Chapter 40: A reception to remember Part 1 (It's all true).

Chapter 40: A reception to remember Part 1 (It's all true).
Chapter 40: A reception to remember Part 1 (It's all true).

As the first dance came to an end, Dara and Ian smiled like a couple in pure love. Everyone cheered as Ian gently kissed Dara on the lips. The show was spectacular! As he twirled her into his arms, Dara felt as if everything in life that she deserved she finally had! As the music ended, the couple kissed one final time before bowing to the crowd.

“BEAUTIFUL!!”

“ENCORE!!”

“SO PERFECT!!”

The cheers were pouring in as Dara beamed! There was no longer a doubt in her mind. She had truly won over Ian’s heart. As they made their way to the bridal section, the wedding host made the announcements for the next part of the reception.

“Well!!! Wasn’t that beautiful!!! Let’s give it up on more time for Mr. & Mrs. Keller!!”

“WOOHOO!!!”

“CONGRATS!!!”

“WAY TO GO DARA AND IAN!!!”

“So now that the couple has shared their first dance, we’re now going to enjoy some fine dining! Afterwards, the couple will cut the cake and then….we have a special presentation for our happy new couple!”

As the guests clapped and cheered, the servers began to make their way around the reception area. As the guests began to chat and eat, Dara’s mother was introduced to Ian as she sat at the bridal table.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Chambers.”

“You as well! I’ve heard so much about you!”

As she sat, Ian’s mother Nancy decided to probe a bit.

“So….Mrs. Chambers! Now that we’re family, we have to get ready for this new bundle of joy! Why don’t we exchange numbers so that we can begin shopping. I’d like to plan a baby shower for Dara.”

Dara smiled slightly uncomfortably. The last thing she wanted was for her mother to get too close to her mother-in-law! That could potentially draw too many questions.

“Oh I loved to-”

“Mom….didn’t you say you had to return to NC tomorrow?”

Teresa looked at Dara with a slightly puzzled look before catching on. It was clear….Dara did not wanting her getting too close to her new in-laws. Remembering her threats from earlier, Teresa smiled.

“Oh darling, I can post-pone that. I would love to stay for a few days.”

Teresa smiled cooly as her thoughts ran wild.

‘If you think you’re going to just tuck me away….think again!’

Dara smiled back, her inner thoughts seething.

‘You fucking bitch!!! Wait until this ceremony is over!’

“Well then it’s settled!”

Eric quietly laughed.

‘Like mother….like daughter.’

As they ate, Nancy decided to probe more.

“So Teresa, your husband….was he a developer for the West?”

Teresa looked up with a smile on her face.

“No, he actually got hired for a firm in NC before Dara was born. They had a small office in the West but eventually closed right before our Dara started school.”

“I see. And your husband….what was his name.”

Dara’s eyes darkened as she stared at her plate. This was exactly why she’d told her mother to stay quiet!!

“Reginald. Reginald Chambers.”

Both Dara and Eric nearly choked on their food! Who the hell was Reginald Chambers! Before her nosey mother-in-law could ask any more questions, Dara intervened.

“Mother Nancy, you truly did a wonderful job helping Ian put this wedding and the engagement party together!”

Ian’s face brightened instantly. Even with how he had been acting, his mother still came through.

“She’s amazing isn’t she!”

Nancy smiled brightly. Hearing her son complement her with such warmth made everything worth it. And just like that….the subject of Dara’s father was over as the family talked about the arrival of the baby. Eric smiled, slightly impressed.

‘Touche’ Dara…..you always know how to bend the tide.’

After dinner, Ian and Dara cut the cake. Sweet pictures were being taken as the couple cut the cake together and put cake on each other’s faces. A picture perfect scene. As Cassandra watched on her TV she smiled a devilish grin.

“Such a lovely couple.”

As soon as the cake cutting was finished. The wedding host took centerstage.

“At this time, the groom would like to share his thanks. Let's give it up for Mr. Ian Keller.”

Ian took the stage as everyone cheered and applauded him. Clearing his throat, he looked around the room once more before he spoke.

‘She really never came.’

He thought to himself as he searched once more for Cassandra. Little did he know she was staying at the very hotel his wedding was at.

“First….I would like to thank the Lincoln Continental for hosting such a beautiful wedding on such short notice! As many of you may or may not know….this wedding was planned in under a week and the LC did a superb job!”

The audience clapped in agreement. The venue truly was remarkable!

“Next….”

Ian looked at the bridal table.

“I would like to thank my amazing mother Nancy Keller for not only helping coordinate such a beautiful wedding but also coordinating our engagement party! This woman….this amazing woman that gave birth to me….turned straw into gold! Mom….I just want to say I love you and thank you so much for supporting us!”

The crowd went wild as they cheered! Ivan smiled and clapped proudly at his wife while Isabelle hugged her. Nancy had tears coming down her cheeks as she blew kisses to her son.

“Next….I would like to thank my father….for always showing me the right way to navigate in life! I truly owe this honor to you!”

There was a double-meaning in his thanks to Ivan that he missed, but Nancy didn’t She smiled slightly as her husband clapped and cheered.

“I’m proud of you son!”

Ian smiled cooly knowing his father missed his meaning.

“Next….I’d like to say thank you to my sister…..thank you for embracing Dara and treating her like a sister of your own! I can’t wait to watch your relationship grow!”

There was subtle threat in that thanks warning Isabelle not to start any more shit. She smiled nervously as she hugged Dara.

“Be a good girl.”

Dara whispered in Isabelle’s ears as they embraced each other causing Isabelle to fume inwardly. But to the audience, all they could see is two sisters embracing.

“And finally….to my lovely bride. Dara Keller. Many of you don’t know this….but Dara and I got some exciting news recently. We have a baby boy on the way!”

“OMG!!!”

“I KNEW IT!!!”

“OMG she’s carrying so well!!!”

“A baby Keller coming!!!”

“This was definitely his perfect match!!!”

As the crowd cheered Dara smiled brightly as the tears poured down her face. She hadn’t expected Ian to announce the pregnancy at the reception! Her heart was overfilling with joy. For some reason, it angered Ian that Cassandra didn’t show up at the wedding. Over six years in a relationship and she just washed it all away for Ayden Crawford! Feeling vindictive, Ian decided to go with Dara's suggestion and throw shade. The night before, Dara suggested Ian tell everyone the article was true since Cassandra was dumb enough to sign an NDA. What was the worse that could happen. Afterall, Cassandra had already signed a contract relinquishing her rights to sue, speak to the media, bring up the three ropes incident, OR press charges.

“As many of you know….I was married to Cassandra Davis for over five years.”

The crowd suddenly quieted. This was the part they had been waiting for to see if Ian would address that elephant in the room!

“Well….I’m here to say that everything you read on social media is true!”

“PFFTTTT”

Cassandra spit her wine out! That was totally unexpected!!! Ayden’s face darkened as the fury raised his blood to a boil!

“Is he out of his fucking mind!!!!”

Cassandra began to laugh hysterically! Confused, Ayden just stared, he neglected to see what was so funny!

“Sandy….I’m missing the joke!”

Suzanne looked puzzled as well. Wiping the tears out her eyes, Cassandra began to explain.

“That asshole…..he’s told himself that because I signed that NDA there is nothing I can do to refute his claims….wait until he sees that video!!!”

Cassandra began to laugh hysterically once again! Back at the venue, the entire bridal party as well as Eric was shocked!

‘Shit! I didn’t expect him to say that! Even if Dara’s secret comes out there’s no way Mrs. Davis will forgive him!’

Ivan and Nancy both stared in amazement! If he was going to do all of this, why be angry in the first place! Ivan leaned over to Nancy.

“What the hell is he doing!”

“I don’t know….maybe he had a plan.”

Dara leaned in and smiled.

“Don’t worry mom and dad….Ian had that bitch sign an NDA. There’s nothing she can do. I asked him to do this so that we can all be cleared and Issie can be taken off her punishment.”

The Kellers all looked at Dara in shock! That was a brilliant plan! Have her sign an NDA and then confirm the allegations! That’s why Ian made sure the reporter never said it was a lie!

“My son is brilliant! I knew he would find a way to clean this up!”

As the crowd quieted down so Ian could continue, the snarks were going crazy! The reception was being live streamed, so thousands of comments was tearing Cassandra apart!

{I knew it!!!}

{Wow that trifling bitch!}

{I am so glad he found Dara!!}

{We need to take that bitch Cassandra down!}

The comments were going crazy as the netizens lit into Cassandra online. Back in the hotel suite, Suzanne fuming!

“We can’t just let them slander you like this!!!”

Cassandra smiled.

“No worries Suzie….after the truth comes out….we’ll deal with the trolls.”