Chapter 12: Chapter 12
Cassandra's POV
"I will let you love me. You are Max's dad already, and I do want you. Please don't do this to yourself," I said gently and softly.
"You want me? You mean it?" He asked with eyes full of hope.
"Yes, I mean it. Now rest and we will meet again," I said as I took the glass from his hands and kept it.
I lay him on the bed as he closed his eyes slowly, "Don't go, darling, I love you," he slurred as he went to sleep.
I opened his shoes, loosened his shirt, opened his belt, socks, and wristwatch, and covered him with a duvet. I tiptoed out of the room and closing the door saw the whole family sitting in the reception room.
"What happened? Has he calmed down?" Tristan asked me looking worried.
"Yeah, he's asleep," I told him.
"Come sit down," said mom gesturing towards the seat beside her. I sat down and Claire said, "He needs the rest. Did you sort out your differences?"
"Yeah," I said shyly. Did everyone know?
"Great then, shall we go ahead with the planning?" Tristan asked mom and she nodded a yes. "There's a very successful seamstress around, she runs a boutique 'Bridal Blush', why not check her designs first? All my friends have gotten their wedding dresses stitched from there. Believe me, the designs are mind-blowing."
"Fine, we can try her. What do you say, Anna?" Asked mom.
"Yeah, let me go and check her designs first," said Anna.
"I can take you there as bro is in Rome," said Tristan.
"Ok, we can go tomorrow?" Asked Anna.
"I'll take appointments," said Claire.
We then decided on the venue and the guest list and finally, it was time for me to go home. Tristan dropped me home and said, "See you then," and drove off.
The next day I was expecting Julian, but the whole day passed and he didn't come to meet me. I was so disappointed. Did he not remember what I told him? He was drunk after all. Wouldn't his family tell him about my visit?
I didn't see him for the next few days also. Anna invited me to her bridal shower party and I couldn't refuse her. I dropped aunt Caroline and Max at Avery's house as they insisted that I attend the party. I didn't want to leave Max but I wanted to disclose everything at the correct time. I know I love Max and I'm glad that I'm his mom, but I didn't want others judging me or casting pitiful glances my way. Julian didn't contact me so I was just going as Anna's bridesmaid.
I already met Claire and Amelia who was Tristan's girl, yesterday at the mall. They explained everything regarding the location and dress code so I took a cab straight to the venue, Springwell Hudson Heaven. I wore an off-shoulder straight red silk sheath dress, that reached till my mid-thigh, as red was the theme of the party, and matched it with a nude belt and nude pumps. I left my hair open and fixed aunt Caroline's jeweled comb at the side sweeping the hair off my face.
Claire was already there and we were waiting for the others. Amelia came in looking absolutely gorgeous, followed by Anna, mom, and Julian's grandmother.
Claire introduced me to their grandmother, "Gran meet Cassandra, Julian's girl," she said as gran hugged me, "So glad to meet you, dear. Call me gran. Welcome to our family." I hugged her back and said, "Thank you, gran."
Anna introduced gran to Amelia too and we all went inside. We took the elevator to the venue which was a huge, banquet hall opening onto a secret private garden and pool area. A beautiful balloon decoration, with white, and red balloons hung in the middle of the hall, with green garlands and red streamers hanging from it. There were two huge dining tables on either side of it, sheathed in white silk tablecloth with a golden table runner through the middle of it and small glass vases with red and white roses placed at regular intervals gave the whole place a very vibrant look. Small handmade cards with the names of guests were placed thoughtfully on the table. The chairs were encased in similar white silken fabric and tied with a red ribbon.
Red, white, and pink tulle fabric was bunched together and strung like garlands and used with naturally cut bougainvillea spilling out of small conical vases hung on walls, giving the area a magical vibe.
Floral decorations and tulle were hung in the garden area, with lots of seating arrangements. Five security guards stood at attention. Two each were stationed at the two entrances to the banquet hall, and another at the garden entrance, all wearing dark-shaded sunglasses and full uniform with caps too, all having identical buff bodies and mustaches.
The one near the main entrance constantly looked my way. Did I look out of place? I never attended parties, in fact, I didn't have adequate clothes nor any makeup to wear to parties. After work and Max, I didn't have any spare time. This dress was delivered to me and aunt Caroline had received it on my behalf. There was a note stating that I had to wear it to Anna's bridal shower party. I didn't apply any makeup on my face, except aunt Caroline's lipstick. No wonder people were staring at me. Maybe my figure gave way to the fact that I had already given birth to a child.