Chapter 3 Rowan's Residence

ARIELLE'S POV

Everything has to be perfect, my mum murmurs. Loretta has waited so long for this day. I nearly rolled my eyes. She's put off the wedding four times, Mother. I do not think she's so willing. Mum stirred at me, stars shooting out of her eyes. l don't blame you, her work is too demanding, Arielle. Do you know what it means or what it's like to be an A-list actress? All you do is stand like a mannequin and smile at the camera. It isn't the same for my princess. She doesn't get to go home after shooting. She's been away on set for weeks on end, working on sets that aren't comfortable. Do you truly think she wanted to put off the wedding?

It happened because she had no choice. Like I said, you'd never get it, but the least you could do is to keep quiet in case you've got nothing important to say." I nibble down on my lip brutally to keep from talking back to her. She knows how tasking modelling can be, and how hard I work. Just last week, I got cold from shooting a commercial in the snow. I know better not to compare myself to Loretta but I wish she wouldn't dismiss my work as just standing like a mannequin and looking beautiful. I assume it doesn't matter what I do. Her annoyance is that I didn't take after her career like my sister did. My mother was a sought-after actress in her prime and she loathes that I never had a flare for acting. No matter how difficult I work, l will never impress her. My hands tremble as I go through the guest list. Why do I keep doing this to myself? Why do I keep coming here, to assist with a wedding just to spend time with a mother that'll continuously consider me second fiddle to her amazing child? I'm not crying for the moon or imagining that she will give us equal love. All I've ever needed was an ounce of her motherly love. Is that too much to ask? "I'm sorry" Mother says, her voice strained. "The wedding has put so much weight on me, and I took it out on you. My bad Arielle You get it, don't you? This wedding is a blessing to our family. This merger has been long overdue and once this wedding is behind us, we will be able to finalise the remaining paperwork and bestow the combined company in Loretta's and Ariel's hands. The Warrens refused to give any assistance unless the wedding was over ,your father and I needed their funding. I nodded, my head bowed. "I get it Mom." She grins at me at that point. "You're such a darling young lady Arielle".Loretta and I are both fortunate to have you. I certainly couldn't have done any of this without you." I smile back at her, happy the endless hours of work I've put into this was not in vain. Loretta has scarcely been included in the wedding arrangements, and even though it hurts to be constantly reminded of her upcoming wedding, I'm happy I get to spend a little time with Mother. "I can't imagine my jewel is about to become someone's wife soon," Mother mumbles as she modifies the blossoms within the shape of the vineyard Ariel and Loretta will be getting married in. "When your sister was a little girl, I was afraid that she wouldn't live long enough to be a full-grown lady because of her ill health. There are things I never thought she'd experience, yet here she is, an international actress, about to wed one of the most celebrated billionaires in the world. In the long run, she's taking care of her parents consequently, permitting us to retire in wealth, knowing our company is in safe hands." unease settled in my stomach", I shouldn't envy my sister, and I shouldn't resent her pride in Mom's eyes. I just wish that those same affections were met on me as well .She'll make a lovely bride,I console Mother. Mother looks up, an indication of stress in her expression. How is the wedding dress coming along? Were you able to create the changes Loretta requested? I nodded. Each time she's delayed the wedding, she's changed nearly everything around the wedding itself

and her wedding dress, coming about in incalculable additional weeks of working on her outfit. "Of course." Mother wavers. "It's thoughtful of her to ask you to design her dress for her. It's such a decent way to include you. I don't doubt if she ever needed a celebrated brand she would get one, but I assume that will assist your brand in selling. Once the world sees Loretta in one of your dresses, all her celebrity friends will follow suit. She's an influencer, you know that." I chomp down on my lip. "I've won several model contracts Mother. I've had a two-year holding-up list for any of my couture wedding outfits ever since I propelled my line and the list has gotten longer since Selena Romeris got married in one of my outfits.

My brand is well established and prestigious just like other seasoned brands out there. Mother looks at me with a mollifying expression that right away grates on me. Of course, she says, gesturing. At that point, she snatches one of the wedding invites and holds it up. Anyway, we ought to be double sure. Make sure these are hand delivered within the stipulated time, l don't trust these dispatch riders. Everything about this wedding must be kept within our family. Paraventure the paparazzi got wind of it, it'll spoil Loretta's day. Why don't you take care of that ?. I murmur and rise to my feet. "Sure," I answered, getting my bag. I'll do it the next day.Mom looks up at me and scowls. "You aren't waiting for dinner?"

No. I have so many fishes to fry." Mother gestures. "Oh, great. try to keep fit,l believe you don't want to look fat in your maid of honour dress ." My heart throbs as I turn my back to my mother and walk away. Each time I see my mother, I feel like l am a mistake, a child she never wanted and I keep despising myself. I ought to be glad for Loretta, and I ought to feel honoured that I'm being included in the wedding to this extent but I despise it. I die a million times anytime I'm at home. I'm never this frantic for love or affirmation, and even though it pains me to see Loretta with Ariel, I've never detested her for having his love. However each time I came to see my parents, my head filled with different unimaginable thoughts

Will my mother be happy if l am the one getting married?

What would have happened if I never took her to Bianca's birthday party?

What if I decided not to assist with the wedding?

How about l made a move on Ariel and stole him? I know I'm way better than this, but each time I come home, My world is always shattered.Ma cheri, I look at my father and he murmurs intentionally. "Let me escort you", sweet girl." I gesture and take my father's arm, a sense of foreboding hangs in the air as he strolls with me to where l packed my car. Father opened the door for me and said, "I love you, Arielle" he

said. Your mother does too as well, but she has her way of showing it .I chomp down on my lip for a minute. She has no issue confessing her love for Loretta. Father holds my hair and pushes it behind my ear tenderly. "I know," he mumbles. Mom feels the need to be so vocal concerning it because of how sick Loretta had it when she was young. We never knew she would make it through childhood. Your mother thought that she could make up for all the trauma Loretta endured by showering her with love now. It's more for her than it is for Loretta, and it isn't cruel that she doesn't cherish you as much." I gesture, unwilling to take it any further. I don't need Father to

console me since he feels he ought to. For starters, I do not need to be comforted with lies. I planted a kiss on my father's cheek. Love you, Dad. You drive safe, alright? Send a message to me when you reach home. I know how to utilise those feelings. I'll send you a thumbs up back." "Emojis?" I asked. "That's the ones." "Good for you, Father. I'll send you an emoji in the shape of a house when I reach home

okay? "It'll be our secret language." He winks at me, and I giggle as I step into the car

This is why I keep coming to visit, my dad is a dove, despite my mother's way of showing her love. Father is right. Deep down, they do cherish me. Possibly not as much as they adore the apple of their eyes Loretta but I learned long ago to live with that. I'll never amount up to my more talented sister. Not in my mother's eyes, and certainly never in Ariel's eyes