Chapter 574 - Stop being a Bridezilla (7)

5 June, LY Studio, City K

As she settled in her office awaiting Joan, Lexi pondered how to deal with her friend.  Yes, there was part of their past she detested, and now she was acting as like a spoilt brat, but when it came down to it, Rachael, Joan had been there during the hard times, and she did not want to lose that friendship.  The two of them were so contrasting.  Rachael being reserved and providing the emotional support and Joan forcing her to get out and realise that life had not ended because of what Richard had done.  Sally, on the other hand, simply was there and kept encouraging her to move forward and do what was necessary to do that and ask for whatever help was needed for that purpose.

Joan's method of doing that, even as Matthew had described it when they talked about things last night was supremely unorthodox.  Dragging her to strip clubs and forcing her to examine her own s.e.x.u.a.lity sounded extreme, but as she told Matthew it made her understand that the world was wider than just one type of relationship and what she wanted for herself in a relationship.  She just never expected that that relationship would be the second chance to have what they had both wanted when she was seventeen.  A marriage and a family, and that was what they were trying to create.

Seeing Matthew laugh at that, made her realise that she was still, in some respects fighting against that.  His comment, that until she worked through the major issues she still has, psychologically, from everything Richard subjected her to, they would always have ups and downs in their marriage, and small issues would end up blow out or proportion.  He had that right, because she blew his reaction to finding out about Dominic way out of reality.  Seeing it as an attack on her was utterly wrong, because in the end his reaction was driving by the shock of the news she delivered and her expectation was that he would react as he now has immediately, without giving him a chance to process the news.

Matthew, however, made her focus on some of her comments about things Joan had dragged her into, by deciding to perform a striptease for her in the comfort of their own room.  Boy did that make her blush, and more importantly wish that she was not hampered by her injuries, because they could have had a lot of fun otherwise.

Taking a sip from the cup of tea that had been left for her by her attentive staff, Lexi watched the door, and as Joan wandered in said "Shut the door Joan."

"Stop telling me what to do…"

"You really want to have a conversation we need to have with all my staff listening.  I do not, and I suspect that you will not."

Joan, turned and slammed the door shut, before sitting down and saying, "Are you happy?"

"Happy that the door is closed, yes, but could you not have closed it like a normal person."

"Screw that Lexi, this is my wedding we are working on and I want it to be perfect."

"Joan, it will be perfect.  Dresses, a ceremony, reception, and the like are all just trappings.  As I now realised what is the most important thing, and what makes it perfect is the expression of commitment to each other, because you have chosen each other.  Nothing else matters than that."

"But…"

"No, think about it, what are you doing?  Marrying your fiancé.  The man that you have chosen to spend your life with.  I am betting that you have made the legal commitment already, and the ceremony will be the public expression of that commitment.  Stop stressing about everything else, because being the bridezilla that you demonstrated in there will drive all your friends away if you keep going."

"It is…"

"Do not say it.  We know it is your wedding.  And we will try and make it as perfect as we can for you.  But you need to hear me out.  I had lunch with Rachael the other day.  She is ready to walk away, because you are making her current struggles caused by her idiot parents even harder to deal with.  Her parents need their head read, because even after six years then insist on making Rachael pick sides."

"She just needs to walk away."

"That both you and I agree on, but she will not, because she cares for them both too much.  Me, I am going to try and support her the best I can by letting her make her decisions but being there to pick up the pieces, as you, her and Sally did for me.  That is what friends do.  Can you just back off?"

"Why should I?"

"Because you are her friend.  You are the strongest of all of us.  Sally is lucky, as her parents love her, and support her.  Of the three of us with toxic parents, you are the one who is able to handle it.  I let them ruin the early years of my life with Dominic.  Rachael will not tell them where to do.  You are able to use them for your benefit and have walked away without question."

Joan looked at Lexi. and quietly said "True.  The old man was so easy to use, and with my David's support walking away was the easiest thing I did.  Plus, David let me use his money to buy the guardianship of my sisters from him and mother."

"So, can you leave her in peace?"

Joan, closer her eyes.  Putting Rachael in the bridal party was needed, because the more of the city elites at the wedding the better for their plans.  However, as she briefly thought about it Joan knew Lexi was right, Rachael was at breaking point, and she did not need to be the one tipping her over.  Sighing Joan said "I will try, but you know the ceremony is at the end of the month…"

"That is all I can ask."

After they talked for a little bit of time, Joan noticed the time, and realised that David was likely having his suit fitting. She needed to lock Lexi into her Bachelorette party as it was the best opportunity, they had to compromise Lexi, and be able to sideline Matthew when it came to it. "Lexi, I suspect my darling is having his suit fitting, but before I leave, I want your promise, you will come along to my Bachelorette party…"

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