Outside, in the garden, Ste and Sylvie are walking slowly, Charlotte is two steps behind them.


    Ste''s arm is bent at the elbow. Sylvie''s arm is wrapped under and over Ste''s. Ste''s other arm is pressing Sylvie''s in ce.


    There is panic in Sylvie''s eyes. She can''t get her hand out of that grip. She struggles a bit, unsessfully, while Ste acts as if nothing is wrong.


    Sylvie does not want to cause a scene. It would not be verydy-like. And the person holding her in this iron grip is the host! Sylvie thought that she canin and cry for help… but to whom will shein? Security is paid by this scary woman. Besides Charlotte, Sylvie does not know anyone. Even her children, Felix and Bridgette are avoiding her recently. Huh… what a life… She was wondering why she came here. To be mistreated like this? And what kind of a woman has such a strong grip? Sylvie felt that she was sweating.


    "And here we have refreshments, if you are thirsty… Are you thirsty?", Ste pauses for a moment and continues without waiting for a response. "And here are small pizza bites. I rmend them, they are very tasty. And here…"


    Ste is giving a personal introduction of each item avable for snacking until she notices that Sylvie''s attention trailed off and she is ring at someone.


    Ste follows her line of sight to the family of four. Two teenage boys are asking their father to go to the yroom, and he is telling them that they can go after the ceremony. Until then, they need to stick together.


    "Is that your ex-husband?", Ste smiles. "Do you want to go and say hi?"


    Sylvie shook her head like a pellet drum. She wanted to go and give Damien piece of her mind, but seeing how Ste is handling her, she chose to submit. For now.


    Ste''s smile widened. "OK. Let me know if you change your mind. As I was saying… here are stuffed mushrooms…"


    After some more ''friendly introduction to snacks'', Ste saw that it''s almost time for the ceremony to start. She led Sylvie and Charlotte to one table and gestured Charlotte and Sylvie to sit.


    Sylvie''s arm was numb, and when Ste released her, she felt as if million ants crawled under her skin.


    "Please, stay seated.", Ste smiled at both of them before her icy gazended on Sylvie. "The ceremony will start soon and if you stand up, you might… lose your seat. If you need any food or beverage, raise your hand and someone from staff will help you. Understood?"


    Sylvie nodded.


    Charlotte frowned slightly while looking at strange Sylvie''s behavior, and confirmed to Ste that she understands.


    "Good. I will talk to youter. Until then… know that you are being watched." Ste pointed up and Sylvie and Charlotte looked in that direction until their gazended on two drones which hovered few feet above them. They nced at each other before turning back to Ste. Ste smiled, nodded and walked away.


    "Maman… who is that woman?", Charlotte asked when Ste was out of the earshot. She missed the introduction, but she could see that Sylvie seems intimidated.


    Sylvie rubbed her still numb arm and exhaled. She didn''t respond.


    Charlotte raised her arm and was pleasantly surprised that within few seconds one staff member approached. She ordered ss of chilled white wine.


    Sylvie didn''t want anything. She was deep in thoughts. Slight frown vailed her face. And her arm was still numb.


    On the other side of the garden, Damien, Smita, Rishi and Shibu took their pre-assigned seats.


    Smita spotted Sylvie and frowned. "Isn''t that your ex-wife?"


    Damien nodded. "She is Felix''s mother. It''s expected that she will be here."


    "Do you think she will cause trouble?"


    "Let''s hope not. It''s best if we stay away from her, if possible." Damien was concerned but did his best to sound calm.


    …


    Inside styling room for girls was lively.


    One hairstylist was finishing up Sophia''s hair. Sophia was sitting on a rotating chair with her back straight, legs crossed at her knees… it was a dignified pose. The whole scene looked a bit off because she was in her underwear and white stockings which reached half of her thigs. Her cheeks were puffed, full of food while she was gobbling ky pastries, crumbs were everywhere.


    Isabe was checking herself in the mirror. Fiery red body-hugging strapless dress which reached just above her knees fit her well. Her hair and makeup were done by the stylists. And she looked like zing seductress.


    Leah was in her teal dress (of Sophia''s choice); ribbons and flowers in her hair. She looked like flowery fairy.


    Leah was watching Isabe with a lingering smile on her face, obviously pleased with what she sees.


    Jessica, Brie and Maddie were also in the room, happily chatting and stealing pastries from the te which was in front of Sophia.


    Sarah and JoAnna were changing into their dresses with help of stylists, so that they don''t mess up their hair.


    Wedding coordinator who works with Ste came in to warn them that they should get ready.


    "Leah,e… let''s take triplet photo!", JoAnna teased because they had matching hairstyles and pastel colored dresses.


    All girls left the styling room in order to get to their seats, or in case of Leah, Sarah and JoAnna to their positions for the ceremony.


    Sophia was thest one in the styling room with stylists who helped her finalize her look before she steps outside.


    Outside door, Edward was nervously pacing and waiting to hear that it''s OK toe in. He didn''t want to enter and see Sophia in underwear. Edward was nervous up to the point when he stepped inside and saw Sophia in her wedding gown. She was… happy. Sight of her smile which reflected into her eyes made Edward''s anxiousness disappear. One look at his oldest daughter, and he knew that this is what she wants to do.


    Down at the stairsnding, Jeff, Aiden and Gustav waited for JoAnna, Sarah and Leah. Felix was not in sight.


    Jeff and Aiden could not hide that they are more than pleased how theirdies look in their flowery-fairy edition.


    Girls stood next to the second floor railing and looked at the men below. They wore matching gray suits with details which matched the girls. Aiden had green details, Jeff blue and Gustav teal.


    Gustav found Leah to be pleasing to the eye. But he already heard that she is not avable, so he kept at a distance of just giving a politepliment.


    JoAnna could not get her eyes off from Jeff. He was dashing. His hair was neatlybed backward, and there was some sparkle in his eye. JoAnna didn''t know that the sparkle was there because he was looking at her, but she knew that his smile enchanted her.


    Sarah''s gazended on Aiden, and besides his appearance of an ultra-handsome (well dressed) Greek good, she noticed that his hair is a bit messy. It seems that he got the same hairstyle as Jeff, but he ran his hands through it, and messed it up. But those few unruly strands suit him just fine. They give him that mischievous, edgy look which Sarah loves.. He returned her gaze, and everything else faded.