Chapter 6: A Wedding of Discontent
The day of the wedding dawned sunny and bright, the Venturi backyard transformed into a picturesque venue. Rows of chairs faced a flower-laden altar where George and Nora would soon exchange vows. Derek, dressed sharply in a tailored suit, stood beside his dad as best man, exuding his usual charm but with a hint of boredom. Across from him, Casey stood as her mom's maid of honor, her hair styled perfectly and her dress flattering, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
When the music began and it was time for the wedding party to walk down the aisle, Derek and Casey were paired together, much to their mutual dismay.
"Let's just get this over with," Derek muttered under his breath as he offered Casey his arm.
Casey plastered on a fake smile, her grip on his arm tighter than necessary. "For once, we agree."
As they made their way down the aisle, Derek's expression remained mildly annoyed, while Casey's fixed grin betrayed the storm brewing beneath her calm exterior. Both felt the weight of the moment—not just because of their parents' union, but because of the unresolved tension between them.
At the reception in a nearby restaurant, the mood was celebratory, with champagne flowing and laughter echoing across the venue. Derek quickly slipped into his natural role as the center of attention, charming everyone he spoke to—especially the bridesmaids, who were all Casey's cousins.
"Derek, you're hilarious!" Vicky, a striking brunette in the same age as Casey, giggled as Derek leaned closer, his smirk doing its usual magic.
"You know, Vicky," Derek said, his voice low and smooth, "I'm just trying to keep this wedding from being too boring. I think we make a good team."
Vicky blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're trouble, Derek Venturi."
"Only the fun kind," Derek replied with a wink.
Their flirting escalated throughout the evening, culminating in a quiet moment behind the LED wall near the DJ booth, where Vicky and Derek began making out, hidden from the crowd but not from one pair of watchful eyes.
At her table, Casey sat stiffly, her glass of sparkling cider untouched. Her gaze never left Derek, a pang of hurt striking her chest as she watched him shamelessly flirt with her cousin. When she saw Vicky pull Derek away to a secluded spot, her heart sank. Moments later, she spotted them locked in a passionate embrace, and it felt like a knife twisting in her chest.
Why is this happening? Casey thought, blinking back tears. Why did it have to be him? Why does he have to make everything so much worse?
She clenched her fists under the table, torn between anger, jealousy, and heartbreak. It was supposed to be a happy day for her mom, but all Casey could feel was turmoil.
Across the room, Derek reemerged, looking as composed as ever, while Vicky returned to her friends, her lipstick slightly smudged. Derek's eyes briefly met Casey's, and though his face revealed nothing, Casey felt as though he knew exactly what he was doing.
As the night went on, Casey resolved to avoid Derek entirely, though her thoughts refused to let him go. Meanwhile, Derek stayed the life of the party, masking his own inner conflict with charm and bravado. The wedding was meant to bring their families together, but for Derek and Casey, it only highlighted just how far apart they truly were.