Chapter 76: Are You Kidding Me?

Chapter 76: Are You Kidding Me?
Nadine Black's POV:

It was in that very moment that I still felt like I was caught up in what Kelly Anne tried to do, and on today of all days. I could not believe she would do something... something so foolish after the stunt she pulled yesterday afternoon. I may not have been there when it all started, but I was certainly there right before the cops came. It wasn't until after we left that my one and only brother was hauled away by the cops.

And now... after all that went down, the one thing I never expected was for her to send a text trying to ruin my big day. The worst thing is that she probably didn't care about anyone else but herself. It was in that moment that I had to close my eyes as I tried to collect myself. I certainly didn't care about her, as I continued to rant in my head. No, not one little bit!

I took in a deep breath and let it out as I looked down at my lap and opened my eyes again. I cared about my mother more. That and the fact that even after Kelly Anne lost her mother all those years ago, she was trying to impose on me by claiming my mother, who she thought would come to her and would do her bidding. She didn't have the right! She wanted a ride?! I was not going to allow that!

That's when I turned to my side, looking up at Andrew and Mathis, who were standing there behind my chair with their backs to me in this wall of bodies that surrounded our table. Right then, as I looked up, I noticed that Andrew turned around and looked down over his shoulder. His eyes met mine as he lightly shrugged before facing in front of him again. Then I looked back at my mother.

"What did I miss?" I asked as I turned my gaze back to look at the three people staring back at me. "What are we going to do now?"

My one question was directed toward Damian and my father, Germaine. This was not my show, but entirely theirs. I didn't know what plans were made, and I didn't care, just as long as Kelly Anne got what was coming to her when the time was right.

It was in that moment that my mother took in a long, deep breath, holding it for a moment before letting it out with a huff. She no longer seemed as distraught as she was before. I was thankful for that at least. I could have done without this ceremony of sorts, but at least my mother was calmer.

At the same time, she released her grip on my hand and reached up, placing both of her hands on top of my father's hands, still resting there on top of both of her shoulders as he stood directly behind her.

"Can you finally believe it, Germaine?" My mother spoke up in a softer tone as she looked up to meet my father's gaze, then looked back at me. I watched my father lightly squeeze her shoulders before she looked down and then immediately back up at my eyes. She started patting the top of his hand as she added. "Our baby girl is all grown up."

I chuckled under my breath at what she said when I closed my eyes briefly, shaking my head lightly from side to side.

"Mother," I said in a light, frustrated tone when our eyes met at how her last statement sounded. "I hate to break it to you, but I have been grown-up for some time now."

"Yes, I know, my dear," she said, reaching forward with her left hand as her right hand was still holding onto my father's. Then she started to pat me on top of the knee, adding, "Yes, dear, but this is the moment when you were officially married to the man of your dreams."

Dreams?! Did I hear her say that right? My eyes went wide with shock as I did everything I could to keep my eyes on her and not look over at Damian, who was still standing on the other side of my father. She must be kidding when she says he is the man of my dreams. Damian...

It would break her little heart to learn that Damian is NOT the man of my dreams. She would be sadly mistaken to assume that he is the man I longed to be with. No. I was promised to him nearly ten years ago when I was at the mere and discovering age of 16. This here... the events of today were the doing of none other than my father, Germaine. I would never have considered Damian to be the man of my dreams.

And I would not be one to... assume. Assume! Ass. You. Me. When someone assumes, it makes an ass out of you and me. I didn't consider myself an ass, nor would I presume as much of Damian. She may have raised him for most of his early life, but that is not who I would have chosen for myself.

"I think it's time we take our leave now," Damian spoke up in that moment of silence.

"I believe you are quite right, son," my father spoke up, turning to the side to look at him as well.

Right then, my father cleared his throat in a stern manner, and that caused the literal wall of bodies to break up so that the rest of the people seated around the tables could see us now. When all the other conversations stopped completely, my father finally spoke.

"Greetings, everyone," my father called out over the crowded room. "It is now time for the bride and groom to depart."

It was short, simple, and to the point. There was minimal conversation as everybody set up on their feet as they all headed to stand close to the door so that Damian and I could head off to wherever it was that he had picked for a destination.

My mother turned to the side as my father removed his hands from her shoulders and placed one hand out to her side, allowing her to grip it so that he could assist her to her feet. Once they were out of the way, I didn't notice Damian walk up behind them.

He didn't stop walking until he was directly beside my mother's chair. He held out his hand too.