"Weddings are shit", Kaia said as she spoke to her best friend on the phone.
"Actually, scratch that…marriages are shit, most especially my mom's. I would know, this is her 4th one and she hasn't found THE ONE", she continued.
"You need to cut Mrs Manetti—soon to be Ceemer—some slack", chided Melo.
"Atleast she's living her life…all you do is mope around and work", she added.
Kaia rolled her eyes at Melo's observations, she'd heard all these before…
She was getting ready to walk her mother; Kaitleen Manetti, down the aisle…precisely, her 4th one. Melo's voice faded into the background as Kaia remembers a time when her life had been perfect. Her father; Julian Manetti, had been alive and was the love of her mothers life. They'd been the perfect little family until the tragic accident that claimed his life and left them proverbially and literally shattered. Now, her mother constantly hopped from one vice to the next, desperately searching for something–or someone–to fill the void her father left behind…It hasn't been going well.
"Fuck my life", she muttered to herself…
"Yeah, but you could go on a date with that cute guy from the corner coffee shop, I think you just need a good fuck so your life doesn't feel so fucked", her friend added. "You see what I did there", she sneered.
"Jesus Melo, that's not the priority right now. Besides, I'm late for the procession, I gotta go. I really wish you were here though", she added longingly.
"Aw baby, I know, I miss you too. Now, go get your mom married and come back home to me".
"Alright, talk to you later", Kaia said as she ended the call.
If there's one thing her mother was, it was elegant. She liked everything high-end and this wedding wasn't an exception. Kaia made her way to the elevator. The wedding was a lavish affair on one of the tallest Manhattan's upper east side buildings. The vibe definitely gave off timelessness and elegance…oh–and did she say expensive? Yeah, very expensive.
Kaia adjusted her rose colored brooch as she stared at her reflection in the mirror of the elevator. The rooftop was on the 15th floor and she was weirdly the only one in the elevator. She hoped she wasn't too late as the elevator arrived on the 15th floor. She was just in time for the procession, so she sped-walk to the aisle entry.
Kaitleen was beautiful and barely showed signs of aging at the age of 50.
She had on a simple ivory halterneck wedding dress. Her striking hazel eyes scanned the room until it landed on Kaia just a few feet away from her, then she smiled beautifully.
"You're here, my love, and you look breathtaking. I told you this silk dress would look divine on you", her mother exclaimed as she gazed lovingly at her.
"Oh mom, you're the one that looks stunning," Kaia replied lovingly.
"I was looking for you, I thought you'd be really late or not even show up at al–"
"Mom, are you sure about this", interrupted Kaia, worry pinching her tone.
"I'm here for you, you know that, but mom this is your 4th and you've only known him for all of 3months. Wait a bit longer, just so you're sure?", she posed.
"Remember how it was the last time? I can't go through that again…I can't watch you go through that again", added Kaia, tears welling up her eyes.
Her mother held her cheek in one hand,
"Oh baby, I know that I probably haven't been the best mother to you, with everything I put you through, but Cameron is different. It's only been 3 months, but it all feels different—better with him. I haven't felt this way since your dad left us and I know I'm not the best person to speak on making great decisions but, I would like to show you that things can change. We love each other and we're going to be a family. You'll see", she said as she stared deep into her eyes with so much certainty.
Maybe it could be different this time, she thought. Her mother definitely looked way better than she had in a long time. Her smile reached her eyes and she gazed at Cameron with eyes she'd formerly gave only to her dad. Kaia felt a dull pang of pain in her chest as she watched them share a kiss.
"All four of us", her mother continued interrupting her thoughts…
"4? What do you mean all 4 of us?" she asked with a slight frown.
"Oh, didn't I mention? You're going to have a step-brother. He isn't here, he couldn't make the wedding—her mothers voice trailed off as Kaia got lost in her thoughts again.
A brother? Ughhh…that just means unnecessary familial ties. Atleast, with just Cameron she could pretend like they weren't a family. If she knew anything about her mom, she was going to pour all her energy to getting Kaia integrated into the new "family"…Kaia groaned quietly, internally rolling her eyes…
"He's always working. Kind of reminds me of you Kaia. You both will get along beautifully."
The wedding ceremony ended with the emotional exchange of vows–most of which came from her mom. Cameron reminded her of an Army general; all stoic and stern. The only time she'd seen him smile was when he'd look at her mom…his eyes would soften too. Maybe they were good for each other…what did she know? She was a 25 year old reclusive virgin. Matters of the heart were far from her alley.
The reception began immediately after the ceremony on the floor below them. Kaia sat alone at a table checking her emails. Her mother's laughter reaching her as she and her new husband danced together. She'd patiently been awaiting a call back email for the interview she did the week before. She was "in-between jobs"—basically jobless— but her mom didn't need to know that…she'd only blow it all out of proportion and that was the last thing Kaia needed right now. She swiped down on her screen to reload her inbox, hoping she'd gotten an email but unfortunately…"nothing", she sighs defeatedly.
"Hey baby, are you okay? her mother asked, sliding into the seat right beside her. Kaia immediately turned her phone facedown and gave a tight smile.
"I'm fine, mom. I just need to rest…I'm still a little jet lagged" she offered.
"You should do that Kaia, you'll need the rest. We have a family dinner tomorrow night. You'll meet your step-brother... He's flying in tonight", her mother quipped excitedly.
"Do I really have to be there?", Kaia whined
Her mother looked at her with one of her eyebrows shot up in question—her signature "don't play with me, young woman" look.
"Ughhh, fine", Kaia grumbled.
"But, I'm not staying for dessert. I need to be back in Boston in time for work on Monday", she lied.
***************
Getting to the restaurant had been fairly easy. She'd slept the morning away. It was safe to say she felt well rested and much better.
Kaia's eyes scanned the room as she entered the restaurant, searching for her moms familiar face. One of the waiters walks addresses her,
"Miss Manetti?"
"Uh…yes, I'm her–"
"Come with me, your table is waiting", he replied.
"Oh–okay", she murmured.
She followed the waiter to an intimate section of the restaurant, as she finally spotted her mom.
"Welcome Darling!" She heard her mom say as she gave her a hug.
"You look well-rested dear. Was the hotel room to your liking?" she asked.
"It was wonderful mom, than—" she started to reply as she had a rich, deep chuckle.
That laugh…she'd heard it before.
"Oh yes, pardon my manners," her mom began as she turned while holding Kaia.
"Chase dear, meet my daughter, Kaia Manet–"
Her mothers voiced trailed off as Kaia felt the hairs on her neck rise with trepidation.
No…no it can't be. This can't be happening, she thought as she raised her head to look into the eyes of the man before her.
"Kaia, meet your step brother, Chase Ceemer."
Kaia stared into the ocean blue eyes of her past, her nemesis…painful memories she'd thought she'd buried barreled through her mind as she stared into the eyes of her first love…her high school bully; now…her stepbrother.