LOVE BEYOND REASON

chapter twenty six

Vanessa's excitement bubbled up inside her as she prepared for the day ahead. Finally, she was going to meet Victoria, the woman who had captured Roy's heart. She couldn't help but recall stealing a fleeting glimpse of Victoria's tall, womanly figure at Roy's wedding, though she had left before the festivities concluded. "Victoria had such homely eyes," Vanessa mused to herself, her mind conjuring up images of the woman she was about to meet. Despite her anticipation, she couldn't shake the impression that Victoria's face had appeared somewhat pallid at the wedding. Yet, Vanessa brushed aside any reservations, eager to form her own opinion of Pete's beloved. After all, she couldn't wait to welcome Victoria into their family with open arms.

Roy's gaze lingered on Richard and Vanessa as he made his way to his table, his thoughts drifting to the dynamics of their relationship. He couldn't help but wonder if they had managed to move past their differences. Vanessa's forgiving nature wasn't lost on him; she had a way of overlooking Richard's past mistakes with ease. He wouldn't be surprised if she had already extended her forgiveness to him once again.

As he settled into his seat, Roy's attention shifted to the crowd, scanning the room in search of Nyri. He anticipated the moment when she would lay eyes on Victoria, knowing the significance it held now that he knew Victoria was coming home to stay. As Roy's anticipation grew, with a keen eye, his gaze flickering from one corner to another in search of Nyri. Yet, despite his eager anticipation, she remained conspicuously absent, her absence casting a shadow over the festivities.

Fueled by a sense of determination, Roy made a decision. He couldn't bear the thought of Nyri missing out on the momentous occasion of Victoria's return. With a decisive movement, he rose from his chair, his steps purposeful as he made his way towards the staircase. As he ascended the stairs, Roy's mind raced with thoughts of Nyri. He couldn't shake the image of her entwining into Victoria's arms, her face alight with joy and relief. It was a moment he had envisioned countless times, a moment he longed to witness with his own eyes.

Yet, as he reached the top of the stairs, uncertainty gnawed at him. He realized he had no idea which room belonged to Nyri. For a fleeting moment, he considered knocking on every door in search of her, determined to find her no matter what. Just as he was about to set off on his search, a maid appeared seemingly out of nowhere, her timely arrival a welcome relief. With a sense of gratitude, Roy followed her guidance, allowing her to lead him to Nyri's room. As they reached the door, Roy's heart quickened with anticipation. He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before raising his hand to the knob.

Meanwhile, Nyri, caught up in the whirlwind of the morning's preparations, had forgotten to take her bath. As the preparations for Victoria's welcome party were underway, Debby arrived, however, Kate was noticeably absent, having called in sick at the last minute. Debby hoped she would recover quickly and sent her warm wishes for a speedy recovery. Amidst the commotion, Nyri couldn't help but feel suspicious of Fred's sudden appearance. She watched him closely, wondering if he had ulterior motives for showing up in the kitchen. She exchanged a knowing glance with Debby, silently communicating her suspicions about Fred's unexpected presence but Debby blew it away and reminded her to go prepare. Seizing the opportunity when she was least likely to be noticed, Nyri slipped away to her room, eager to freshen up before the festivities began in earnest.

As she reached her room, Nyri closed the door behind her with a soft click, enveloping herself in a quiet sanctuary away from the noise of the gathering. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the curtains casting a warm, inviting atmosphere. With a sigh of relief, Nyri began to shed the layers of her formal attire, the weight of the fabric lifting as she undid the buttons and clasps. Each garment dropped to the floor with a muted rustle, leaving her standing in the soft embrace of her undergarments.