CHAPTER 15: THE RECEPTION

THE GIRL WHO CAN’T DATE

By Eleventh

CHAPTER 15: THE RECEPTION

“Trust is not given. It is earned.” – Ira P.

2017 JOURNAL

WEDDING DAY

Weddings. For two people in love, it’s a milestone. A beautiful beginning. A new chapter. An exciting journey to embark on.

As Ares and Seah exchanged their vows, witnessed by their family, closest friends, and relatives, the garden was filled with awe, tears of joy, and a lot of bliss. It was a moment to remember.

When the ceremony ended, the wedding coordinating team led the guests inside the hall where the reception was prepared. The guests had a designated table. Each family had its special seats. Even the bride’s maids and groom’s men had a special table set for them.

Ira sat next to her brothers, in awe with the lovely bride sitting beside Ares who was equally fetching that night.

“Isn’t Seah beautiful? Look at that wedding dress! Wow! I wonder when will I ever wear something elegant like that!” Ira mumbled, ignoring the unfinished food on her plate.

While her two brothers were looking at her significantly, they reminded her of a particular activity that she hated so much.

“Ready for later?”

“What lat—oooh!” Ira gasped and made a long o with her mouth as she faced her brothers. “Oh my gosh! Can I skip?”

The two shook their heads.

“They’re gonna look for you for sure!” Orion said with his teasing smile.

Ira weaved a long sigh thinking how to escape. Her time is running out. Dinner is almost over and the master of the ceremony is preparing to begin the fun.

“Eros! May I borrow the key to the cabin?”

Eros raised his eyebrow. “Why?”

“Uhm! I f-forgot my phone. I… I need to look for it.” Ira lied.

But her brother did not buy the excuse. Yet, he quietly pulled Ira’s phone from behind her seat and placed it on the table without saying a word.

Ira whined. Game time was about to start.

[Hngggg! I must leave now! How can I get out of here?]

“Mandy? Do you know where the washroom is?” Ira overheard Skye. That gave her an idea.

[Right! I should just hide in the washroom until the game is over.]

“I need to go to the washroom.” She excused, her last resort.

She peacefully left the table and went searching for the washroom. At the same time, the host took the spotlight and started the party by calling out all the single ladies at the center. Most of the ladies were already there but the couple instructed the host not to start yet until the groom’s sister arrives.

“The newly-weds are requesting the presence of a certain Miss Ira Micole. Does anybody see where Miss Ira is?”

Ira swiftly ducked and hid behind the tables. She bit her lips hoping no one will find her.

Everyone in the crowd searched for the missing damsel who remained hiding in her spot. Seeing that the washroom was only meters away from her spot, she slowly walked like a duck, hopeful that she can get away from this.

She’s almost there. Just a few more steps and she can finally escape. But suddenly, a pair of feet blocked her way. When she looked up, she saw Skye’s straight face looking down at her.

“Does anyone see Miss Ira?” the host called again.

Ira placed her finger on her mouth and mouthed the words, “Be quiet!”

But Skye betrayed her. He raised his arm and declared, “She’s here!”

Ira closed her eyes in frustration and clenched her fists as she slowly stood up from crouching. Her eyes, the way they stare at Skye, were very scary. It screams murder. But Skye didn’t flinch. He smirked instead.

With no choice, Ira joined the ladies and grumbled as she walked.

“I’ll deal with that twerp later!”

Everyone waited for Ira to arrive while her brothers were amused with her prickly face.

“GO, IRA!” Orion cheered with a whistle. She replied with a grimace and showed her clenching fist.

“I guess all the single ladies are finally here. Please come a bit closer.”

The ladies gathered around the host who was holding a bunch of roses. Then, the host instructed them to pick one.

“Our game is very simple, girls. Each of you had a rose in your hands, right? We just have to look for the one who got the shortest stem. Can you please check?”

The ladies compared each other’s flowers. Mandy smilingly raised hers while Ira hesitantly declared that she had a short stalk too. The host asked the two ladies to come into the front and compare their stalks. It made Mandy so excited while Ira wished she loses the game.

[I wish I lose. I wish I lose. I wish I lose. Please! Please! Please!]

“And we got our winner, the shortest stalk is taken by Miss Ira!!!” the host announced.

Mandy congratulated Ira who wasn’t pleased. She grimaced as one of the staff led her to sit beside the bride.

“Congratulations!” Seah greeted as soon as her sister-in-law sat beside her.

“I’m not happy about this. Seriously!”

The couple laughed at Ira’s pissed-off face.

“Relax! It’s just a game, Ira! Just enjoy it!” Ares counseled.

This time, the host called for all the bachelors. Even, Joey joined the game.

[He’s not single though. Why would he join?”]

“You’re not single. Why are you here?” Orion remarked.

“I just wanna have fun,” Joey replied with a grin. “How ‘bout you guys?”

“Out of respect, bro! But we’re gonna lose it!” Eros winked.

“Alright, gentlemen! Please form a big circle!” The gentlemen followed as the host instructs. “All you gotta do is pass the ball while the music is playing. Once the music stops, whoever gets to hold the ball is out! Are you ready?”

The ball was in Joey’s hands. The minute the music starts, he swiftly passed the ball to the person next to him. It rotated for one round before the music stopped. Eros intentionally held onto the ball so he’s out of the game. The same strategy was applied to Orion who wanted to be out of the game as soon as possible.

Realizing what her brothers had been doing, she pursed her lips and clenched her fists.

[Those jerks! They’re losing the game on purpose! Ugh!]

Then she caught a glimpse of Joey who was having a great time playing and noticeably, passing the ball swiftly to the next player. Secretly, she rooted for him.

But at the end of the game, Joey lost it. It’s now between the two brothers.

“Oh my! Look what we have here. Twins! This is going to be an exciting battle between two brothers. Don’t you think, people?”

The crowd cheered and applauded. While the host was explaining the change of rules and hyping up the audience, Claude took the time to chitchat with his twin.

“Do you know that I love competing with you? This is funny though. I never thought I would battle with you for something stupid like this?” Claude mocked.

“May it be serious or stupid, either way, you never win against me.” Skye confidently replied.

“You sound positive. We’ll see!”

Then the host cued to begin the game. Claude had the ball. The twins’ eyes reflect a determination that they won’t lose against the other. This is a battle of pride and ego.

“Ira… is she your colleague?” Claude chattered, passing the ball to his brother.

“None of your business.” Skye received the ball with a straight face and passed the ball again.

“She’s pretty. I like her.” Claude pronounced with a sneer in his face

“Couldn’t care less.”

“You know she’s the prize, right? Just lose this game and let me have her. Imagine me holding her in my arms while dancing. Perhaps, we could share a kiss too.” Claude flashed a playful smile, the look that Skye had always known. The look he always hates about his brother.

“Leave her alone, perv!” Skye gritted his teeth as he warned, passing the ball so hard that it hit Claude’s chest.

Then the music stopped and Claude was announced as the winner.

“Thanks!” Claude whispered as the infuriated brother stepped away.

Skye hid in the dark clenching his fist. He couldn’t believe his brother got him with his trap. He knew he was a cunning person but he couldn’t just elude his way of words.

Watching from afar, it pissed him off to see his twin enjoying the attention, charming everyone with his smile and innocent face.

“What a fake!” he whispered.

Meanwhile, Orion doesn’t look relaxed at the table.

“She’s gonna be ok, right?” Orion worriedly asked his brother who wasn’t paying attention to the event. He was busy scrolling for girls on Instagram.

“They’re just gonna dance, aren’t they?” Eros blandly asked back. Noticing Orion’s sigh, he added a comment to reassure him. “If that guy does something out of the line, I’m gonna go there and snatch our sister. Are you fine with that?”

“Call!” Orion approved.

The host had given the instructions of what the pair has to do to entertain the guests. Three dares and that’s it!

“I hope this won’t make you uncomfortable.”

Ira gently shook her head with a smile. “I’m okay.”

“Do you trust me?”

Trust. That’s one big word.

Ira isn’t the kind who easily trusts but she’s giving it away to this man so easily without even realizing it.

[Do I trust this guy? I barely know him. But… I don’t feel uneasy. He seems kind.]

Claude grasped Ira’s hand and smoothly pulled her closer to him. Capturing her eyes with his glimmer, he curved his lips into a sweet smile and whispered,

“I guess you do.”