.”

Posy’s jaw tightened. “Really? Wasnt thinking you would show up so i made sure to pick only the best for my friends. If I knew you'd be here I would pick something more your…class.”

Thea chuckled. “You mean Romanée-Conti Grand Cru? I doubt you'd be able to get your hands on it. It's quite expensive and I was told you had a little…money problem.”

Posy bot back a curse word, fighting to stay as nonchalant as possible but Thea was getting under her skin already.

“If I had money problems, I would be able to throw a party like this, would I?”

Thea nods as though in agreement before turning back to her wine like she didn't even exist in her world.

Yolanda leaned forward. “Tell me, Thea,” she said, voice sweet as syrup, “how exactly did you blackmail Seth Blackwood into marrying you? Everyone knows you’re very… persuasive.”

Camila’s fork froze halfway to her mouth. Seraphine’s eyes went bright with interest.

Thea set down her glass carefully. “I didn’t,” she said. “Seth made a proposal and I accepted.”

Yolanda’s smile sharpened. “Of course. And Rune’s engagement? Did you ruin that on purpose too, or was that just a happy accident?”

Thea’s tone didn’t change. “Rune ended our engagement for his ego. What he does now is his choice.”

“Ego?” Yolanda laughed softly. “Is that what you go around telling people?”

“I’m sure Rune tells people many things.” Thea’s eyes flicked to Posy and back. “The side of the story that earns enough pity.”

Camila shifted uncomfortably. She and Thea had shared dorm rooms in university and they were very close back then. Seraphine had once called Thea her sister. But now, sitting under Yolanda’s scrutiny, they both found it easier to look away.

“Why don’t you tell us what really happened that night?” Yolanda pressed. “You owe Rune that much, don’t you?”

“I don’t owe Rune anything.” Thea’s voice was still calm, but her gaze was cool and steady. “And you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Something in Yolanda’s face flickered. Anger, or maybe frustration that Thea wasn’t rising to the bait. “You low life cheating whore!” she hissed.

Thea chuckled. “Quite ironic judging by the fact that your brother…”

Yumi froze mid sip, eyes turning towards Thea slowly until they both made eye contact.

“...knows a lot about whores.” Thea smirked and Yumi almost choked on her drink.

“What?” Yolanda asked. Thea turned back to face Yolanda, the memory of how she had forced her to lick ice cream off the floor burned in her mind.

“I said, ask your brother. He's more experienced than you think.”

“You little witch!” Yolanda snapped, reaching for Thea who stood perfectly still.

“Lay those hands on me…”

The entire rooftop froze, other clients now stealing glances at the MVP section in sheer curiosity.

“And I'll make sure Sterling bleeds dry!” Thea threatened. “Try me.”

Yolanda didn't hit her, her hand hung in the air for a few seconds before she finally brought it down, a chuckle escaping her. “You think you're some big shot now that you're married to Seth Blackwood right?”

“I don't think. I know.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Thea leaned back, eyes half-lidded, as if bored. She’d been through worse than this. The terrace wind lifted a strand of her hair and she tucked it behind her ear, smiling faintly.

Posy tried to regain control of the mood. “Let’s open gifts,” she suggested brightly. “Shall we?”

This was her bridal shower and she didn't want anything or anyone to soil the mood. Especially not Thea.

By the time the sun dipped lower, Thea had finished her second glass of champagne and decided she’d had enough.

She stood, smoothing her dress. “Thank you, Posy. The bridal shower is beautiful.”

“Leaving so soon?” Yolanda asked. “Do I make you uncomfortable?”

Thea smiled. “Not at all. I just need to go home to my husband.”

Yolanda clenched her jaw, venom in her eyes as she did.

Thea inclined her head to the others. “Ladies.”

When she stepped into the elevator, a wave of relief washed over her. That went better than she had hoped.

Her phone buzzed.

Seth: I’m outside.

Downstairs, the hotel’s valet area glowed in the golden hour. Seth’s black car waited at the curb. He stepped out as soon as he saw her, coming around to open the passenger door.

For a moment he simply looked at her, eyes dark, and then he bent and kissed her, not caring who saw. It was a claim, a promise, and a warning all at once.

People on the terrace above craned their necks to see. Camila gasped softly. Seraphine clapped a hand over her mouth. Even Yumi’s lips parted in surprise.

And Yolanda?

Yolanda gripped the edge of the railing so hard her knuckles went white. Her stomach twisted at the sight of Seth’s hand at the small of Thea’s back, the way he leaned in to murmur something that made her laugh. All her carefully nurtured contempt didn’t stop the flare of jealousy that burned through her.

Then she made eye contact with Thea down below who sent a smirk her way. That bloody bench! Yolanda thought.

On the street, Seth closed the door after Thea, circled back to the driver’s side, and slid in. A moment later the car glided away into traffic.

On the rooftop, the party’s chatter started up again, but the mood had changed. The trap Posy and Yolanda thought they’d laid had not sprung. Instead Thea had walked through it untouched, leaving the scent of her perfume and the echo of her laughter behind.

Yolanda turned back to the table, face carefully composed, but inside her fury was like a live thing clawing at her ribs. She lifted her glass, drained it in one swallow, and set it down with a sharp click.

Camila and Seraphine exchanged another look. Yumi reached for her phone. Posy, smiling thinly, stared at the opened white box on the table.

What exactly did Thea mean by her statement about Runes?