Chapter 5

The reception turned out to be an even bigger deal than Claire had anticipated, she counted about over a thousand guests seated in the large hall. Henry had decided not to speak with her anymore, unless he had no choice but to speak with her.

 Claire didn't care much for him. If he thought that she was the reason for their current predicament then he was truly stupid, of all the people to blame, he had to blame her. 

How much more foolish and insensitive could he be? She thought as she shook her head after glancing at him. 

"I'm so glad everything worked out as planned."

Her mother whispered in her ear at the reception and Claire rolled her eyes. 

Everything didn't work out as planned, she wasn't the one who was supposed to be getting married, Charlotte is! She wanted to scream it out to her mother but then decided to hold her tongue.

She had been quiet and obedient all this while, she had no reason to lash out after going through the wedding. The wedding vows had been recited, the deed was done, she was legally married. 

"You Father has a surprise for you, I'm sure you'd love it very much."

"A surprise?"

She asked in bewilderment and her mother nodded her head.

"He got it for you last minute, he knows all this hasn't been easy on you, think of this as his own way of saying thank you."

Claire nodded.

'"Okay."

She would have to see the surprise first before she decided on forgiving anyone.

Wedding, wedding receptions, Claire found out how little she cared for them and how long it had been since she had been to a wedding, it seemed to her,  everyone was mandated to give a speech. Henry's father, Christopher Laurent had given a long lengthy speech, praising his new daughter in law Claire like he knew her personally. Of course most of the things he used to describe her were characteristics that could only be attributed to Charlotte but no one really seemed to care.

Just how majority of the people seemed to brush over the fact that the wedding cards and invites said Henry and Charlotte while it was Claire and Henry who seemed to be getting married. 

The only good thing about the wedding was the endless supply of wine, Claire decided. She was on her fifth glass already and her new husband seemed content to brood and let her drink. If he was displeased about her drinking, he certainly made no comment. 

Henry Laurent. He seemed like a good guy, from what everyone was saying a perfect guy even. He was running his father's multimillion dollar company and he seemed good at what he did. He went to Harvard Business school, like her sister did except for the fact that he was much older. Claire wasn't used to men like him, she had always been attracted to the bad boys, the rugged boys, even though it always cost her in the end. 

Her parents and sister have tried to set her up with boys like Henry for ages and she couldn't really find the appeal. 

Well, look at me now, finally married to one. She thought as she shook her head wearily. She signaled for another glass of wine and Henry slowly leaned towards her. 

She caught a whiff of his clearly expensive and intoxicating cologne. Oh he definitely smelled as good as he looked! She thought to herself. 

"I think you should lay off the wine, you've had enough."

Claire glared at him, who was he to tell her what to do?

"Don't tell me what to do. You look like you need more wine yourself."

She said. 

Henry sighed and looked away, he was not looking for an argument, at least not yet. 

The waiter approached them and Claire collected two glasses of wine, passing one to Henry who reluctantly took it and dropped it on the table. 

"I don't know about you but I'm going to need more booze to get through this wedding."

She commented and Henry didn't reply her. 

It was time for the couple's dance. A waltz. 

Claire was terrible at classical dancing, and her sister had picked a very cheesy song for their first dance. 

A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. How utterly romantic and completely ironic, considering the fact that her sister didn't even love him enough to make it to their own wedding. 

"I don't know how to dance... I mean I know.."

"But it's all fuzzy in my brain."

Claire confessed honestly. 

Henry made no comments as he took her hand in his and led them to the dance floor. 

"Follow my lead."

He whispered gently in her ear as he put his hand on her waist gently. Everyone in the hall had gone quiet as the lights of the hall dimmed and focused on the two of them. 

Claire gulped hard, so many eyes looking at her, she never knew it would make her feel so queasy. 

"Eyes on me."

Henry said gently as he raised her chin slightly and she looked into his yes. He was quite handsome, very handsome in fact. He smiled at her, as if reassuring her that she was going to be fine and it somehow eased her worries. 

She was going to be fine as long as she followed his lead and looked at him only. 

It felt like she had spent ages in Henry's arms, twisting, turning, dipping, he knew everything and he led her so gently, so delicately. Soon, she forgot all her fears and just danced with him, she forgot the thousand of eyes that were looking at her and it felt like it was a ballroom with only the two of them in it. 

That feeling ended rather quickly, as soon as the applause started to roll out, she was jolted out of her feelings and reminded of the present.

Henry had quickly masked his features, he wasn't smiling anymore and all of a sudden Claire felt very silly. 

It was over.

Then came the father daughter dance which reminded her of when she was younger and Charlotte and her would take turns dancing with her father. Those were fun times. 

"I got you a surprise."

He said while they danced. Claire raised her eyebrows.

'Really?"

"Mum did mention something about a surprise."

Her Dad nodded.

"Consider it a token of my appreciation, after all that you've done. I know this hasn't been easy for you."

He sounded sincere, he sounded honest at least. Claire understood, it wasn't an easy decision for them to make, going on with the wedding, even after her sister's betrayal.

"It's waiting for you when you come back from your honeymoon. Your other surprise is sitting in your bank account."

Claire's eyes widened. 

"You really went all out..."

He father shrugged. 

"Only the best for my daughter."

Claire smiled. 

Fair enough, she'd accept their gifts. 

Slowly, the reception came to an end and the guests were expected to see Henry and Claire off. There was a private jet already waiting for them as they were to leave for their honeymoon in Bora Bora. 

Her mother was next to her ready to hug her when it was time to go. 

"I love you Claire, thank you for everything."

Claire nodded. 

"I love you too Mum. I'm still mad at you all for making me do this..."

"A honeymoon mum? Do I really have to go?"

She asked and her mother shrugged as she looked at the Laurents who were hugging their son. They had been cordial throughout the entire wedding, with Claire's parents and with Claire too. They seemed to still hold a grudge against her family. 

"You have to. You know it'll make everything even more believable."