Chapter 55 Banquet
Banquet
Cameras are flashing, and warm smiles shine as brightly as the sun while
curious eyes follow us as Nickoi strolls down the aisle. I feel incredibly safe and cherished in his embrace. Gavin beams at us, his phone recording the moment, cheering for us with enthusiasm.
“Go bestfriend! Congratulations to you and your husband!” I wave back at him with a radiant smile.
Afterward, we mingle through the crowd, expressing our gratitude to friends and family who shower us with wishes for a lifetime filled with love and happiness.
“Thank you so much,” I say with a smile. As I turn, something intriguing catches my eye.
What could Daddy possibly want to discuss with Kace, especially when my mom isn’t around?
I attempt to loosen my grip from Nickoi’s hand, but he keeps holding me close. He shifts his gaze from his uncle to me, giving me a questioning look.
“I’m going to say hi to my stepfather,” I inform him, and he nods.
“Ah, don’t stay too long because we’re leaving soon,” he reminds me, which makes me realize I need to meet my glam team shortly.
Oh, the reception dress!
“True she pretty, she a pass man, watch her,” I hear Dino’s voice, causing me to stop in my tracks. He’s my cousin; you met him back in Portland.
“Nothing like that,” I laugh. He embraces me, and I catch Nickoi watching us. I disregard his stare as Dino introduces me to his girlfriend.
Once our conversation wraps up, I head over to my dad and Kace. “Hi Dad, hi Kace,” I greet warmly. Kace merely nods, while my father smiles back.
Wow, Kace is quite cold, isn’t he? He reminds me of Mrs. Adam’s husband. What a crosses. They seem to be having a conversation, so why have they fallen silent now?
They clearly don’t want me to hear, obviously.
“You guys are finally meeting,” I say, hoping to reignite their conversation.
Kace nods.
“Mr. Williams is a cool dude,” he states simply, prompting a chuckle from my father. Clearly, these two aren’t fond of each other, not that I expected them to be.
“Good to know. Where’s my mom?” I ask, scanning the area as everyone mingles and heads to the reception venue.
“She’s inside changing Zahir,” Kace replies.
“Okay, are you guys coming to the reception?” I inquire, and they nod.
My father’s hands are shoved in his pockets.
“You could have asked that? I have to come, man,” my father responds.
I smile at him. “Okay.”
“I’ll be there; I’m just waiting on my wife,” Kace says, and my dad looks away, visibly annoyed. I can’t shake the feeling that he mentioned ‘wife’ just to annoy my father.
I don’t like him. He doesn’t seem like a nice person only on video calls.
“I’m going to catch a ride with one of my bredrin,” Daddy says, eager to escape the tension. He touches my shoulder before walking away, and I purse my lips.
I turn to say, “See you there, Daddy.”
“Yes, mi daughta,” he replies.
I watch him walk away, and as soon as I turn back, Kace has disappeared too. Is he arrogant? What’s his deal? He doesn’t he like me?
Clearly, the feeling is mutual.
Why did Mom marry a crosses man?
Ask her when you see her; don’t ask me because I don’t know.
I roll my eyes and turn just in time to bump into Nickoi’s chest. He takes my hand, leading me to where the photographer is.
We spent half an hour capturing stunning photos with the bridal party, our guests, and family.
Then, I change into my reception dress.
“Zara, we really don’t have time,” Clova tells me as I admire my reflection.
I’m smitten with how I look… it’s mostly diamonds and just a bit more skin. I bite my lip in delight. She brushes my collarbone with Fenty products, adding that perfect shimmer.
“Yeah girl, that’s you!”
“Thanks, Clova,” I reply, quickly grabbing my portable fan before heading out. As I step outside, I spot Nickoi vaping while chatting with his friends.
“See har deh,” Rick says, and Nickoi’s gaze snaps to me.
Wow.
His eyes reveal everything I need to know.
I smile innocently, feeling like this is truly the icing on the cake. He takes my hand, tells his friends he’ll catch up later, and leads me towards… is that… is that a
Rolls Royce?
It’s decorated with diamonds and a license plate reading:
D’Jacobs Just Got Married.’
The chauffeur greets us and opens the door. I catch Nickoi’s eye, and he winks at me. I smile as I climb in.
It’s hard to wrap my head around this, but it’s Nickoi we’re talking about. I should have seen it coming.
Suddenly, his uncle arrives at the door, accompanied by Nature.
“Watch the OG dem,” Nickoi leans in and fist-bumps them. I adore how genuinely happy he is around them. They’re like father figures to him, especially Nature, I think.
“Hey, respect, Uncle Orion,” he greets him, and I smile. So, is the Rolls Royce a gift?
“It’s a gift?” I ask, intrigued.
“Uncle Orion ghost. It’s basically a rental,” he replies.
“Okay.”
“It’s yours,” Mr. Orion chimes in. Nickoi looks stunned, but he quickly conceals it.
“It’s part of my apology,” he explains, and Nickoi nods in understanding. Nature smiles but remains silent.
I’m confused.
What did he do that warrants such an extravagant apology?
Junior approaches, greeting everyone before fist-bumping Nickoi. “Do the right thing, you a see me at the venue.”
Nickoi nods as Junior walks away.
Orion calls out to him, “You leaving right away?” Junior affirms with a nod.
“Yeah.”
As they continue their conversation, I notice the cameras flashing at me. I stand up, striking a few poses while holding my gold and white bouquet in the air
“Whew!”
“Zahir and Zahira nice mother!”
“A payyyy dead gyal!!”
“Do this and beat mi cuzz’n!”
“Look how mi daughter-in-law nice nuh!”
“The dolly never a play!” I hear, and my smile broadens.
Sash stands next to the other bridesmaids, dressed in gold and white, while the groomsmen sport sleek black Armani suits beside them. Suzanne approaches, ensuring my makeup and dress are flawless before pulling me in for a hug.
“We’ll meet at the reception.”
“Yes,” I beam, kneeling on the seat as the car begins to move.
I blow kisses and wave until they fade from view, snuggling into Nickoi as I feel his fingers glide over my exposed thigh.
***
Everything about this reception is absolutely stunning. With gold and white accents everywhere, each table features a tall glass adorned with white flowers, creating a beautifully golden ambience.
Our cake, towering at least six feet tall, is decorated with icing petals and accompanied by a sword. Atop it sits an edible couple.
“Cyaa wait fi eat you. I love this, babe. Thanks for everything,” I say, tiptoeing to give him a quick peck on the lips.
As “Shake It to the Max” blasts through the speakers, the bridesmaids sway their hips toward the dance floor, their hands playfully covering their faces. Once settled, Tommylee’s ‘Under Vibes’ begins to play, and instantly the groomsmen fill the dance floor, enjoying the rhythm.
Each groom is paired with their real partner, except for Jordane and Sash.
“Now it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for!” the DJ announces, and the crowd erupts in cheers.
“Let’s welcome to the floor Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs!”
The guests cheer even louder as “Talibhan” by Skeng and Stalk Ashley starts blasting through the speakers. We make our way onto the floor, singing to each other. He sings Skeng’s verses while I sing Ashley’s, and the crowd reacts to our energy. Then Rick approaches the microphone.
“Him have a bag a gyal a stalk him,” Rick thrust the mic toward the audience. “But who him wah?”
“ZARAAA!” the crowd responds enthusiastically.
“Cho, bubblegum!” I laugh.
“A lie? Listen good nuh man!” Rick exclaims, making us laugh even more. He’s such a vibe. “Congratulations to you, my sis and my bruh heart a love fam.”
“Dat is it!” Gutta shouts from the back.
Nickoi chuckles. “Heart a love.”
Then the DJ chimes in. “Somebody tell mi say Zara loves the ‘Hrs & Hrs’song, so let’s see if she can dance to it.”
I laugh sheepishly.
Nickoi glances at me, and I realize we are the only ones on the floor.
“You ready?” the DJ asks.
I wrap my arms around Nickoi’s torso and confidently say, “Mi born ready.”
“Ariteeee,” he replies as the music starts playing.
I hook my arm around him, and his hand glides over my body, motivating me. As his palm lingers on my waist, I sway my hips. He leans in and kisses my neck, sending chills down my spine. Smoke fogs around us, I’m barely seeing anyone but him.
Then he whispers in my ear, “I love you.”
“Damn,” I whisper back, feeling it deep within.
As we continue to dance as if we’re the only two people in the room, I hear the audience cooing, but Nickoi remains my sole focus.
I softly sing to him, and he gazes at me in admiration. My head rests on his chest as I savor the moment.
“Babe?”
“Yes, mami,” he replies, his eyes locked on me.
I look up through my lashes.
“You make me feel everything she’s singing. That’s why I love this song.”
“Yeah?” he smiles, and I tiptoe to kiss him, eliciting an “aww” from the guests.
“Yes.”
After our intimate dance, we began dancing to “Mama’s Hand” with our babies.
“Me? Love this gone to bed,” Sash smiles.
“Nuh true, mi wah piece a tissue,” Gavin sighs with a grin. The enthusiastic guests shower us with compliments, but my attention is on these gems in my arms.
Afterward, I hand them to Ms. Cherry and share a little dance with Aden, who humorously tells me how much he’s hurting because I’m getting married. Everyone laughs.
Then I danced with my family, friends, and Nickoi’s family while he did the same. When it was his turn to dance with Sash, the joy on her face was priceless.
With a smile, I enjoyed the entertaining performances, but as always, Nickoi had a surprise in store for me. I could hardly believe my eyes when I spotted my favorite actor in person.
During his stand-up comedy, I found myself laughing until I cried. It was simply delightful.
Nickoi had promised he would bring him, but I didn’t take it seriously… so I had forgotten about it.