Emotionally Detached – Episode 30
#30
FINAL
Surprisingly everything had been done the way I wanted it, I was exhausted. The décor was just breath taking, he had settled for a moonlight kind of theme with black and shades of silver as the colors. The pool was decorated with silver and black balloons, we had garden chairs placed everywhere and the braai stands were filled with charcoal. The alcohol in the house was being chilled and I had ice cubes in ice baskets, the chicken and meat was already marinated plus the salads were in the refrigerator.
Xander had gone with his grandmother who didnât seem to get enough of him every time. When I was sure that everything was where it was supposed to be, I went to take a bath. Despite me being against it, Marvin had suggested that I take a long relaxing bath and he had hired a makeup stylist to come and do my face. I wasnât for the idea but he said I had been working too hard and so I deserved to be spoilt too.
After my bath, I went to my room to apply my lotion before allowing the makeup artist to come in. she was probably a year or so younger than me and very friendly as well. The maid brought us some wine as she worked on my face. She showed me some images on her phone asking me which one I would love to go with but I suggested she does something that she thought unique for my face.
After about thirty minutes, I couldnât be happier with the nude look that she had done on my face. It was going to go with the nude dress and black heels that I had decided to wear.
âCan I work with your hair?â she asked as I struggled to comb my Peruvian wig âSure.â I said taking a seat
I donât know what magic she did but the way it just straightened and fell on my shoulders made me look like I had not carried a child in my womb.
âI need to get your number.â I said getting my diary
After exchanging lines, I decided to get into my clothes. When I stood on the
mirror I couldnât help but admire the person that I was looking at. I was a few days away from turning twenty eight, an economist by profession, a single mother and every beautiful on top of that.
I heard a knock at the door and asked the person to come in, it was Marvin. He looked perfect in his black chino pants and denim long sleeved shirt.
âYou look amazing.â He said staring at me
âThank you.â I responded with a smile
âAnd you donât look bad yourself.â I told him pulling him in for an embrace. âRaquel, before it gets busy I want to tell you something.â
âYou are scaring me.â I said looking at him seriously
âYou are beautiful.â
âWhat?â
âLet me finish.â
âOkay.â I responded
âRaquel you are beautiful, not just what we see on the outside but even your inner being. You are a strong woman who knows what she wants out of life, the fact that you were able to walk out of a loveless marriage is what made you different. You didnât live off handouts even when you could, you chose to work hard not just for yourself but your son too. For that I salute you.â He said
I wanted to cry but I held myself together because I didnât want to ruin my makeup âThank you for not giving up on me.â I said
âYou gave me a reason to hold on.â He said kissing my forehead âThe guests are outside.â
We walked hand in hand and the place was already filled up, I met Camilla by the lawn talking to Stephen and some other people.
âCamilla.â I said with a smile
She had really grown, she was more beautiful and something about the way she carried herself showed that she wasnât the same person I had met years back. âRaquel.â She said coming to me and we embraced âIt has been how long again?â
âFour tough years.â She responded rolling her eyes
I couldnât help but laugh
âHow was Harvard?â
âHard but I am glad your brother was with me each step of the journey.â âArenât you two just so in love?â I asked making a face and she playfully hit me âHow is Xander by the way, Lord your son is beautiful.â âHe is okay, he is with Stephenâs parents.â
âI am sorry about you two by the way, I actually thought things would work out. You made him sane.â
I swallowed when she said that
âWell things happen and certain things just have to die like that.â
âSad, I donât even like his new girlfriend.â she said and I couldnât help but laugh âCamilla come on, Xcella is a nice person.â
âYou mean the lady with the rusty watch?â âWhat is that supposed to mean?â
âI think he cheated on us with her.â I couldnât help but laugh I liked this Camilla, she was fun.
Just then Xcella and Stephen walked up to us.
âWe noticed you were not going to talk to us seeing Camilla has your attention.â Xcella said and I could have sworn I saw Camilla roll her eyes
âSorry, just havenât seen her in four years.â I said giving her a hug and turning to Stephen as well
âHey.â
âHai.â He said clearing his throat
Marvin came to join us and we settled onto some garden chairs, Camilla sat next to her man just like Stephen and we talked about random stuff whilst some people danced and others drunk.
âExcuse me.â Marvin said clicking his glass Some people that were close joined us.
âFirstly I want to thank my sister here for hosting this party and having us.â He began and I smiled lifting my glass
âSecondly I want to say just how happy I am that my lady of so many years is here, I have even lost count of the years.â He said causing us to laugh
He got on his knees and I saw Camillaâs eyes glister with tears âCamilla.â He began
âLord no.â she said allowing the tears to fall
âThe first time I met you, I knew you were the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. It hasnât been an easy journey, I have loved you like no other. I have held on even when all hope was lost, you have been a pillar of strength and the fact that I was there at your breaking point makes me so sure that you are the one. So my lady, will you do me this honor of being my wife?â he asked his own tears falling
She smiled through the tears.
âI will marry you Marvin, I will spend the rest of my dramatic life with you. But firstly I want to apologize to Stephen and Raquel here.â She said then turned to face I and Stephen
âI am sorry you two, for coming into your life and probably destroying the most important thing that you two could have known; family. Stephen Raquel never hurt me, it was my doing, with another evil mind that doesnât even deserve to be mentioned here. I am sorry.â She said
âWhat?â Stephen asked surprised
âI know about the fake accident, I forgave you now please get the ring and spare him the hard ground.â I said a tear falling causing everyone to laugh but I noticed the regrets on Stephenâs face
âYes baby I will marry you.â She said and he put the ring on her finger
Cake and wine were brought and everyone took a piece. I excused myself because I wanted to get some air.
I stood by the bacon in my room and allowed the breeze to hit my face. âHey.â
I didnât have to turn around to guess who it was âArenât you supposed to be with Xcella?â I asked âShe is gone.â
âWhy didnât you take her?â
âRaquel she is gone.â
âWhat?â I asked this time facing him
âStephen you canât just continue doing this, you need to attach yourself to someone.â I said dipping my finger in his chest
âRaquel tell me you donât want me and I swear I will leave.â He said catching me by surprise
âHuh?â
âRaquel I see how you look at me when you think I am not looking, I notice how you always want us three to do things together. Tell me you donât like us and I swear I will just be the man that fathered your child.â âStephen.â I said with a sigh
âDamn it Raquel! For years you have given me all these signs and I continue to remain conflicted with myself. Xcella is a good person but I couldnât be with her even though you people perceived we were together.â âWait I thought.â
âYou thought wrong, I wasnât going to tie myself to two women. So tell me now that you donât want this and I will leave for good this time.â
âStephen your heart has never been mine, you need to find yourself.â I say honestly as my boyfriend walks in
I move closer and kiss his right cheek.
âYou are a good dad to Xander but that doesnât mean that you will be a good husband to me, find yourself and only then will you be able to love another person.â
âI wish you the very best.â He says
âSo do I.â I say before walking away
THE END