Chapter Eighty-One
Milana took the dress off and looked at herself in the dressing room mirror. Carey had just handed her the fifth dress over the door and she already wanted to go home. She’d waited up for Kelley, night after night, but she always woke in the morning realizing she’d fallen asleep. She knew it was only a matter of time before Ernesto called her again and threatened her if he realized she hadn't been keeping Kelley happy.
She shuddered at that thought but she also knew that her very life, her very existence depended on her keeping her husband satisfied. The time for wishing that her life had turned out differently was definitely gone, but maybe she could have a semblance of a normal life. Kelley confused her, like the shopping trip she was on. These women didn't seem to be under anyone's control but she also knew that perhaps they didn't know this side of Kelley.
He hadn’t brought sex up and he made no move toward her, in fact, it seemed more like he was avoiding her. She liked Carey though, the woman was real. In the next stall, Marella was talking about men and how vile they were. She smiled to herself now knowing the whole sordid story of Lee dumping Marella after almost seven years because he wasn’t ready to be a father.
Marley’s voice interrupted as she complained about Jesse not getting the message and just thinking up more elaborate schemes in trying her to say yes to wearing his ring. The women were all nice, she liked them but she had no idea where she stood with Kelley.
“Come on, Milana, show us how it looks.”
Milana climbed into the dress and pulled it over her hips, the material whispering along her skin. The colour was a deep bottle green and it fit her perfectly. The dress wasn’t flashy or showy, instead, it was elegant and classy.
Milana opened the door of the dressing room and stepped into the room. Carey turned to look at her and Marella’s mouth opened and closed a few times. Marley cocked her head to the side and Milana felt exposed.
“Milana … it’s the perfect dress for you,” Carey gushed.
“If my brother doesn’t rip that off you the moment he sees you I might have to change my mind and admit he’s gay.”
“I know I’m hormonal and whatnot but damn, Milana, I’d do you in that dress.”
Milana laughed despite herself as she blushed. None of the women present were shy or worried about saying what they were thinking. She wished she could be herself, but she knew she’d never survive if she were.
“You have to buy it and wear it on Friday night.”
Milana looked at herself in the mirror again and nodded her head. “It is beautiful.”
They bought shoes and accessories to go with their dresses and then they headed to lunch. Marella and Carey had taken the afternoon off and they had time to kill. Milana had never been a big shopper and Marley vowed to change that.
“So how’s life up in the castle?” Marley looked intently at Milana.
“It’s an adjustment.”
“I’ll have to have a word with my brother, if you’re not glowing and gushing then he’s doing it wrong.” Carey and Marella laughed although Marella’s was laced with sadness.
“No, I mean, Kelley’s very offish.”
Marley frowned at that and Carey turned towards her. “Kelley likes to hide his emotions. He was like that when he first came to live with me. He’ll warm up to you in no time. I mean your situation is a bit unconventional.”
“Yeah, I guess it is.”
“So Marella, have you thought of any new creative ways to kill Lee and dispose of his body?”
Marella snorted and looked at Marley. “No, killing him will be too easy.”
“What exactly do you have planned? You have that evil glint in your eye that I love so much.”
“I’ve decided that I’m going to live my life. He doesn’t want a child, I’ll make sure he sees this baby every damn day of his life. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll keep the house because I love that house and I’ll keep doing my job and shove my pregnant fat ass in his face as often as I can.”
Milana laughed then and they all turned to look at her. “Your ass is very far from fat but I like that you won’t back down.”
“We should get you a hot, new boyfriend.” Marley looked thrilled with her suggestion.
“I don’t want a boyfriend. I want Lee to come to his senses.” Marella looked down but instead of sadness in her eyes, they blazed with anger.
“Yeah but with a pretend boyfriend his head will explode because that man loves you, he’s just being an idiot.”
Carey shook her head and took Marella’s hand. “You do what you feel is right. We are your village, never forget that.”
“Why don’t you want to marry Jesse?”
Marley started to laugh and Milana looked questioningly at her. “Jesse’s great, wait, let me rephrase that, Jesse’s the best man I know besides my brother. I love him, I do, but he still needs to sweat a little.”
“Marley, give the guy a break, you’ve been making poor Jesse sweat for four years.”
“If you love him and he loves you, you should just go for it before some other woman gets designs on him.” Milana’s words hit a chord with Marley and her gaze turned vicious.
“I’ll cut that bitch like I’ve lived in the lower district my whole life.”
Marella howled with laughter and Carey laughed until she cried. Marley looked anything but scary as she made stabbing motions with her fork and Milana laughed too. This was what she’d been missing out on her entire life.
“Actually, I’ve secretly been planning our wedding for months now. Jesse doesn’t know it yet but we’ll be married before the end of the year.”
Carey gaped at Marley. “You little cow. You told us nothing! We could have helped you!”
“I wanted it to be a surprise for him, for everyone actually because we’re sort of eloping.”
Milana leaned her head on her hand and smiled at Marley. “I think that’s very romantic. I’m sure he’ll love it.”
Marley snorted. “He doesn’t have much choice. He’ll get married whether he wants to or not.”
