Reverence - Live and Learn, Book Eight: Live and Learn, #8

By Amanda Vint

Someone unexpected is back and they are out to cause trouble. Trying to keep her life together, Eleanor resolves to acting like everything is okay, to try and maintain a peaceful environment.
But then it hits...
The media has gotten hold of intimate details of Eleanor's life, and it seems that escape from the constant hounding is futile.
Just when she thinks she'll end up being a prisoner in her own home, there's a light at the end of the tunnel -- how about her own reality television show? Thinking it will calm things down, it catapults her into even more stardom.
Will this spell the end for any hopes of having a normal existence?

And how much will be lost in the process?
Join Eleanor, in the penultimate of Live and Learn, where the lines between reality and fiction become extremely blurred.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amanda Vint
• Release date: Jun 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223253723

Amanda Vint

Amanda Vint started writing romance novels in July 2016, self publishing her debut novel "Live and Learn" in the October of the same year. Following on from the positive feedback that the first book prompted, it then went on to become a series; with the next books "Twists and Turns" and "Clarity" being published. Specialising in the romance genre, she also uses her educational background in the field of psychology to incorporate a darker side to some characters, thus adding dramatic plot twists to the storylines. Amanda loves to connect with her readers and has a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AmandaVintBooks) and blog (www.amandavint.com) dedicated to doing so.

Book preview

Contents

Chapter One - Disruption

Chapter Two - Trust Issues

Chapter Three - The Wicked Stepmother

Chapter Four - The Next Return

Chapter Five - Mom's The Word

Chapter Six - Secured

Chapter Seven - Pressure to Perform

Chapter Eight - In The Swing

Chapter Nine - Diversion

Chapter Ten - Outside Influences

Chapter Eleven - Anything Else?

Chapter Twelve - Rise and Fall

Chapter One - Disruption

Twitters began to emerge from the guests, as the most unexpected person dramatically made her way up the aisle with her arms outstretched toward the bride.

My darling, you look beautiful! she cried.

Mom! Michelle gasped, releasing Brandon's hand and gathering up the bottom of her dress to move forward.

I couldn't take my eyes off the scene before me. Everything was happening in slow motion. The one person whom I never would have expected to be here, was, and my heart was pounding in my chest.

How was she here? Had she escaped? Or was she now deemed sane enough to enter my world again?

My line of sight darted from Michelle, who was practically lunging toward Cressida, to Brandon, who was stood stationary at the altar not knowing what to do. Then I looked to my father who was stood in shock with Paige by his side, and then to Stephen, clinging onto Madison in his arms, and not knowing whether to intervene or not.

My beautiful girl! Cressida beamed in the middle of the aisle, as Michelle gave her a big hug.

Mom, it’s so good to see you! she cried, bear-hugging her in front of all the baffled guests.

I knew somebody had to do something, as the guests were uneasy, and so was I. What was she here for? Yes, her daughter was getting married, but this was no normal mother-of-the-bride we were talking about. Do I stop this?

Before I could think further about whether I should do or say anything, my father stepped forward.

Right, ladies and gents, if you’d like to make your way to the reception area! he ordered, as the bear-hug was broken free of, and it finally captured the attention of Michelle, who pulled back and realized that she wasn’t the only person here.

Michelle’s cheeks came over a crimson color as the reality dawned. David started to direct the guests out of the back doors to the reception venue, as Stephen handed the children over to Clarisse and Clark for safekeeping, and made his way over to me.

When all the guests had departed, it was just me, Stephen, my dad, Paige, Cressida, Michelle, and Brandon, stood in the middle of the aisle alone.

Giving a little nod to David, he closed the double-doors over, as he went to organize the guests for their sit-down meal. It was a strange circumstance to be in, but they would have to wait for a moment before the bride and groom entered the vicinity.

Cressida, what are you doing here? my dad hissed, as we all moved to behind Michelle, to face her.

It’s nice to see you too, Michael, under extraordinary circumstances. Can’t a mother come and see her daughter on her wedding day? she replied in an innocent fashion, fixing her shrug on her shoulders and clutching her purse in front of her.

You are not the average mother, I blurted – I couldn't help myself. How are you here?

Cressida’s blue eyes darted to me, and I wondered what was coming next.

Clean bill of mental health. I’m as free as a bird. I wanted to be here for Michelle. But whilst we are in private...

She moved forward toward me, and my body tensed. I could feel Stephen immediately spring to attention as he neared my side. What if she had a syringe in her purse as a form of payback? Reaching forward, she gently placed her hand on my forearm as I clung to my flowers.

Eleanor, I wanted to apologize to you for the way things have been. I was under the influence of a very nasty person, and I’m sorry for the way I treated you. Call it a lapse of sanity. We all know what we think is love can do to a person.

A wry smile crossed her lips, and I wondered whether that was a dig at me. No matter what she was saying, all’s I could see was the same old Cressida staring back – the woman who had never liked me, and the woman that had never truly been a mother.

I think we should head to the reception, Brandon interrupted, as I stood in shock. The guests will be waiting.

Snapping out of my trance, we all looked at each other, with Cressida seemingly very happy with herself and her little ‘apology’.

Michelle, truly the naïve one of the bunch, linked Cressida’s arm and started animatedly chatting to her about how she would make sure she had a place at the top table with them to eat, as they walked toward the reception venue. Brandon gave me a sympathetic look as he followed on, while Paige took my dad’s arm and walked along behind them.

I wasn't sure what my dad was feeling now, and for a moment, I couldn't move my legs. Stephen stood in front of me, taking my hands in his, and even his presence couldn’t seem to shake the surrealistic effect Cressida’s entrance had made upon me.

Are you okay? he softly asked, giving my hands which were gripping my flowers a little squeeze.

Erm, yeah. I don’t know... I mumbled.

I can't believe she’s here. This is a shock, Eleanor. Be under no illusion that anyone thinks otherwise, he reassured.

I looked him dead in the eyes; the gorgeous, chocolate brown eyes that had always been my home. Those eyes that had given me comfort in the darkest of hours, with the happy ending I had envisaged for both of us, shaken again.

I don't trust her motives, I aired, without engagement from my brain.

Neither do I, but you can’t let her win. She may have been rehabilitated to a certain extent, who knows? But all’s I do know, is that you are going to get through this day with your head held high. You have put all this hard work together to make Michelle and Brandon’s day what it is, and you’re going to enjoy it. Whether she is here or not. I won’t let her hurt you.

At those words my heart softened, and I was brought back to the present moment. Stephen was right – I had pledged to myself that I would never let Cressida have an impact on my life ever again, and even though the shock of her waltzing back into our world wasn't a pleasant one, it was something that had to be dealt with appropriately, to get through the day.

Giving him a soft smile, he turned and held his arm out for me to link. Taking a deep breath, we moved forward together in unison, as if walking down the aisle ourselves. A part of it did take me back to when we got married – although I was on a stretcher giving birth to our twins – but this was how it should have been.

Upon entering the stately room filled with tables full of guests, I eyed the situation. A position at the top table had been created for Cressida, and I felt like screaming at the sight. I was paying for today, and would’ve had her demoted to sitting at the back somewhere, but this was not my wedding day. If it was, for a start, I would never have had her here in the first place.

Walking through the double-doors, several of the guests, including Roger, Ross, Penny, Clarisse, and Clark, were eyeing me for a reaction, but I was determined that Cressida wasn’t going to get one. I would smile and play my part and my true feelings could be aired another day.

Stephen gave my hand a quick squeeze of reassurance, as he released my arm from linking his, and went to sit at his designated table. Joining the top table with my dad, Paige, and now Cressida perched on the end, I sat on the other side of Brandon’s best man, willing this meal to be over as quickly as possible. Copious amounts of champagne were going to be downed later on to block this scenario out.

The meal passed as normal, and I was thankful that as the speeches were taking place, Cressida didn’t decide to stand up and say something. I think I may have thrown my wine glass at her if she would have, and with her dramatic style, I was surprised she hadn’t attempted to further steal more limelight.

Once we’d all finished eating – a meal which I didn’t particularly pay much attention to – the guests were all moved to the gardens, while myself and David stayed behind to make sure the room was properly set up for the evening. I was glad to be away from Cressida, as I could imagine her soaking up the attention of her impromptu arrival while we were in here. Ugh, I just wanted away from her.

Are you okay? David asked, as we shifted about a few chairs off what would be the dancefloor area.

Hmm? Er, yeah, I’m fine, I replied, unconvincingly.

You don’t seem it, he muttered, as I checked about the room to make sure that the staff had arranged things properly.

It wasn’t really up to us to be moving furniture about, but I needed something to physically do to distract myself. David had joined in out of politeness.

Is it any wonder? I snapped, turning to him.

Hmm, I know what you mean. She was the person I least expected to be here today.

Yeah, sorry. I’m a little edgy. I didn't mean to snap. I know Cressida hasn’t been the best influence on you in the past. How are you feeling?

It’s okay, no harm done. To be honest, I do feel okay. It was my uncle that had the worst impact on me. I think Cressida was just taken along for the ride like we all were.

Maybe so, I agreed, edging a little further over to him to be out of earshot of the staff milling about the room. Do you think she's capable of change? I asked the man that I knew probably wasn’t capable of it.

Asking advice from him was a real ironic turn of events, but I needed to air to someone.

He shrugged. Who knows. She’s been under treatment, so maybe she is okay now. He edged further forward to me and placed his hand on my shoulder. I internally squirmed at his touch, but I wasn't going to let on that I knew about what he had been up to. I know first-hand how manipulative my uncle was... I too, had to receive treatment for it, and have hopefully laid that part of my life to rest. Cressida could have done the same. Just wait and see how things turn out. I’m here if you need to talk.

Thanks. I falsely smiled, trying to wriggle out from under his touch.

Am I interrupting? came the deep voice in the background.

David whirled around, and I turned my line of vision to the double-doors, to see Stephen standing there, looking unimpressed.

No, no. I smiled, making my way over to him. We were just talking about something.

Right... Stephen frowned in David’s direction.

Snapping back to the task at hand, David started barking orders at the staff as the band were still setting up onstage. While I had a moment alone with him, I pulled Stephen to the outskirts of the room to talk more privately.

Where are the children? I warily asked.

They’re with Clarisse and Clark. Don't worry, they’re not near her. Anyway, you and Sommer’s looked quite cozy. What was that about? he eyed.

Oh, nothing. And it wasn’t ‘cozy’, as you put it. We were talking about Cressida. I was asking David whether he thought she’d changed.

Ha! What are you asking him for? If there’s one person that wouldn’t tell you the truth, it’s him! He probably knew all along about her making an appearance, he huffed.

What, you really think that? No, he was just as shocked.

Eleanor... Stephen’s expression became serious, as he took my hands in his and gazed deeply into my eyes. You don’t see it. I would never trust Sommer’s, or Cressida, ever again. Too much has happened... and not your average shit, either. She had you tied to a chair, and wanted David to do despicable things to you! Sane people do not behave that way.

Yes, but David didn’t do anything. He helped, in the end.

Time and time again he has managed to throw back any bit of kindness shown to him. I’m never going to be his number one fan anyway, but he doesn’t know how to behave himself. It’s like a habitual form of delinquent behavior. He can’t help himself. Maybe it is due to his upbringing, and yeah, credit to him for getting the help he needed, but I can't help but wait around for him to mess up again. And goddamn it, Eleanor, I don’t want you or the children caught in the crossfire.

The sincerity was sparkling through his chocolate irises again, and I knew he was right. Little did he know what I’d recently found out about David, so I knew I had to heed his advice.

Both David and Cressida really weren’t normal in the grand scheme of things. Yes, normal could differ, but the standard level of normality offered me that quieter level of existence that I craved. So much had been thrown at me over the years, that it was surprising that I hadn’t ended up in therapy myself. From now on, both David and Cressida would be arm’s length, and they wouldn't be allowed to be a major part of my life.

Giving Stephen a smile and nod of agreement, the preparations were set for the guests to merge back into the room for the evening celebration. Taking a deep breath, David had already ventured out to the gardens to let the guests know that champagne was now being served, and to let the festivities commence.

Grabbing a flute of champagne from the nearest tray, I practically downed it in the hopes it would drown out some of my senses. I just had to get through tonight, and then all would be well.

Once the guests were all happily settled within the function room, Michelle and Brandon’s entrance was announced by the band onstage, as they walked through the double-doors holding hands and smiling. They really were the picture of a happy newlywed couple, and that was all I was striving for, for today.

The band started to play swing music, as some of the guests began to get up and boogie away on the dancefloor. Standing on the outskirts, Stephen left my presence for a moment to check on the children, as I scanned the room to make sure everything was in its place.

David could be seen milling around the room, making sure that everything was flowing as it should, until I saw Cressida making her way over to him. Narrowing my eyes, I watched as she made her beeline, and placed her hand on his arm to gain his attention as he spoke to a member of staff.

He looked as shocked as I felt at her approaching him, but I continued to spectate, as she seemed to animatedly speak to him about something which I couldn’t make out. Before I could