Chapter 1 Wedding Files

CHAPTER 1

Wedding Files

James' phone flashed and buzzed on the glass side table and Ade went to check it.

She took the phone in hand and the message that popped up made her heart twist painfully in her chest as bitter rage surged within her.

Her hands shook with the wedding preparation files she tightly held.

It was a message from Violet, his classmate who he once crushed on during his college days.

{ I enjoyed our kiss yesterday. I can't wait to taste those lips again ...giggles.}

"Oh dear gods," Ade sank into the soft ash sofa, strength leaving her legs.

An ice cold feeling of dread ran up her spine as her reality dawned on her.

This was what he had been up to?

Tears brimmed in Ade's eyes.

She had suspected. She had feared, especially since Violet had moved over to come live here in Los Angeles.

But there was no evidence. Quite the contrary, James had assured her, that her fears were unfounded.

But he would always leave the house with some good excuse in mind.

A business call here, a business meeting there.

Nothing much about Violet except plans to help her with the logistics of relocating and packing into her new home.

Or plans to go kill a fat rat that sneaked into her house.

Or to check in on her because she was going through a terrible break up.

How could she have been so stupid to not see it? To not see the patterns?

Ever since Violet had moved into LA, things had cratered terribly in their relationship.

James never gave her the time of day again. He never saw her the same way again.

The spark in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a dull, jaded, irritated look whenever he looked at her.

There was always something to do outside the house now that Violet had moved over.

He was always running away from her like she was the plague.

A flu.

A pariah

And it was every time they were about to plan their wedding ceremony.

Everyday that she had brought the subject matter up, he was suddenly too busy at the Cleland Family Head Company.

The same institution she had singlehandedly put in effort to establish, to stabilize, to demonstrate her unwavering support for him.

Tears threatened to fall the more she thought of it.

Why? Why would he do this to her? After everything? What hadn't she done for him?

With her good social skills she had worked hard to enable him and his family stand in society, bringing business deals and networks with aristocrats, those who held power.

This was how he chose to repay her?

Violet never even did anything for him other than order him around like a loyal errand bird.

Other than string him along and play games with his feelings when they were in college.

Ade's mouth dried up, her chest beating madly, constricting painfully, agonizingly.

The room door opened and James came out wearing a plaid brown jacket and blue jeans, looking happy, expectant.

When he saw the dismay on her face he wondered what had happened, but he had somewhere to be and didn't have the time to find out.

"Ade, I'll be heading out again. You'll be a good girl and take care of the house okay?" He gave her a wide insincere grin.

Ade scoffed, blinking back her tears. She wasn't going to cry for him because he didn't deserve it. " I've been a good girl for as long as I have known you. Abandoning myself, to care and look after you, to do whatever you want of me, and this is how you treat me?" She shoved the phone into his hands.

"This is ..."James frowned as he stared at the phone, reading the message." how did you--"

"How did I see it?" she asked. "Is that your question? Perhaps your mind is running around for more excuses, explanations?"

James face turned cold and he stuffed the phone in his jean pockets. " Actually there are no explanations. I've been meaning to tell you for a while now. Violet and I ...we are going to be a thing. She's still acting coy but she'll come clean."

Ade took a deep breath that didn't soothe her soul. " I see. All my years I've poured into your life, neglecting myself to cater to you. Violet shows up and you suddenly have no need for me?"

His frown deepened." You seriously don't think you measure up to her do you?"

Immense pain flickered across her face, but before she could say anything the front door opened and Violet walked in alongside Sandra, James' sister.

"James love, look who I saw on my way here ..." Sandra stopped when she spotted Ade, and glared at her" James you must really be foolish having this good for nothing leech here if you want a relationship with Violet."

For years Sandra had despised and loathed Ade's entry into their lives because she had felt like the spotlight had been taken away from her.

She had always taken a backseat when it came to who was the brains and idea behind the Cleland Family's businesses. And instead everything pointed to Ade.

Even though no one in the family recognized Ade for that, it was still an unspoken fact that she was the engine, the support structure behind their status and business successes.

And that irked her more than anything. How could Ade act like she was more important, skilled and knowledgeable than her? Sandra couldn't take it and because of that she had hated her.

She had been the one to goad and push James and Violet's relationship, despite how unstable and uncertain things looked for the both of them.

The reason was Violet definitely wasn't someone Sandra could feel insecure about, she easily outshined her, so she could keep her as a friend.

Violet cooked up a fake smile, rubbing Sandra's arm. "Please calm down Sandy. It's not necessary to be harsh on her. You know she's never known what real love looks like. She's not had parents either to show her. We need to be softer to her."

" A leech you say?" Ade said. " You've so easily forgotten that I contributed to the Cleland Family?"

" Oh please, " Sandra scoffed. " My family's companies were solely built by my family members. You added very few simple ideas and all of a sudden you are puffed up. So arrogant and haughty. No wonder James can't stand you and has to run into Violet's arms every little chance he gets. No wonder you don't have anyone looking for you or claiming to be your family member. They all abandoned you."

" Sandra that's enough," James chimed in. " She knows already that she didn't contribute much. There's no need to reiterate it."

" I hope you are not angry Ade?" Violet asked, maintaining a pretentious worried look, and acting like she was concerned about her.

" Angry about what?" A calm, composed expression adorned Ade's features making Violet frown.

She hadn't expected such a cool facade. She wanted her to shed tears.

To fumble and crumble.

To go on her knees and grovel before them.

But instead, a small smile shimmered across Ade's lips.