Explanations

The next morning I got ready for work and was able to eat breakfast while Seth drove me in. I don't usually eat in my car but it took me longer than normal to wake up. I realized too late that I should have taken another day off so I could recover from the traveling. Of course the engagement dinner the night before didn't help me either.

I knew that my life would basically be planned out for me for the next two weeks. Just knowing that will help me not get frustrated at all the things that will be thrown at me. It's not like I'm letting them walk all over me, it's just that there's so much to do and since I'm at work all day I know my evenings are going to be all about wedding plans. Then in two weeks I'll get my life back, sort of. I'm sure being married will be an adjustment, but surely not as hectic as the next two weeks.

I arrived at work and headed to the break room that doubled as our conference room. Monday mornings we always had a brief meeting with everyone. I was glad I wasn't late, there were two more staff that walked in after me. We have a total of 15 people that work here.

After our normal business they asked about my vacation. I said it was amazing and that I had wedding invitations for everyone. They laughed as they thought I was joking since I had been teased before going that I would fall in love on the cruise. They stopped when they saw me pulling out the invitation envelopes.

"You're not joking?" Freya asked as I handed them out.

I held up my ring finger and shook my head. "I'm getting married in two weeks. I actually met him before my trip and he decided to come with me." I smiled. "He proposed the night before we came home."

"Are you sure this is your wedding invitation?" Olivia asked looking at the invite.

"Yeah why?" I totally spaced reading it before now and grabbed the copy out of her hand.

Charles and Miranda Gastrell along with Grace Moore … Crap. Now I was in for it. I didn't know what to say. I mean none of them knew about my family, I didn't say anything to them before I left.

"Sera, you had me going for a minute when you handed out invitations, this is a pretty good gag. But the Gastrells and the Maxwells? I wouldn't use their names for a joke, you could get in trouble!" Freya exclaimed.

I held up my hands to calm everyone down. "So this may take a bit longer to explain." I sighed.

"This isn't a gag or joke. Apparently my mom and Charles Gastrell were in a relationship before he got married to Miranda. Also before he became a billionaire. They made an agreement that Mom would raise me and he would stay out of my life, there's more to it than that but simplified that's it. Once we were reunited last month they introduced me to Ethan, who had been engaged to my step sister Charlotte, but they called it off. What I say next doesn't go out of this room okay?"

I looked around to make sure everyone was nodding. "Ethan and I knew each other and had dated in secret when I was in high school. We broke up because of some family issues on his part and we're able to get back together when our families introduced us. My father and his parents thought they were matching us for whatever they wanted to get out of the a union between our families but we actually love each other. And that's why I'm getting married in two weeks."

"Also really do not tell anyone that Ethan and I dated beforehand, you're the only ones I have told so I will know it was one of you. And the only reason I told you was so you wouldn't think I've gone crazy. I don't need anyone telling me I am not sane or that I should think about this longer. I've wanted to marry Ethan for a decade so even though it seems sudden to you it's not to me.

"Oh and there will be a guy or two that drives me in and hangs around for the next two weeks at least. They're my bodyguards - doesn't that sound weird that I have bodyguards? Anyway just thought you should know about them, their names are Adam and Seth, so you don't worry that they are up to no good."

Ugh why hadn't I read the invitations before handing them out. My life really sounded like a television drama right now and I wouldn't be surprised if no one believed a word out of my mouth.

"So is this your resignation?" The owner of the clinic asked.

"As of now I want to keep working, I hope that me getting married won't change that. We will be taking a delayed honeymoon in a month or two. I didn't feel I could leave two weeks after I got back and he's okay with waiting until it is easier for my schedule." I answered.

I spent the next 10 minutes answering questions, probably would have been more but we had to open up and get to work. Throughout the day in between appointments, I answered more questions. When I finished with my last client and walked them to the front, Seth was waiting for me.

"Ms Sera if you are okay to leave, we need to head back as you have your dress appointment tonight."

"Where is it?" I asked.

"They're coming to the house." He said. Calling that mansion a house was laughable, but I knew he was trying to minimize my newfound wealthy family in front of my coworkers.

"I just need to make a few notes in my office and then we can go. I'll be right back."

I am a little weirded out by the fact I get to choose my wedding dress from home. I wonder how easy it was for my father to schedule this. Maybe we could get bridesmaids dresses too… oh crap. I need to ask my best friend to be one still! I decided to let Seth wait while I messaged her in my office.