“Olivia?”
“Ty, it was just…perfect. The ring, the way he asked me, all perfect.”
Tyler sighs deeply like he’s in love himself. “I’m so happy for you I can’t believe he asked you. Really, it was only a matter of time before he did. Oh god, we have a wedding to plan.”
I can imagine a thousand over the top things that are all prancing around in Tyler’s mind right now. Horse drawn carriages, fireworks a ten tear cake…
“Tyler we do, but I want it simple. I just want to marry the man I love, not the extravagance of a wedding day.”
“Of course.” Tyler fails miserably at acting like he’s fine with the idea.
“And I have two things to ask you.” I breathe and I almost feel his ear’s prick up.
“Well, yes Olivia, sure I’ll be bridesmaid.”
I chuckle at the thought of him in a dress, even though he still would look damn good.
“No not that.” He groans acting disappointed.
“Would you design and make my dress for me?”
You could almost hear a pin drop, but instead I think I heard Tyler’s jaw hit the floor.
“Really? You would want me to do that for you?”
I grin at how he’s taking it. I can’t wait to see how he’s going to react at my other question.
“I would love for you to do it Ty. You know me better than anyone. You’re brilliant at what you do and I trust you.”
“Well in that case, yes! It would be my pleasure. You don’t have to ask me twice. What’s the second question?”
“I’ll keep that one for my wedding day.”
“What? Olivia me and suspense, I can’t deal with it. Ask me now.”
“No Ty. I want to ask you when I’m ready. But the dress, I trust you with it.”
“What? You’re not going to tell me how you would like it?”
“I want it white and simple, the rest is down to you. I know you won’t let me down.”
The image of my mom’s face when I tell her Tyler has full control of my wedding dress is going to be priceless.
***
When we got back from Hazels and Gerald’s I took no time in telling my mom and Elise about my news. Elise was jumping for joy and my mom turned into an emotional happy wreck.
Calvin told me to plan our day whichever way I wanted to. He didn’t want a say at all, all he asked was for me to be there on the day.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I smiled sweetly at him after his one and only request. Oh, and to make it quick. He wants me to be his wife, yesterday! So I have already set to work in organizing it.
Tyler has helped me with almost everything. I plan to get married on a Caribbean island.
The beach is one of mine and Calvin’s favorite places. It’s our safe haven so I had no doubt for destination where that was concerned.
I have completely left my wedding dress is the hands of Tyler. All my requests were; white and simple. I’m not a princess so I don’t want a princess dress. I don’t want anything over the top.
“You cannot possible leave your wedding dress in the hands of Tyler, Olivia, that’s absurd. What if you don’t like it on the day?”
I roll my eyes at my mom. This is the hundredth time she’s scolded me about this. But I won’t get into it now. Today I have summoned Elise, Macy and Ruby for bridesmaid fittings. My mom is faffing about, I swear you’d think it was her wedding.
“Mom, it will be fine. Tyler is a genius, stop panicking.”
“We'll see. Now let’s see what these bridesmaid dresses are like.”
Oh yes, my mom is well and truly back to herself. Veronica Grace. As she is now. Back to being elegant, out spoken and yes, a pain in my ass. I love her for it, but why the hell did I ask her to come along to this fitting?
When the girls have finished getting measured, my mom takes me for a quiet coffee. So much has gone on since Mauricio's death, we really haven’t spent much time together.
I order my milky coffee and a chocolate muffin and my mom orders a cappuccino.
She frowns upon my muffin as I pop some into my mouth. “You know, you should watch what you eat before your wedding.”
“Mom, it’s a chocolate muffin. I'm not going to gain a hundred pounds.”
She stiffens her shoulders and takes her cappuccino to her lips. “Do you think it was bad of me to miss his funeral?” The way she hisses his, I know she’s referring to Mauricio. I stare at my muffin, loosing appetite, then shake my head on a sigh. “Mom, none of his family wanted you there. Besides,” I morbidly chuckle and whisper, “You killed him. Why would you want to go?”
Mauricio's funeral was held it Italy and myself and my mom was forbidden to attend. Not that there was a chance in hell I would have gone anyway, but my mom, she feels somewhat guilty. She thinks she should have gone to sort of apologize. It’s her all over. Thinking of others before herself. “Did that man apologize for all the pain he caused? All the lives he ruined? Ashton's life? Calvin’s parents lives?”
My mom purses her lips mindlessly turning her mug in her hand. “No, I no. And I hate him Olivia, I really do. It’s just sometimes, when I think about it too much, it hurts to feel I have taken a life.”
“A fucking disgraceful life mom. Who cares?”
“Olivia watch your language.” She winces. I know it’s easy for me to say. I never killed him. What my mom is silently going through, is torture. She also tells me on a day to day basis how sorry she was for never telling me about my real dad. Now I understand the reason she didn’t want to talk about him. I was extremely hurt at first when it came out but she is beating herself up over it enough without me adding to her pain. She has to meet with her therapist twice a week to try and keep her on an even keel. But she will get there. Me and my mom have each other now.
“I can't believe you’re getting married. My precious rose has blossomed into a beautiful young women.” She changes the subject on a happier note. Taking her perfectly ironed napkin out of her sleeve. Who has napkins anymore?
I smile fondly her way. She's so emotional. “I know it’s crazy. If you told me I would be doing this a year ago I would have called you insane.”
My mom sniffs and smiles. “I was always waiting for you to come out lesbian.”
I scoff and roll my eyes. “Mom I wasn’t that bad don’t be dramatic. Anyway, Tyler had already warned me, there can’t be two gays in our group.”
Just then my mom’s eyes flicker to someone behind me. I turn casually to see who it is and spot Madison standing sheepishly in her gym gear. Today is Sunday. Of course she has been to the gym. “Hey Olivia, I hear congratulations are in order.” I stare a little shocked to see her.
My mom stands offering her seat to Madison. “Madison? I better be going anyway, I have lots to do. Flights to book.” She sings.
Madison hesitates. “Um, sure.”
My mom kisses me on my head and says goodbye. I don’t know whether to kill her or thank her.
I don’t know why it has come to how it has with me and Madison. But we have both been acting distant. Or was it me? I have had so much going on I haven’t made time for her. I immediately feel guilty.
I watch her as she brushes past me to take a seat. Settling her gym bag on the floor. She bites the side of her lip nervously and doesn’t look at me. I push my hair behind my ear, then sigh. “Look, Mads, I'm sorry for not being around but I hate this, you know. We're meant to be best friends aren’t we?”
“Are we?” She asks a little uneasy.
I scowl a little, but she sighs shakily and speaks. “Olivia, it’s been my fault too. Since you got with Calvin I felt pushed out. It was the same when Tyler came on the scene. And I know how stupid that sounds. Maybe I'm just a bitter person who can’t be happy for others.” She shrugs, not the least bit apologetic but that’s Madison. You either know how to take her brashness or don’t. And I do. Tyler doesn’t. “I thought, now you’re getting married, it was my chance to try and ma
ke a mends. Even though I think you’re a bit too young to get married, you’re only twenty three, well, twenty four next month.”
I pout my lips to stop myself from scolding her, instead, I smirk at how I've missed her attitude. Really, she is just a misunderstood girl with a big mouth, but she has a kind heart.
“Sorry, it’s just my opinion.” She chuckles and waves a weak hand towards me.
“And you have many of them.” I add sarcastically.
She ignores me and speaks on. “I also wanted to confess something to you Liv's,”
I tip my coffee mug towards her, urging her. “Go on.” After all, these past couple of months have been about confessions.
She takes a deep breath to brace herself. “You remember when I told you I saw Calvin with another women?”
“You lied.” I simply say not surprised at all.
“I...” she hesitates, then realizes what I've just said. She blinks. “Um, yes. I'm sorry. I was jealous. I was losing you. I felt pushed out.” She hurries out her explanation.
I pick at my muffin while I contemplate what to do. What can I do?
“Mad's, I never pushed anyone out. I had the same conversation with Tyler, but he never tried to ruin my relationship.”
“I know and I'm sorry. I really am. But I've grown up a lot since then. I have kept myself to myself. I don't go out. I work hard at my job and go home. Now I want to make a mends with you and put all my wrongs right. I miss you Liv's.”
I move my mug aside and rub my face in my hands. It’s hurtful, of course it is. I know what Madison can be like but purposely trying to split us up?
“Olivia, say something.” She leans over to take my hands away from my face.
“Mad's, I'm gunna head home.” I push my sit back to stand while she watches me dumfounded.
“You’re mad?”
“I’m disappointed. I will forgive you, because that’s who I am. But I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
I drive towards mine and Calvin's apartment on Prairie Avenue. I'm driving in Calvin’s new Bentley. It’s exactly the same as his old one, the one that got demolished, and I can’t drive the damn thing properly. I don’t get what it is. Calvin tells me I will get used to it, but I'm so used to my Mini cooper I don’t think I will. I sold my Mini as it was a present off Mauricio so now, until I make time to buy my own car, I have Calvin’s Bentley.
I stall it twice as I try to maneuver it into our parking destination and head inside.
Paul, the doorman is chuckling to himself in amusement. I throw him playful daggers.
“You watch me park again, Paul?”
“Miss Olivia, your parking skills are perfectly capable.”
I snort as I walk past. “Capable? Is that what I am?”
I wake him off as the elevator doors close.
Now, this is what I love. Riding the elevator cart up to our apartment knowing that I am traveling up to my soon to be husband.
I walk into our home and smell the mouthwatering scent of roast chicken. Its then I notice the dining room table set up by candle light. He can be so romantic. He thrives off me living with him and always makes sure he is home from work before me to cook us dinner. I told him that novelty is one that will definitely wear off but he is always doing special things for me. He said when we got back together that he would do everything he could to make it up to me for what he did, and he certainly has lived up to it, exceeding expectations. Not that I had any.
I throw my bag purse down onto the kitchen counter along with the car keys and my slip my feet out of my flat’s. I look around and see no Calvin. I always tell him never to leave the stove when he is cooking but he never listens. I march my way around the apartment looking for him but there is no sign. Strange. Its then I decide to head into the bedroom. I open the door to call him again. “Calvin?”
“I'm hear.” He finally calls.
I get ready to scold him acting like my mother but the sight of what I set my eyes upon stops me completely. Calvin is just lighting the last of what seems around twenty tea candles. The bed is covered in rose petals in a heart shape and Calvin is standing in just a white towel wrapped loosely around his waist. Jesus, he's divine.
“Ta-da.” He sings playfully showing me his masterpiece. “I've run you a bath too.” He smiles adorably as I walk into his arms.
If this is what our future married life is going to look like then bring it on. I simply cannot wait.
***
June 20 2014:
We fly out to the Maldives tomorrow morning and I have come down to mine and Tyler’s studio at our designers to finally see my wedding dress. Right now all I’m thinking about is how stupid I was for not having more input. What if I don’t like it? Then I have no dress.
I quickly shake the stress away. Tyler is a miracle worker and I trust him with my life.
Macy rushes over to me making her heels clip along the corridor when she spots me and takes my hand and gushes.
“Olivia, you are going to die when you see this dress.”
Macy is going to be one of my bridesmaids. She has become a good friend of mine since I kept her on to work for me. Elise is also another one, along with Ruby and Mayra. My favorite women. I have gorgeous light blue ankle length dresses for each of them tied with a small bow and the back. They all loved them at the fitting so that was a bonus.
“Olivia!” Tyler’s clasps his hands together when he sees me and comes out from behind a changing screen.
I’m aware that I’m biting my new French manicured nails so Tyler swipes my hands away. “Don’t do that! You’re not marrying with man hands. Besides, why are you so nervous?”
“I’m not.” I lie shrugging trying to act casual.
Tyler squints his eyes and pouts.
“I’m fine.” I tell him again more confidently. “I just want to see my dress.”
“Okay, let me talk you through it before I show you,” Tyler pinches his index finger together with his thumb while he speaks. “I knew it had to be something that represents you, so I went with the three s’s,”
“Which are?” Now I’m nervous and I don’t leave the trace out of my voice. I hope one of those s’s don’t represent sex.
“Simply but Stunning…”
I push him along hoping not to hear sex. “And the third?” I nod my head towards him in anticipation.
“Satin.” He says on a cheeky grin. He knew damn well what I was worrying about.
“I’m satin?” I don’t understand his way with words sometimes.
“No honey, that’s the material of your dress. I feel satin wedding dresses stand for natural beauty and that’s everything that you are. Natural and elegant.”
I smile relaxing. Tyler taps his pen against his palm. “You were worried weren’t you Missy?”
I try to seem sorry but I laugh out of nerves. “Sorry Ty, I just... I just want to marry the man I love.” I shrug apologetically while looking over at Macy who has gone all gooey eyed.
“I know you do babe. And you’ll look beautiful doing it. Now. Do you want to see?”
“Yes.” I nod with enthusiasm.
Tyler goes behind the changing screen and brings out a white dress bag.
My heart is drumming so hard.
He unzips the bag and pulls out my wedding dress.
I gasp when I see it and tell him on a whisper. “Tyler, it’s…beautiful.”
***
June 21 2014: The eve of my wedding day:
“The next time I see you, you will be walking down the aisle ready to become Mrs. Blake.” Calvin grins bringing me into an affectionate hug when we arrive in the Maldives.
Hearing him say my new name is already a big deal for me. I love hearing it and I can’t wait until its official.
We’ve arrived at our destination and Calvin is finding it hard to let go of my hand to separate. I'm feeling the same.
“Calvin, its already bad luck, you two have been with each other all day. Now g
et going.” My mom shoos Calvin away all serious and superstitious.
“I’m going, I’m going. Just let me have a moment with my bride to be.” He grins at my mom that charming billion dollar smile forcing my mom to sigh backing down, and yes, blush a little.
“Five minutes.” She orders and rushes away in her flip-flops telling the organizers where to put things. Tyler has already beat her to it so there is going to be a wedding war no doubt between those two.
We’re standing on the board walks to where our huts lead, over the enchanting aqua blue sea waiting to go off separately. Its stunning here, so warm and relaxing. The sea is the most gorgeous blue, the sands are crystal clear and I get to marry Calvin at a magnificent place like this. I am very lucky.
“You want five minutes with me?” I smile sweetly running my finger suggestively down his open shirt.
He pulls me into him by my backside letting his hands roam up the back of my strappy yellow dress.
“I want five million years with you.” He whispers against my lips.
“I don’t think we live for that long.”
He gazes down at me and gently hovers his lips over mine. “I wish we did. A lifetime is never going to be enough with you.” He presses his mouth against mine and only gently caresses my lips with his.
“I have something for you. A birthday gift.” His brows rise alarmed.
“Your gran told me it was your birthday. Why did you want to keep that from me?”
He sighs like it’s no big deal. “My birthday is nothing special, baby.”
I disagree. “Of course it is. And it’s only two days before mine. That’s special.”
He agrees after thinking about it. “I suppose it is.”
“Here.” I take out a black jewelry box from my dress pocket and hand it to him. He eyes it up shyly and opens the lid. “Cufflinks?” he smiles warmly.
“Read what’s on them.” I push.
He holds up the sterling silver cufflinks and reads what I have had engraved. “Your love is the joy you bless me with, each and every day,” he holds the other one up, “Forever and always. Your wife, Olivia.”
Confessions and Olivia (Olivia #2) Page 39