Chapter 3 Kavita Ridley
Kavita Ridley
The party seemed to have gone on for hours, but it had only been twenty minutes since the announcement of her engagement.
A parade of guests streamed in, running late.
Kavita noticed there were over thirty men in deep-burgundy suits standing guard at every entrance, ensuring only those with proper invitations touched a sole upon the marble floor.
Even the back area, where the guesthouse and kitchen were located, was a spectacle.
All this, for her and Franklin, didn’t even feel real for a moment.
With how combative Father had been about Franklin’s background, his introducing the two to society made her feel seen, for the most part.
However, she still felt like she needed to prove something to her father, even now that she was engaged.
She wanted her father to be happy no matter how many scandals she’d found her way into.
Yes, she loved Franklin, but she needed a way out from under Father’s overbearing control.
Every choice she made was in line with his demanding orders.
Marriage was her way of removing herself from under his wing, and especially from under her older sister Amelia’s.
Kavita knew how terrible this sounded in her thoughts, but it was true.
Father didn’t even care for Franklin, but Kavita had run through so many eligible bachelors, tainting her name in society, that the ones who were worthy in her father’s eyes were men she wouldn’t take a second glance at.
Everyone married for something in their life to be improved—or rather, removed.
Kavita was pleased to see the entertainment: four troupes of fire-breathers, bodies painted gold and clad in daring crimson; women walking around with lampshades and crystals on their heads, greeting the guests; and one stilt walker towering over her, giving her a red rose as the guests watched in awe.
“Hey, I am the only one to give my girl roses, you sly fox,” Franklin yelled, in amusement, to the stilt walker, who raised his hands and faked running away from them.
Franklin sat down in the chair next to Kavita, giving her a kiss on the temple.
“What’s wrong, dollface? You look a little down.”
Kavita wore her emotions on her sleeve. Everyone could see how she felt, no matter how hard she tried to hide it.
She couldn’t keep a poker face like Wei, Amelia, or Omar.
She didn’t want Franklin to pester her. Deep down, Kavita was frustrated that Amelia had, once again, taken her shine.
She had always been aware of the comparison to Amelia, and tonight made that slight twinge of envy seep through onto her face.
Yes, Kavita was happy that her father was finally acknowledging her and Franklin as a couple, but he always found a way to make it about Amelia.
She loved her sister, but slick moves like this made her question her actions.
As the siblings dispersed into the crowd, Kavita, the family’s wild card, knew Adesua and Amelia would seize any opportunity to escape the party after a little time went by.
Kavita knew they wouldn’t leave if she were still running around.
The only way to make them stay longer was to stir up a little chaos.
Kavita relished this role, knowing that her antics were the glue that held her family together, even if it meant causing them constant worry over her whereabouts.
Every night since the age of fifteen, Kavita had been sneaking out of her bedroom and climbing down her balcony with the convenience of a winding staircase.
Amelia and Adesua silently prayed their sister would return every night.
She would, but the next morning would be everything but silent because of the screams of everyone saying how silly and reckless she was.
After two years, everyone was tired of protecting her and simply pretended she wasn’t doing it anymore.
The only person who would stay and wait at the door was their family driver, Mr. Pierre.
He was a staple at this house, along with their cook, Chef Laurent, and Mr. Jenkins and his wife, Darla, the head maid.
Tonight was more of the same, with Mr. Pierre watching from afar, waiting to see if he and Mrs. Darla needed to escort Kavita to her room to avoid a big scene as usual.
Kavita was momentarily still, which put everyone at ease as the evening’s much-anticipated performer arrived.
Bessie Smith took the stage dressed in a red satin dress that hugged every accentuated curve she had.
The room was so silent you couldn’t hear one heel click.
It was something to see a bodacious Black woman commanding the stage.
Even Adesua smiled, knowing that this could be the new normal for talent who looked like them, instead of just being seen at the run-down speakeasy or a family member’s backyard party.
Every moment Bessie Smith was on that stage, the voice within her somehow synced with the water fountains rising behind her, as if her voice had some majestic power over each drop of water. When she sang “I Ain’t Got Nobody,” everyone was in awe.
Amelia knew this was her time to leave. She knew no man would interest her. She gave Adesua a firm side hug before she began to walk away. That was, until Kavita stood in her way.
“Kavi, move. I have no time for your games tonight.”
Kavita was taken aback by Amelia’s audacity to challenge her. She saw it as a playful jest. “You think I’d let you leave while the iconic Bessie Smith is performing? That’s disrespectful, even for you. The only way to earn forgiveness is to dance with me.”
It was as if the band had heard her. The music’s tempo increased, and soon enough, people began to swing and twirl the night away while doing the Charleston.
Kavita grabbed Amelia’s hand, and they began kicking their feet in unison while they spun each other around.
Amelia secretly loved the sound of music on the dance floor, but she would never let Kavita know this, even if she were on her deathbed.
Kavita hopped on the stage and grabbed the mic from the singer as she was about to hit a high note.
Everyone was at attention while she tapped the mic multiple times.
The guests were all looking, but that wasn’t enough for Kavita.
She grabbed a champagne glass and hit it with a fork, and the glass shattered.
She covered her mouth apologetically while blushing.
“Hello, my lovely ladies and gents,” Kavita said in a drunken voice.
“Tonight has been one of the grandest nights of my life, but I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my beautiful brothers and sisters.
Which is why I’d love to dedicate a song to them right now at this very moment.
” Kavita squealed between hiccups, trying to get her words out.
“Did you know my youngest brother, Henrik, and I have our own little band? As a matter of fact, where is my darling baby brother? Henrik, get up here!”
Henrik shook his head while mouthing, “No.” He never let anyone see him play instruments or sing, because he was embarrassed.
Henrik was always perceived as soft and not like his older brothers by his peers at high school.
If he started singing with his intoxicated sister, he would never hear the last of it.
“Aww, my baby brother is a little shy. Maybe a round of applause would do it for him? What do ya say, everybody? Can we get some claps for my baby brother, Henrik?”
A few muffled claps were heard around the ballroom as everyone’s high was brought down when the music stopped. Adesua stormed the stage and grabbed Kavita by her wrist while snatching the mic from her.
“My best apologies, everyone. Kavi here has enjoyed our punch and a lack of sleep from party preparation. I hope you all have a good time! Band, strike a beat for this lovely crowd.” Adesua’s save was good enough until Kavita was in Amelia’s presence.
Amelia’s eyes darted to Kavita. “Oh, I promise the moment I talk to Father and Mother in the morning, you will never be able to leave their sight again.”
Kavita laughed in a way that someone who was insane would.
“Why? So Mother and Father can yell at you for not watching over me? Aren’t you tired of always being on your best behavior, huh, Mellie?
No one cares tonight. Everyone wants this as badly as I do, and not one of these people will want to remember the night, as they’ll feel foolish by their actions. ”
Adesua looked her in the eyes. They both knew Kavita was right.
Amelia would be the only one yelled at, while Kavita would walk away unscathed, as she was the youngest daughter and didn’t know any better.
Once again, she found herself looking at Kavita and promising herself to have fun tonight, just this one night.
She walked over to the crystal punch bowl and poured herself and Adesua a glass.
They knew what was in the drink, but it was already done.
Amelia didn’t notice any difference. That was, until Kavita’s smile looked more expansive and the stars looked like they were falling from the sky.
She could see Kavita shimmy her way out of hand’s reach.
Kavita ushered her mischievous and closest best friend Lila and her other friend Pam to sit by Amelia on the chaise longues near the pool.
By the time she laid her head down, Amelia was fast asleep.
Kavita laughed heartily, pacing back and forth while stumbling to the garden for peace in a place where no one would go.
It was a nice trail, with cobblestones that led to a little maze, rosebushes, and an immense pond with koi fish, ducks, and swans.
The cobblestones were cold as her hands touched them when she tripped.
She heard footsteps behind her but couldn’t tell who it was through the winding maze.
This confused Kavita, because not too many people came out here unless it was staff trying to get away from work briefly or a couple of lovers who were being scandalous.
Kavita felt a slight chill as the wind made its way through the rosebushes.
A waiter approached from behind her, a cigarette in one hand and a plate of hors d’oeuvres in the other.
He set it down on the nearby bench. He raised one eyebrow, lighting a cigarette and then offering her one.
Kavita waved him off because in that moment, she wasn’t in the mood to chitchat with the staff.
He tiptoed around her, going deeper into the garden’s maze.
Kavita loved being alone, but she could sense something was lingering near the bushes—or maybe someone.
“It’s funny, truly. With an engagement, you’d think you would be your father’s prized child,” a sleazy voice said, coming from none other than the journalist Dale, who sported a devilish smile.
Kavita raised her hand up to Dale’s face. She was about to strike him out of the rage she had built up against the man.
“I am starting to grow annoyed by your presence in my home at my engagement party. If my father hasn’t ruined this for me already, it will be a cold day in hell before I let you do it, Dale,” she spat.
“Well, sweetheart, better get a nice fur coat, because it’s coming sooner than later. You and your family make it so easy for me. It’s quite comical.” He shook his head in near amazement.
She brought the palm of her hand to his rough bearded cheek, hitting so hard, her fingertips tingled with heat. He grabbed the side of his face, cocking his head, which made his smile even wider than before.
“Oh, you are going to regret doing that,” Dale said, wiping the grin from his face.
The waiter from earlier caught Kavita’s eyes as she pushed Dale.
“Is everything okay, Miss Kavita,” the waiter said sternly.
“I am fine. You may go back to work and not speak a word of this, if you would like to keep your job with my family. Understood?”
He quickly put his head down and walked away to show he was respecting their space.
It just had to be Dale, taunting her once again.
She knew he was baiting her—better yet, luring her—into a splashy headline about a monstrous bride-to-be ready to attack anyone who disagreed with her.
The Ridleys had brought the devil into their home, and Kavita wanted him gone.