Web of Deception Chapter 10
"November 1st is going to be your wedding day?" Lorraine asked in disbelief. "That's only two months away. How on earth do you expect to plan a wedding in two months, Keesha? There are a million details to address, not to mention all the important people who have to be invited."
For the past three weeks, Keesha had passively sat back and let her mother take over the wedding plans, while Malcolm conveniently made himself scarce. But the final straw came, when Lorraine took it upon herself to set their wedding date for next summer. In an act of defiance, Keesha easily convinced Malcolm to move the wedding up to November.
"That's enough, Mama!" Keesha yelled rubbing the temple of her forehead. "This is my wedding, not yours! It's going to take place in the gardens at Mansfield Estate. Victor has been sweet enough to contact the necessary caterers and landscapers."
"Why the rush to get married so soon?" Lorraine wondered. "This was Malcolm's idea wasn't it? Or maybe there's another reason. Are you pregnant?"
Keesha looked at her mother with disappointment, as Jason's word echoed in her mind. "You've never respected Keesha."
"Do you think so little of me?" she asked flatly. "Do you really think I'm so desperate, that I need to trap a man?"
"Keesha, you know that's not what I meant," Lorraine replied sweetly, trying to avoid another argument.
"Is that how you got my father to marry you?" she asked, unable to hide the tears. "Is that why my he wouldn't love me?"
The hurtful accusation struck a heavy blow to Lorraine's heart. "No, I didn't trap your father. You were born out of the deep love that we shared. He loved you very much."
"That's how you choose to remember him. But, I remember a man, who never had the time of day for his only child. Sometimes, I could have sworn he was afraid of me," she said.
"I never knew you felt this way," Lorraine said, stunned by her daughter's emotional outburst.
"Well, now you know," Keesha replied. "I'm not saying he was a bad man. He just didn't know how to show love. Victor has been more of a father to me, than daddy ever was."
The sudden slap stung Keesha's face. "Don't ever let me hear you say that about your father," Lorraine angrily replied.
Keesha rubbed her face, as the tears burned hot like her anger.
"He was a sweet and kind man, who worked very hard to provide us with a wonderful life. His job simply required a great deal of his time and that's the only reason he couldn't be with you."
"Fine, whatever!" Keesha replied staring her mother in the eyes. "Just remember, this is my wedding. If you can't be happy for me, don't bother showing up."
Lorraine stood speechless as Keesha walked past Victor and slammed the door closed.
"What the hell did you do?" Victor asked annoyed.
"How could you agree to let her have the wedding in two months?" Lorraine yelled.
"I wanted to make our daughter happy," he replied.
"She's my daughter! You're just her stepfather," Lorraine yelled, immediately regretting the harsh words. "I'm so sorry, baby. I just keep saying the wrong things today."
"Yes, you do," he replied in a cool tone. "I love Keesha. She's special in so many ways. You don't see that now."
"What does that mean?"
"One day, you'll find out," he said with a wicked smile.
A chill ran down Lorraine's spine, as she watched Victor leave the room.
