Chapter 105
***Kenya.***
***Present day, August 31st***
The entire school was filled with masked guests, majestically dressed as fairies.
I stood in the middle of the hall, wearing a nature fairy mask.
Dressed in silk emerald green, two-piece dress, styled like a Thai Dusit. Spotting a yellow toned veil, which I draped over one side of my shoulders. A pair of pearl and diamond earrings on my ears and my hair in a Grecian style.
I felt beautiful. The men's eyes undressing me. But none of them was Levi. Tears wet my eyes behind my mask. My heart crushed.
That night Blake called, he hadn't elaborated more. I tried to get his meaning, but he had politely ignored my questions, rather informing me that Levi was extremely busy. I still felt betrayed by Levi's sudden indifference.
I would have cancelled the party, but Andrea protested against it. Asking me to consider the efforts of everyone that worked for the party. So here I was, maintaining a façade.
Mum and Alan couldn't make it. They had to return to Amanda, because she had a panic episode and the kids couldn't handle her. I wanted to cancel the party and follow them, but mum had protested.
I would have felt completely alone. Thankfully, Andrea, Rory and Mike were supportive. Andrea and Mike were dressed as fairy King and Queen of love with their matching clothes.
After my opening speech, which went well; considering the number of times I got distracted searching the masked faces of every man for Levi, I went to cry in my office.
Breaking into sobs, unable to hold my emotions. I could hear music, an indication that the guests were dancing.
Everyone was happy; eating, drinking. But I was miserable.
I caught a look of myself in the window and cried some more. *How did I become this attached to a man that had killed for my sake? A man that had manipulated me to become his wife.*
But it was easy; he was the most handsome and good natured man I knew. Always putting others first.
I had people out there asking for him and I just couldn't manage the lies. Covering up about his wellbeing, when I wasn't certain myself. I was hanging by a thread.
A knock came on the door, stilling me. I listened and it came again.
Infuriated, I opened it to find a waiter, informing me that there was a guest asking for me and Levi. I stayed behind to check myself and left to attend to my guests. The last thing Levi needed now was a dent on his political journey. Some of his party members were present.
"Hello Mrs Ruthford." The man lowered his mask.
It was the current outgoing Senator of NYC. Mark Marlowe. He was a very quiet and charismatic man, who was equally intelligent and good natured. "A pleasant evening. Congratulations on your opening. It is a beautiful establishment. I would be sure to direct students here. Unfortunately, I have three sons, who are stuck to football like I am." He playfully informed.
We both laughed. He looked very young for his age.
"I'd like to meet them someday, Senator. They sound delightful." I remarked.
"Oh I don't think delightful is the word that cuts it. Rogues of the highest degree, might do the trick." He joked. I laughed, a bit soothed. "They are currently on vacation with their mother in Australia."
"Wow. All the way," I said.
"Yes. My wife has a sister there and we always visit her at this time of the year." He informed. I nodded in understanding.
"I haven't seen or heard from your husband in days. When we call, his personal assistants say he is on a business trip. Is there another way we can get him?" He was calm.
Rory had already informed me that many party members and clients were calling and they could barely keep up with the excuses. I didn't even know what to tell the Senator.
Hesitating, my eyes snagged a poster on the wall that had a man drinking a beverage in the tropical heat. An idea struck.
"Senator, my husband is currently in a very remote tropical region. He informed me of his intentions and asked us all not to worry. You shouldn't as well. Duties of our husbands." I held a shaky smile.
He watched me for a few seconds and nodded in acknowledgement.
I was aware the senator was very intelligent. But even intelligence had weak spots. Satisfied with my answer, the senator soon jumped to talks about Australia and his family.
My heart beat slowly returning to normal at each story he brought.
The Senator moved on and I walked over to a window, looking outside.
We were upstairs and a few guests toured the premises around me. All happy. But I didn't have any joy. I stood at the window, trying to hide my misery. I couldn't keep up with the excuses anymore. And my heart had no more faith to stay strong.
Something happened to my husband and I could feel it. It was a gut feeling, borne out of the love I felt for him.
This was not an infatuation like I first perceived. Not spiraling hormones from our steaming lovemaking.
I was truly in love with Levi and It was rooted deep. Tears flowed down my eyes and I covered my mouth, stifling the sobs. I knew what everyone would think as they passed. But I was in agony.
My eyes clutched tight, blocking everyone out.
A warmth suddenly travelled through me. Familiar, strong. A tremor awakened inside me at the touch that came.
I leaned in, my back coming against the solid form I yearned. My arms were burned from the touch of the only fingers I craved. The warm breath that fanned my neck, reaching my core. I turned to water.
"I couldn't bear seeing you like this. So I braced the elements. I braced death."