Avoiding Responsibility (Avoiding #2)(68)
As the procession began, Lexi realized that if anything Victoria, the bitch fiancé, had actually been right. Chyna did not fit into this mold. Though, Chyna didn't fit into any mold. She was completely her own being. Each girl that walked down the aisle in the same lavender dress that adorned her friend's body looked insignificant in comparison. All were pale with honey blonde hair which truly did make Chyna stand out as she stood up next to the final woman. If the goal of a bride was to make sure the bridesmaids don't distract from their big day, then Victoria really had her work cut out for her.
All eyes flocked to Chyna's graceful stature. She stood tall, her exotic features highlighted by the pale beauties standing next to her. Those that knew her connection to the family were quickly murmuring the latest gossip to anyone seated near them. The rest just marveled at her and wondered idly to themselves.
Richard took his stance in preparation for his bride just as the Catholic priest asked everyone to rise. Lexi stood to her feet and turned with the crowd to face the back entrance of the ballroom. In a flowing mass of white lace, Victoria appeared in the entranceway. A gasp echoed throughout the room at her sheer beauty. The strapless, princess cut gown fell to her feet and a long train trailed behind her. Her father escorted her down the aisle to the traditional Canon in D played by a string quartet.
The ceremony went off without a hitch and within the hour Chyna had a new step mother. This time Chyna was allowed to follow the processional out since all glory was already bestowed upon Victoria. Ramsey laced his fingers with Lexi's as she followed behind Adam to the reception hall. Since they had been near the front of the room and several hundred people had been in attendance, they were some of the last people to enter.
As they did, Lexi could tell that something was going on. The wedding had been a success despite Chyna having to deal with Victoria's behavior. Yet, as Lexi stepped foot into the reception area, she instinctively knew that something was amiss. Searching around for Chyna, Lexi let her eyes roam the large room with individuals milling around conversing about the wedding.
Then she spotted the group of lavender dresses standing at a side entrance. Without a second thought, Lexi made a beeline for the group. She didn't bother turning around to find out if Ramsey and Adam were in tow, but she assumed that they would be. As she approached, her feeling of apprehension only grew. She had no idea why she felt that something was wrong about the whole scenario, but looking at her friend standing amidst that group of women, Lexi just knew.
"Chyna," Lexi called as she approached.
Chyna turned in place, her face showing all the anxiety of her situation along with a wave of appreciation at Lexi's presence. "Alexa, thank god!"
"Aren't you glad that's over?" Lexi asked hoping to lessen the tension.
"I would be," she said turning her back on the blonde bimbos standing around her. Lexi raised an eyebrow in question.
Before Chyna was able to answer, a woman came storming out of the entrance they were standing in front of. Lexi had never seen Chyna's mother before, but at first glance there was no denying their relation. Except for the twenty year age difference, the two were nearly identical. Her mother was taller, but it was unclear if that was due to the seven inch heels on her feet or not. Her skin was a deeper bronzed color and her eyes even more vibrantly green than her daughters. She was utterly beautiful, and was wearing a look that Lexi had seen a number of times on Chyna.
"Richard, there is no use in speaking with you further," she muttered, her foreign Italian accent still thick on her tongue after all these years.
Chyna's father appeared from the doorway looking furious at the distraction. As he entered the crowded room, his temper only continued to flare as more eyes turned his direction. "Andrea, honestly," he crowed latching onto her thin upper arm and yanking her backwards.
Lexi's eyes opened wide in surprise as he pulled her out of the busy room. "Let go of me," she said smacking his hand. "If I bruise, they'll cancel the Brazil shoot next week."
"They'll cover it up," he growled.
"You'd know," she spat back viciously.
"Welcome to my childhood," Chyna mumbled, sidling up to Lexi for the show.
"What's your mom doing here?" Lexi asked averting her eyes from the couple.
"That's the million dollar question isn't it?" Chyna grumbled.
"I thought she wasn't in the country. Isn't that what you said?" Lexi waited for her to nod then continued, "When was the last you saw her C?"
"I don't know," she shrugged. "When was my birthday?"
"June," Lexi whispered afraid of the forthcoming answer.
"Yeah June…three years ago," Chyna answered staring forward unblinking at her mother.
Lexi tried to cover her surprise. She knew that Chyna's mom wasn't in the picture. Well up until recently her father hadn't been around much either. But she hadn't known that it had been quite that long since she had even seen her mom. Lexi couldn't imagine going that long without seeing her own parents. Not that their relationship was even comparable to what Lexi was currently witnessing.
"Mom," Chyna said her voice carefully controlled. She took a confident step forward and into the conversation that was going on in swift Italian between the couple so as not to draw more attention to them.