Mystery Bride's Revenge

When Nora heard that voice, she couldn't help but look twice. Her gaze snapped to where it came from. There she was, a woman all decked our in shiny brand-name clothes, with her hair dyed a loud shade of red. She was staring at Nora, her hands dramatically covering her bright red lips. looking totally shocked.

Once she was sure she hadn't mixed Nora up with someone else, the woman came up all giddy, "Oh my gosh, it's actually you, Nora! I thought I goofed up and got you mixed up with someone else!" She threw her arm around Nora like they were best buddies from way back.

I kind of wish you did..." Nora mumbled to herself

"What was that? You're gonna have to speak up." the woman said as she cozied up to Nora.

Nora just gave an eye roll. She almost wanted to groan out loud-"Seriously, how clueless can you be? Are you deaf or something? Oh man, I wish you were a statue or something right now!"

"Hey, Nora, is this gal your sister? Hi there. I'm Jennifer. Super nice to meet you Jennifer introduced herself to Selina without taking her eyes Nora, barely acknowledging Selina. Then she asked Nora, "How's Trevon been? Haven't seen him in ages. I miss the guy" Nora gave Jennifer a weird look. "She's not my sister; she's my sister-in-law-Trevon's wife"

"You What are you saying, Nora? You're pulling my leg, right? How in the world could Trevon be married, just like that? Haha, you're a real riot... Jennifer's laugh was about as real as a dollar store wig, like something straight out of an old-time TV show. Selina had to work hard not to crack up. Couldn't believe it-here in the 21st century, and she still bumped into folks who were living in the past, No wonder Nora wasn't a fan of Jennifer

"I'm dead serious. She really is Trevon's wife. Trevon's hitched, for real-for better or worse, official as a whistle, Nora said, straight-faced.

Jennifer's eyes finally darted to Selina.

Taking a casual sip of her orange juice, Selina chimed in. "Yep, that's me. Don't mind me, though. You two catch up,

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little

pow-wow.

"Oh, come on! This has to be a joke!" Jennifer's face twisted into some kind of cartoonish disbelief, making her mix of features look downright goofy. "No way I missed the news. I just can't buy it!" Her eyes suddenly turned sharp as knives as she checked out Selina. Darn it! This Clusian lady Es really drop-dead gorgeous. The realization made Jennifer feel all kinds of green with envy. If Trevon has gone and married her, does that mean he isn't into my whole international vibe, and actually prefers someone with more of a Clusian look? Man, I really read this whole thing wrong!" she shouted in her heart.

Selina kept her cool, not giving Jennifer satisfaction with a reaction. While inside, she planned. Typical Trevon, always in the middle of some soap opera' She knew something like this would happen, but the idea of facing a bunch of jealous women because of her just- for-show" marriage to Trevon made her head pound. A little part of her wanted to get back at him-maybe make him handle a few of her own admirers for a change. That was, if she had any.

"Forget about her, Selina. Let's grab a bite," Nora said, doing her best to stay chill and shoo Jennifer away before things got under Selina's skin. Jennifer, we're trying to cat. Can you zip it for a second?"

"How in the world did Trevon fall for you? Who are you, anyway? I'm Jennifer Grant from the Grant Group! I've got this whole mix of Clusian, and Mumzikian in me-plus, I'm the latest violin sensation. There's no way Trevon would've just passed me over for you.... Eldorian,

"Tm just a regular girl. No crazy background. But you know what I'm beautiful-way more than you. My man fell hard for this face and the person behind it. That's the long and short of it, Selina shot back, way too laid-back, making it crystal clear she wasn't about to stroke Jennifer's ego. A pretty face could seal the deal.

"No fancy story? Regular? Beautiful! You're kidding, right?" Jennifer snapped, standing up so fast the table rocked, glaring daggers at Selina. "Let's be rrall Trevon's not that superficial. You think just because you're easy on the eyes, you'd be the one for Trevon-" Right at that moment, Selina's glass of orange juice, only half-finished, went flying right into Jennifer's face.

"Are you kidding me?" Jennifer's voice squeaked as the cold orange juice sent shivers down her spine. The whole cafe stared at her, their faces a mixture of amusement, gossip, and shock. Even Nora was caught off guard by Selina's gutsy move, her eyes wide as she turned to her sister-in-law,

"Listen up, Selina said, super chill as she dried her hands with a napkin and stared down a drenched Jennifer. "Nora and I were enjoying our dinner until you showed up. No one invited you. I was nice because of Nora, not because of you. And put a lid on it, will you? Why are you banging on tables and getting all up in my business with Trevon? It's not like he needs to ask you for permission. You're acting like you're somebody important. but you're not! Just a nobody."

"You... you're calling me a nobody?! Who do you think you arch Fuming, Jennifer could barely hold back. Her fancy getup was ruined, and now she was publicly humiliated. No way would Trevan go for someone this rude,' she thought. This must be some trick Trevon's playing!"

"Cut it out. Jennifer. Get lost-now! Why are you messing with Selina?" Nora got up, lier own drink in hand, and Jennifer backed off. Suddenly, she realized she was facing Nora Brady, Trevon's own sister, and she didn't dare start anything with her.

12

"What's going on heret is everyone okay?" The cafe manager, Evan, bolted over after hearing the ruckus. He got a glimpse of Nora, the daughter of the Brady family, and Jennifer, the daughter of the boss of the Grant Group, and wished he could disappear. These were VIPS, totally out of his league.

"1..... I have a gig to prep for," Jennifer muttered an excuse before high-tailing it out of there. You get this one, Selina; she fumed silently, unwilling to make a spectacle in front of Nora. 'But there's no way Trevon likes a girl like you. In your dreams!"

Irritated, Nora gave Evan a hard look. "This is supposed to be a top spot in Sokovis, but you sure have an interesting choice in performers." She didn't usually snap like that, but Jennifer had really crossed a line this time.