Chapter Twenty-Four

"Oh, Domino, I almost forgot!" Wanda exclaimed, laughing at herself.

We stepped out of the house and the breath I’d been holding was let out.

“He's not here.” I felt my heart slow down a little bit. I gulped.

Just my luck today!

But I felt terrible about how giddyI felt when I didn't see him. I knew I should have run back to him and apologized for what I said but he certainly didn’t say any better.

I looked back at the house and he wasn't coming down the stairs; he was nowhere in sight.

"I decided that the day after the engagement, you and Jaden are going to take your pre-wedding pictures.” Wanda informed, clapping her hands in delight.

I looked around some more. He wasn't outside the house, either.

"So, what do you think about it?" Wanda asked, eyes widened, impatient to hear my answer.

I nodded, half - heartedly.

The door men opened the car door and I looked inside. He still wasn’t there.

I got inside, feeling my heart sink a little at the same time relief washed over me.

"Oh, I knew you were going to agree to it!" Wanda said, getting in. I ignored, not really caring about what she was spewing.

"Oh, just don't worry, I got everything ready. The outfits, the photographer, the makeup artist, hairdressers, you just name it.”

She rambled on and on about the wedding.

“Wanda?”

“I called out.”

“I can manage an engagement party but I don’t think I’m ready for all these plans you’re making. I’m not ready for them. I don’t like feeling as though I don’t have an opinion. It’s my wedding.” I laid emphasis on ‘my’.

“Oh dear! I’m sorry. I’m just so carried away with making it all so perfect.”

“It’s fine. Thanks.” I looked out the window.

“Maybe, he is at the mall waiting for us.”

“And this time, you are not allowed to chicken out.” Pandora replied.

“Ok, I got it.”

“What are you going to say to him?”

“Umm, hi, Jaden, I just...” No this makes it sound like he’s a stranger.

“Look, Jaden, about...” No, I can't speak like that.

“Jaden, I have something to tell you…” No, it sounds like I’m a mother.

“Ummm, I am sorry Jaden…” No, it's too straight forward.

“Make up your mind.” Pandora sounded tired.

“Why so stringy?”

“I’m not! You're just taking forever.”

“Well, then, why don't you tell me what to say?”

“Fine. You could say, Jaden, I am sorry for what I said yesterday. I was just very mad and I don't want you to be mad at me and I don't want you to have a misunderstanding too. What really happened that night was all an accident.”

“Hell no, I am not saying that. It sounds weird and that is so not me.”

“Then, what are we going to do?”

“I don't know and you make it sound like it was entirely my fault!”

“Well, it was mostly your fault.”

“I can't believe you are also going against me. I thought we were on the same page. Besides, it wasn't all my fault, ok? I tried to explain to him about what happen and all of the sudden, he was mad at me.” I lashed out.

“He's just fucking pissed for no reason and he has a fucking temper. Also, I didn't say anything wrong. He was the one that said, 'You make me regret living'! So why should I be apologizing when he is just sitting around relaxing?!” I took a deep breath.

Thenthere was silence. Pandora had no reply to give.

I realize that the limo slowly came to a halt.

"Are you ready?" Wanda asked, "This is the best mall in the world. It sells all the new releases." I nodded.

The driver quickly hopped out and opened up the door for us. Wanda and I got out. I noticed that we were the only car in the parking lot. For a mall, that was quite strange.

We walked through the double, glass, front doors.

"I haven't been here for a century!" Wanda said.

I looked around; there was nobody, but us.

"Wanda?" I asked her.

"Yes, darling?" she said, grinning.

"Are we the only people in the mall?" I asked, looking around. Wanda continued walking.

"Yes, I told them to have everyone evaluate this mall, so we could have the place all to ourselves. Isn't it better like this? There's no noise and no one’s taking the items that you got your eyes on. I just love it like this." Wanda said.

"I know, but where is Jaden?" I whispered, as we got on to the escalator. As we got higher above the lobby, I noticed how big the mall really was and that there wasn’t a single being except for us.

"Oh, he can't come. He came home this morning. He was drinking." Wanda whispered, dissatisfied.

"Drinking?" I asked, my heart and stomach muscles clenched.

"Yeah...and he said something really strange?" Wanda said, questioning herself. She looked up at me with her striking blue orbs.

We got off the escalator.

I swallowed. "What did he say?"

"I don't know… he said that he was really...sorry." Wanda said, confusion evident on her face. My throat felt dry.

"About what?"

"I don't know. I didn't really understand what he was saying."

"Did he say anything else?" I asked, as we entered a jewelry store.

"How may we help you, Mrs. Crispin?" a lady from the jewelry store asked.

Wanda waved her hand to dismiss her. She scurried away.

We walked the whole of the store, looking at the displayed items, the rocks on rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

"Yeah, he did. This morning when he woke up, he asked me if the party could be pushed back for a day or two." I looked at my heels.

"And of course, I said no, because that is ridiculous. And everyone is planning and clearing their schedule to come to see you guys, so it's too late to alter it." She explained and I gulped.

"But, Domino honey, why would he say that?” “Excuse, can I please see this earring for a moment?" Wanda said, waving a staff to come over.

"Oh, Mrs. Crispin, you have refined taste! This is very catchy and it is totally something you would like to wear to make a statement.” The lady said and carefully took the earring out.

I narrowed my eyes. Her name was Milly.

"Oh, I am not wearing it; my daughter is going to wear it for her engagement."

"Oh, that is fabulous! This earring only comes in one pair and no more!" Maxina said.

"How much?" Wanda asked.

"$8,955.”

My jaws dropped.

"Oh goodies, let me call someone to hold our bags." Wanda said before calling the attention of someone.

"Wonderful, now we don't have to hold onto the bags." Wanda said.

"Ok, so back to the question, why would he say that? Why does he want to alter the date of the party?" Wanda asked, confusion marring her face.

I really didn’t want to disappoint her after everything she had done for us and for all her efforts towards the event.

"Oh, it's really nothing." I said, patting her shoulder, again, hoping that my acting skills had improved. I smiled innocently.

"Oh, I'm so great to hear that!" Wanda said.

"Oh, but if you guys need anything or have any trouble, please, I beg you, please come to me and I will solve it all for my sweet darlings." Wanda said.

I nodded, feeling terrible, but hoped I was still pulling the smile off.

"I am so glad you guys are getting along, it's a wonder to see how you guys work together so fast." Wanda said.

I stared at my feet and nodded.

"Come on, we don't have all day, we need to shop more." Wanda said.

"Lets shop like the world is going to end tomorrow!" I said, grinning.

Wanda laughed and linked my arms with hers.

Maybe this was the time when I could relax and not get so caught up about the party, Jaden and our forthcoming wedding.

Like they say, it's better off if I don’t stress over everything, I’d rather relax.

We got home very late after a stressful day of shopping.

We ate dinner at a five star restaurant and brought about nine dresses, six pairs of earrings, five necklaces, eight pairs of shoes, three bags and four bracelets.

I took the elevator with the maidens behind me, holding onto my bags. My heart raced as I reached our floor, headed for our bedroom door.

I put my hand on the handle and knew that if I walked through this door, I would have to apologize to Jaden. I retrieved the bags from the maidens and thanked them. They trailed off. I took a deep breath and opened the door slowly.

"Jaden?" I called out, as I walked in. I put the bags in the closet.

I looked around the room. It was empty, he wasn’t here. I let out the breath that I realized I was holding.

"He's really not here, right?" I whispered to myself.

I could feel Pandora's disappointment and a dull pain in my heart. I laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling, wondering to myself.

If I never apologize, will he apologize?

Would we be like this forever?

What will I say when I apologize?

And why do I feel like I really need to apologize to him?

Am I in love?