Silence had taken over a few minutes ago, whilst we wait for Keith to sort out the journalists outside. He said he would and made it clear that I don't come out.
He doesn't want me anywhere in view. So I took it upon myself to keep our guests occupied.
" I heard about what happened in Aspen, how have you been dear?" Jill asks, sipping her wine.
" Oh I'm okay," I say.
" What happened in Aspen?" Vincent asks.
" Someone broke into our home and held Akiandra at gun point." Elena speaks up.
" Oh they didn't hurt you, did they?" Vincent asks, concern in his eyes.
" No, he didn't. Um a lot happened and I'm just glad it's over." I say.
" We should check on him, I'm going." Elena suddenly says, rising to her feet.
" I don't think that's such a good idea." I say, making her stop.
"Time has passed now, I'll just-"
" Elena, Keith is a businessman, a successful one at that, he has dealt with the press before and he won't stop now. " I say, rising to my feet.
" Yes but it's personal now."
" All the more reason to know what he is capable of. Excuse me." I say, walking off to the kitchen to check if everything is okay.
I don't know what came over me back there, but whatever it is served its purpose. Anything to do with Keith is my business, he's my husband and I won't stand for anyone to doubt his capabilities.
I know Elena means well but she must know that her friend, Keith Salvatore, isn't a man to be intimidated.
Confidence. That's what I have about Keith, I believe in him, I know him and of course he's my man. And no husband of mine will be regarded as just a mere man, no, not Akiandra Salvatore's husband.
" I've never seen that look on your face before." Maria says, catching my attention.
" What look?" I ask confused, checking on the delicious looking food. Taking a strawberry along the way.
"Oh nothing." Maria quickly says, trying to suppress her grin.
" Are you mentally talking to yourself?"
I shrug smiling at her before mentally checking out everything.
" Looks like everything is in order, I just need to make sure Keith is back and we can start." I tell the women, who have helped me so much today.
I should do something special for them, just to thank them.
" It's so good to have you back dear." Maria says.
" Yeah, the house wasn't the same without you." Nia adds, taking a seat.
" In simple words, we missed you." Sarah says.
" I missed you all too, you're like my family." This makes them smile.
" Akiandra." I jump a little before glancing over my shoulder, to see Vincent at the doorway.
" Is Keith back?"
" Yes, but he's on the phone. Could we talk for minute?" He asks, his eyes looking around.
I too follow his line of view, to see him discreetly look at three of the ladies." We will take the platters in the meantime." Sarah says.
" Thank you," I call after them.
Vincent walks over to sit on the other side of the counter, already his eyes are on me." Akiandra, I know we only ever spoke once and shortly at that, I didn't make an effort for all of us to stay in contact and that's my fault."
" Sir, everyone has a different way of mourning or just dealing with things. I know we are two years passed now but Keith needs you just as much as you need him. Don't give up on him, be patient and things will be okay again." I smile encouragingly to him.
" A positivity in Keith's life you've been and I'm thankful for that." My smile widens at that.
" Thank you for coming sir and trying to reach out. Um, was there anything else you wanted to talk about? "
" Yes. I don't want to sound forward and all but how old are you?"
" Uh 21, 22 in a month or so, why?" I ask frowning.
" Keith has been very lucky to have you in his life, especially in those 6 months and more. An agreement you two had. Look, Keith and I might have not spoken for over 2 years but I kept track of him and how he was doing. That's how I got to know about the divorce."
" " My eyes droop low, not knowing what to say.
" You're very young and a lot waits for you out there." My head snaps up.
" What are you trying to say?"
" I know my son, he's a man of challenge, goal and determination. Sometimes he can be a little ignorant of emotion and feelings, that's why I'm concerned about you."
"Me?"
" You're a sweet girl Akiandra, one who wears her heart on her sleeves and many could try take advantage of that. Keith has enemies, people who want to bring him down, those who want what he has and those who want to destroy him, so what do people after a man target?, his wife."
" Sir I'm not-"
" I know Keith has grown to care about you, and I'm happy about that, but his fondness can only do so much for you. You need stability, you need a stress free life, you need to start living your life, not deal with threats and problems that come with being his wife, a wife that's only acknowledged in paper and kept in secret."
" Sir- ."
" You're just a dirty little secret to him." I uneasily rise to my feet, pushing back the stool, staggering back as his words feel like a slap on my face.
" I don't mean to hurt your feelings but I'm being honest as I'm protecting you, because when the world gets to know about you, that's how they'll view you as. Everyone else knows the rumoured relationship of Elena and Keith, I'm worried that as Keith holds out on telling the world the truth, it'll be too late for people to get to know this sweet girl who stands in front of me, when they've already invested themselves into Keith and Elena."
" Sir, thank you for your concern, but we know what we're doing. Look sir, I'm in love with your son, I love him so much and you don't need to be a certain age, to know why your heart beats so fast for someone, why you can't catch a breath in their sight, why their pain is your pain and why no other person could ever change how you feel, but their words simply strengthen the love you have."
We remain silent for a few seconds as I catch my breath, before I speak up again." The love I have for him gives me strength to endure anything, even the hard and painful results of sacrifice."
" You'd be willing to sacrifice your own pain for him?"
" I'd sacrifice my own pain for him, for his happiness because I love him, you know love, like the love you had for your wife, or was it different from mine?" I say, looking him straight in the eyes.
He opens his mouth to say something but then we hear Keith's voice sounding near. Meaning he's coming in here.
" Akiandra." Vincent says but I turn my back on him, walking on to take out things from the fridge.
" Well I want it done as in yesterday!" Keith says, entering the kitchen but I still don't face him, wanting to get my emotions in check so I don't upset him.
This lunch is about him and his family, I won't ruin it.
Arms wrap around my waist, making me tense up a bit before I relax into him.
" Baby are you okay?" He asks, kissing the back of my neck.
Taking a breath, I turn in his arms, looking up at him.
" I'm fine, now come on, we have lunch to get to." I say patting his chest, then stepping out of his hold.
" Excuse me." Vincent says, walking out of the kitchen, leaving Keith and I alone.
" Baby-"
I almost sigh out in relief when Maria, Nia and Sarah show up.
" Please take everything, we're starting now." I tell Nia and Maria, who nod and get right into it.
I turn to Keith, who's just watching me, leaned against the fridge.
" Keith your family."
" What about them?"
I give him the ' really' look.
" Fine, I'm going. But you'd better come soon." He says, pushing off the fridge and coming over to peck my lips before walking out.
" Mrs Salvatore, we're ready." Maria says and I nod, taking a bowl of salad and heading out, after them.
I just hope everything turns out fine.
******
Awkward and tense silence, only utensil against a plate sounds echo around us. No one has really dared to speak or make conversation and I don't like it. They're suppose to share about their day, their plans and talk about memories.
I might not have a family, but I know how important such moments are.
" Mrs Salvatore," Jill's head picks up." For your anniversary Party, is everything completed - I could help out if you need anything?"
" Oh dear that's kind of you, but everything is sorted out. All I need is for you to be there." Her eyes move to Keith, who's looking down at his plate.
I kick him on his leg, making him to look at me in question.
" Your aunt is looking forward to her whole family being present for her anniversary." I give him a warning glare which makes him sigh.
" We'll be there." He says, looking at his aunt, who's smile widens.
" What did you say to the press that made them go away?" Elena asks Keith.
" That the rumours are false and that I'm not dating anyone, but married. "
My folk drops from my hand just as there's silence, everyone looking at Keith.
" W-what?" Elena asks, blinking at him.
" I'm kidding." He says, continuing on eating.
Everyone seems calm after that, well both Elena and Jill sigh in relief and I frown at that, my eyes make the mistake of passing Vincent, who shoots me some type of look.
" I just told them that I'll release an official statement soon, and that they must respect my privacy or else I'll sue all of them."
" As long as they're gone." I tell him, smiling at him.
" What if they come back with something new to fire at you, what then?" Elena asks.
" Why would there be something new?" Keith asks, arching his brow at Elena, who shrugs her shoulders.
Not wanting things to turn out all awkward, I turn to Mr Salvatore senior.
"Mr Salvatore-"
" Vince please."
"Okay Vince, so you've been travelling right?"
" Yes, a lot."
" What's the weirdest things you ate?"
" Aah, a snail."
Silence.
" W-what?" I ask, just to be certain I heard right.
" Yes a snail." Just when he repeats it, my eyes move on to the gravy and all I see is snails.
" And a maggot." Oh God, I think I'm going to be sick.
" Okay I think I'm done." Elena says, pushing back her plate.
" Dad." Keith warns but I notice him try suppress a grin, a twinkle evident in his eye.
Oh he's loving this.
" What, it's true. They were squishy and goey."
" I think I'm going to be sick." Elena says, scrunching up her nose.
" Vince stop." Jill glares at Vince, who smirks at us.
" Alright I'm kidding, I had the best grilled meat in South Africa."
I try erase the recent images from my mind, filling it with grilled meat.
" Damn they love their meat, and flavour is everything there," he says.
"What else did you get to do on your travels?"
" Oh I have the craziest stories."
" Oh we have all the time in the world." I say, interested.
" Okay then."
And that's how the rest of the lunch goes, Vincent stealing the show and telling us all about his adventures.
From a distance, I watch with a joyful heart, seeing laughter, the sharing of stories and even communication between father and son, even though Vince does most of the talking. It's such a wonderful sight to see Keith relaxed and actually enjoying himself, his eyes laughing and talking freely.
" I haven't seen that smile in forever." Maria says, standing right next to me.
" I love seeing him like this." I say, not able to look away.
" Well we should add some sweetness to all that happiness, don't you think?"
I nod, finally looking away from the family." Dessert." I say, walking past Maria, who soon follows.
Arriving back at the table with the cake I baked, a smile makes it's way on my face when I see that the conversation is still going.
" You guys should go out on sea, anyone who needs some time apart from all the noise, call me." Vince says.
" I might just call you, maybe I'll take someone out and away from everything." I say, looking at Keith, who's eyes darken a bit when I bite my bottom lip.
" Will you be able to afford it, I mean Uncle Vince is pretty pricey?"
" Why wouldn't she afford it when she's got money?" Keith speaks up.
" Oh?" Elena arches her brow.
" Yes, my money is her money and as we were tied in marriage, we became one, so what's mine is hers. Money is not an object to us."
I have nothing to say but stare at him in awe and pride. He just keeps surprising me and I don't think he will ever stop. From the corner of my eye, I see Vince's eyes move between the two of us, more so staying on Keith, who's looking at me.
Looking away from them and taking off the lid, to start cutting the cake, suddenly something cold, sweet and sticky comes upon me, right from my face to everywhere on me.
I hear a gasp as I try figure out what just happened.
I try blink, but the substance is coming into my eyes.
I hear a scraping of a chair, before a hand touches my arm.
" Close your eyes for me baby." Keith says calmly and I do so, blocking out the rest of the world.
" Get the cloth." Keith demands.
" I'm so sorry, I-I didn't mean to do it, I tripped and -"
" It's okay Nia." I say cutting her off, just as something comes onto my tongue.
Cranberry sauce.
Keith wipes it off my face." You can open your eyes now." Keith says in my ear.
I do, my vision clearing and finally seeing everything. The sauce mostly came onto me and the cake, everyone else is fine, thank God.
Nia stands in between Elena and Jill, panic ,fear and regret in her eyes.
" Nia it's okay. Just take the bowl and clear up." She nods, doing as I tell her.
" How about you clean up Akiandra and we will wait for you, I'm taking everyone out for ice cream. " Vince suggests.
" That would be lovely, thank you." I tell him, just as Keith takes me upstairs, more like carries me upstairs, to our room.
" Are you sure you're going to be okay?"
" Yes, now go talk to your family, I'll be right down!" I say through the door, since I locked him out of the bathroom while I shower.
" Fine. But if you're not back in 5 minutes, I'll be back." He says.
" Okay!" I say, jumping into the shower for a quick wash.
I don't even take more than 6 minutes to get out of the shower, hurrying to get dressed. I stop in my tracks when I hear a single knock and Jill enters.
"Oh dear, I thought you were still in the shower."
" Oh I'm just going to get dressed now, is there anything you need?" I ask, holding onto my towel.
" No, no. I came to give you some cream to help with your skin, Keith told me how sensitive your skin is."
She holds out a small white cream container, with a gold and white lid.
I wonder how Keith knew about my sensitive skin?
" Thank you so much." I take it from her, smiling in appreciation.
" Alright, I'll let you get back to it then. " I nod, watching her walk out.
The minute the door closes, I quickly apply the cream and hurriedly pick out something to wear.
It might not have been planned but it'll do.
Finally looking myself in the mirror, I give myself a nod of approval, tying my hair into a ponytail and not bothering with make-up this time.

I release a breath, turning away from the mirror to walk out of my room, only to stop in my tracks when my breath hitches. I'm not given a chance to shake off what just happened when my throat tightens and air is slowly leaving me. I stagger to the bathroom, holding onto my throat, trying to gulp down as much air as possible.
Appearing into the mirror, I look back at my now red going onto maroon type of colour on my face, which starts to itch still, so much is happening to me at once that I can't really concentrate.
I feel weak and tired, so I sit down on the floor, leaning against the wall. I try to scratch at my skin when the itch goes away, a cold sensation taking over.
My skin now feels so cold just when the air comes back to me, in an irregular manner. My heart thumps hard against my chest, the dizzy spell coming back again but this time I refuse to fall under it.
I'm trying to keep awake as long as possible, this time waiting for Keith or anyone to show up. I can't voice out anything, nothing is coming out.
So I wait as I refuse to sleep, because I'm afraid that if I do, I might not even wake up.