Once outside, Keshan led them towards a beautiful white, purple, and gold arch, which was the entrance to the reception area. "Prince Mathayus and Princess Lia will now enter; please stand as we welcome them," Keshan announced, and everyone stood and gave them a round of applause. They were then led to a grand white table where most of the council members were. They all bowed to him and her as they took their seats; everyone, including the council members, was then told to be seated.
First came the toasts from various persons, including some of the council members; then came the cutting of the cake, and as occupied as her mind was in trying to absorb everything that had been put before her since Moses arrived at her home last night, it didn't go unnoticed by her that this cake was five tiers high and the most impressive wedding cake she had ever seen.
Come to think of it, she had never seen a cake such as this before, neither on television nor in any magazine or anywhere else; this cake was so huge it could easily feed the community that she came from. Again, she had to remind herself that this man had only returned to her country yesterday.
When and where did his father get such a cake? Did they bring it with them from Saudi Arabia? Then again, they all arrived here on a private jet, so they could have indeed brought it with them. After feeding each other and sipping their non alcoholic champagne, Mathayus made an announcement, saying that since his Princess was in an advanced stage of pregnancy, they would be skipping some of the formalities, and everyone nodded with understanding.
Then came their first dance as a newly married couple, and again came the Cinderella feeling as he gently guided and followed her movements on the dance floor.
When it was time to mingle with the guests, her brother and mother whisked her away from Mathayus and began bombarding her with questions. "So what took so long inside? Did you two cut a little quicky or what?" Anthony asked and was slapped by both her and his mother at the same time. "Ouch man." He wailed, rubbing his arms. "Get your mind out of the gutter." Liah scowls at him. "And no, we didn't cut any quicky; we were changing into these lovely outfits, and I spoke to his father online," she explains.
"His father? As in the freaking King of Saudi Arabia?" Anthony asks. "Who is also now my father-in-law; he wanted to welcome me to the family." She says, taking a deep breath. "I still can't believe this is happening, and this house, I ask Moses about this house, and guess what? He says that this house now belongs to us, his father bought it as a wedding gift for both of us." Liah giggles. "You're joking, right?" Her mother asks. "I wish I was, but no, this is our house."
"This place can hardly be called a house, sis," Anthony says, looking up at the massive building. "My thoughts exactly, but he says that you, Mama, Evan, Keshan and Lee and two more of his guards, will be living here with us." "Christ of Daniel, we will be living here?" Her mother asks in disbelief. "Yep, unbelievable, right? I'm still trying to process all this." She giggles again.
"Dam if, you don't sound drunk right now. You weren't drinking in that limo, were you?" Anthony asks, narrowing his eyes at her. "I do feel like I need a stiff drink right now, but no, I'm just drunk with disbelief." She says and begins having hiccups between giggles. "Come, let's sit down before you fall down, Tony. You stay here while I go get her something to eat." Her mother says, guiding her to the nearest chair.
Her brother had just stepped away to take a call when Jody came and sat beside her. "Stunning evening gown, and your prince is rocking that white Armani suit; that man looks good in everything her wears." She says, taking a bite of her chicken from the plate she had in her hand. "Thank you, and thanks for coming. I know that I messed up our friendship and that things will never be the same between us; just know that I'm sorry, Jody, and I'll continue to do all I can to make up for what I did." Liah says with her head down.
"Oh, just forget it all already. I know that you still feel guilty, but that's just water under the bridge now. I mean, look at where you are now, girl: purple, white, and gold settings; this color scheme is off the chain. Who did they get to decorate this place? This decor screams royalty, not to mention, you're now married to your prince, and soon you will give birth to his children. Let go of all this guilt and be happy." Jody says, bumping her shoulder against Liah's.
"How can I be happy when I didn't even get to attend your wedding?" Liah grumbles. "Oh, for crying out loud, I sent you pictures, didn't I? And it wasn't a big thing, you know that; it was only me and Joseph and our two witnesses at the church, and then Joseph and I went to a hotel, spent some time together, and came home the next day. We are just as happy as we were before; the only difference is this ring." Jody says, holding out her fingers.
"And if this wedding was so grand, I can't imagine what the one in Saudi Arabia will look like." Jody laughs. "Which one in Saudi Arabia? What are you talking about?" Liah asks. "You have no idea what is coming your way, do you?" Jody laughs again, "Alright, forget about that for now, just enjoy being with your handsome prince and feeding your chubby face." Jody burst out laughing as Liah's mother placed a plate of food before Liah.
Mathayus had just finished speaking to a few of the council members when Rohan's girlfriend ran up to him. "Hi, didn't expect to see you here." He said, smiling at her. "Hi, it's wonderful to see you again, but um... long story, very short. Rohan and I would like to live a decent and honest life, and he's begging you for your help; please help him get out of Razor's gang... please...." "Well, isn't this fucking interesting." Razor barks from behind her, causing the girl to cower in fear.
Thank you for reading
words of encouragement
talk with God, no breath is lost
walk with God, no strength is lost
wait for God, no time is lost
Trust in God, you will never be lost
Riddle from the last ch: what smells the most in a cheese factory?
Ans: Your nose
Ha, got you
Don't be like that; you will get this one
What do you call a pony with a cough?