233 Feeling Neglected

Every member of the Treshvire family except Ella and Maxwell, gathered outside the house, where two luxurious white limousines were stationed and waiting to take them to the venue of the funeral/cremation ceremony.

They all looked godly in immaculate white attires and the atmosphere was filled with happy chatting and laughing.

Marissa was the most excited as Leon kept to his initial promise of keeping Ella away as they prepared to leave for the ceremony. She held on to Leon as though he were her husband and got into the car.

While Ivory, Yvonne, and Ethan joined Marissa’s car, Maximus and Cynthia rode in the second car.

Before Leon left Ella for his mum, he showered her with lots of kisses and also begged her to forgive him in advance for any pain she would feel for not having him by her side as a proper husband would do.

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“It’s fine!” Ella pushed him away amidst tears of pain and feeling neglected.

When Leon reluctantly left the room after trying in vain to put a smile on her face, Ella locked her bedroom door and went back to her bed to lie down. She found it difficult to push out the sadness in her heart.

Although she had initially given Leon her consent to go be with his family, she never knew it would feel this horrible to watch him leave her behind. She felt hurt not being welcomed in the company of the Treshvire family all through the ceremony.

Marissa’s intention of not wanting her around any of her children throughout the funeral ceremony was as good as saying that she didn’t exist or Leon was unmarried.

.....

“What an infuriating compromise for peace!” Ella thought out loud as she stared at the beautiful white dress on the bed, which she had adamantly refused to wear when Leon begged her to.

“Why do you want me to dress up when I’m not going out with you?” Ella questioned him angrily. “Please, I’m not going to pretend that I’m happy with your mum’s inhuman request. Just go before I change my mind and become the evil wife.”

Even when Leon tried to cuddle and console her when she suddenly broke down in tears, she pushed him away and told him to go. She promised him that she would be fine when he leaves.

While Ella was still swimming in her gloomy thoughts, her phone beeped twice. She casually picked up the phone and read a message sent to her by Ivory. It simply informed her that Justin and his mum were outside the house waiting for her to let them in.

The sadness on Ella’s face quickly vanished and was instantly replaced with cheerfulness as she jumped out of the bed and ran out of her bedroom towards the house entrance.

–

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A few minutes after the two luxurious cars slowly left, a gray Roll-Royce phantom car closely followed by an SUV car slowly drove into the premises and parked.

Justin came down from the driver seat of the Roll-Royce and quickly walked over to the passenger door to get his mum.

“Thanks, darling!” Mrs. Richmond smiled as she took her son’s outstretched hand and stepped out of the car.

Three housemaids also came down from the SUV and quickly tagged behind Mrs. Richmond.

Just as Mrs. Richmond was about to knock on the door, it suddenly flung open and Ella jumped into her arms as if Mrs. Richmond was her mum.

“Oh, my darling!” Mrs. Richmond kissed Ella’s head tenderly. “I’m so happy to see you again!”

“Me too!” Ella quietly sobbed in her arms.

“It’s okay, my baby!” Mrs. Richmond fondly stroked Ella’s hair and led her into the house. “Ivory confided in me! Please forgive her mum for my sake.”

Ella slowly nodded her head and wiped the tears from her eyes, as she release Mrs. Richmond from her hold.

“How is your son?” Ella asked while she scrutinized the smiling faces of the three professionally dressed ladies standing behind Mrs. Richmond.

“Justin is fine, my dear!” Mrs. Richmond beamed. “He is outside waiting for us.”

“Really!” Ella’s sparkling eyes shone even brighter.

“Yes, and these three ladies standing behind me are here to get you ready!”

“Wow! Thank you, Mrs. Richmond! I don’t know what I did to deserve your love and attention. But, I’m sincerely grateful!”

“Don’t mention, my darling! You are like a daughter I dreamed to have but never had, and I intend to spoil you silly if given the opportunity.”

“Aww!” Ella cupped her mouth with both hands and hugged Mrs. Richmond again.

“If it’s okay with you, can you please call me Phil? Mrs. Richmond sounds too formal.”

“Thanks, Phil, for everything!” Ella wiped more happy tears that rolled out of her eyes.

“You’re welcome, my dear! Now let’s hurry and get you ready. I don’t want you to arrive late at the ceremony venue. Also, I want you to look so captivating sitting or standing with us. When my girls and I are done with you, your extremely jealous husband will be forced to come snatch his wife for fear of another man sweeping her off her feet.”

“Hahaha!” Ella couldn’t stop laughing as she totally agreed with Mrs. Richmond on the part of Leon being extremely jealous.

—–

The setting sun’s pale tint of orange lit up the sky above the western horizon creating a magical breathtaking view.

The distant clouds were a dark silhouette with bright gold beams of light radiating through, casting an eternal beauty on Earth.

Seagulls were soaring through the air, singing their huoh-huoh-houh songs, while some were seen swooping down on some sand dunes, preparing to nest for the approaching night.

The gentle rhythmic motion of the waves was hypnotic to the eyes and Its peaceful rolling froths of ocean water made a delicate crashing sound as if they were trying to soothe the soul.

Close to the ocean shore, two magnificent and beautifully decorated altars stood tall.

These altars were surrounded by the families and Island friends of the deceased, who were all dressed in white attires and chanting sorrowful hymes.

Each altar was built from different woods, and straws, and was decorated with orange, yellow, and red flowers.

On the platform of each altar, were the dead bodies of Rex and Nana Esther, both dressed elegantly in immaculate white attires. A golden coin was placed on each pair of their closed eyes and from the serene look on their faces, one could mistaken them to be asleep.