After the wedding, guests were asked to leave for the field since the reception would be held there. There, they could dine, merry, eat , chat, take pictures and also engage in some social gatherings and activities. People left the hall with smiling faces as they moved outside, eager to engage in some conversations and probably take pictures with the newly wedded couples.
The field was filled with lots of white chairs covered in silky white clothes. Round tables were in between those chairs and were also covered with white tablecloth. Everyone got seated and different waiters in uniforms served them their meals.. My mom walked to a perfect spot with Mr Walton and they stood together to strike a pose, their eyes glinting as they stared at the camera with smiley faces.
Mr Walton placed his hands around my mom's waist and held her chin, staring into her bluish eyes in front of the camera man. I couldn't help but smile; Is that a type of pose?
Just then, I remembered Gerald. I had totally forgotten about him.. How on earth did he get Invited to my mom's wedding? I'm more than curious to find out..
Bonnie walked up beside me and we kept our gazes at every face on the field. Derek walked up to me after some time and I tried to maintain a distance from him, my gaze sweeping across every face as I pondered if Gerald must have found out about us being step-siblings.
"Hi Bonnie…great to see you," Derek acknowledged Bonnie's presence with a wave of his hands.. Bonnie flashed him a warm smile before greeting him nicely.
"You look amazing in that suit.." Bonnie complimented him with a blush while Derek smiled before muttering the word. 'Thank you'
I kept my gaze on Gerald for a while and I noticed Derek was also staring at me with his green piercing stunning emerald eyes. He traced my gaze and it settled on Gerald as well. His brows raised and he turned to face me immediately.
"Isn't that face familiar?" He asked with wide eyes while Bonnie and I nodded with pressed lips.
"That's Gerald. He's one of the bullies at our school. He's not only playful, annoying and troublesome but he's also mouthy. I wonder how he got to be invited.. Is he aware that we're the children of the couples?"
I asked, my brows raising as horror plastered on my face. I kept my gaze on Derek and I could tell that he was confused as I was.
"And we have no idea if he's the only classmate of ours showing up at this function… Do you think others are around as well?"
I asked Bonnie as if she knew the answer to my question. Bonnie shook her head slightly and heaved a deep sigh, her eyes darting at every smiling face on the field.
"I haven't seen any familiar faces yet.. I could probably show up in front of Gerald and ask him some questions.. I will be able to get some info on how he got invited here.." Bonnie suggested with a lopsided smile and I creased my brows as I thought of how Gerald would feel once he sees her
He'd get curious.. he'd know she's with me.. Is he even aware of me being the bride's daughter.? Would he spread the truth about my relationship with Derek to everyone in class?
Maybe Bonnie should go and have a word with him. We'll be able to learn more according to her suggestions.
"What do you feel?" She asked as she cocked her brows and twitched her lips playfully.
I nodded but I grabbed her arms before she made an attempt to start moving.
"Don't tell him that I'm here. I have no idea if he's familiar with my parents or if he knows that I'm their child but do not mention anything about me or Derek to him,"
"I won't," Bonnie reassured me with a smile and I watched as she left for his direction.
Derek and I remained in our position,staring into each other's faces awkwardly. A photographer walked up to us with a camera in his hands and I'm certain he wanted to take a picture of me and Derek.
"You're the couple's kids urh? Look how grown and stunning you two are," The man chuckled as he flicked his gaze at the both of us.
"Allow me to take a picture of you," He asked politely and a sheepish smile tugged at my lips. I'm not the type that loves posing in front of cameras. All I want to do is to avoid being seen by Gerald.
"Come on, Isabel. Just a few shots," Derek reassured me as he closed the distance between us.
A grin spread across the photographer's face and he steadied and positioned himself, getting ready to take a shot of us together. Derek grinned and held my waist and my eyes widened slightly when I remembered he should be posing as a brother to me and not as my mate or boyfriend.
I moved to his side a little and grinned at the camera, my teeth showing through a warm smile. Derek slipped his fingers into his hair and kept his other hand in his pocket as he smiled for the camera, trying to give off a cool vibe. He looked so handsome and stunning like a god. He's so photogenic and perfect at everything. I'm not even good with poses.. I hope I won't ruin the picture..
I raised my fingers in the air and smiled brightly while the camera kept flashing its light on our faces. Derek gave off another great pose and I saw some stares on him. I couldn't help but stare at him like a lost doe.. He kept a stern cool gaze at the front of the camera and the photographer didn't mind taking several pictures of him at various angles. He was more than cool. His poses are like that of a model or a celebrity..
I was so lost in my daydream and I kept staring at him, unaware that the shot was still ongoing.
I darted my eyes across the surroundings and I was stunned to see that we were grabbing the attention of most people at the reception. So many eyes were on us, peering at us from different angles..
Most women could not help but drool at the sight of Derek and his cool poses. Derek adopted so many graceful and stylish poses for the camera and everyone could not help but be drawn to his looks.
I heard murmurs at all angles and I'm certain they were all talking about Derek.
Derek mentioned just a few poses and now it seems like it's non-ending.. How do I end this?
"Isabel.."
"Isabel.." The photographer called and waved his hands at me, seeing how distracted I was.
"Smile at the camera please. I want to see those beautiful lovely smiles," He pestered and I pressed my lips together, wishing we could stop at this moment.
In the twinkle of an eye, I found myself being brought closer to Derek. To my amazement, Derek was the one who grasped me towards him and now our faces were an inch apart.
"You seem to be distracted, Isabel?" Derek mumbled, staring at me with a grin.
"Derek.. Everyone's staring at us.. remember we didn't want to cause or get any attention because of Gerald…Look.. we're the center of attention now,"
I reminded Derek and I watched as his eyes slowly widened as he looked up to glance around.
The camera lights were still flashing at us and then, I realized I was still in Derek's grasp.
Gosh! This pose is weird.. we aren't couples.. I mean.. We shouldn't act like one in front of everyone!
I flinched gently away from Derek and asked the photographer to kindly leave since I was getting tired of taking pictures. My eyes widened slightly when I discovered a figure had been in front of me all these while.
My jaw dropped when I discovered it was Gerald. He had a smirk on his face as he flicked his gaze between Derek and me.
"Nice to meet you two.. I had no idea I would meet my classmates at an event," He acknowledged with a mischievous smile and I found my lips parting slowly as I trembled.
Bonnie was behind him with pressed lips and I was curious to get some information from her about Gerald and his intentions for showing up at my mom's wedding. It's not like he was invited after all.
I guess my pose with Derek and all those stares was what made him notice us..
Gosh! I wished I never took any pictures with Derek in the first place. I wished we didn't give the photographer a chance to take a picture of us.
"Lovely poses.. I'd say," Gerald smirked as he tucked his hands in his pocket.
"Thanks," Derek replied non-hesitantly with a smile.
"So.. I guess you two are dating.. You can't hide it after all. I can tell with the way you held each other earlier.. those poses.. were quite hot and romantic. I wonder why you've been keeping your relationship a secret from everyone…" He disclosed plainly and my eyes went round and larger this time around.
What makes him think that we're dating? Is that all he can ever think of ? Is he aware that we're siblings? How did he even end up here?
I shifted my gaze at Bonnie, my brows creasing as I anticipated her answers to my pondering questions. She was supposed to give us reports and feedback.. Why is she so mute all of a sudden?
Can she tell us how Gerald got here?! I can't seem to ask him myself. What if he already knows that it's my mom's wedding and then he gets mad that I questioned why he showed up suddenly?
Bonnie tried to mouth a word to me but I couldn't hear her since she was whispering.
What was she trying to say?