All Chapters of Behind Their Veneers: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40
67 Chapters
XXX
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬ 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
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XXXI
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬   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
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XXXII
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬   “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
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XXXIII
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬   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.   
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XXXIV
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬ “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,”
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XXXV
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬ “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
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XXXVI
▬▬▬▬▬●●▬▬▬▬▬   Sitting in an almost trance–like state, Emerald stared unblinkingly at the light purple card she held so dearly in her hands. Her gaze shifted to the purple coloured flowers lying vibrantly on her office desk as her delicate fingers brushed softly against the intricate designs on the wonderfully scented card.   Thinking back to the numerous amount of cards which laid haphazardly in the drawer of her nightstand, a beautiful smile graced her face. Today marked the fifteenth day Jordan had been sending her flowers, cards and really delectable meals and she had to admit that it had now become a norm for her to the point where her heart never failed to thud with anticipation at the start of each day as she always timed the arrival of the deliveries.   Letting her eyes come to focus on the view of the flowers, Emerald allowed the surprise and awe she truly felt to show on her face. Since the first day where Jord
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XXXVII
Moving around his closet while humming a tune with a wide smile on his face, Jordan absentmindedly looked through his rows and rows of clothes for what to wear for the day's occasion he had been invited to, while also reminiscing about the letter he had received from Emerald previously. A mirthful chuckle escaped his lips as he thought back to how she had tried to hide her concern for him by ‘strictly’ shunning him from delivering more flowers and cards to her. He knew that by now, her apartment and office would be looking like a garden or greenhouse but if that would earn him her speedy forgiveness, then he wouldn't back down at all, not even in the face of an allergy he never knew he had until that day. Jordan was happy, sincerely happy and for the first time, he actually allowed himself to bask in the happiness the thoughts of her gave him. Suddenly missing those bottomless emerald eyes of hers, Jordan dove into his closet to
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XXXVIII (Part One)
“Auntie, I really love your hair.”   From amidst all the little voices that surrounded her, vying for her attention, Emerald could make out the petite voice of a little girl. Before she could turn around to see and thank the owner of the little voice, she stopped short when she felt a light, feather-like touch on her hair.   With a suppressed grin on her face, Emerald decided to pay no attention to the soft fingers coursing stealthily through her strands as she continued to chat animatedly with the energetic kids around her, trying all her best to give them all equal and undivided attention, albeit that task was proving to be a tad difficult.   Few minutes and a earful of Disney princesses talks and Marvel characters rants later, the hesitant fingers of the little girl had turned more intrepid as she literally ran her hands through Emerald's golden locks and all Emerald could do was mentally thank Oriana for the half up
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XXXVIII (Part Two)
Jordan heaved a sigh for the umpteenth time tonight as his eyes continued to survey the mass of guests, his chocolate orbs persistently searching for her familiar figure hiding somewhere in the crowd, but to no avail. It was like she had disappeared into thin air since he had approached her at the kids area. Jordan face–palmed, internally scolding himself for approaching her in such manner. Knowing how Emerald was, she had probably thought of the use of that title on her as absurd and for all anyone knew, she could have receded and be on her way home at the moment. Jordan's eyes had been following her since she had excused herself from the incessant kids plaguing her to spill the beans on the existence of her supposed ‘boyfriend’.  He had seen her talking to his sister, Carol and even stealing a few curious glances his way, indicating that somewhere in their discussion, his name had been brought up. But, when he had th
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