Chapter 459 - The Wedding (M&H) (1)

The wedding venue provided plenty of indoor and outdoor space that can accommodate 834 guests that RSVP'd to the wedding, and there were some extra seats in case additional people show up at the wedding.

After extensive discussions about who can attend the wedding, the end total was 322 invitations, with each being extended to a family. Most of the invitations resulted in two people attending, and some came three or more (if they brought their children). Only a handful came as one person per invitation.

The wedding itself was a grownup-only event, so any children under 12 years of age that came for the wedding, had separate accommodation for the afternoon and evening where they can play, run, make noise, and do all kinds of kid-friendly activities under the watchful eyes of the staff.

It was very well arranged. There was a soft play area for the little ones and a variety of virtual and real-life games for older children. They also had a snack and beverage bar, and a separate area where they can sit and rest. For babies, there was a nursery where they can take naps when needed.

The area for kids was in the same facility where the wedding was conducted, so parents could check on their kids anytime they wanted. For convenience, every parent got an exclusive link that allowed them to watch their little ones through the live feed provided by numerous cameras that were strategically placed to provide full coverage.

For grownups, there was an indoor ballroom with tables, a stage for the band, and an empty area in the middle for dancing, while the second floor provided a massive lounge where space was virtually defined by the layout of comfortable sofas and side-tables.

The outside area had seating arrangements, two long bars, a garden where guests can stroll and admire flowers and manicured topiaries, and it opened toward the lake where rowing boats were available. There was something for everyone.

The luxurious decorations of flowers, balloons, and exquisite fabric were white with purple details and a hint of golden threads.

Both indoor and outdoor were bustling with people, and skillful staff weaved their way between guests while carrying trays with a variety of standard beverages like wine, champagne, and whiskey.

Madeline really wanted to host weddings of her children in their home, but their villa could not accommodate so many people (unless they get squeezed like sardines in a can).

With Sabrina not having her grand wedding (yet), and Hunter's being too big, Madeline put her hopes into Max and Liz.

If Max and Liz can have a wedding with under 200 guests, the Anderson villa would be the perfect spot. Of course, Madeline neglected the fact that she alone wants more than 200 people present for the weddings of her children. Other than friends and family, Madeline has other reasons for sending invitations, like rubbing it in that her kids are doing great (she is a proud mother, after all). So many people spoke badly about Max in the last six years, thinking that Madeline is not paying attention, and Madeline can't wait to introduce Liz as Mrs. Maximilian Anderson. When those people find out about Liz's background and achievements, their jealousy will be the cause of their mental suffering. Sure, they can find out from magazines, but Madeline wants the pleasure of seeing their faces personally when she says that Liz is a neurosurgeon, the only daughter of Isaac Williams, chairman (and the owner) of the Williams Medical corp. But that is another wedding.

Regardless of her wishes for an at-home wedding, Madeline had to agree that this place had everything necessary for a fantastic wedding where guests can eat, dance, and enjoy.

The weather was sunny with a light breeze and it was a perfect April afternoon.

A long black limousine stopped at the side entrance, bringing Mia and her bridesmaids from the styling salon where ladies had their hair and makeup done, and they did final fitting and alterations of their gowns. The gowns are neatly packed in plastic, and ladies will dress up shortly before the ceremony starts.

A temporary tunnel was made, flanked by dozens of security personnel to ensure safety and privacy, so that ladies are not seen from the limousine until they reach the comfy room for the bride and her party, where they will get to relax and chat, and when the time is right they will dress up and do last touch-ups for their final looks.

On the girls' side, it was lively, and the main topic was the latest couple: Angela and Derek.

As soon as Angela arrived at the styling salon, earlier that day, she met many curious gazes directed at her and it took her less than a minute to figure out how everyone knows with whom she spent the night. Oh, the embarrassment!

She was flying high with happiness, but it all collapsed into mortification as the more experienced women grinned her way. Through the whole styling session, the ladies teased her by asking many juicy questions from kissing techniques to how many times they did it, positions, and of course, the size of Derek's little brother. 

"Why are you so red?", Andrea asked Angela. "Is your man not satisfying you?"

Angela opened her mouth and closed it. How is she supposed to answer this? He is satisfying her just fine, but she was too shy to say so.

Andrea leaned closer to Angela and spoke in a concerned tone. "If your man does not deliver, you are always welcome to join the all-girls' camp."

Angela didn't get it, but then Andrea wiggled her eyebrows and looked at Angela suggestively, Angela understood what 'joining the all-girls' camp' means. She wanted to ask Andrea if she is lesbian, but she swallowed her words back. She will ask Sabrina or Mia… later.

The girls took turns asking questions and commenting even if Angela didn't say anything. Angela's stress and embarrassment in that chaotic situation made her mind spin, and the only good thing was that Sabrina promised not to tell Ashton to what other women in the room agreed as well.

Sabrina had several questions, mostly to confirm that Angela is doing fine emotionally and that dating Derek is what she wants.

"You need to tell him soon, sweetie…", Sabrina advised Angela. "Too many people know already, and it's only a matter of time before Ash finds out about you and Derek. It will be best if he hears it from you."

Angela understood that even if these women don't tell Ashton directly, they will talk with other people, and only God knows what will happen when Angela and Derek meet face-to-face. Angela is aware that her expression will reveal many things, and that Ashton is not blind.

"I know, Rina…", Angela sighed. "But I don't know how he will take it and I don't want to risk making a scene at the wedding. Also, I want to find out details related to him and Derek fighting. I know that he did it for me, but I don't like that it happened behind my back and without my knowledge."

"He was only worried about you.", Sabrina said in Ashton's defense, not denying that she knows Ashton and Derek fought.

"I am aware of that. But he was supposed to talk to me first and not go beating up a guy because he heard something."

Sabrina nodded in understanding.

"By the way…", Angela spoke only for Sabrina to hear. "Do you know how Ashton found out?"

Sabrina shook her head, indicating that she doesn't. "I found him at the rehearsal dinner, in the hallway next to the men's restroom. He was steaming from anger. Ash was fine before that, so it's safe to assume that he heard it in the restroom."

"In the hallway… next to the men's restroom...", Angela repeated absentmindedly. A few seconds later, her eyes widened when she realized how that was the place where she told Mia and there was a cloth divider. Is it possible that Ashton overheard her? That would match the pieces where Derek didn't tell anyone, and Ashton found out during that dinner… at the same time when she told Mia.

Angela bit her lower lip. She was doubting Mia and Derek, but then it appeared that Ashton found out from her.

Back to the present…

Ladies are in the bride's suite, chatting and waiting for the time to pass. They had about fifteen minutes to relax before they needed to dress up in their gowns.

They all had matching makeup that was light and accentuated their eyes and lips. Each of the bridesmaids had their hair braided from the sides and lifted into a bun that was decorated with purple pins that were the same color as their bridesmaid's dresses.

Mia's hair ornaments were in the same style with the difference that they were white.

Mia was in a good mood. Other than getting married (finally), this day marks the end of her diet! She vowed never to diet again! It's horrible.

Angela was sitting on the sofa and munching grapes while texting Derek. He was telling her how he is missing her and how he hopes that they can dance after the ceremony.

"I miss you too", Angela responded while smiling at his text: "I miss you, baby. The guys are boring and I can't wait to see your smile."

She loved that 'baby' endearment from the first time she heard it.

After a moment of thinking, Angela sent Derek another text: "Dancing sounds perfect."

She hoped that Ashton will not make a fuss. It's just dancing, and she believed that Ashton would see that she and Derek are getting along well and that they cleared up their misunderstanding. That might ease up the blow when Ashton finds out that they are dating.

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