Rachael's POV
"Rachael" Bella whispers
I sit up in bed lazily, "What do you want now?"
"You still haven't said anything about the other night" she says smirking.
"There's nothing to talk about."
"So where did you run off to?"
"You wouldn't let me be, would you?" I sigh
"Not until you give me the details."
I exhale, calculating what to say in my head.
"Okay fine", I pause. "I met this guy, we talked for a while, we shared a kiss and I came back to the hotel."
She gives me this twisted look, and then says "Do I look like a six year old"
I lay down, turning my back to her
Bella has always been the one to hold my secrets, and now, I'm keeping one from her.
"It's fine if you don't want to say anything", she says leaning over me.
"I also have a surprise for you." Laughing softly, she turns her back on me.
What could she be talking about?
Before I turn to ask, we are interrupted by a knock on the door.
"It's past 10 am already, you don't want The Brooks to think you can't keep to time" my mom's voice echoes from the hallway.
I almost forgot about the dinner arrangements.
"Can I be done with this already?" I whisper to Bella.
"No you can't, now get up and let's go take a shower", she says smiling and jumping out of bed
"Why are you so bubbly this morning?" I ask, my brows lifted
"You'll see!" she smirks.
The ride to the estate is quiet. Bella chatters but I can barely hear her. My hands are cold and my body is shaking.
Tonight, I meet Clinton's family for the first time. My stomach somersaulted.
"You're quieter than usual", Bella asks, leaning forward. "Is something on your mind?"
Forcing a smile, I lie "I'm fine". Heavens know how far I am from fine. Sitting next to her, holding such a secret was overwhelming.
She hovers over my shoulder, whispering into my ears, "You're thinking about him, aren't you"
I freeze. "No". I say too quickly.
Bella laughs. "Relax Rach, it's just one dinner. You can survive it".
I nod, trying to breathe normally.
The entrance to the estate is grand and welcoming. Beautiful chandeliers, polished floors. I try to put on a fake smile while my mother greets Clinton's family.
I smile, wave, nod politely, and focus on introductions, the same patterns I had grown up learning. Nothing can take my mind off the weight of expectation suffocating me.
Dinner begins. Clinton hovers near me politely, while still keeping distance. He speaks little, only when relatives are around. His wandering eyes make me feel invisible. Our conversations stay formal, almost scripted.
And then… I see him
Jonathan's POV
I barely step out of the airport when my phone vibrates in my hand. Bella. I already know why she's calling so I let it ring a couple of times before answering
"Have you landed?" she asks
"Just now", I say standing, waiting for my Uber in front of the airport. "I'll be there"
A pause. Then, she finally speaks up "You're really coming?"
This is the hundredth time she has asked since Capri accepted her invite yesterday.
"I said I would, didn't I?"
She exhales. "Good. Mum will also be here, I hope you don't have a problem with that?"
Another pause.
I hadn't seen Diana in over ten years, hopefully, it wouldn't be too weird
"And… I didn't tell Rachael you were coming."
I stop walking
"You didn't tell her?" I say repeating after her.
"No", she says quickly. "I wanted it to be a surprise. She's never met either of you."
"Alright, I'll see you tonight then."
When the call ends, I stare at my phone a second longer before slipping it into my pocket
Capri examines my face before speaking. "You're quiet", he says. "That's not good".
"Diana will be there, I hope she doesn't bring her college boyfriend with her. But I'm fine."
By the time we pull up at the estate gate, dusk has settled in.
The door opens to a normal dinner party, which doesn't look like something arranged to announce a grand wedding.
Bella spots me first, she crosses the room quickly, throwing her arms around me like she had done when she was a kid.
"Thank you", she whispers to Capri and he nods.
She links her eyes through mine, pulling me toward the center of the hall. "Come, let me introduce you properly."
I nod, letting her guide me… until I see her.
She's seated, posture straight, hands folded neatly in her lap. She's listening to someone speak, nodding politely.
I slow down without realising it.
Capri notices, he always does. "Jonathan?"
I don't answer.
"Who's that?" I ask Bella quietly, eyes still on the girl.
Bella follows my gaze and smiles. "That's Rachael.".
"My best friend," Bella adds. "The bride."
Bride?