I stand at the top of the stairs, waiting patiently for him, as he makes his way over to me. His eyes aren't anywhere else but on me. People part like the red sea, giving way for him, their curiosity getting the better of them, as they steal glances my way.
As he ascends up the stairs, my eyes droop low, nerves bubbling at the bottom of my stomach, expecting just about anything. I feel him close, his cologne filling my nostrils just when his shiny shoes come into view.
My chin is tilted up and my eyes meet his, there's no anger in them but some kind of indescribable emotion, swirling in them. He's not saying anything but just staring at me, his eyes taking my whole face in as if he's seeing something new.
"You're breathtaking." He breathes out.
My heart skips a beat at his words, a blush warming my cheeks.
I can't even look at him, that's why my eyes avert elsewhere, making the mistake of looking all around us, where I become well aware of all the eyes, staring up at us.
" Eyes on me," he says.
I look at him.
"Come." He holds out his hand.
I place my smaller hand on his bigger one, letting him guide me down the stairs, as he glances at me every few seconds. I nervously pass people, trying to keep focus on my steps so I don't fall on my face.
That would be so embarrassing.
Keith guides me to the center of the dance floor, where he places my hands around his neck and his own rest on my waist. A change of song is all it takes for Keith to sway me into dance, our feet forming a sense of rhythm, eyes on each other and nowhere else.
The moment is almost magical apart from the feel of eyes, the stares on my back, scorching and making me nervous yet again.
" People are staring."
" Let them stare, they have reason to. A belle has just graced us with her presence." I blush under his stare, leaning forward to rest my chin on his shoulder, letting myself relax and enjoy the feeling of being in his arms.
The music ushers us to a comfortable place, where I even don't mind the curious looks I've been given, but now the stares have decreased and most people have resumed to all they've been doing, before I showed up.
Leaning back to look at him, I ask the question which has been burning my mind.
" Are you angry with me?"
"No."
" Upset?"
" No."
" Mad?"
" No."
I bite my lip before trying again." Happy?"
" Overjoyed."
" I'm sorry."
" Forr what?"
" For not listening to you. I know I should have stayed put and not come, but I had to. You see I- ," I don't get to finish my sentence when Jill comes right up to us, a smile on her face.
We stop dancing and look at her.
"Dear you came, I'm so happy. To think Keith was trying to keep you away from us."
" I told you that she wasn't feeling well ." Keith responds, pulling me close.
" But she looks fine to me, you worry way too much. You are okay right dear?" She directs the question to me where I nod, a small smile on my face.
His fingers tighten on my skin and I notice his jaw working.
" Congratulations Mrs Salvatore." I try change the subject.
" Aunt Jill."
"Yes Aunt Jill, the place looks beautiful."
And I meant it, the place was beautiful with a spring meets Paris type of theme. Flowers were everywhere, the dance floor had the couples names on it, the beautiful classic chandelier hung proudly on the ceiling. It almost looked like the outside was brought inside and it worked.
Whoever did the interior did a great job.
" Thank you sweetheart. I must say, you look so beautiful tonight." She looks me over.
" Thank you, but I believe you are the queen tonight, no one compares to you tonight". Mrs Jill Salvatore looked breathtaking in a long sleeve grey shiny gown, her blonde hair was stylishly pinned up and a few strands of her hair framed her heart shaped face. Her makeup was light and brought out that natural look, like a new bride usually wears.
" Oh you flatter me with your words, come." She starts pulling me to her, only for me to be pulled back by Keith, who frowns at his aunt.
" Where are you taking her?" He asks.
" Oh I'm not taking her to some dungeon, I just want her to see your uncle, that's all." She says, her eyes smiling in amusement.
I turn to him, about to tell him that it's fine when Elena shows up." Akiandra, I didn't think you'd be here." She says, eyes reflecting real surprise.
" Oh I didn't think so too, until later on."
" Did you come alone?" Keith asks me.
" Nope, she came with me." Theresa's voice comes through as she makes her way to us.
" Um, this is my best friend Theresa, Theresa this is Keith's family, his aunt and aunt Jill's God Daughter." I introduce them all, where they shake hands in acknowledgement.
I almost sigh out in relief when Theresa doesn't comment or show off her true feelings towards Elena. She totally doesn't like her. " I hope you don't mind me bringing my own plus one."
" Oh no dear, it's no problem. So shall we be on our way?" She asks, her eyes showing off excitement.
I nod about to walk off with her when his hand grabs my wrist." Don't be gone for long, I want to see you."
" I want to see you too. I'd like us to talk."
He doesn't say anything but moves his eyes all over my face." I want to kiss you right now." He murmurs.
" No you can't, not right here." He frowns at me.
Is he blind, there's people here?
" People are watching and they don't know me, they'd make assumptions. "I smile sadly at him. " It's a big night tonight, a night to celebrate their love. So let it be about them." I tell him before following after Jill, dragging Theresa with me.
Jill takes us right to the much bigger table, which is their table. Her husband Gregory Salvatore, sits with a smile on his face as he is in conversation with his brother Vince. What a sight to see of grown men, teasing each other and acting like teenage boys, trying to be discreet about it.
You can totally see the love and respect they have for one another.
The minute we step right at the table, we earn their attention and Jill gets us right into conversation with the man of the night. Gregory is still good looking though showing signs of years passed. There's evidence of grey hair forming, some wrinkles under his eyes but still looking fit and healthy.
Time spent chatting with him is a great joy, where I find myself laughing freely, chatting freely and having a good time. A down to earth and humble man indeed, making you feel comfortable to be around him.
Vince on the other hand hasn't really spoken much, his eyes stealing a glance my way every now and then. Ever since the kitchen talk, things between us are a bit tense, not because I hold a grudge or am angry with him, refusing to talk, but he's avoiding me. I want to tell him that I hold nothing against him, yes I was upset but I'm not one to really hold grudges or mistreat someone, just because they said something I didn't like.
As the party unfolds, Keith and I unfortunately do not get to talk to each other and I haven't seen the white haired man. The party has moved on to the time of speeches, where each important person in Jillian and Gregory's life say something to the couple. Because of the limited space at their table, only one chair being available, I choose to sit with Theresa at the back table, not intending to leave her alone as she came with me.
I watch with a smile as each person come on stage, expressing their love to Jill and Gregory. It is such a beautiful thing, to watch people express their appreciation and the impact they had on each person.
"I know this is important and all but damn, so many speeches, makes me so hungry." Theresa whines close, so people don't hear her.
I chuckle at her, as she scrunches up her nose.
" You had a big sandwich before we came here." I remind her.
" Yeah well I'm a growing girl." I shake my head in amusement.
" Oh shoot, here goes Barbie." Theresa mumbles under her breath, gesturing towards the stage.
Looking ahead, I notice Elena making her way up to the stage. She looks rather pretty in a green off the shoulder mermaid gown, her hair is pinned to the side and her make-up is more bold, with a red lip and cat eye.
"She looks pretty , I'll give her that." Theresa says, diverting my attention from Elena and on to her.
" Still you don't like her." I state.
" Exactly, there's just something fishy about her. It's like she's those poison Ivy's, beautiful on the outside and cunning in the inside."
"That's a bit extreme don't you think? "
" Nope, not at all. She may be playing smart and being careful but I'll say this, a time will come where everyone will see what lays beneath all that beauty. Mark my words." She holds up her champagne glass to me before taking a sip.
I shake my head at her before looking ahead, now being attentive. I listen to the rest of Elena's speech.
"When I was asked to say something tonight, I knew that I wouldn't have enough words, to express how much I love you guys, how appreciative I am to have you in my life. That's why I decided to simplify it with this video." She says, before stepping aside and almost off the stage, just when the projector plays.
A song comes on just as a slideshow begins. Picture after picture it shows, cute ones of her as a baby with Jill and Gregory. Ones of her growing up and the couple present, some I can't help but smile about, where even Keith is present. He looked so hot when he was just a teenage boy, he was quite active and happy, his mother ever present.
As the slideshow continues on with a new song, I frown a bit when most pictures are now of Keith and she, Jill and Gregory appearing every now and then but not as before. Things seem to become more confusing when the pictures showing are more recent, and are the same ones that have been shown on TV, when there was still the buzz about Keith having a woman in his life.
My God, she was the one who was always present, the same blonde haired woman who's face we never got to see but her back. I don't know how to feel right now, especially when the last picture is of the whole family, Jill and Gregory, their kids, Keith's parents and then there's Keith and Elena on a side hug, looking at each other. It's exactly the same as the one back at Aspen, except it was just the two of them. Everything up to this point doesn't sit well with me and I'm starting to regret coming here, if I had to witness this.
" What the heck?" Theresa says beside me, but I don't look at her,only ahead on stage.
Maybe it was innocent and it's just harmless pictures but something doesn't sit right with me, this night feels so wrong.
" Godmother, Godfather. You two have been a blessing in my life, especially to the both of us, and by both of us, I mean Keith and I." That's when the spotlight turns to Keith, who's eyes, I've noticed have been on me. Now with the spotlight on him, he is given reason to look away and towards the stage.
" I know that Keith, you said I should take over but it would mean so much if you said just a few words." Elena has just put Keith on the spot.
I watch as Keith makes his way over to the stage, his face blank, not giving much away. Elena steps aside for Keith to stand in her place, only to step more closely to him, minimum to none space between them.
"Well I didn't expect to be out on the spot like that." Everyone else chuckles in amusement as Keith smirks at Elena, who's smiling at him.
My chest tightens when her arm is around him from behind, her head resting on his shoulder every so often. I can't even listen to what he's saying, I can only see what's in front of me, Elena not being discreet about her physical contact and Keith not doing anything.
This is just so wrong, it feels so wrong.
" Their love is strong and their journey to be admired, while they maintain a bond like no other. It is quite inspirational to anyone who witnesses their love." Keith says, his eyes on the main couple, who smile up at him.
" You're an inspiration to the both of us, especially on love. " Elena adds.
Keith glances at her for a bit before looking away again, about to say more, but is beaten by the reporters who show up out of nowhere, startling the guests into a standstill, questions showing on their faces of how the press got in.
As if rehearsed, their main focus is on the two people on stage. Questions are soon thrown towards Keith and Elena, questions concerning a relationship, secrets and a future together.
I don't feel good watching this unfold, it's a nauseating situation.
" This is a set up." Theresa says.
" I don't feel so good." I say, rising up from my chair.
"Kea?" She comes over to stand on my side, concern in her eyes.
" I want to leave." I tell her, trying to push back the tears.
" Why don't you wait a minute."
" I want to leave." My voice almost rises up a level.
I take my clutch and start walking off, not even looking back to see if she's following.
" Akiandra. Where are you going?!" I stop in my tracks, my heart stopping for a few seconds before starting up again.
Keith just called me out loud.
I glance over my shoulder, confused as to why he just called me out like that, in front of everyone. Now the spotlight is on me, just as his eyes. Cameras flash on the both of us, curious eyes moving from Keith to me, more so me, because they don't know me.
' You're his dirty little secret.'
" Come here please." He says.
I nervously look around to see if he's talking to me, only to find that he is.
" Go on." Theresa whispers in my ear, taking my bag from me before she pushes me forward.
I'm nervous, that's a given and because he knows me so well, he meets me halfway. He takes my hand in his and leads me to the stage." W-what are you doing?" I whisper nervously.
"Trust me." He whispers back.
Reaching the stage and standing right where he was a few seconds ago, I notice Elena has stepped a side now, standing in the shadow at the back, while Keith and I are in the spotlight.
" For the last few weeks I've been asked a lot of personal questions. Assumptions have been made in the process, stories being made up and leading to a conclusion that I'm dating a close friend. I haven't said much up to this point and I feel that I've wasted a lot of time. The longer I would have kept quiet, the more strain and effect it would have in my life." He glances my way at his last sentence.
" I'm sorry for the intrusion, but things need to be done." He directs this to Jill and Gregory. " Everyone, in my own words right here, right now. I want to tell everyone that I'm not dating anyone because that would be cheating on my part."
' What are you saying Mr Salvatore?' A reporter asks.
'And who's the lady beside you?'
'What is she to you?'
' Is she your mistress?' My eyes widen at that question, my heart dropping to my knees.
'You're his dirty little secret.'
I start to pull away but he tightens his hold on my hand, his eyes shooting daggers at the man who shouted that insulting question.
"Security, take this man away?" The security don't need to be told twice as they drag the man out.
I squeeze his hand, trying to calm him down and he does, after he releases a breath.
"Everyone has been asking me about a special woman in my life, and this right here beside me is that special woman. I'd like to introduce to you Akiandra Salvatore, my wife." Everyone gasps in surprise, me amongst them, trying to grasp the fact that he just said that.
The reporters become more aggressive with their questions but I couldn't be bothered, because my attention is on him, with so many emotions bubbling within me. Not understanding a thing.
Keith holds up his hand, silencing them. "We have been married for the past two years and yes, I hid her from the world, for my own selfish reasons, but I'm glad that I get to introduce her to the world now."
'Where's the- .'
" The proof ?......Oh you'll witness it soon but first, I need to do something." He turns to me. " I need to do things the right way this time."
I watch him pull away and walk off the stage, leaving me curious as he heads to a table where Rick is. The two exchange a few words, Rick digs in his bag before handing over something to Keith, who returns with his hands in his pockets.
He stood in front of me, held my face between his hands and stared down at me.
I waited, once again, I did.
For what?
This time I didn't know.
But the moment he spoke, I knew, the wait was over.
"You waited." He said.
I gasped.
" You waited." He breathed.