Wedding

"I'm not like you Rachel. I don't like to take the spotlight from somebody else. Nor do I like to steal someone's boyfriend from an innocent girl." I said firmly.

How dare she tell me not to take someone else's spotlight when she is the one who likes to steal anything from someone innocent. From someone who is nice to her, who didn't show her anything but genuine kindness.

I don't get why people who are nice and kind are the ones who end up getting hurt, betrayed or taken advantage of. They may be fools but they don't deserve that and why people like Rachel win in life when she did a lot of bad things. Should she get the bad karma that she deserves?

Is karma even coming for her?

Is it real or I'm just making myself believe something to think that they will get something for what they did?

I remember how she took my spotlight when I won a talent contest at school. She told Aunty Cely that she didn't win because she is too bright for the contest and a beauty pageant is waiting for her, so that night instead of celebrating for the contest that is won, they bought her pretty dresses so she can join a beauty pageant. I'm left with nothing, I didn't even get to buy a dress.

She's not even bright, not to step on her ego or shame her but she is not. I'm just telling the truth.

"Woah, calm down. The two of you should stop talking. You are making yourself look like fools in front of Mr. Bentley." My other aunty said.

Tsk. For all I know they don't want their precious little Rachel to look bad to everyone especially her boyfriend, oh wait I was wrong to her fiance.

I'm not bitter or I just hate to relive the memories that they did to me. This is why they warn you to think one hundred times before you go to family reunions or events. Or is that something else?

Sounds the same to me.

"I don't want to meddle to your family affairs—"

"Of course Mr. Bentley I'm sure you do but how did you end up with this girl? She is a shame in our family. Are you sure you really like her? She is not successful. She is just a stupid singer trying to be famous compared to you. I mean she is not even that pretty."

"Okay, that is enough." I said as I stood up from the seat.

"Enough with the interrogation and everything. You guys are still the same as before. Nothing has changed. You are big fat liars and full of yourselves! You didn't do anything to protect me as. Child. All you did was build a tower for me, full of insecurities. You didn't help my father raise me as a child. You always thought that I'm talentless and hopeless but in fact I'm the truest and realest person in this table. I'm at my happiest but all of you are still living on the other side of the world, full of bullshit crap and money shoveled right into your mouth. Thinking about his status will help you in life. Jewelry and property will make you happy but it is not true!" I screamed on top of my lungs.

"What do you mean Artemesia?" Aunty Cely asked as she stood up to me.

Oh shit.

I pursed my lips together.

"Ms. Vena?" Braxton asked beside me.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Huh?" I asked right back.

"Are you fine? You stood there speechless. We are all waiting for you to speak." He said.

Oh damn shit. So that does mean I didn't say all of that?

I sighed.

Well that was a relief.

I really thought I said all of that. I don't want to disrespect them because they are my relatives, somehow they are still my family.

But I get it now, why Dad never likes to be with them, why Dad doesn't want to love them or even talk to them because they are like this. They are selfish jerks who only care about themselves and their status and if you don't fit their standards they will treat you like trash. If Rachel didn't know who Braxton is. I'm sure they are not going to let us in the event. They will shoo us away or they will treat us like crap.

"Hey?" Braxton once again called me.

"I'm fine." I said as I sat back.

I took a deep breath trying to calm myself.

"To clarify everything. I'm Ms. Vena's boss. I needed her for the day but it's her day off so I decided to come with her. I didn't mean to give all of you inconvenience—"

Aunty Cely cut him off.

"Oh you are not an inconvenience Mr. Braxton. Forgive me for not knowing you. I mean you are very handsome. I thought you were one of the guys that Artemesia dated!" She laughed.

"Tsk. He is just your boss. But you told everyone that he is your boyfriend? How shameful are you Artemesia?"

What the fuck?

I didn't tell anyone that he is my boyfriend! They assume it. She is the one who assumed everything! Not me!

And how come they don't really believe that someone like Braxton would fall in love with me?

I mean I understand but come on, I don't want to doubt myself. Besides they don't know Braxton as I do. He might be handsome and wealthy but attitude is important too!

What if he is really arrogant? Considering how we met before, I took my coffee because he doesn't want to stand in the queue.

See how judgemental they are. I mean I used to get judged all the time and I also judged some people but not like them. Theirs is just a different level of judging people to the bone, to the core to be exact!

"I didn't say that—"

"Tsk. I know you are bitter and jealous of Artemesia but I didn't know you are also a liar huh?" Rachel said.

"That is enough Rachel," Timothy told him. She pursed her lips and sighed.

"Can I speak with you Artemesia?" Aunty Cely asked.

I didn't get a chance to say no because she grabbed me inside the house. I looked back at Braxton and he nodded to me, like he was saying that he is fine to stay there.

Well, who doesn't know about that. We are not sure.

Geez. What did I do?

I should have stayed at my house and watched Netflix instead of going there. Netflix is very enjoyable with all the drama but not like this. When it comes to other damas I like it but not in my life. It is just sad and heart wrenching.

We reached the backdoor kitchen. It's not that far from the actual venue of the wedding reception.

I can still Braxton from here, well only his back because all I can see is Timothy, stealing glances at me.

I rolled my eyes at him and decided to turn my back in their direction.

"What is wrong? I didn't start it. It was Rachel who–" she cut me off.

"Don't bring Rachel into your mess Artemesia. Your dad is not even here even if we gave him an invitation just to at least show our gratitude to him but you… you who don't even get an invitation is here! I got it, you want to be with your relatives but we don't want to be with you. Nor associated with you. Can't you see their faces? They don't want you to be here."

I swallowed hard. There's a pang in my chest when she said that they don't want me here.

I know it but it's hard to hear it from them. It is hard to face the fucking truth that non of your relatives likes you, or want to be around you.

I mean, it is okay but since I was a kid I longed for the attention and love that they shower to Rachel.

I never get any, we have a big family, many relatives but only me and my Dad are there for each other.

It is enough but both of us are shunned from our families because we are both unsuccessful.

And they said I followed Dad's miserable path.

"It is okay if your Dad attends this wedding reception but he won't stay long and cause trouble the way you do. Can't you leave it alone? What are you going to do?"

Before I could even speak she once again spoke. What is she trying to say? She is insulting me and my Dad and it wasn't enough for her?

"You heard that my daughter is already engaged and you want to ruin that? For what? What will you get from this Artemesia? You want to shame my daughter for being nice? For being there when you left Timothy?"

What?

Damn it.

Who the hell cares about Rachel and Timothy? I don't give a fucking damn.

Even if they kiss in front of me or fuck in front of me I wouldn't care but Rachel keeps on getting into my nerves. I'm not even trying to pick a fight with them.

Even before! When Timothy and I broke up I didn't confront her, I didn't confront anyone because I know that they will blame me. He will blame me for not being enough for him. He will gaslight me and verbally abuse me just to make himself feel better.

To justify his cheating.

"I left her because she stole him from me!"

I can't help it. I didn't mean to scream at her. My father didn't raise me like that but I know she will use it against me, for raising my voice at her.

"Don't you dare shout at me Artemesia! I'm your auntie! Respect me—" I cut her off.

See? I knew it.

I fucking knew it!

It's not about respect anymore. I'm respecting her even though she treats me like crap. I never talked back to her since I was a child even though she treated me like their maid.

I never said anyone any bad thing about her or anything about Rachel's bad attitude because they are my family. I still have respect for my family even if all of us our shits.

"You are my aunty but you never act one. You want me to respect you but you never respect my feelings from the very start. You always side with Rachel and I understand it because she is your daughter but to accuse me of wanting to ruin everything for her? Just to get revenge? I don't even know that Timothy is here. I didn't know everything—" she cut me off once again.

"You should have come here, Artemesia. What the hell are you thinking?"

"I got the invitation—"

"You are not supposed to have an invitation."

I swallowed hard. How will she keep up with this I shouldn't come here shit?

"You know how dumb Rachel is! Well at least she uses her pretty face to do something. To contribute to this family, but you? You are not that pretty, talentless, and not successful. How long will you stay this way? At least give your Dad some peace of mind, have dignity left and don't ever come here or in any event because you are ruining it."

My knees weakened with what she said.

I'm ruining it?

"Everyone knows who you are, they know how you dated those guys, they know you are a freaking and shameful whore. Do you want that to be connected to our family name? You are lucky your father loves you."

I stared at her as she stepped on my ego and pride. As she crush my spirit and my life. As she insult me and my Dad.

"I would disown you if you were my child. You don't deserve our name. You are no Vena. Vena's should be successful and rich. But looking back on how your father turned out. I knew it. Another wasted child."

Tears pooled in my eyes. I hold back the tears, trying to fight them from rolling down my cheeks and making scene.

I didn't let her finish. I know she wouldn't stop tearing me apart. I was about to walk out when I saw Braxton behind us.

"Braxton?" I asked him, my vision started to get blurry.

"Let's go," He said as he grabbed my wrist, pulling me away.

"W-what?"

His gripped tigtened on my wrist.

"We're leaving."