The wedding

She could swear that Josh hates her so much, she didn't know what had changed. When she had married Dave, he was more than a family friend, he was like a brother to her, he listens to her, and he encouraged anything Amanda had planned as long as it would put a smile to his face.

She remembered when she had told him that she was organizing a secret birthday party for Dave, Josh had planned everything the way he was sure Dave would have liked it and when Dave was brought in blindfolds he was surprised and happy at the same time, he was more happy because Amanda had worked with Josh and Sonia to put a smile on his face, after the party, Dave had been overwhelmed that he couldn't take his hands off of her, he made sweet love to her and promised her heaven on Earth, but looking at him now about to exchange the same vows he had made with her years ago, she couldn't explain how they got to that point, but once again it wasn't something she needed to explain to herself or anyone, it was evident in front of her, which man on Earth and in this part of the world would happily accept a woman, whom he called his wife with another man's child, yet claiming she is unaware of how or what happened?

The hall wasn't so crowded, had about one hundred and fifty persons from her face count, but she knew it was still not enough, the crowd was smaller than she had seen on the papers during their invitation, the headlines had said different things about the daughter of the wealthy ambassador, but another thing she didn't plan for before coming was the media, she saw a few that had been allowed inside the hall whispering and looking at her, some had the guts to point at her, she wondered what they were planning, but she prayed that they don't embarrass her, else, she may not be able to carry out the plan Goodluck had asked of her.

She brought her phone and started to chat with her friends, she was glad to find Joy online, it had actually been a while since she heard from her, especially since she left for Abuja, so she thought she could just hit her up to let her know she was in town.

She sent her a quick message telling her how much she misses her and wish to see her, she then told her where she is and the occasion, Joy was already aware that Dave was getting married, she had planned to call Amanda, but she decided to call her after the wedding, she didn't think she would be happy to talk or be told about Dave getting back with his ex and even marrying her, but she was surprised and happy at the same time. When she saw her chat, she replied immediately telling her she missed her too, and would come to the venue, she wasn't with a card so she came in as Amanda's plus one, she was initially held at the gate so Amanda had to go out to tell them to let her in because she was with her.

"Why are you here, don't you see your condition, do you want to have a heart attack?

Joy's questions were endless, she was genuinely worried for her, and that placed Amanda's heart at ease.

"I was invited, that is why I came"

She replied smiling broadly at her, Joy was dressed casually as though she was going to work and that was because she was in the neighborhood when Amanda had messaged her, she also didn't want to miss the chance to see her friend and hear what happened from the last time she had visited her.

"Even if you were invited,why not decline the invitation, this people just want to mock you". She was quick to respond, seeng her all by herself there, scared her somehow.

"Well they can go ahead and mock me, I am unaffected by that, I really don't care, I have been mocked enough, and if I hide, I will only increase my pain by mocking myself"

Joy could tell Amanda was different, she looked happier, she was close to home, close to being her old self but the reason was what she couldn't pinpoint.

"Well if you say so, I just don't want you to leave here crying"

Just as they approached the hall back to take a seat, now that Amanda was with a friend she decided to change her seat but a reporter approached her.

"Hello ma, I have a few questions for you, can you please give me some time to answer?

The reporter was polite, she probably wanted to be the first to get a first hand news from the ex wife of the man getting married in the hall to his ex girlfriend and this ex-wife was naive and foolish enough to attend.

"I think you came here to cover a wedding, why don't you do your job and I promise to attend to your questions after the wedding"

The girl left with mixed feelings, but she didn't take her eyes off Amanda, she had promised her an exclusive interview, she couldn't miss it for the world.

Joy could also notice how bold Amanda had become, she relaxed on the single seat knowing that nothing could disturb her, she looked at her friend who was looking radiant, she had changed, she looked more beautiful, more involved and more aware of herself and body, and she relaxed not just her body but her mind, knowing she wont have to deal with a crying princess.

Dealing with a crying princess is not always an easy job, you would have to hold, console, pet, and even join her in crying at some point.

Another thing is that Amanda had a smile, that says she doesn't care about what is going on, as a matter of fact she is happy, and could not wait to go back to Goodluck.