Chapter Seven

  "Look at you living the life of a queen."

  "Mom why are you here?" Rella didn't think she'd have to meet either of her parents so soon after the wedding but Evie Cortés couldn't take a hint and showed up at her doorstep two days after, much to Rella's displeasure.

  "You ought to thank me you know I came up with this brilliant plan." Her mom said with a sassy swirl of her hand feeling rather proud of herself for being responsible for her daughter's misery but making sure to drop her voice into a whisper so no one would hear her.

  They were sitting in the patio of Rella's new home where Henry the butler made sure they had snacks and the right wine to go with it. Rella inhaled deeply and exhaled trying to calm her temper. Evie Cortés, no matter how unbearable and insufferable was still her mother after all.

  "Did you find Cindy yet?" It was all she was eager to know.

  "Sadly no, it's like she fell off the face of the earth or something."

  "If you haven't found her then what are you doing here?" 

  Her mom smiled. " I have come to see how far you've gone with the preparation for the post wedding party."

  " What post wedding party?" Rella hated parties.

  " Come Darling it is customary for newlyweds to host a party to thank their wedding guests. Think of it as a bachelorette party only this time after the wedding. Some see it as a house warming of sorts. "

  " I've never heard of it and I am not doing that."

  "You are a Diamond bride now so you need to start acting like it. People expect so much from you now."

  " Well they can kiss my ass."

  "Language dear." Her mom chastised. "Oh sweetie you have no idea what the high society is like they can be really demanding. Besides, it's only for a day it won't kill you to give them what they want. The Diamonds are a very prestigious family and people expect certain courtesy especially since you're the wife of the only Diamond heir."

  Her mom had a point, Rella realised. Her life sucked real bad at the moment , she barely survived the wedding party and now she's going to be in the middle of another one. 

  "Would you like me to help, I'd be happy to."

  "No thanks I'll manage."

  Rella waited for Stefan that night but he was holed up in his study, they didn't have dinner together that evening either and she was beginning to resign herself to the fact that they might not share  a meal together ever as a married couple. That was fine by her , it would save them both from awkward conversations. Rella wanted to let him know about the party but she got tired of waiting for him to finish his work so she went to meet him in the study. When she knocked and pushed the door without waiting for an answer, Stefan was on his feet pacing the room and speaking sternly on the phone while his friend sat on one of the chairs. Christian, she remembered him from the wedding reception he had messy brown hair and dark eyes and he was also nice to her even now as he spotted her he gave her one of his sunny smiles. Rella smiled back. 

  "Well if it isn't the new bride." He said. "Is the house on fire?" Christian joked like he knew what Stefan would say.

Stefan ended his call then and noticed her for the first time. "Is someone dying?"

  "What?"

  "I told you not to bother me unless someone is dying."

  Ah.

  "Sorry I couldn't wait for you to finish your work I need to talk to you."

He sighed in resignation sinking into his chair behind the mahogany desk.

  "Alright what is it?"

  "My mom visited today and she told me that we are expected to throw an after wedding party you know as a thank you to our wedding guests." 

  "Cindy you're the lady of the house do whatever you want."

  " Me? But…" she had no clue what to do or where to start she'd half hoped that he'd at least help her out considering the fact that he rubbed shoulders with the Manhattan high society more than she did but she was flummoxed that he'd let her do everything by herself. And she was not ready to ask her mother for help. 

  "I heard you never miss a party so this should be a piece of cake." He continued. 

  " Whatever do you mean by that? "

  " Please do not mistake me for a fool my dear wife, the tabloids are your best friends afterall."

It took her a minute to realise that he was referring to Cindy's partying, she was notorious for those.

Rella cleared her throat. " Mm, sure I'll see what I can do." Better to cut short the conversation before they delve more into Cindy's colourful adventures she'd rather not discuss. 

  " I'm going to London tomorrow for business, I'll be back by the end of the week. " He informed her.

  " Perfect! The party's this weekend. " Rella tried to sound as cheery as possible. Christian who was in the he room the whole time didn't say a word instead he observed them in amusement. " I'll leave you two alone." She said eventually and left.