Chapter 8

The hours turn to days and days to weeks, at last it  was the time for the wedding ceremony of claire's and kelvin. the two friends, Claire and Carole, were busy  preparing an outfit for Carole to match that of an high class lady for the wedding.

        "Gosh Claire, " Carole laughed, " I never knew you were a fashion craz. "

     Claire rolled her eyes and huffed.

            "Don't worry you would experiment it  better  when you get married. " she teased.

       Claire paused as she narrowed her eyes at her, then shook  her head as she continue with her work.

      "I will sue you. " she mumbled under her breathe.

     After the girls were done with the selection, they went out to get groceries in Carole's car. That day was bliss for claire as she allowed to sleep over at her friend's house.

       They did all the chores together, clean the house, prepared the food and when night came, after dinner they huddled together on the bed watching the latest zombie apocalypse film.

     That day was so real for Claire as she knew at the back of her mind what would happen in two days time. Kelvin have been generous enough for her when she anxiously asked him if she could stay with her friend for a day before the wedding. Though he told her 'no interactions ' whatsoever except officially, he allowed her to go.

     So today had been like this for claire  and she wants to cherish every minutes they spend together.  

        "Hmm. "Carole breathed out as she wipe her eyes with the back of her hands.

       " I can't imagine zombie movie to be this gross. " she cluck her tongue.

    Claire was still heaving for air as she stared at the celling with wide eyed while clutching the bed sheet tightly in her hands.  her friend stood up and looked at her then burst out laughing as she pointed .

         "Weren't you the one who said we should choose the zombie apocalypse film to watch. " Carole yawned as she off the bedside ligth.

        The day for the wedding finally arrived as the bride to be was seen seated in the midst of makeup artists. this day like in every other women's life was a special and happy day but for Claire, she dread in ravishing in it.

    Even though she was elegantly transformed from a third class citizen to a first class citizen. she knew it won't last. so it's better for her to keep her excitement at bay for now than get hurt mercilessly later.

        "Ma'am we're through. " The make up artist said as she stared at claire through the mirror .

         "You're so beautiful. " the assistant goshed with a smile.

     Claire returned the smile as she looked at her self in the mirror. she was amazed at what she saw.

     "If only it was real. " a sharp pang crossed her heart.

      "Thank you. " she smiled at them as they cleared the table and left. Claire squeezed her hands as she tried to calm her racing heart.

      Shortly after, Carole entered the bridal's room to congrat her friend. They stared at each other as claire struggled not to shed the accumulated tears that has gathered around her eyes.

        "Oh com'on..... "  Carole reached out and hugged her, "you're not dying girl, moreover I'm still here. " she smiled down at her.

   Blinking her eyes to push back  the tears, claire nod her head as determination flash in her eyes.

      They turned toward the door as someone knocked on it.

      "Ma'am it's time... "

      " i would be right there watching. " Carole reached out one last time and squeeze her shoulders, "don't panic. " she smiled.

      Exhaling claire smiled. "Thank you Carl. "

      Claire tried as much as possible to avoid looking directly at kelvin as she walked down towards the priest.

     Truly truly, only few people as kelvin had stated were invited. She was even glad as there was not much fuss about the wedding.

    With her chin high  she braced herself as she approached the priest and stood before him.  After much prons and cons, the priest finally declared them husband and wife. 

      "You may kiss the bride... "

      In taking a sharp breath Claire wisped her head towards kelvin with wide eyes. she wondered if he would kiss her or not. gritting her teeth to maintain her outward facade, Claire stilled as kelvin approached her.

        The kiss was like a light smack on her lips as he withdrawed back and face the priest. everyone stood up cheered at them and clapped.

      "Keep it up son. " Mr Ben shouted as he gave him a thumbs up from across the audience.

.........

     Later that night, Claire played on her bed refreshed as she exhaled.

     "Finally everything is over. " she wisphered softly.

   Fully awake, she considered calling her friend but discarded the thought as she wouldn't want to worry Carole. drifting further more, she began to wonder where kelvin was as she has not seen him since the ceremony ended.

     Sighing as she snuggled the comforter closer to herself and rolled her eyes, not as if she cared. yawning she slowly closed her eyes.

        Meanwhile, kelvin who went to his friend's place immediately the ceremony was over, celebrated his one side victory as he treated them to drink.

        "Hey man, " one of them piqued, "can you please tell us why we are celebrating. "

       The chorus of 'yes ' followed suit.

     Kelvin tsked.... "You would know some day. " he gulped down his remaining drink In one go.

    Getting up as he shoved his hands in his pant pocket, he bid them goodnight and entered his car. Humming as he drive, his mind driffted to his house.he prayed both his father and Claire would have gone to bed. most especially his father as he would not want to answer his annoying questions.

       Arriving in his house, he parked his car at the drive way relieved that the ligth in his father's wing were turned off, he marched down to his own.

        "Good evening sir. " the head maid izly greeted him as she opened the door.

     Kelvin responded with an 'Mm' sound as he loosened his tie while walking to his room.

       "I would keep the food in the dinning sir . "  the head maid trailed after him.

        "Okay. " kelvin nodded.

    After refreshing he went to the dinning for his food.

        "Where's she?. "Kelvin asked the younger maid Azra whom he had assigned to her as he munch on his food.

       Azra who was on a stand nearby turned to him as she bowed.

        "the madam? - she's asleep. "She said.

     Kelvin mumbled something under his breath as he picked up the glass of water and drank it.