Swansea, April 2010

"Why are you doing this, sweetheart?"

"What are you talking about? She needs me here. Nadine is on some rainforest study. Helga is on a book tour. They're not showing up until the wedding. Her sorority friends are all busy. I'm all she's got."

He heard his mother sigh.

"No, Thaddeus. I know it's convenient for her to have you there but what I meant is why are you doing this to yourself? What are you hoping to achieve?"

Thad was taken aback that his mother would even bring it up. Like all things regarding Rhonda, he thought she'd sweep this under the rug. But ever since Rhonda's engagement, Allegra had been different.

"If this is one of your schemes–"

"Whoa, wait," he said. He had tensed. The word scheme reminded him of countless detentions and always set his blood boiling whenever someone used that word against him. Thaddeus doesn't scheme. At least, not anymore. Those days were long behind him. "Can't you even give me the benefit of the doubt? I'm your son. I'm not scheming anything."

"Yes," she said patiently. "But I also know you've been in love with Rhonda since you were a child. You're not reasonable when it comes to her."

"There's no scheme!" he insisted.

"I don't want you to get hurt."

Too late for that.

He gritted his teeth. Somehow he had sensed his mother wouldn't understand. But he had to explain. He needed to let her know why this was so important to him.

"Ma, my time with her is limited. This is maybe the last time I get to spend whole days with her. It's been great. We've been eating so much cake. It's the last time I can make her laugh at my jokes, hug her, put my arm around her without feeling guilty. And yesterday, when she tried on her dress. You should have seen her face after she saw herself in the mirror… In a few days, she'll be someone else's girl."

The thought churned his stomach.

"Oh Thaddeus, come home," she pleaded.

"I can't," he said, pained.

"Of course, you can. Come home before you lose yourself. Rhonda's a big girl. She can hire hundreds of people to help her with this wedding. She doesn't need you there."

His mother was right but it was agonising to admit it.

"Goodbye, ma."

"Now, wait a second! List–"

He hung up the phone and tossed it on the bed. At the edge, he slowly sat down and released an unsteady breath. It was all going so fast. When they first started dating, Thaddeus hadn't been too worried. He thought Edward was harmless. Nice enough. Then they started getting too close, Rhonda stopped visiting him to spend more time with her boyfriend. He understood. He had no right to be jealous. They were just friends now. It was a relief to have their relationship on the mend after a three-year rift but then they announced their engagement.

That's when everything fell apart.

She looked so happy he didn't have the heart to say anything. They invited him to a lovely dinner, loads of their childhood friends were there, he brought a nice bottle of wine, white because she couldn't stand red. Rhonda greeted him at the door wearing a salmon sundress. Her hair had been pinned on one side and then it cascaded in waves over one shoulder. She was still the most gorgeous being he'd ever seen. She gave him a peck on the cheek and thanked him for the gift.

She talked about how she was glad he could make it and how she and her boyfriend were doing. He nodded absently, trying to feign interest as she kept babbling about Edward or Eddy as she called him. Then dinner came and they all went down to her back yard. Or a part of her backyard since her property was massive. Acres of well-manicured lawn spread before him as he walked down the stone steps. There was a giant white canopy and under it were arranged white tables and chairs, cutlery was laid out in precise patterns. Guests milled about making conversation. There were chefs grilling succulent seafood and steaks at one side. Upon seeing him, Brooke greeted him with a smile and came over to ask how he was doing. She was dressed in that understated manner of hers with only a splash of red lipstick to colour her face. He filled her in and they talked for awhile. For some reason, even though the last time they met was in Rome and she had been reserved and chilly, she was friendly towards him here.

"I'm glad Rhonda invited you," she said. "I don't know much of these people, they're the children of some of my friends but I've never talked to them."

"Why?"

"They bore me."

He laughed at her honesty. Her eyes narrowed in contemplative amusement.

"Self-centeredness and spoiled behaviour are not my cup of tea."

"And what is?" he asked, cautiously.

"Intelligence."

They watched the other guests for a while.

"They're Edward's friends, are they not?" he asked.

Brooke nodded. "Only you, Helga and Nadine are probably the only interesting people I can talk to in here."

"I think more of our classmates are coming later. They're quite fun. But thank you for thinking that I'm interesting, Mrs. Lloyd. I can assure you, I'm pretty boring," he teased.

She released something close to a snort but then smiled. "Don't feign modesty, Mr. Gammelthorpe, it does not suit you. Oh, there's my husband now. I've got to go before he challenges one of them to a game of chess. He's been looking for a playmate since Rhonda moved out of the house. I'm afraid I've never been good at the game."

"I can play," he offered.

She squinted and tilted her head. Then it seemed like inspiration struck her. "I've got to introduce you to him."

"I don't think that's necessary."

Brooke gave him a pointed look that was so similar to Rhonda's it threw him off.

"Come now, dear boy. There's nothing to fear." The way she said it sounded more like a challenge instead of a statement. She lifted one of her brows. At first, it didn't make sense how she and Rhonda were related, except for the similarities in physical appearance, but now he could see it clearly. Brooke's daughter was an exaggerated manifestation of her.

He laughed. "Funny, I feel no fear at all."

"Then you wouldn't mind an introduction," she said in the corner of her mouth before waving to get her husband's attention. "Buckley, I have someone here I want you to meet!"

The Lloyd patriarch, glanced around to locate his wife, his face brightened once he saw her. He eagerly made his way to them and the young blonde woman he had been talking to looked relieved to get away. She had probably been patiently listening to him talk about chess moves.

"Hey," he leaned in to kiss his wife then turned to Thaddeus. "Hi there. Good evening, I'm Buckley Lloyd."

"Thaddeus Gammelthorpe. I was Rhonda's classmate from kindergarten to high school."

"Ah... Splendid!"

He extended a hand for Thaddeus to shake. By his side, Brooke grinned before taking a sip from her half-filled glass. At that point, Thaddeus Gammelthrope had never wanted to impress two people more.

"Pleased to meet you," the older man said. His voice had a tinge of the upper-class accent that was associated with haughtiness but his eyes were warm.

"Pleasure's all mine," Thaddeus replied.

"Thaddeus here graduated from Stanford," Brooke mentioned with practiced casualness.

She didn't expect him to say that and he hid his surprise.

"That's impressive," Buckley commented. "I wasn't so lucky to go to an Ivy League school. I went to Hillwood University on scholarship."

In some way, Thaddeus thought that was more impressive than his achievement.

Brooke was smiling so widely to the side and he didn't know why. Then she chipped in, "Thaddeus here plays chess."

Buckley's eyes widened in delight. Thaddeus finally understood the source of Brooke's amusement. "Do you?"

"Yes but only recreationally."

The older man laughed. It was a rich sound. Brooke hooked an arm around her husband's. "We can't all be grand masters."

"Did you join competitions?" Thaddeus asked.

"When I was young but I was not exceptional. I enjoyed playing although I wasn't very competitive. Would you like to have a go?"

Thaddeus started to reply, "Uh, sur–"

Brooke cut in, "I'm afraid I'm going to leave you, boys, here. I'm going to talk to Helga. Maybe she has something more interesting to talk about other than this dull old king's game."

Buckley didn't seem the least bit offended, probably used to his wife's opinions of the game.

"She's just saying that because she can never get it."

"That might explain it," Thaddeus joined in.

Buckley laughed while his wife frowned.

"It's not stimulating for me. But I can see why it might have some appeal to two old fools like the both of you," she huffed. Brooke raised her chin indignation but gave Thaddeus a wink before leaving him with her husband. "Have fun."

She trotted off like the queen of the castle that she is.

Without her as a crutch, his anxiety came back. It wasn't that Buckley Lloyd was a physically intimidating man but there was something about him so self-assured that put Thaddeus on edge. A man who made something out of himself. He seemed to about the same age as his wife. However, whereas Brooke's hair was still ink black, his were starting to gray around the edges.

"So, a game?"

"Huh? Oh, yes. Sure. Lead the way, sir."

The man smiled and gestured to the gardens. "Buckley will do. I have an outdoor set. It's a walk away so nobody would bother us while we play."

There were trimmed privet hedges that decorated the gardens. The grass ended and a gravelly path began. The party was still seen in the distance but something told Thaddeus it was easier for them to see the soiree than for any of the guests to spot them. They walked in silence until Lloyd asked him a question. The sun was beginning to set and the sky was highlighted in hues of purples, pinks, and oranges.

"So, where you close to my Rhonda?"

"Pardon me, sir?"

"Buckley will do, young man. Just Buckley. My Rhonda. In school, were you two close?" he asked. The tone had been cordial but there was an underlying something that Thaddeus couldn't help figure out.

"I, actually, we fought a lot in school," he said truthfully. Somehow, Thaddeus knew he couldn't lie to this man.

His answer made the man grin. "You're Curly."

Thaddeus stilled. He didn't know what to say. Once again, he aimed for the truth.

"It's a childhood nickname."

"Brooke was really grateful of how you took care of things in Rome. You didn't know how worried we were. Thank you for informing us she was with you."

At the time, he felt like he had betrayed Rhonda. Her parents had to know where she was, though. He still felt guilty about the whole thing.

"It's a long time ago."

"I don't forget my allies."

For the first time that night, Thaddeus saw not the affable father but the ruthless businessman. One who could not be bullied or bought off. One who had to face, and stare competition right in the face without flinching before winning big.

"It's really not a big deal," he insisted.

Buckley shook his head. They had reached a stone outdoor chess table with marble pieces. The tycoon gestured for him to sit so Thaddeus did. Once they were settled, he said, "My daughter's wellbeing is the most important thing to me."

Since he was on white, the rich man was the first to move.

"It only makes sense," Thaddeus replied before moving his black piece.

Buckley nodded, staring at the board. "I'm glad my daughter has a friend like you."

Thaddeus bet he wouldn't have said that if he knew what really went on with him and his daughter during that summer in Rome.

Check.

Buckley's brows furrowed. "Are you sure you only play for recreation?" he said then moved his King away.

"Pretty sure," the young man coolly replied. He had to focus.

Another check.

The older man looked disappointed and then unexpectedly thrilled. "How often?"

"A few days a week."

At that, Lloyd rubbed his hands together. "This is good. I haven't been challenged since Rhonda left. I taught her most of my best moves, the rest she learned herself. Get ready to lose, young man."

Thaddeus laughed at Buckley's impression of a villainous voice. In some ways, the man reminded him of his father who could be quite silly at times.

"Not in this lifetime, old-timer."

Buckley chuckled.

It was hard to play against such an enthusiastic, skilled player. Thaddeus felt rusty but in the end, he managed to beat him after he devoured Lloyd's queen.

"Checkmate!"

"Indeed," Buckley whistled. He didn't seem too put out to lose. It's as if the process of the match was more valuable to him than the outcome. "You're a good opponent, lad."

Thaddeus felt a burst of pride.

"I knew I'd find you two nerds here," a female voice announced. "Mom told me about this mini geek fest."

Buckley beamed at the sound and looked up. "Hello, dear."

Rhonda walked over, hear flat slippers crunching on the gravel. "Hey, dad. Thad. Whoa, that rhymes." She laughed at her little joke and Thaddeus rolled his eyes.

"Can you believe I'm friends with him? So unsupportive. Doesn't even get my humour," she said to her father before giving him a peck on the cheek.

Buckley watched Thaddeus with mirth in his hazel eyes. "I can believe that you're friends with him but why would he want to be friends with you? That's what baffles me. How can such a smart man be associated with trouble like you?"

Thaddeus laughed and Rhonda slapped her father's arm. "Hey! I'm your daughter. You're supposed to be on my side."

"I've changed allegiance," he shrugged. "I pick the better chess player."

Thaddeus held up his hands in surrender. "I am not part of this."

"Disloyal. Both of you," she scolded. "By the way, I'm not here just to trade insults. I'm here to tell you that dinner is ready. Mom wants you to get back. And better chess player?" She turned to Thaddeus with a narrowed gaze. "We'll see."

Her salmon skirts swished behind her as she made her exit.

Buckley's face still held the same amusement. "I guess we better follow her."

Thaddeus nodded. They caught up to Rhonda. She and her father immediately started talking. The subject matter wasn't one that he wanted to hear about.

"Have you talked to Eddy yet?" Rhonda asked her father.

"Yeah," Buckley replied. Thaddeus sensed a note of reproach.

"What do you think of him?"

The amused expression was gone and in its place was a mask. Rhonda didn't seem to notice. "He seems like a nice young man. Comes from a decent family. Makes good money. I did introduce him to you after all."

She nodded.

"Do you like him?" she asked her father.

It was clear to him she was asking for Buckley's approval. Thaddeus felt like he was intruding what was supposed to be a private conversation but Rhonda paid him no mind.

"I think he's suitable for you," Buckley replied but as he said it his eyes were on Thaddeus. The younger man met his gaze, confused. He turned to his daughter. "If you like him and you're happy, then there's no problem."

Rhonda nodded, pleased with the answer. "Thank you, daddy. This means the world to me." She gave him an affectionate side-hug. They had reached the canopy. The delicious smell of food reminded Thaddeus how hungry he was. Upon seeing a bar with a busy bartender in one corner, he felt silly about his party gift. One measly bottle.

"I think I'll go get seated," Thaddeus announced, wanting to leave the father and daughter for some time alone.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Thaddeus. Come by the house anytime for a match."

"I might take you up on that," he simply said. He lifted his hand to give a small wave. The Lloyds started talking immediately after he left.

He had a different impression of Buckley after he met him. The man was surprising. A contrast to what he first thought of him. The guests sat down. The food was, of course, scrumptious. Everything was fresh and cooked just right. The vegetables in the salad were crisp and the meat was divine. Mid-way through dinner, there was a clanging of glass. Everybody hushed.

"Thank you for coming tonight!" Rhonda announced through a sound system. Her table was located in the heart of the square. Seated there were her parents and another older blonde couple, and then her boyfriend Edward who was sitting down but was holding her hand as she held the mic with another.

There was a cheer and then one of Rhonda's most outspoken cousins, Lana, yelled, "We came for the food."

Everybody laughed.

"Thanks, Lana. As you know, this is a family dinner and I wanted to invite all my closest friends and relatives because I have something important to announce."

Suddenly, a black pit of dread appeared in Thaddeus' stomach. He looked around, Helga's wild eyes met his. His reaction was mirrored in her face. Panic. Arnold was sitting right beside her with a look of confusion as he watched Rhonda's speech.

"Eddy and I have been dating for a few months now. And I have to say that, I am grateful to have him in my life."

The pit deepened.

"So grateful in fact…"

No, please, no.

"That I have decided to say yes when he asked me to marry him last night! We're engaged!"

The applause drowned the blood pounding in his ears. He saw Eddy pick up Rhonda and twirl her around before giving her a kiss. She threw her hands around his neck. Thaddeus wanted to vomit. He sat ramrod straight before knocking his drink back in one gulp. A few people had stood up to offer their congratulations and he didn't notice that Helga had gone to him until he saw her beside him. He turned away. Then he felt her hands on his back and her breath on his ear.

"We're going for a walk," she said.

"I'm not leaving," he choked.

"Don't make me get Arnold to drag you."

He stood up and sneered at her. "Fine."

They escaped the crush unnoticed. The sun had set and brought about a chill. They walked quietly side by side. His anguish had robbed him of speech.

"Did you know this was going to happen?" she asked softly.

He shook his head. His vision was blurring. They kept walking, though. With long strides. Helga's long legs kept up with him.

"Talk to me, let it out," she said, panting now that he was walking too quickly. He realised that he had led him near the chess table. There was an entrance to a tall hedge maze he hadn't noticed earlier.

"Curly, talk to me."

"What?" he whipped around, tears in his eyes. "What do you want me to say?"

Helga's blue eyes watered. "It's okay. Everything's going to be fine."

"How can you say that? How can you possibly say that? She's–" He couldn't finish. A sob rose from his throat. He crumpled to the crunchy gravel. Helga was beside him in seconds, squatting down, an arm around him.

"I'm so sorry. Arnold and I are here for you," she whispered and leaned her blonde head against his shoulder.

He rubbed a hand against his wet eyes. He had made a fool out of himself.

Why do fools fall in love?

"Thanks," he breathed.

They sat together in silence. The jagged stones were painful but they didn't mind. They watched the glow of the party in the distance. Music had started playing. The joyous cacophony seemed to mock him. When he regained his breathing and the tears had stopped flowing, he whispered, "I didn't expect this. I thought they were just dating. Nothing serious."

But there had been signs. Signs that she took the relationship seriously. He only realised now, in the aftermath.

"I know what you mean. Plus, it's only been months. What is she thinking?" Helga asked.

Right now, he didn't know. He felt like he hadn't known her at all.

…

Thaddeus cringed at the memory. Right now, all that mattered was to take advantage of the time left. There would be plenty of time to brood later. Once the wedding was done, he'd just simply detach himself. Hopefully, she'll do the same.

…

Brooke Lloyd gave another disappointed sigh. It wasn't even the wedding yet and Edward was already more absent than present. He was always away on business trips. Her daughter had been driving her crazy with all this wedding planning. She was relieved when Thaddeus had stepped in to help. His friendship with her daughter was one of the oddest things Brooke had witnessed but also one of the sweetest.

They just seemed to get along so well. And when she observed them, it all made sense.

Peas in a pod.

Rhonda made him smile and vice versa. Thaddeus didn't let her get away with a lot of things and matched her dry humour. It was entertaining to watch them verbally spar with each other.

Sometimes Brooke forgot that Thaddeus wasn't going to be her son-in-law and as the days passed, the thought depressed her more than she expected.

Why can't her daughter see this?

But Rhonda was stubborn. If she had made up her mind about something, she would do it. See it through. Brooke suspected this trait would be her downfall. She watched them giggle at the pronunciation of a dish on the wedding menu. Then Thaddeus reared his head back in laughter and her daughter clutched her stomach, wiping a tear from her eye. They were both in stitches as they mimicked an upper-class British tone while pronouncing the dish. Each pronunciation more ridiculous and nasal than the last.

Their silliness reminded her of the early days of her marriage.