Chapter 58

“I thought rehearsal dinners were supposed to be a private affair?” Mia groaned her distaste for the situation as she noted many unrecognizable faces mixed in amongst the couples’ close friends and family. This whole weekend affair made less and less sense now that she was thinking about it. There really was no reason for even Mia and Gabriel to be sourced among the party. Their arms were hooked together as Gabriel led her further into the crowd, greeting business partners or associates as they went.

“Rumour has it that the bride’s father has always used her for financial gain and as such the groom is unwilling to have a traditional wedding.” Gabriel leaned in as close as he dared to whisper the words against her sensitive flesh. Although it was unnecessary to do so; he was merely drawn to her scent and took advantage of the moment to draw her body closer to his.

“Then is this truly necessary?” Mia was addressing herself. If only she’d had the sense to question a lot of things she would have come to realise that her presence here wasn’t needed, hell, it wouldn’t even be missed. Gabriel didn’t need to show their relationship tonight, she was certain no one was even paying attention.

“A reception before the reception, pet,” Gabriel leaned closer still as he drawled; his hot breath causing a few tendrils of her hair to sway about in an unenthusiastic dance. “I think it’s meant to be a kick in the face to the Bride-to-be’s family.” He chuckled low and deep, too close for comfort since her air space was contaminated by his unique scent and presence.

Mia felt a jolt of apprehension course through her as the space between them was quickly evaporating; however, she caught the feeling before it manifested on her face. This was a business affair for Gabriel as much as her personal space was being violated; she could not let their power couple façade falter. She was pretty certain that a large number of people already knew deep down that this relationship was a farce, after all Gabriel had been running around with other women without fear or censorship for years. Yet, this show was still necessary. She didn’t understand men that still viewed Gabriel as a reliable family man just because he was still married. The mistresses didn’t even matter. Didn’t the sheer existence of Gabriel’s mistresses negative any notions on reliability or honesty on his part? She was certain it would have if the tables were reversed and she was the one with the affairs. Society never treated men and women equally.

“Poor woman.” Mia whispered back as her eyes fell on the bride-to-be in question, refusing to turn towards the source of the gentle, hot breathe she felt against her neck.

She was the only woman in white and she stood radiantly next to a sturdy male who looked down into her eyes with uncontrolled emotion. Mia pretended to be preoccupied with scanning the crowd as she pondered the irony of her statement; her situation was not so dissimilar from that of the bride’s. She’d also been forced to stay at Gabriel’s side for his financial gain just like the bride being forced by her father for the same reasons.
Mia did think that the bride had it worse. Had it been a stranger forcing their will onto you, it could have been easier to accept, way easier than accepting your own father doing so. He’d broken her trust and thrown her to the wolves.
Mia wondered why the bride would have invited her family had they done her so much wrong. It wasn’t making any sense. However, she had to remember that not everyone’s decisions could be rationalised, look at her situation for instance, it was clear from an outside perspective that she should find some way to leave the relationship or refuse to take part in Gabriel’s couple façade, and yet she had her own reasons.
Mia couldn’t contain the admiration she felt for this woman. She was still willing to forgive; Mia knew she wasn’t that big of a person. A stronger sense of satisfaction filled her now. She was happy for the couple, especially the bride. She was finally free from subjugation and ready to live her life happily.

“Do men usually treat their daughters like that?” The question hadn’t much time to marinate in her brain, but the fear of Amiyah ever having to face that was paramount.

“I would never do that to our daughter.” Gabriel responded fervently. He knew he made terrible choices but to allow other men to touch his daughter or wife for money was beneath him. In fact, he’d probably murder anyone who dared to try. Mia nodded, his reaction easing her mind off that scenario.
Mia’s eyes had almost completed their fleeting survey of the room when a sickeningly familiar face suddenly emerged from the entrance, arm in arm with another. She could not turn away as she admired his beauty; the seductive curl of his lips as he effortlessly smiled down at Raya, the perfect fit of the grey suit that accentuated his powerful, sensual body.

She flickered her gaze to Gabriel, he was focused on making eye contact with multiple other males as they passed by, an elderly gentlemen stopping to greet them. Mia muttered her greetings and stood silent as the men spoke further. Her eyes glancing across to Harvey.
Unbidden thoughts of their last tryst flooded her mind and she couldn’t restrict the blood from rushing away from her face. It had been too emotional that her heart ached even today as she looked upon him. As she stared Harvey’s gaze found hers and the warmth in his eyes quickly dissipated, he blinked once and his eyes were focused elsewhere, almost as if he’d never seen her in the first place. She broke her observation away from his cold demeanour; the erotic memories flooding her mind were replaced with bitter ones. She felt insignificant and replaceable.
Mia’s gaze shifted to Harvey’s companion; Raya. She did consider her a stunning woman but now that the shock was gone Mia was getting a better view of her. Her flawless light cocoa brown arm was interlinked with Harvey’s as she glanced around the room with intense, fiery eyes.

*Gorgeous.*

The word seemed created solely to describe Harvey’s companion. Mia could not recall ever seeing such a beautiful woman before. Without the hat, Mia could see that Raya had dark, almost black, wavy hair that seemed both wild and yet perfectly arranged. It fell down her shoulders to the small of her back, the front portions framing her face were pulled back by bobby pins. Her arched eyebrows and luxurious lashes framed dark brown eyes that smouldered with confidence. Her nose was perfectly proportioned to her face and shaped to perfection. Her pink lips were voluptuous and inviting; instilling a strange yearning in Mia. She wore a colourful piece of red, yellow and white. Her arms bare, as the dress hugged her perky bust and slim waist, then widened as it flowed over her erotic hips. This was a woman who knew her strength came from within her and not from belittling others.

*Hard to hate such a masterful creation.* Lady Evil-Hour had popped up, sighing at their replacement.

*I can appreciate a guy who upgrades to a confident, kind woman* she continued, falling down into slumber again. She hadn’t much energy since the split, using sleep as a way to deal with her emotions the only way she knew how; by avoiding feeling them.
Mia had to take a page out of Harvey’s play book. All the gawking and observation was only going to hurt herself. She turned away and focused on playing her role.

***
Harvey saw Gabriel before he laid his eyes on Mia. It was unfortunate that his face was the first one to disgrace Harvey’s sight. His mood automatically deteriorated at the image of that man. His eyes flickering away instantly. Gabriel had wound his arm around Mia’s waist holding her body close to his. Harvey’s blood pressure immediately began to spike; two seconds of that view was more than enough.
He turned towards the opposite direction, dragging Raya with him. “Didn’t you want to say ‘hi’ to Mia?” Raya teased him and he frowned. The image of Gabriel holding onto her was seared into his brain and despite his attempts to shake it out, it was glued down.

“Do not be preposterous.” Harvey snapped as they whirled their way through the crowds. Raya stuck her tongue out at him covertly as Harvey guided them towards Tristan and his soon to be wife.

“Ohh, is this the woman everyone has been saying caught your heart?” Tristan extended his hand out to Raya.

“He wishes.” Raya responded with a slight eye roll. “I think it’s more appropriate to say, you wish.” Harvey countered with a scowl, realising that Raya was right; people who didn’t know their relationship would assume the wrong thing.

Did Mia even care enough to make such an assumption?