Chapter One Hundred And Eighteen

Chapter 118
Jemima sat in the kitchen of Jay’s house, sipping her coffee as she flipped through a wedding decoration inspiration on Pinterest. She could not decide what she wanted yet but she knew she wanted it to make a statement— simple but audacious.

It was well into ten o’clock in the morning and she had not gone into the office. Jay had crept back in the previous night from work and he was sleeping in. Jemima didn’t want to wake him up so she had crept out of bed to make him some pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon on the side.

Just as she scrolled through her phone, her gaze landed on a decor that caught her eye. It was an emerald decor that was coated with cream.

Her memory flashed back instantly;

“One day, when we get out of this shit hole, I’m going to throw us the biggest themed party,” Vanessa said as they lay on the grass, glancing at the stars above.

Jemima chuckled, “And what would be the theme?”

Vanessa shrugged, “beats me! I do know it would be emerald, the true color of your eyes, and not the contacts you wear to cover them up and maybe cream because they go so well together!”

Flashback ends.

Jemima gasped at that memory as she continued staring at the image before her.

Surely it must be some coincidence, she thought to herself as she closed the app and put her phone on the counter.

“I guess I’ll have to meet sister dearest then,” Jemima sighed as she placed the cup of coffee on the counter.

“Sister dearest for what?” Jay’s voice queried as he walked down the stairs. Jemima’s smile widened at the sight of him. She walked up to him and planted a quick kiss on his lips.

“You’re up already. I didn’t want to wake you,” Jemima stated as she directed him to the dining where his food was set.

“You didn’t my darling. So now, tell me why we’re meeting sister dearest, Ava?” Jay reiterated his question as he finally made his way to his seat.

“Well, we need to start making preparations for the wedding and I’d most certainly need all the help I can get. Speaking of which, would you mind driving me to the house? I’m supposed to meet with Ava this morning,” Jemima requested, looking at Jay softly.

He simply nodded as he fed her some of the food.

After an hour, Jay had dropped her off and excused himself to attend to some business b
As Jemima walked through the estate, she noticed that the morning sunlight spilled across the Valerian estate, its golden hue reflecting off the dew-kissed gardens and casting a warm glow into the dining room. Jemima walked inside and after exchanging pleasantries she sat at the head of the table, her coffee cup cradled in her hands as Ava paced in front of her with a tablet.

“You should cut back on the coffee,” Marcus advised with a grin spread across his face.
Marcus leaned casually against the wall, a half-eaten croissant in his hand. The day had barely begun, but the house was already alive with the energy of a thousand tasks.

"Alright," Ava began, scrolling through the tablet. "Let's tackle the big stuff first, the venue. Have you decided on a location yet?"

Jemima exhaled, setting her coffee down. "I was thinking of the Valerian estate gardens. It's beautiful, intimate, and private. Plus, security would be easier to manage here but I’d have to consult with my husband first," Jemima said, adding the last part with a hint of mischief.

“Fiancé Jem, you aren’t married yet,” Ava chuckled softly as she rolled her eyes at her sister.

“I might as well start getting used to it,” Jemima replied with a hearty laugh.

Ava sighed in defeat and turned to Marcus who was just enjoying watching his sisters.”

Marcus nodded in agreement. "Makes sense. Fewer moving parts. We can control who comes and goes."

"But," Ava interjected, her brow furrowing, "don't you think it's a little... predictable? I mean, everyone expects the Valerian estate. What if you did something different? Like the lakeside villa?"

Jemima considered this, biting her lip. "The villa is stunning, but it's so far out of the city. Logistically, it might be a nightmare for the guests. And honestly, I want something that feels like home."

Ava sighed dramatically but relented. "Fine. The gardens it is. I'll start coordinating with the decorators."

“Not yet though, I’ll have to consult with Jay first.” Jemima insisted

After brunch, the trio moved to the estate's parlor, where a selection of cake samples awaited them. A local pâtissier had been tasked with creating a masterpiece for the wedding, and today was the tasting.

Jay joined them sometime during the day and his presence was as commanding as always. He greeted Jemima with a kiss on her forehead before taking a seat beside her. "Alright, what are we doing?"

"Tasting cakes," Jemima replied with a grin, gesturing to the array of samples. "You're just in time."

The pâtissier, a slender man with an air of quiet confidence, introduced each flavor with care. There was classic vanilla bean, rich dark chocolate with raspberry filling, a zesty lemon chiffon, and a unique lavender honey.

Jemima tried the chocolate first, savoring the decadent flavor. "This is incredible."

Jay raised an eyebrow as he tasted the lavender honey. "This one's... interesting. But do we want to serve something that tastes like a garden?"

Ava burst out laughing. "I told you he wouldn't go for it."

They debated for nearly an hour, eventually narrowing it down to two options: the dark chocolate with raspberry filling and a more traditional vanilla bean with a twist of salted caramel.

"Let's do both," Jay suggested, leaning back in his chair. "One for the main cake and one as a smaller, secondary option."

Jemima smiled, appreciating his practicality. "That works. Thank you."

Next came the guest list, a task that quickly turned into a battlefield of opinions.

"We need to keep it small," Jemima insisted, scanning the initial list Ava had compiled. "Family, close friends, and key allies. No one else."

Ava frowned. "Jem, you're marrying Jay Black. Half of Rome's elite will expect an invitation."

"I don't care about their expectations," Jemima replied firmly. "This is our day, not theirs."

Jay, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "I agree with Jem. We'll invite who we want, not who society expects. But we do need to consider strategic alliances. A wedding like this sends a message, and we can't afford to overlook that."

Jemima sighed, knowing he was right. "Fine. But let's keep it under a hundred people."

They spent hours refining the list, debating each name. By the end, they had a balanced mix of family, friends, and key allies.

Amidst the wedding preparations, JEMMARC's operations continued to thrive. The Valerians were determined not to let the upcoming nuptials overshadow their business endeavors.

In the late afternoon, Jemima joined Marcus and Ava in the study, where they reviewed the latest reports on their rebranding efforts.

"The feedback from the PR campaign has been overwhelmingly positive," Ava reported, scrolling through a series of charts. "Our engagement metrics are through the roof, and pre-orders for the new product line are already exceeding projections."

Marcus leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smirk on his face. "Told you the rebrand would work. People love a good comeback story."

Jemima nodded, her focus sharp despite the wedding chaos. "We need to capitalize on this momentum. Let's schedule a press event for next week. We'll highlight the new products and share the vision for JEMMARC's future."

Ava jotted down notes, her expression determined. "Consider it done."

As the sun set, Jemima found herself in her bedroom, surrounded by a sea of fabric. Her dress fittings had been scheduled for the evening, and her designer, a talented woman named Elena, was meticulously adjusting the gown.

The dress was a masterpiece: a blend of modern elegance and timeless grace. The bodice was adorned with intricate lace detailing, while the skirt flowed like a river of silk.

"How does it feel?" Elena asked, stepping back to assess her work.

Jemima turned to the mirror, her breath catching at the sight. "It's perfect."

Ava, who had been sitting nearby, clapped her hands in delight. "You look like a queen."

Jemima smiled, her fingers brushing against the fabric. For the first time all day, she felt a sense of calm.

Later that night, Jay found Jemima on the balcony, her gaze fixed on the moonlit gardens below. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"You've been busy today," he murmured.

"So have you," she replied, leaning into his embrace.

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment before Jay spoke again. "Are you happy?"

Jemima turned to face him, her eyes searching his. "I am. But I'm also nervous. About the wedding, about Mancini, about everything."

Jay cupped her face in his hands, his touch gentle but firm. "We'll handle it all, together. You're not alone in this, Jem."

She nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you."

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. Invitations were sent out, final arrangements were made, and the estate transformed into a dreamlike venue.

Despite the looming threat of Mancini, the Valerians remained focused, their determination unwavering. This wedding wasn't just a celebration of love—it was a statement of resilience and unity.

As Jemima stood in the gardens the night before the wedding, watching the fairy lights twinkle in the trees, she felt a surge of hope. Tomorrow would mark the beginning of a new chapter, and she was ready to face it head-on.