But surely that can't be right. Why is he out here? Did he follow
me? And more importantly, why would he leave me this flower? I blanch, afraid
he may have witnessed my hysteria earlier, but brush it off because surely it’s
only my overactive mind playing tricks on me.
Even so, I place the flower in my bag beside the note, just in case.
*****
After my brush with nature, I go back to the hotel to shower and
change for tonight's wedding rehearsal. Of course Harper is nowhere to be
found.
My conversation with V has been playing on my mind, so I decide to
dress a little more casually.
Standing in the huge walk in robe, I feel suffocated amongst the
likes of Prada, Louis Vuitton and Chanel. So I push the offending garments away
to find what I am looking for: my simple blue sundress.
It may not be as expensive as the others hanging near it, but it is
priceless in my eyes. As I slip it on, I actually start to feel better. I start
to feel like the old me. The old me I have been trying to run away from for so
long.
Slipping on my nude color sandals, which add a few inches to my
frame, I am now roughly eye level with my wedding partner, a fact that has me
smiling the whole way to the wedding venue.
As I reach the venue, I can see that the long driveway bends up to a
mansion that has been renovated, and turned into a romantic wedding reception.
Stepping out of my car, I stare up at the place V and Lucas are to be married
at. It is awe-inspiring.
The huge white mansion which is called, The Mayfair, has wide bay
windows across the front of the house, with a single candle burning brightly in
each room. The only word I can use to describe this venue is, romantic. I feel
like I am a damsel in distress, waiting to be swept off my feet by a Southern
Gentleman.
Turning to my right, I see V standing in a beautiful garden under an
elegant white arch, which is glowing brightly with fairy lights. I’m guessing
that is where we are to start our descent down the aisle. As she sees me, she
waves me over frantically, and I can feel her happiness from here. Holding back
my tears of joy, I walk over to her, not able to wipe the smile off my face.
“What do you think?” she asks, biting her lip apprehensively when I
am a few feet away.
Looking around the garden where the ceremony is to take place, I
smile. “It's beautiful. I love it.”
V jumps up and down, pulling me into a tight hug.
“I feel like I'm freakin’ Scarlet O’Hara,” I joke.
“Well in that case, there is Rhett Butler,” replies V, nodding her
head towards the lake.
Peering over at the boathouse, I see Jasper having a cigarette while
overlooking the lake. I doubt my response to him will ever change. He will
always make me feel like a million butterflies have taken flight in my
belly.
“How are you two going?” V asks while looking at Jasper.
Shrugging, I chuckle lightly. “By the way, remind me why I shouldn’t
wring your neck for your little set up the other day.”
V hides her amusement, and twirls her solitaire engagement
ring. “Someone had to, seeing as you two are both hopeless.”
I smile at her because I am not angry.
“Thank you for being a meddlesome pain in my rear end.”
V lets out a chuckle. “Any time. It's a hobby of mine.”
I turn around to see a hip young guy stroll towards us, extending
his hand to V. “Hello Veronica. You ready to get married?”
V smiles broadly. “You betcha Mark. Let me go get my hubby to be and
we will get this show on the road.”
Mark takes his place at the front of the rotunda, pulling out
paperwork and a portable microphone. I think it’s safe to presume that Mark is
going to marry Lucas and V, and I couldn’t have chosen a better candidate
myself.
Jasper is still standing near the jetty with his head bowed, and his
hands are tucked deep into his jeans pockets. I can see by the way his
shoulders are hunched that he is as apprehensive as I am. V waves me over to
where she and Lucas are standing with Mark, and I figure the quicker I get this
rehearsal over with, the better.
Strolling over, V introduces me to Mark. “This is my Maid of Honor,
Ava Thompson.”
“Lovely to meet you Ava,” Mark says while shaking my hand.
“You too,” I reply.
“Now, where is the best man?” Mark asks, clueless to the situation.
Lucas sighs. “I’ll just go get him.” And he heads off down the hill
to go get Jasper.
I look over V, who gives me a sympathetic smile, and when I sneak a
peek at Lucas, who is talking to Jasper, my heart sinks when I see him shaking
his head.
V notices their exchange and throws her hands up in defeat. “Excuse
me.”
She stomps down the hill to where the boys are talking and before I
know it, she is pointing her finger into Jasper’s face, giving him her famous
Veronica Donovan Death Stare.
He pulls back, and I see a hint of a smile tug at the corner of his
luscious lips. V then storms back up the hill with Lucas and Jasper tailing
behind.
“Sorry about that Mark. Please continue,” she says smiling sweetly,
like nothing happened.
I can't help but bite back the smile that is about to break free, so
I begin looking at the ground, in hopes of not laughing hysterically like a
crazy person. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Jasper looking at me
curiously.
“Okay everyone, now take your places.” Mark walks to the front of
the rotunda where Jasper and Lucas join him.
V and I walk towards the arch, waiting for Mark to cue us with the
music.
As we are waiting, I ask V, “What did you say to Jasper?”
V shrugs nonchalantly. “I told him if he liked his manly parts being
where they were, he would get his ass up that hill in ten seconds or he would
be a eunuch.”
I let out a loud snort, and the laugh I have been holding back,
escapes me.
V chuckles along with me.” I told you, don't fuck with the bride.”
Nodding, I make a mental note to not anger V in anyway.
After a couple minutes of us cackling away, a beautiful melody
sounds across the night air, interrupting us, and as I look over at V, I notice
she has a weird smile on her face.
Before I have time to question her, Mark startles me by saying
loudly over the microphone, “Okay Ava, it’s your turn to shine.”
Taking a deep breath, I take my first step and walk down the red carpet.
There are tiny candles lighting my pathway, which throw off a
perfect amount of light, and the view is breathtaking. But what is really
striking a chord with me is the music. It is a soft, almost haunting piece of
music played on the piano, and for some unknown reason, it brings tears to my
eyes. I have never heard anything so beautiful, and as I approach the end of my
walk, I bravely take a peek at Jasper who seems to be searching my face. I dab
at the corner of my eye where a lone tear has escaped, not wanting him to see
me cry.
The music fades as I stand opposite Jasper, and I notice he looks
somewhat nervous.
Another piece of music starts, and it's a modern version of the
traditional wedding march. We all turn to look down the aisle, and watch V
stroll down the walkway like the bride she was born to be. I look over at
Lucas, who has watery eyes, and now I don’t feel so silly crying at a
rehearsal.
I can feel Jasper’s eyes on me, and it’s a little daunting him
staring so openly, but I brush it off because this is all about V.
Once V joins us, she throws herself into Lucas’ arms and kisses him.
Mark lets out a surprised laugh, but I know my friend too well and not at all
surprised by her PDA.
After the doting couple pull apart, we get down to business.
*****
We run through the ceremony and Mark gives Jasper and I our cues.
“Okay guys, when I pronounce these two lovebird’s man and wife, you
two are to come over here,” he says, pointing to a white garden table off to
the side, “and I will provide you with the documents you are to sign as witnesses.”
I nod, seems simple enough. Jasper is silent, but also gives a nod
of understanding.
“Hey, nice piece of music by the way,” Mark says while looking at
Jasper.
Jasper nods his thanks and looks away, quickly avoiding my widened
eyes.
Glancing over at V for answers, and only receiving a cheeky wink in
return, and I then suddenly piece together her strange behavior. Jasper wrote
the piece of music I am to walk down the aisle to. The piece of music that was
the most beautiful thing I've ever heard.
My eyes prick with approaching tears, and I know I need to make an
exit before I embarrass myself.
As Mark seems to be wrapping things up, I turn to V.
“I need to leave.”
Jasper snaps his head up, and his eyes rake over my face. This time
however, I am the one who averts my eyes.
V looks at me confused, but after a moment of reading my expression,
she must understand why I need to make a swift exit.
“Let me walk with you.”
I nod, because I need answers.
We are a few yards away when V asks, “Are you okay?”
Shaking my head, I reply, “No.”
We are walking briskly away from prying ears, and I am bursting to
ask her about the music.
“What's wrong honey? Well apart from the obvious.”
Running a hand down my face, I am so damn frustrated and confused.
“Did Jasper write that piece of music for me?”
There, I asked it.
V nods promptly.
“But why? Why would he do something like that?” I ask, baffled.
V looks at me, her eyebrow cocked. “Are you seriously asking me
this?”
“Yes,” I answer quickly, wringing my hands together.
“Because he's in love with you Ava. He never stopped.”
I shake my head from side to side. “No, no, no. Don't say that. It's
not true.”
I can’t accept what she is saying because I want so desperately for
it to be true.
“Yes it is,” V says, placing her hand on my forearm to stop me from
taking another step.
“Ask me where your cat is.”
I
scrunch up my face. “Huh?”
“Ask me where your cat is,” she repeats.
Okay, I'll play along.
“Where's Oscar?”
“Ask Jasper,” V says smugly.
“No, I just asked you,” I reply after a minute of processing her
statement.
We reach my car, and V opens my door as I am having trouble walking
after her comment about Oscar.
“Does Jasper really have him? And if so, why?”
“Those questions aren't going to answer themselves,” V smiles. “Ask
him Ava, and do it soon.”
Slumping into my seat, I stare at the steering wheel numbly.
“Are you going to be okay?” she asks, as I must look like a coma
patient.
I shrug. “I really don't know. But I do know I need to get to the
bottom of this, before I admit myself into a white padded room.”
V steps back, slamming my door shut, while I fasten my seatbelt.
“Wish me luck,” I smile through my open window at her.
V scoffs. “You don't need it.”
I hope she's right.
*****
Okay, totally feeling like a stalker right now, as I have been
sitting outside Jasper’s house for about an hour. But I don't care. I will wait
here for another ten hours, because I'm not leaving till I get some answers.
Looks like waiting ten hours won’t be necessary as Jasper’s truck
pulls into his driveway, his bright headlights blinding me. Shielding my hand
over my eyes, I wait for him to get out of the truck, but he doesn't.
He turns off the lights, but makes no attempt to exit his vehicle.
Lowering my hand, I bravely look at him. He is leaning forward with both arms
intertwined over the top of the steering wheel, observing me closely.
I would usually shy away from such an intense gaze, but I don't this
time, I match it.
He runs a hand through his messy hair then down his face, and only
then does he finally get out of his truck. I can't sit a moment longer, so I
leap up off the porch, meeting him halfway.
“Where is my cat?” I ask quickly, before I chicken out.
“Hello to you too Ava,” he smirks as he stops to face me.
“Just answer the question,” I snap, not in the mood for his
cockiness.
“He's inside.”
My mouth drops open, and I take a small step backwards. “What?
Why?”