60. Ignore Them All!

"What are you planning to do?" Kaspar asked. "Help me get that woman's veil. I want to see her face. I have a nagging feeling that she was Clarice!" Aurelia said. The uneasy feeling in her stomach intensified. Kaspar continued drinking his champagne, chilling, enjoying the evening, not bothered at all by Aurelia's suspicions. "How can you be so calm about it?" Aurelia whined exasperatedly. "Can you please calm down? We are attending a wedding party here. We can't afford to expose our dirty laundry. Remember we are surrounded by many Alphas right now. If we make a big mistake and our secrets are found out by everyone, I'm sure we will meet our doom before the night is over," Kaspar said, ignoring his companion. "But her voice is so similar to Clarice. I know my friend so well, I can't be mistaken!" Aurelia said, panicking. Kaspar rolled his eyes. "Can you listen for a second? I'll tell you why the bride is not Clarice. First, her name is Charice Evans. If she is indeed Clarice do you think she will stay silent and not take revenge on us? Her husband is the leader of a powerful rogue pack. They could easily wage war against our pack or hire snipers to kill us. But she didn't do that. And last but not least, they invited us to attend the wedding. If she was Clarice she would never have invited us. Do you understand now?" "I understand, but I can't help it. I'm still bothered by her voice," Aurelia said anxiously. "Stop worrying so much. Let's just enjoy the party," Kaspar said casually. "I'm not planning to ruin my awesome experience tonight," he added for good measure. Aurelia was annoyed that Kaspar was not listening to her. She can't continue to sit in her chair and do nothing. She wanted to see the bride's face without a veil. Is that hard to ask? She stood up. "Where are you going?" Kaspar asked, annoyed. "I'm going to find out the truth," Aurelia said in a determined voice. Kaspar sighed heavily. "And what will I tell your husband if he asks about you?" "Just tell him I went to the restroom," Aurelia replied, grabbing her handbag. "Don't make stupid mistakes, okay?" Kaspar reminded his impulsive friend. Aurelia nodded her head and walked in the direction of the restroom. She would get into the toilet first to relieve the call of nature, then find the bride and pretend she would take pictures with her and accidentally remove the veil on her face so she could be sure she was not Clarice. She has to do it for her peace of mind. She is fine if Clarice is still out there alive but paralyzed and with no chance of getting back to her former glory, she can accept that. But if her former best friend manages to rise from the ashes of her ruin, she will destroy her again to prevent her from taking revenge on her. She would not let anyone destroy her hard work. She is already living her dreams at the top as the wife of Alpha Bruce Gibson and the Luna of the Bloodhound Pack. It's the best experience ever! Her crowning glory. She reached the restroom and entered the nearest empty cubicle. She emerged from the restroom a few moments later, ready to find the bride. She saw her chatting with other female guests. Now is the time to approach her. She will execute her plan flawlessly and make it look like it was accidental. She was walking towards the bride with her 5-inch stiletto high heel shoes, towering over other guests, when suddenly out of nowhere an old man wearing a black tuxedo intercepted her and accidentally spilled his wine on her evening dress. "What the fuck you are doing?" she yelled furiously at the old man. "Oops, I'm sorry, I spilled my wine on your dress!" Grandpa Eliezer said apologetically. Aurelia was about to slap the old man who ruined her evening gown when suddenly her stiletto high heels snapped under her weight and she stumbled to the ground. Kaspar saw everything and rushed to his friend's side, helping her stand up before they could attract other people's attention. "Calm down. Don't make a scene. Don't ruin the night. Don't bring shame to your husband's name!" he warned her before she could say and do something stupid. "But this stupid old man here spilled wine on my dress!" Aurelia argued. "I got to punish him!" she insisted, her nostrils flaring. "It's an accident, Miss. I hope you will forgive this old man. I can buy you a new dress if you want," Grandpa Eliezer offered. Kaspar smiled. "No need, Grandpa. You may go now. I'll take care of my friend." "OK, as you say so," Grandpa Eliezer proceeded to the restroom. Kaspar guided Aurelia into the corner away from the other visitors. "Follow that old man and kill him for ruining my dress!" Aurelia ordered. Kaspar shook his head. "Are you crazy? You want me to kill someone tonight in the middle of this beautiful gathering? Hell no! I don't want to ruin my night and your husband's mood. If you are desperate, go and kill him yourself!" he said, defiantly refusing to obey her command, which annoyed Aurelia even more. She was seething in anger, cursing under her breath. She can't even walk properly in her broken high heel shoes. "Let's go back to your room in the hotel, so you can change your dress and your shoes, then let's come back here to continue enjoying the night," Kaspar said calmly. "Give me your shoes." Aurelia has no choice and allows Kaspar to remove both her shoes, looking in the direction of the bride angrily. She was annoyed to discover that the bride had been watching her all along. If she was Clarice she would be smiling right now seeing her predicament. One day, she will be able to see the face behind the veil! Suddenly, fireworks displays tore through the sky, exploding in all directions, creating a spectacular magical display of lights for everyone to admire and enjoy. Everyone cheered in awe, loving the breathtaking fireworks display, lighting up the dark sky. Aurelia and Kaspar left the wedding reception venue, heading back to their hotel suite, not bothering to stop and see the rest of the fireworks display. Inside the hotel room, Aurelia was still fuming. "I want to see the bride's face up close!" she whined loudly inside the bathroom while donning another gown. "Then seek her out, but not tonight..." Kaspar said outside the bathroom. "How?" "What do you mean?" Aurelia's brows furrowed. "You are the current chairwoman of the Luna Association Incorporated. Why don't you organize a dinner party and invite all the Luna? I'm sure Charice will attend to socialize with other Luna and cement her position as the supreme Luna of all packs," Kaspar suggested. "Bright idea!" Aurelia was pleased with Kaspar's suggestion. How come she didn't think about it? "Or, alternatively, you can have a chat with the former Luna of the Savage Howl pack, Viviana, and ask how her ex-husband met his current wife," Kaspar suggested. Aurelia emerged from the bathroom door, smiling broadly. "All your suggestions are brilliant! I already have a plan in mind." Kaspar smiled cunningly. "You should give me a reward!" "Sure, expect my reward in your bank account tomorrow," Aurelia said, walking to the dressing table, fixing her hair in front of the mirror. "So... will you behave now when we return to the party?" Kaspar asked. "Of course!" Aurelia replied, smiling brightly. "What will you do if you meet that old man again who ruined your dress, and the bride?" Kaspar asked to make sure she was already calm and composed. "Ignore them all and enjoy the night!" Aurelia answered merrily. "Good girl!" Kaspar said, satisfied with her answer. A few minutes later, Aurelia finished fixing herself in the mirror. She stood up, wore another pair of high-heeled shoes, and exited the hotel suite with Kaspar. They returned to the wedding reception wearing bright smiles on their faces.