Chapter 38: The Wedding Part 2 (A video present).

Chapter 38: The Wedding Part 2 (A video present).
Chapter 38: The Wedding Part 2 (A video present).

Dara and Teresa stared at each other for what seemed to be an eternity. Teresa always knew her daughter looked down on her for staying a mere mistress to her father. In hindsight, her judgement wasn’t wrong considering how things ended. Still, she was her mother! She couldn’t believe how disrespectful Dara was at this moment.

“I’m your mother Dara! You have no right!-”

“I have every right I damn well please! Do you think I’m stupid? I know why you’re here mother dear. You want me to take care of you now that I’m marrying Ian Keller…..am I right?”

A wave of guilt crushed Teresa’s face. It was true, once she learned her daughter was marrying Keller…she immediately thought about how Dara would be able to support her.

“W-Well….I’m your mother…it’s only fair-”

“Save it! Let’s not act like you were mother of the year. My wedding is about to start…..so you’re going to go downstairs, make your way to the bridal side, laugh and cry like you’re supposed too, and keep your fucking mouth shut! Otherwise…..not only will I not take care of you….I’ll have you thrown in the worse retirement home I can find……Understand?”

Fear washed over Teresa’s face. The power of becoming Mrs. Keller had already shot to her head. Nodding nervously, Teresa turned about to make her way to the wedding hall. Before walking out, Dara called her.

“Oh mother…..out of curiosity….just how did you find out about my wedding day?”

Without turning around, Teresa answered.

“Your brother told me…..Eric.”

Dara’s eye’s widened with shock! Had Eric lost his fucking mind! Why would he tell her about this! Was he trying to get his cover blown as well! Panicked, Dara stormed over and grabbed Teresa’s arm.

“Listen! Nobody here knows Eric and I are related! If you mention-”

“He already told me Dara. You can relax. I’m not here to cause any trouble”

Dara released her grip on Teresa’s arm. Nodding in agreement, she watched Teresa leave the room.

The guests were all starting to come into the wedding hall. The place was packed expecting over 500 guests as everyone who was anyone in Western Coast as well as some business associates from the North were all in attendance. As Eric looked around the room, he spotted his mother making her way to the bridal side; a smug look on his face.

‘How did it feel seeing mother, Dara? That dark glimpse into who you really are.”

Eric had a complicated relationship with Teresa. For years he hated her for abandoning him and his father just so she could be some rich man’s mistress. The day he called her about the wedding; she was beyond surprised.

“Eric….I didn’t expect to hear from you. H-How are you-”

“I just wanted to tell you Dara is getting married.”

Teresa instantly froze! She knew as a mother she hadn’t been the best to either Eric or Dara. She spent their entire lives putting Dara’s father’s needs above everything else; hoping it would lead to greener pasters. In the end, it left her with nothing but a broken home and distant children.

“Married! To whom?”

Eric wasted no time.

“Ian Keller, of Keller-Corp.”

Teresa could hardly believe her ears! She knew who Ian Keller was! Hell she knew of the entire Keller-Corporation! Dara’s father had done multiple real estate deals with them over the years. She was aware of how powerful that family was; and now her daughter was marrying it’s king!

“Oh my gosh! That’s wonderful news! Why didn’t she tell me!”

“Not sure. But I figured would want to go. I’ll buy a plane ticket for you.”

Teresa beamed! She knew her son didn’t have the best regard for her; she was glad he still made sure she attended.

“Oh Eric! You’re such a good son! You know mommy always-”

“I’ll text you the details. See you soon mother.”

Eric quickly hung up the phone. He knew the only reason she was elated was because Dara was marrying the King of the West. He was in no mood for her fake motherly love.

Now, as she sat in the audience; a devilish grin appeared on his face.

‘Let’s see if you’ll still thank me later….mommy.’

\-----------

The Saturday after the engagement party, Eric Snyder had just been confronted by his sister.

“So if I were you….I’d start treating your queen with more respect…..or else it’s off with your fucking head.”

Those words played over and over in Eric’s mind like a broken record. Furious he ramped and raved through his condo.

“Who the fuck does that bitch think she is!!! If I tell Keller the truth now….the only thing you’ll be ‘queen’ of is maggots after he offs YOUR fucking head!”

Eric threw the glass at the wall. Everything had gone wrong! It wasn’t supposed to be Dara that assumed all the power….it was supposed to be him! She was merely a puppet used to help further his career!

“I underestimated that little bitch’s ambitions! She’s out of control now.”

Eric sneered as he sat in the barstool and guzzled down his whiskey. Eric had only brought Dara in as a way to move up from assistant to VP. He figured having Keller’s mistress hype him up from behind the scenes could help advance his career. Whether it was by praise or by blackmail. But he had severely underestimated Dara’s desires for power as well…..and she’d bested him in every way. Now….after the wedding, he would be at her beckoned call. Seething, Eric guzzled more whiskey; when suddenly he looked at his wallet.

Reaching for it, he pulled out the gold business card with the initials SDP ; underneath the initials was a name and number for Cassandra Davis.

Suddenly, the night before replayed in his mind as he recalled her giving him her business card and telling him to call when he got tired of his sister.

‘If I don’t bring her down….she’s going to destroy everything with her greed.’

Eric immediately grabbed his phone and dialed the number. After a few rings, a woman with laughter in her voice answered.

“Cassandra Davis.”

Eric paused for a moment before speaking.

“Y-Yes….Ms. Davis…..it’s Eric Snyder.”

……….

“Why Mr. Snyder…..what a pleasant surprise.”

Eric swallowed hard. He knew he was on dangerous grounds. If Ian ever found out he would murder him…..literally. But what choice did he have! If he didn’t stop Dara soon, she would ruin everything!

“Yes….so it is. Um, I was wondering…..”

“Yes?”

“I was wondering if your offer still stands?”

……….

“Meet me at the Lincoln Continental in two days. I’ll text you the time and room number.”

Two days later, Eric arrived at LC. His palms were practically leaking from sweat as he nervously made his way to the presidential suite. As soon as he knocked, he was greeted by a familiar face.

“Suzanne? What are you-”

“She’s my personal assistant Mr. Snyder. Please….have a seat.”

Eric looked back at Suzanne with a puzzled expression before walking over to the sofa where Cassandra and Ayden were sitting. Eric had to admit; Cassandra Davis was breathtaking. She was wearing a white high-end luxury two piece suit with white, red-bottom pumps. Her hair was pulled back in a clean ponytail that crinkled and fluffed like a beautiful horse tail. Her gold-framed glasses and chain accent her outfit to perfection. She looked like a complete badass boss as she sat before him.

‘Dara would have never been able to compete with this.’

Eric thought to himself as he waited for Cassandra to speak.

“Well Mr. Synder…..this is technically your meeting as you called me. I presume you have something you wanted to share?”

Eric glanced nervously at Ayden. For some reason he had a death glare as he watched silently making Eric feel uncomfortable. Looking back at Cassandra, he began to speak.

“Dar-…..my sister can’t marry Mr. Keller.”

Cassandra and Ayden both glanced at each other. Smirking, Cassandra responded.

“So then stop her.”

Eric twitched uncomfortably in his seat as Suzanne provided him with a glass filled with ice and a water bottle before sitting in the other chair.

“I wish it were that simply Mrs. Kell-Davis….I truly do. But certain circumstances have rendered it difficult for me to-”

“You mean like Ian NOT knowing you and Dara are related?”

Eric’s eyes widened! Suddenly, a bad feeling began to creep into his mind; but he had no choice but to suppress it! There was no way he was going to answer to Dara!

“Yes…..that most certainly is one of the factors.”

Cassandra’s brow rose.

“I’m confused Snyder….if you didn’t want Dara Chambers to marry Ian…..what did you bring her for?”

Eric squirmed a little in his chair. That question had a rather complexed answer, and he didn’t want to piss Cassandra off too. Crawford already looked like he could tear his head off at any moment!

“It’s rather complexed Ms. Davis so I-”

“Simplify if for me.”

Cassandra’s voice was direct. She had no intentions on Eric giving her vague ghost answers. Taking a sip of water, Eric’s expression darkened.

“Do you all mind if I smoke. This may be awhile.”

\------------

Now, several days later Eric looked around the venue for something in particular. Suddenly, he noticed a man with a carrier envelop.

"There he is!"

Eric suddenly made his way to the front to take the envelop.

“Are you Eric Snyder?”

“I am.”

“Then this is for you.”

“Thank you.”

Eric took the envelop and quickly opened it. Inside was a USB. Suddenly a dark smile appeared on his lips as he made his way to the media room in the back. As he grabbed the door, Ian called out to him startling him in his tracks.

“Snyder….what are you doing? What do you have there?”

Eric nervously turned around.

“It’s another video message present, I was just about to take it to the media room, so it’ll be ready for the reception along with the others.”

Ian smiled lightly. Dara had asked him if some of the guests could do video congratulations to play at the reception; what Ian didn’t know was that the plan was Eric’s. And what Dara didn’t know was that it was a setup. Nodding, Ian let Eric drop off the USB. After coming out of the media room, he looked at Ian who was now fully dressed with a complexed expression on his face.

“Is everything alright sir?”

Ian nodded.

“Yeah….not like it’s my first time getting married.”

There was a slight hint of sadness in his tone as he turned towards the exit.

“Come on…..let’s get this over with.”

Eric followed behind Ian, his mind going a million miles per minute.

‘After I destroy this wedding….I’m going to get Mr. Keller and Ms. Davis back together! He’ll definitely make me VP after that!’

A smirk appeared on Eric’s face as they headed to the wedding hall.