Chapter 60: Weathering The Storm

Adani's POV

Ricardo was a wreck and as his fianceé, it was my duty to stand by his side and provide him with comfort and the reassurance that we were going to be fine.

"PIT meant everything to me," he said. We were out on the balcony to the master bedroom having some fresh air in the early hours of the morning, "Did you know I even got dressed for work this morning before remembering I didn't have an office to go to," he added.

"I feel terrible about this situation. I keep thinking it's my fault, you know. Had we stayed professional, employer and employee, perhaps this wouldn't have happened."

"But then my heart would have been in turmoil because I wouldn't have had you, Adani."

"Ricardo.."

"Listen, since I was a child, I've been living to please my mom. When dad died, I didn't want to disappoint her and cause her anymore pain. I listened to her, I was obedient, I tried to be the perfect son. And I've been doing that until the day I developed obstinate feelings for you. It felt like I was breaking free from a hold and I wasn't going to let you go."

"Baby, you walked out of your company because of me."

"And I'll walk out of a thousand more. If I'm to choose between being CEO and you, you'll win everytime without any hesitation," he verbalized while looking right into my eyes. He had no idea how turned on I was by that but he found out immediately when I sprung on him, kissing him everywhere my lips fell.

My hands went into his boxer briefs and found him already stiffening up for me. I giggled as he scooped me up and carried me into our bedroom and onto our bed.

The kissing deepened and we removed our clothes simultaneously and made perfervid love.

~
The mansion had an Icy Christmas Theme decor happening and I was loving it. Light blue and white decorations lined the walls, corners, ceilings and banisters. What was left for me to do was to plan my wedding.

'Piece of cake' I thought. Oh boy, was I mistaken.

~
Mavielle, Adonna and mom came over an hour before midday on Monday. With Christmas now two weeks away, I was already feeling overwhelmed by everything that was happening around me.

"Adani, have you found a location as yet?" my mom asked. We gathered in Ricardo's home office.

"I have," I answered and pulled out my list.

"You should have gone with a wedding planner," mom said again.

"I want to do this myself," I responded.

"Adani, there are people who are professionals in finding locations, cakes and flowers and settings and so much more," mom went on.

"She said she wants to do it herself, Alexis," Adonna snapped at her.

"I just want her to know that it's not as easy as it sounds," mom said back.

"Yeah, you would know a lot about easy, wouldn't you," Adonna spat back.

"Little girl..."

"I'm a grown ass woman. I was a little girl when you..."

"Enough!" Mavielle scolded, "Ladies, you ought to put your differences aside because it's not about you. It's about Adani and her special day. Now, can we please be on the same page?" she finished with a question.

"I apologize," mom said.

"I'm sorry too," Adonna said as well.

"Thank you. So I want to have a beach wedding and...," I spoke on but was once again interrupted by my mother.

"Adani, baby, with all due respect for your big day, a beach wedding isn't ideal. What if it rains?" she asked, "And why you're not doing a traditional wedding and get married in a church?"

"Mom, I want to have a beach wedding. It's my dream to..."

"To get sand all between your toes?" she asked again.

"Adani wants a beach wedding, why aren't you understanding that it's her day and she wants to do what she wants to do!" Adonna snapped once more.

"Hold on, I would you to lower your tone before I yank that tongue right out of your mouth. Who do you think you're talking to!?" mom snapped right back to her.

"I'm talking to you and the only thing you should yank around here is some accountability!" Adonna shot.

"I'm about sick of you!"

"And I'm sick of you! You want to talk the big talk about what Adani should and shouldn't do for her wedding but you couldn't even keep your other daughter!"

"Adonna, I've explained this to you and to your sister. What more can I do?"

"You should have kept your legs closed, how about that!?"

"How dare you!"

"No! How dare you!"

"SHUT UP!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.

"Adani, she.." Adonna started but didn't finish when I locked her in a dangerous glare.

"I don't need this! I have a lot to deal with and to do, and the last thing I need right now is to have the two of you going at each other like a couple of rabid wolves. I've invited you over here to help me because I thought you would be big enough to put your differences aside for my special day," I voiced.

"It wouldn't happen again," mom said, "I'll ignore her from here on out. I promise."

"When you speak about her, you're failing to realize you're ignorant about your actions. You cannot ignore her, she's your daughter!" I expressed.

"Thank you," Adonna chimed.

"But that isn't ground for you to always throw what she did to her face, Adonna. She's aware of her actions. She apologized and had the situation been better, she would have kept you. We can't go back and change the past so from here on out, it's either you make up for loss time or just leave it alone," I directed at Adonna.

"With all due respect, I think you need therapy," Mavielle advised.

"I do think they need it," I seconded.

"Along with you too, Adani. You're stuck in the middle of this," Mavielle added.

I exhaled, agreed then checked my list again. "Grab your things. We're going dress shopping."

~

Smoke drove us to some of the most exquisite wedding boutiques but I've yet to see a dress I desired.

"What's wrong with this one?" mom asked as she held a dress close to my small frame.

"Too much ruffles, ma."

"And this one?" Mavielle asked as she held up one as well.

"It's too sheer at the bottom."

"And this?" Adonna asked. She came over and placed a dress in my arm.

"I've already seen this one. It's too off-the- shoulders and not enough train," I answered.

The women sighed.

"At this point, you need your dress custom made," mom said and that stroke an idea. I retrieved my cellphone and phoned Rockett.

"Hi Adani," she answered on the third ring.

"Hi Rockett. I need a favor."

"Anything for you."

"I need a custom wedding dress. Can you help?"

"I believe I can but we would have to start on it immediately. You'll have to come over to my penthouse today."

"Text me the address. I'm on the way."

"Great."

~
We arrived at Rockett's penthouse suite where she ushered us into her clothing room. She took measurements and sketched the dress I pictured myself in.

"Are you sure you're going to have enough time?" I asked in amazement at how she was able to capture every detail I told her.

"I have a whole team in my corner."

"What's the cost, the materials and..?" I was asking but she cut me off.

"As my soon-to-be-sister-in-law, absolutely nothing. Just continue to make my brother happy."

"I'll always."

She pulled me into a hug then we filed out of the room. Adonna, mom and Mavielle were already out the door when Rockett stopped me at the threshold.

"Before you leave, I have a question," she said.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Are you going to invite mom to the wedding?"

I gulped.