by Eden Laroux
Hollianne hadn't hit it off so well with Raven due to Raven's inherent competitive nature. Not to mention that Raven had been a bit snarky to Hollianne, which was a serious mistake because that was the only reason why she had never been invited to the castle ever. Hollianne Talbot-soon-to-be-Angell took nothing from people. It may have been due to the things that she had gone through in her life that made her intolerant. Whatever it was, Holli had refused to be faced with Raven's insulting nature, so she would avoid her as much as she could. She certainly would not be insulted in her own territory.
Simon didn't blame Holli for not liking Raven. It wasn't as if Raven made any great effort to be liked.
But the fact that Dreama and Holli had become like close sisters seemed to irritate Raven more. She was jealous. When she used to be the one people prefer to be the apple of their eyes, now Dreama was having her own place in the spotlight.
Simon knew things about Raven that she probably didn't realize herself. Not everything really was her fault.
Raven had been "trained" in competitive situations since she was old enough to walk and talk. Her mother had thrown her into one beauty pageant after another until Raven had become old enough to refuse.
The really sad thing was that once Raven started to put her foot down about not entering pageants any longer, her mother lost interest in her. It was almost as if Raven had been a doll that she could play dress up with over the years.
So Raven went from being the center of her mother's world to being an afterthought. That couldn't have had a positive effect on her.
Chapter Eight
WHEN DREAMA CAME along, things got worse for Raven.
Since Raven was the one entering all the pageants, Dreama never had to deal with any of that. Not only was she very young, she was intelligent in a quiet way, and had started to make her own way by being very good in her academics. Her father adored her and her mother seemed to find time for her that didn't involve a purpose of some sort. Dreama looked quite a lot like her mother, with her light blonde hair and aquamarine eyes. Truthfully, her name was perfect because she did look a lot like a dream woman. She had always looked like that.
But Dreama's appearance belied the type of young woman that she really was. In spite of the fact that she looked angelic and almost waifish, Dreama was actually a very strong young woman. When she was asked to enter a contest her mother wanted her to enter, she refused, reasoning her way intelligently out of it that made her mother proud of her instead of hateful that Dreama refused to obey. The people that dared to challenge her had found out quite quickly just how strong she was.
Her strong personality pushed her into situations that should have made other people cower. She was so unselfish she would put herself in the way to protect other people who could not protect themselves. She was something of a rebel and a champion of the underdog. That was one of the many qualities that made her such a wonderful psychiatrist.
Her intelligence and quick wit made her very memorable, too. Once someone met, they never forgot her.
Simon certainly had not. He thought about her all the time. Did he want to cause more problems between the two sisters? They already had such a rocky relationship that something like this would be more than a drop in the proverbial bucket. Dreama had really never shown him the slightest romantic interest. For all he knew, she had a boyfriend tucked away somewhere.
But that didn't seem possible unless she was hiding him from everyone. He could not imagine why she would. She was not the kind of person who would hide the person she loved from anyone, regardless if other people would love him or not.
So he perked up. He knew that Dreama would still be available. But he was also sure he wasn't the only one attracted to her, so he really had to make his move as soon as he could.
"Well?" Raven's voice intruded on his thoughts. "Will you let me know what the dress code will be?"
"Um yeah," he finally replied. He did not find this harmful. A lot of people would be waiting to know the dress code, invited or not. "I'll see what I can find out and let you know."
"Excellent!" she exclaimed. "Now, would you like to tell me what's got you so lost in thought? You've barely said two words the whole time we've been here."
"Oh, it's just this new client I met with today. Nothing unusual."
"Is it anything you would like to bounce off me?"
"Not really," Simon replied, erring in the side of caution. He should best avoid even the usual talks he used to have with Raven. In fact, he should avoid her altogether.
Did this mean he would have to continue with his plan to put up a firm of his own? Erick had introduced the idea a long time ago, but he was more focused then about clients and not about building up a reputation for himself, enough for opening up a successful law firm. He did not realize that taking care of his clients also earned him the reputation he needed that people would notice when he started business on his own.
It wasn't a bad idea. He realized that once Raven found out he was interested in Dreama, she would be more than determined in hounding him, whether his pursuit of Dreama would be successful or not. He certainly didn't need that. He knew she would never be anything more in his eyes than a colleague.
"You know how I get when I'm first getting into a new case," he heard himself saying.
"Well, if you change your mind," Raven said. "I'm happy to listen."
"I appreciate that," he said. And if only Raven wasn't a big complication, he really would.
Raven was actually one of the top attorneys in the Moon Bay area and she had a legal mind like a steel trap. If he had actually needed any help with a case, she would have been the one to go to.
But she didn't know about Simon's special ability to help those clients that were truly innocent. This talent of his was also why he never accepted clients that he knew were guilty of the crimes they were accused of. Being in practice by himself made this possible. He knew that guilty people deserved a defense, but they wouldn't be getting it from him. He already had his mission in life and it was to protect the innocent. There were plenty of other attorneys around that didn't care if their clients were guilty or innocent.
Simon was finally able to end the lunch so that he could get back to the office. He would have to figure out a way to get out of taking Raven to Erick and Hollianne's wedding.
As far as he knew, she hadn't been on the guest list because of the way she behaved to Hollianne.
They would shoot him on sight if he dared to bring her to their wedding.
Chapter Nine
AS IT TURNED out, Hollianne provided the way out of his dilemma.
She called him soon after he had returned to his office with a question about the wedding present she was getting for Erick. During the conversation, he mentioned that Raven had invited herself to be his date for their wedding.
"No," Hollianne said firmly. "I will not have that woman at my wedding. In fact, you know what? Tell her that you can't escort her to the wedding because the wedding party is matched up with each other. Now, that means that you, as the Best Man, will be paired with my Maid-of-Honor, which is Dreama. If you don't feel that you can tell her, I certainly have no issues with letting her know another way."
Simon was relieved, though he was now feeling a bit bad for disrupting Raven's plans. "Raven's not going to take this very well. But I completely understand why you feel the way you do. This is your wedding, and after the way she's acted toward you, if you don't want her there, I won't be the reason for her to turn up."
Sighing, Simon disconnected the call. On one hand, he was relieved that he wouldn't have to take responsibility for Raven not being allowed to attend the wedding.
On the other hand, however, he would be the one to tell her that he couldn't take her as his date. Since Raven had asked him specifically about the dress code, she would be back for the answer as soon as she possibly could. He knew her to be that way. So he could tell her about the dress code, but would keep quiet about the invitati
ons. She would soon find out she wasn't invited to the wedding soon, anyway.
He was not looking forward to see her face when she found that out. Not at all.
WHILE SIMON WAS having his uncomfortable lunch with Raven, Dreama was at the hospital getting her patient settled in a private room.
Allison required the privacy because she was rather unpredictable at this stage, and Dreama didn't want to risk her hurting another patient while in one of her tirades. The sedative had worn off about the time that Allison was being transferred to a room and she had needed to be sedated once more.
After leaving instructions with the nurses that would be attending to Allison, she checked on her patient once more before leaving. As it turned out, she had just enough time to run home and change clothes and still make it to Erick and Hollianne's for dinner.
She was very excited about tonight because she was hoping to have some time alone with Simon, if he was to be there.
Once she reached her condo, she hurried inside and took a quick shower. Applying light makeup and blow drying her hair gave her a more restful look along with emphasizing her natural beauty. She had decided to wear a pair of black well-fitted jeans along with a purple V-neck sweater and black leather knee boots.
After spraying on some of her signature perfume, she felt she was presentable enough, even for the very handsome and very appealing Simon Draco.
She got into her car and headed to the outskirts of Moon Bay. It was a drive that she always enjoyed because it was all countryside once she had left the city. No one loved the beauty of nature more than Dreama. Of course she also loved visiting the castle. It was one of the most relaxing locations on earth as far as she was concerned, and she couldn't wait until she had a few days to spend there.
She smiled when she remembered how she was informed that a part of Holli's closest friends could stay in the castle after they left for their honeymoon. Holli specifically informed her she was one of those a few weeks ago, and so she made preparations and had her schedule wrapped around this short break. She would love getting to catch up on those books she had long ago purchased but had not enough time to read.
When Dreama finally arrived at Erick and Hollianne's, Holli threw open the front door and hurried down the front steps to greet her.
She had to smile at the enthusiasm that Holli seemed to inject into everything she did. It also didn't hurt that she loved to feel so welcome. Holli rarely met a stranger and, even when she did, that stranger typically became a fast friend in no time.
Everyone, that was, except Raven.
But it was Raven's fault. For some reason, she had disliked Holli on sight and was actually embarrassingly rude to her on many occasions. It had shocked Holli and Dreama, though Holli recovered pretty quickly, which was pretty cool. After a couple more attempts at being friendly to Raven to win her over had failed, Holli threw down the gauntlet. She would often say that she was surprised Dreama and Raven were sisters. Dreama had heard this observation numerous times in her life, and she really didn't have an answer as to why Raven remained this way anymore.
Dreama knew more than anyone else how life had been for her older sister when they were young, but she was expecting that Raven was mature enough by this time to know to cut her losses and look forward to a future she was adult enough to be able to control. Dreama, more than anyone else, knew how lucky they were to be born in a rich family, and been able to afford more necessities and comforts more than any other people in this world. Look at Holli, who had lost so much more than Dreama could ever imagine. Yet, she remained positive and happy.
On the other hand, Raven had always been more selfish than anyone Dreama knew. And that's really sad, she thought as she sighed and shook her head. Some things, there was no way other people could help with.
Raven had to learn to become unselfish and sensitive to other's needs first before she could be really happy.
Chapter Ten
DREAMA HAPPILY ACCEPTED Holli's hug and entered the house with her.
"It's so great to see you!" Hollianne enthused. "It's been too long!"
"I agree, Holli," Dreama said. "You know how much I love coming out here and seeing you. It's just been so crazy lately."
"Erick and I were hoping that you would be able to spend a few days here," she said.
"I wish I could," Dreama lamented. "But I'm going to have to go back into the city tonight after dinner. I've got a new patient that is in pretty bad shape and I need to be able to spend some time with her for the next few days. I'm hoping to get her stabilized."
"Ah, I understand," Hollianne said. "Your patients always come first. Your dedication is one of the many things I adore about you! Well, you know that you're welcome here at any time. And when Erick has business near you, I can always come! Do you know that I'm, well..." Holli suddenly looked a bit shy. "I'm thinking of going back to the university. If you have time, I was hoping I can discuss what course to take with you?"
"Of course, Holli! I will be delighted! Oh, I'll make inquiries and I'll prepare a list of choices for what I think you might want to take."
"How about -- oh, not immediately after the wedding," she said, giving her future husband a sweet smile. "Maybe you can spend time here sometime after that? When you're free?"
"I honestly cannot wait to get some free time to come here for that. Imagine, you're about to study for a new career! Isn't that just wonderful?"
They got inside the castle talking like this. When they got to the hall, she started giving her updates about the wedding preparations that she didn't know yet. Erick quietly left them to get the dining room ready for their dinner after giving them drinks as they sat on the massive sofa.
Suddenly, Hollianne turned to Dreama smiling widely.
"So you don't mind having Simon as your escort to the wedding, do you?" she asked.
"Are you serious?" Dreama exclaimed. "How on earth are you going to pull that off?" she asked in a whisper. Only Holli knew about her real feelings about Simon.
"It's simple," Hollianne smiled. "I decided today that the bridal party will be each other's escorts. That means that you, as my Maid-of-Honor, and Simon, as Erick's Best Man, will be paired off together."
Dreama looked at her friend more closely. And Holli rolled her eyes.
"Okay, something happened." And Holli quickly told her about Simon's call.
She couldn't help but feel sad about her sister, but she worried about something else. "You know how much I love you, Holli," Dreama said. "But I really don't like the idea of myself being forced on Simon."
"Oh, it will be nothing of the sort," Hollianne replied as she waved her hand through the air dismissively. "If I am not mistaken, he actually sounded relieved and excited about it. I can imagine that he liked you rather better than your sister. I mean, when you talk about someone pushing herself at someone -- that would be Raven at Simon. I heard from some reliable sources that although Raven has been telling people they are dating, Simon didn't seem happy when confronted with this. In fact, they said he had looked irritated. Besides, this decision helped me out of a rather sticky spot."
"Really? What spot was that?"
"Okay, Simon said that Raven is insistent on being his date to the wedding. Well, I know she's your sister, but you also know that there's no way in hell that I'm going to allow her here on the most special day of my life."
""Uh-oh," she said.
"So I decided on the spot that Simon already had a date for the wedding. And, I also told him that she's not welcome here. I'm sorry, Dreama, but I know you understand."
"I see what you did there," Dreama said as she tried to appear annoyed. "You know that the shit is going to hit the fan when Raven hears this."
"I know, and I couldn't care less! I'm sorry, Dreama. Again, I know she's your sister, but the two of you couldn't be more different than day and night. She is not a nice person. I know that she wasn't treated well when she was growing up, but she's an adult now. Raven is responsible for
making her own choices. Therefore, when she starts acting like a bitch, that's all on her."
"You know, if Raven really wants to come to the wedding, she'll find a way to do it," Dreama said ruefully.
"Oh no, she won't. Erick has already taken care of that by making a guest list that included everyone individually. Even married people are each getting separate invitations. There are no 'and guest' invitations for single people. So if she turns up, she won't have an invitation and won't get past the men working the wedding entrance. All the guests must present their own invitations so it doesn't matter who she shows up with. She is not getting in."
Dreama looked at Hollianne in amazement. No one had ever stood up to her sister like this. Those that had tried had lived to regret it.
Somehow, she didn't feel that Hollianne would have that problem. She was pretty strong on her own and didn't seem to be afraid of anyone. It was clear to see what Erick had found so enticing in her.
"Besides," Hollianne went on in a cheerier tone. "We have to do something to get the two of you together."
"Shhh," Dreama cried as she frantically looked over her shoulder. "This is not something that I want to be overheard!"
"Oh, don't worry..." Hollianne replied. "Erick's out of earshot. He would be happy about it, though. He also isn't fond of your sister."
"Well, still." Dreama sighed. "Be careful of what you say." She consciously rolled her eyes. "It occurred to me just recently that when it comes to Simon, I always revert to my former teenage self. I've been a professional for a long time. But I also have had these... feelings for him from the moment I've seen him when I was but fourteen and lurking on the edges of my parent's Christmas Party. He was new to the firm then. Since then, I had this huge crush on him. I thought it would go away, but it never did." She shook her head embarrassingly.