“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 110

***Gracie’s POV:***

We arrived at the Golden Spa around 1pm. Kayla booked a VIP room for us all the night before. The Spa was beautiful. The walls were all in floral décor, there were hints of gold trimming throughout the paintings. It had beautiful water fountains with lighting that changed colors. The flooring was laminated marble with gold trimming. As we walked to the front counter, we were greeted by a young woman named Evette.

*“Madam Chris, thank you so much for choosing the Golden Spa to host your congratulatory celebration!”*

*Congratulatory Celebration?*

I thought this was just a simple spa day. I wondered what we would be celebrating. I dismissed my thoughts; I was sure Kayla would explain. Still, I felt a ping of guilt, if we were celebrating someone I would have liked to have gotten them a gift. Too bad I didn’t have a cheat code for this part of my life. I laughed inwardly at myself.

As we made our way to the VIP room, my eyes began to widen; the room was exquisite! The artwork, the flooring, even the chairs and massage tables were works of art! Kayla smiled brightly at me as she grabbed my hand.

*“Gracie, I know my brother is waiting until September to announce his recovery and your engagement; but your birthday is literally in a few days and I’m so happy about the wedding!!! I just wanted to do something to show my appreciation for you!”*

I stared at Kayla in shock. So, ‘I’ was the *‘Congratulatory Celebration?’*. Tears began to swell up my eyes causing Kayla to hug me tightly. Suddenly, Londyn and Jackie came over with tears and hugs.

*“Y’all are going to make me ruin my makeup!”*

Londyn yelled out threw sobs causing us all to laugh.

After we got set up in our spa chairs, we all sipped wine while we talked and gossiped.

*“So, Gracie exactly when is your birthday?”*

*“July 7th.”*

Jackie’s eyes widen, realizing the date was closer than she’d known.

*“Wait! That’s in like four days! OMG! How old are you turning?”*

Londyn asked as she picked out a nail color.

*“Yeah it’s pretty close…and I’ll be 20.”*

*“What!! You’re a baby!!”*

*“Yeahhh…not that you look it! I mean in terms of looks, you look super young; but I assumed you were like my age.”*

Jackie giggled as she sipped her wine. With the exception of Kayla and me; everyone else was either 23 or 24. I laughed aloud as well. The truth was mentally I was already 26 thanks to my previous life; so naturally I was more mature than I should be.

*“I thought for sure you were my brother’s age. You’re just a year older than me! No wonder he loves you so much! You’re as mature as he is!”*

I blushed at the thought of Kai loving me. *Did he love me?* I knew beyond a doubt I loved him, but how would I know if his feelings were love or gratitude? Lost in thought, I was immediately brought back to the now after hearing Londyn’s confession.

*“Londyn, you like Tyler???”*

Londyn blushed bright red. She quickly placed her hands over her eyes in embarrassment.

*“Oh god!!! I know!!! He’s so cute though! And he’s one of the few people NOT afraid of Kai!”*

We all laughed at that. It was true, Tyler wasn’t afraid of Kai at all, not even when he would give him that infamous death glare of his.

*“Well, well…looks like we have to play matchmaker.”*

Kayla had a mischievous grin on her face; I could tell her matchmaking wheels were already turning. Wanting to change the subject, Londyn asked me about the wedding.

*“So! Are y’all planning a big wedding; or is my cousin going to be all quiet and corny?”*

Before I could answer, Kayla shouted,

*“WHAT!!! This is about to be the wedding of the year!!! I’m planning an entire event!!!”*

Londyn’s eyes widen as if she were remembering something.

*“O-Okay Kayla….but this is going to be like my birthday…right?”*

Jackie smirked and shook her head as she sipped more wine. Londyn was looking nervously at Kayla. I had to ask.

*“Umm…what happened on your birthday?”*

Londyn looked at me nervously.

*“So, for my 21st birthday…Kayla planned the party. Let’s just say it made people feel insecure about parties for like two years.”*

*“WHAT!!! That party was freaking amazing!!”*

*“It was a weekend concert!”*

WHAT!!!

My eyes widen as Londyn explained her birthday bash. Kayla booked the world’s most famous singers and entertainers and held a three day weekend spring jam. It really WAS a concert.

*“Hey! Everybody had a damn ball!!”*

*“You almost ended KRS’s Spring fling concerts.”*

Wait what!!

Londyn noticed my surprised expression and explained further. The KRS Spring Flings were a big deal. Every year, one of the major 4 continents would host. The year we turned 16, the event was hosted in Kingston. As a present, my parents treated Olivie and her friends to an entire weekend of a luxury hotel, the entire three-day concert, and backstage passes. Of course, I wasn’t invited.

A nerve wrecking thought crept into my mind. If she did all of that for her cousin’s birthday; what would she be willing to do for her brother’s….Oh dear god! They were already talking about over 500 guests.

*“So, Gracie, what did your parent’s say when you told them you were marrying Kai!”*

Londyn’s question snapped me back to reality. Suddenly, dark memories of the day I told them I accepted House Christiansen’s proposal came flooding back. My father’s greedy overjoy, my mother’s disbelief, my sister’s envy, and the mocking from Jonathan and Brian. A sour taste seeped into my mouth. It took a moment for me to realize the room had fell quiet as Kayla and Jackie gazed at me empathetically. I guess Jackie knew about the Rochesters….made sense…I’m sure Cameron told her.

*“What??? Did I say something wrong?”*

Before I could answer, Kayla interjected.

*“No, no…Gracie’s mom passed away when she was 12.”*

Londyn’s eyes widen. She slapped her hands over her mouth as her eyes began to water.

*“Oh, my gosh!!! Gracie! I’m so sorry!!! I didn’t…”*

I immediately held up my hands. I knew Kayla was trying to protect my truth about the Rochesters; but I didn’t want it to be at anyone’s expense.

*“You don’t have to apologize Londyn. What Kayla said is true, my adoptive mother did pass away when I was 12. But my biological parents are aware and happy about the marriage.”*

Londyn had a confused look on her face. Knowing what questions would follow, I proceeded to tell her about my life and the Rochesters.

The room was silent after I finished my harrowing tale of my adoptive mother and my life after her passing. Jackie shook her head quietly; tears flowing down her face. Londyn’s face was filled with tears and anger. Through a shaky voice, she spoke.

*“H-How….how could they? Who does that to their own daughter and sister.”*

Looking at me with conviction and guilt, Londyn walked over and embraced me into a tight hug.

*“Could you all excuse us for a moment?”*

Kayla asked the waitresses and nail techs as she walked over to me and Londyn.

As the waitresses and nail techs stood to leave, Jackie jumped up.

*“Wait!! Before you all leave, please sign these NDAs. I’m sorry but we have to protect our privacy, we’d appreciate if you all kept what you heard indoors.”*

What!!! When did she…as if reading my mind, Jackie explained.

*“Cam gave them to me this morning to be cautious. He said he wasn’t sure what women talked about on spa days.”*

She laughed aloud causing us all to laugh.

*“OMG!!! He’s such a right-hand!”*

Kayla giggled as she wiped the tears out of her eyes. I looked at all three of the women standing before me, in a short time, these women all became so important to me. They’d become my family, welcoming me with opened arms and no judgement. I loved them all. I needed them to know that. Sitting everyone down, I began to explain.

*“Listen to me…I want you all to know something. I love you! In just a short time, you have all done more for me than my family could have ever done in an entire lifetime.”*

The irony was that was true…I lived two lifetimes with the Rochesters, and they still couldn’t hold a candle to my new family.

*“I told you all this story not because I want your pity…but because I want you all to know how much you mean to me. What I went through, yes it was terrible. BUT…it also led me to my new family and my new life. So, for THAT…I’m eternally grateful! I have you all.”*

My voice cracked at that last part. It was true…through all the pain and horrors, I’d found my way here. If I had too, I’d do it all again just for this moment.

We all hugged and cried as we told each other we loved each other.

“I’m so glad Kai found you!”

*"We love you too!!"*

The girls' said in unison as they sobbed and hugged me tighter.

*“Alright, alright! Enough of this mushy stuff! Back to girl’s day!!”*

We all laughed and held our glasses high at Kayla’s toast. And just like that…Girl’s day was back in motion!