Heart's Betrayal (6 page)

“Jenesis, do you need me?” she whispered back without hesitating. I released her so that Michael wouldn’t get suspicious.

“Are you going to the reception?” My lips trembled as I actually pleaded with my eyes.

“Yes, of course…we’ll have a chance to talk there. Don’t’ worry, I’m here for you.” she said softly. She grabbed Richard by the hand and walked away.

I turned my attention to Dr. Joe.

“Joe, thank you for coming.” I said happy to see him. Michael on the other hand was upset.

“Michael, Jenesis, Congrats! You look so beautiful, you look…just like your mother,” he said as tears welled in his eyes for a moment. He extended his hand to Michael. Michael shook his hand then grabbed me by the waist.

“Really?” I swallowed hard. I wanted her to be here so badly. My heart stung. “We have to go. We’ll see you at the reception, right?”

“Wouldn’t miss it. I’m bringing Dr. Kate. She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” he said as he practically drooled just thinking about her.

“She is, we’ll see you later.” I hugged him and walked away with Michael towards the limo.

I turned to Michael. “Is Dave coming?” I asked anxiously.

“Of course, why?” he asked suspiciously.

“I’m going to get him,” I said as I turned around to leave the limo.

“I’ll do it,” he said as he grabbed my hand to stop me.

“No, let me…please” Just by my look, he knew to let me go. I carefully picked up my dress trying not to trip over it. I exited the limo and walked over slowly to Dave and tapped him gently on the shoulder.

“Dave, what’s wrong? What’s going on?” I whispered. “Why did you say that to me? Do you think Michael doesn’t love me? Dave, do you know something I don’t? Please, you have to tell me.” I said trying to persuade him that what he said,
I
misunderstood.

“Jen, slow down.
I’m
sorry. It’s nothing, I just wanted you to know how much I loved you, and I just hope Michael will do the same.” he said looking towards the limo.

“Dave, how much you loved me? Past tense? Did I do something to you? Did Michael say something to you? Dave talk to me, please.” I pleaded with tears forming in my eyes.

“Actually, Jen, I’m just confused. I was drinking all day. It came out all wrong. Margaret and I, we’re doing bad, really bad.” He lowered his eyes as he shook his head. “Don’t worry your pretty little head with my problems. It could never be you. You could never be a problem. I’m so sorry. Let’s go.” He waved at Margaret to accompany him into the limo.

“Whatever it is, I’m sure you can work things out, right?” I stared at Dave looking into his eyes for some sort of solace as I wrapped my arms around him. Dave looked at me despondently. He saw Margaret walking towards us and grabbed her by the hand. We all walked back to the limo together.

     We drove to the reception hall together and the awkward silence that filled the air in the limo was almost deafening. Michael eyed everyone in the limo and decided to pop open a bottle of champagne and the cork flew flying across the limo almost hitting Eddie in the face. Eddie cocked his head to the side and stared at Michael seriously, then looked at Dave with deep disgust. Eddie said nothing but when I followed his eyes, I glanced over at Dave who was staring at Tilly, hard and intense. Tilly was staring out of the window while holding Eddie’s hand tightly. Margaret got the champagne glasses from the tiny limo bar and helped Michael pour everyone a glass of champagne. Eddie lifted his glass,

“Congratulations, Mikey. May you and Jenesis have the life you’ve always dreamed of.” They all raised their glasses and sipped in harmony. Eddie swallowed slowly and continued to stare Dave down, giving him the ‘
Why the fuck are you staring at my girl?’
look. Dave was completely oblivious to Eddie and even seemed like he was in a trance.
What was he thinking? This was not the time to start a war.

    Tilly sipped on her champagne and glanced at Dave. Her face was flushed and I knew the look she was giving him. She wanted him and Dave knew it because he wanted her, too. Eddie finally had enough.

“What the fuck are you looking at, Dave?” His voice roared inside the limo.

“What? What do you mean?” Dave’s eyes widened, his free hand starting to tap on his thigh.

“You’ve been eyeing Tilly the entire time. Haven’t you learned your lesson since the last time this happened? I think that’s pretty disrespectful, and she’s really uncomfortable.” Eddie was losing his patience. His nostrils were flaring.

“Well, then maybe she should have worn a dress that didn’t have her tits popping out of them. Did you notice that your girlfriend dressed like a whore to your best friend’s wedding?” The sarcasm ignited Eddie’s anger.

“Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to? That’s the second time you called Tilly a whore! Jenesis chose that dress for her!” He slid forward off the leather seat towards Dave.

“Sit back asshole! I don’t want to have to fuck you up here in the limo and then arrest you!” Dave barked at him.

“You can’t arrest me; I’ll be a cop soon! I’m sick of your shit Dave! Leave Tilly alone, she doesn’t want you! You pathetic old asshole!” he shouted at the top of his lungs. I was getting so nervous I didn’t know what to do with myself.

“Dave, please, it’s Jenesis’ day. You guys are ruining it!” Michael spread his arms apart stopping them from getting too close to each other.

   My heart was beating fast. Tilly began to cry and Margaret wanted to kill Dave. Her eyes were impaled on him throwing daggers straight at his face. Michael stared at Dave and Eddie, going back and forth to see who was going to stop first.

“I’m sorry, Mikey. Jenesis, I’m sorry. Keep your fucking eyes in your socket old man. I’m not going to warn you again.” He slid back in his seat.

“Whatever…why don’t you ask Tilly if she wants me?” Everyone stood quiet and Tilly stopped crying as she turned to Eddie. Eddie looked at Tilly and Margaret looked at Dave. I glanced over at Dave then at Michael.

“Please, stop this. I can’t take much more. You guys are ruining my wedding. Dave, don’t you think you’ve gone far enough? It wasn’t enough that you hurt me? Do you have to hurt everyone? Do you?” I hung my head towards the floor and started to cry. Michael grabbed my hand then placed his arm around me.

    Dave sat back and finished downing the rest of his champagne snatching the bottle from Margaret and refilling his glass over and over. Tilly was mortified and looked over at me, shook her head and shrugged her shoulders.

“I’m sorry,” Dave reached for my hand and I pulled it away. I was so angry inside that I didn’t want him to touch me.

    The rest of the ride to the reception hall was so silent, I could hear Dave sipping on his last drop of champagne. We drove into the parking lot and the beauty of the hall astounded me, a showcase of glass windows and colossal glistening chandeliers hung from the ceiling low. It was like walking into a palace, even though I never walked into a palace I’m sure this place was pretty close. Everything was decorated exactly the way they said it would be, down to the most intricate details.
I hope they chose the correct color of the tablecloths and napkins, Dave would kill them if they didn’t.
Regardless, I felt like a princess and Michael was my knight in shining armor…my prince.

    We entered the ballroom after Dave, Margaret, Tilly, and Eddie were announced. All 150 guests were seated, enjoying the décor, talking, and waiting patiently for our entrance as I peeked through the door window. You could see the extra security in all corners of the hall including the entrance. I was so afraid something was going to happen at the reception, just like in the movies.
They always wait until you’re married for something to happen to your spouse.

“Baby, you have to calm down,” Michael said softly.

“Why is he changing Michael? What’s making him act this way?” My head was spinning. I knew he loved Tilly but she couldn’t be the reason he was acting so crazy.
Or could she be?

It was time for Michael and me to walk in and be announced.

“And now for the first time, as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hunter.” The DJ said. We walked in hand in hand slowly to Kenny G’s Silhouette. I smiled internally and my heart melted. It was the exact same song Carl played in his car on the way to dinner and I loved it. Not because of Carl, but because the song was so beautiful…and I loved the sax. Dave just knows me, and just like that, I wasn’t angry with him anymore.

     Everyone stood up and clapped as we waltzed in. Michael grabbed me by the hand and swirled me around on the dance floor. He grabbed my waist, then dipped me to his side, lifted me and kissed me on the lips. Then, whispered against my mouth,

“Remember what I told you, you waltzed into my life, and you turned my world upside down…I meant it…I love you, Jenesis Hunter, I love you more than I love myself…Thank you…thank you, baby.” We stood in the middle of the dance floor swaying our hips to the beat of the music, kissing each other, and pressing up against each other every chance we got.
Oh how I would give anything to turn back the time and undo what I did.
I think he would have loved me more if we were dancing with our baby in our arms tonight, I thought to myself. The song ended and we walked towards our seats. I carefully surveyed the room as the guests stood on their feet to greet us. We waved and shook some hands as we walked. Dave and Margaret were standing by the bar and Eddie and Tilly joined a table near the front entrance. I didn’t want to believe what Dave said about Michael. It hurt me to know that he waited until I was walking down the aisle to tell me something like that.
What could it be? Why would he say such a thing? I didn’t believe him…I just didn’t.

     We grabbed a quick drink and then hit the dance floor again. We danced together all night; dancing until the sweat dripped from our foreheads and our hips ached. Michael knew how to dance.
Now, I believe what they say about a man who knows how to dance…he also knows exactly what to do in bed.

     I’ve never been so in love with someone. Michael’s smile brought my heart to life and when our eyes met, our love exploded like fireworks. Every moment on that dance floor was sensuous, erotic. His seductive glances, the soft touch of his fingers as they gently intertwined with mine, his big hands sliding up and down the sides of my waist skimming my ass, feeling his lips and soft tongue glide on the side of my neck made my body sizzle and wet for him…only him.

     Each time the guests used their utensils to tap lightly on their wine glasses, his soft velvet tongue entered my mouth, swirling, tugging, swallowing me, filling me with lust, making every part of my body yearn for him to be inside of me. He made me feel like I was the most beautiful woman in the world. We were having the time of our lives creating memories we could hold on to for a lifetime, and
I
intended to hold on to them
forever
.

    We sat down after we danced to Jesse J’s “Bang Bang.” Eddie and Tilly brought us some Champagne. Eddie continued to walk over to the stage where the DJ was and picked up the microphone. He tapped on the microphone and began to speak.

“Is this shit on? Oops…sorry,” he chuckled as he stared out into the audience. “I’d like to make a toast to my best friend, Mikey. We grew up together and you’ve been my best friend for over ten years now. You had it rough growing up, losing your mom and all, and I know how much you struggled to be who you are today. You never thought you were perfect and you’re as humble as they come. You’re a nice guy all around…and I know that there was something missing in your life, but I didn’t know what and neither did you. Then, you became New York’s Top Lawyer…
showoff.
” Everyone laughed. “And you still didn’t change…humble, intelligent and… a true friend. I always told you, one day, you were going to meet someone who would walk into your life…and turn your world upside down. You always said there was no such person. Well, you were wrong. She’s sitting right next to you. The person you thought didn’t exist. Jenesis, I can’t tell you the magic spell you have over Michael. He is completely and utterly in love with you. I know that feeling because that’s how I feel about the love of my life, Tilly. Michael, congratulations, bro!” he said as he swallowed hard trying to avoid the tears from trickling down his face. My heart danced and Michael was so touched by Eddie’s speech that all he could do was whisper, “Thank you.”

“Now, for the father daughter dance, as much as I don’t like you Dave, I have to say, you are the man of the hour, taking care of Jenesis and Michael over the last month, and spending all of
your
money on this wedding. You’re the man. Let’s hear it for Dave and Jenesis!” The music began to play and it was the song,
Wind beneath my wings
by Bette Midler. I remembered the song from the movie
Beaches
I saw with my mother when I was a little girl one night, when we were alone, and my father was out drinking at the bar. Michael stood up, grabbed my hand, and escorted me to the middle of the dance floor to meet Dave. Dave grabbed my hands and we danced together as the song played. He was my hero and I told him so.

“You’re my hero, Dave. You’ve changed my life for the best. I can’t imagine what would’ve happened to me if I didn’t meet you. I’ve grown so much and I owe it all to you.” He smiled. “Dave, please, please tell me why you said that to me.” he stopped dancing and then started again.