Chapter 3
On the seventh day after I returned to the Morgan family, I received an invitation to Olivia's wedding.
In the wedding photo, Olivia sat in a wheelchair, dressed in a custom white gown, with her fiancé, Jacob Lindsey, in a sharp suit, holding her waist.
In one corner of the photo, elegant script read: [ though the body is confined, love makes the soul stand tall.]
I nearly laughed out loud. Also in the package was a handwritten note from Olivia herself: [Elaine, you have to come. After all, we're family. By the way, I heard weddings in your hometown, Amiston, are always lively.
[Maybe you could bring some unique entertainment to spice things up?]
Her provocation was so obvious. Clearly, she was still simmering from our clash in the dressing room, itching to vent her anger.
I snapped a pic of the invitation and sent it to Charles: [Time for the final touches on my outfit. Make it the brightest, flashiest red you can find. And get two more groups of dancers."
Charles replied in a flash, [No problem. But Elaine, are you seriously going? That bitch is clearly planning to embarrass you in front of everyone.]
[Of course I'm going,] I typed back. [She went all out with this stage. If I don't give them a show, it'd be a waste of the ticket.]
Just as I put my phone down, there was a knock at the door. Maria stood outside, holding a paper bag.
"You need to look presentable at Olivia's wedding," she said, handing me the bag. "It's a dress, not designer, but at least it's decent. And please, don't wear those greasy-smelling clothes again."
I took the bag and saw a beige dress inside, a discounted item from the mall, still with the tag on. The original price was 300, but it was marked down to 100.
"Thanks," I said. "Actually, I've got a gift ready too."
Maria's expression softened a bit. "At least you're being sensible. Try not to say much that day, and don't embarrass the Morgan family."
"Relax," I smiled at her. "I'm going to give everyone a gift they'll never forget."
*****
A week before the wedding, Olivia's performance reached its peak. She updated her family group every day on her rehabilitation progress. For example, she could move her fingers a little; tomorrow, her toes had some sensation, accompanied by pale and haggard selfies.
Richard and Maria were deeply moved, and Jacob went further, posting long essays on social media every day to extol the power of love that created a medical miracle.
I kept screenshots of every update and did a little snooping on Jacob. He was the son of Lindsey Group, but the company was drowning in debt, 300%.
It had been hit with five court orders in three months. Marrying Olivia was probably the last straw the Lindsey family could clutch at.
The day before the wedding, Olivia made a show of struggling to the basement door in her wheelchair.
"Elaine, about tomorrow's wedding." Her eyes were red, ready to spill tears. "I know you don't like me, but I truly love Jacob. Could you please not do anything too outrageous?"
"Like what?" I asked.
"Like bringing some not-so-decent people, or giving gifts that don't fit the occasion." She bit her lip, giving me her best puppy eyes. "I know you've got a lot of friends back in Amiston, but a wedding is supposed to be sacred. Please."
I smiled, "Relax, I'm only inviting decent folks. And the gift? I put a lot of thought into it."
"Really?" She shot me a suspicious look.
"Really," I nodded. "I promise you'll be surprised."
She breathed out in relief and rolled away, but as she turned, I caught a sly, triumphant grin on her face.
What I was going to do was make every single one of her little performances backfire, hard. So hard they'd sting worse than a slap of her own doing.
*****
On the day of the wedding, I got up early. The basement had no windows, but I could imagine the sunlight pouring in outside. I slipped into the beige dress Maria had given me, then pulled out my suitcase from under the bed.
Opening it, I was greeted by a dazzling red outfit. It was a custom-made performance costume, made of silk. The hem was adorned with sequins and crystals. Matching accessories, including a headpiece, belt, and embroidered shoes, were all included.
I changed into the costume and did my makeup in front of the mirror. Eyebrows, eyeliner, blush, and finally a swipe of bright red lipstick. The woman in the mirror was blazing bright.
Just then, my phone buzzed. Charles had sent me a live video from the venue. The wedding hotel ballroom was so lavish that it was almost blinding. The place was packed with guests.
Olivia sat in her wheelchair, her wedding gown trailing behind her, while Jacob crouched beside her, the two of them being interviewed by the media.
"Yes, the doctors said Olivia's chances of ever walking again are slim, but I don't care," Jacob said, his voice full of emotion as he looked into the camera. "I love her, not her legs."
The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, and the flashbulbs went off like fireworks.
I turned off the video and called Charles. "Everything set?"
"Yes," Charles sounded excited. "Elaine, are you really going to do this? This is way more dramatic than just spilling wine at a wedding!"
"Throwing wine is so played out," I said, fixing my headdress in the mirror. "If we're making a scene, we're making it big."
After hanging up, I grabbed my carefully prepared gift, a meticulously wrapped gift box, and strode out of the basement.
In the living room, Maria spotted me, her brows furrowing in disbelief before she froze, utterly stunned. "What on earth are you wearing?"
I replied with a smile, "Didn't you say I should look presentable?"
"Presentable? This?" She was practically shaking with rage. "Go change, right now. Are you trying to make the Morgan family the talk of the town?"
Richard stormed out of his study at the noise, his face darkening the moment he saw me. "Stop this nonsense. Change immediately."
"Too late," I said, checking my watch. "The wedding kicks off at eleven, and it's already ten-thirty. If the roads are clear, we won't make it in less than twenty-five minutes."
Maria looked like she might pass out. "You did this on purpose."
"Yep," I said, totally unapologetic. "Your daughter wanted me to bring some special entertainment, right? I made sure it's unforgettable."
I brushed past them and headed straight for the door. The driver was already waiting by the car, staring in disbelief at my outfit. "Hilton Hotel, please," I said as I slid into the back seat. "Keep it smooth. I don't want my makeup ruined."
The car started up, and Morgan Manor faded away in the rearview mirror.
I opened the gift box and checked what was inside. One was a bundle of white lilies. The other was a USB drive, loaded with all the dirt I'd collected on Olivia over the past two weeks.
I'd planned to hold onto it a while longer, but Olivia was in such a hurry. Guess I'd have to spill it early.