Deadly In Stilettos (46 page)

             
Demi was confused. “What are you talking about?” Tabi held up Demi’s hand. It suddenly occurred to Demi that she had not shared her good news. She wiggled her ring finger. “Makei and I are getting married. He proposed last night.” Tabi had tears in her eyes as she leaned over and hugged her friend. Brian and Makei walked into the room at that moment. They looked at the women and then shared a worried glance.

             
“Ah, Demi, is everything okay?” Makei asked.

             
Tabi let Demi go. “Get over her, you big lug! How could you not tell me when we spoke yesterday?”

             
Playing innocent, Makei walked over to Tabitha and hugged her. Demi stood, wrapping her arms around them. Brian, still trying to figure out what was happening, simply joined in. They explained everything to him after their long heartfelt embrace. Brian was happy for both Makei and Demi, but deep down he wished it were him and Tabitha sharing such amazing news.

             
The men went into town to get dinner, while Demi and Tabitha lounged by the pool. The sun was setting, creating the perfect backdrop to their eventful day. The two friends relaxed, appreciating every inch of the atmosphere surrounding them. “This is so nice,” Tabitha said. Demi agreed. They closed their eyes and enjoyed the serenity of the moment.

                                                 ~~~

              Makei and Brian walked through the town’s marketplace, which was lined with various booths filled with everything one could imagine. Fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, and other exotic food called out to them. They did not know what to buy, so they stocked up on everything. Christmas was day after tomorrow, and a storm was predicted to arrive later that evening. They did not want to have to come back out to get anything. Makei hired a chef to cook Christmas dinner for them all, so that they could enjoy each other’s company, as long as possible without interruption.

             
“So, you finally did it?” Brian asked.

             
“Yep, I did. I’ve wanted to since the day we met and now here we are. Demi makes me happy. She completes me. I owe her my life.” Brian nodded.

“I know exactly what you mean. I feel the same way about Tabitha.” Just then Makei got an idea. “B, can I ask you a question?”

              “Sure, what’s up?”

             
“What would you say to having a double wedding right here on the island, on New York’s Day?”

             
Brian was speechless. “Are you serious? What about the ladies? Do you think they would go for something like that?” As soon as he spoke, he realized that of course they would. After all, they were best friends. Tabitha and Demi would love to get married right there, on the same day. Makei smiled. “Yes, I am very serious, man, and if we want this to work, we have to move quickly. And yes, they would love it. They are going to love it. Those two are thick as thieves. Why not make their special day even more special by allowing them to share it together?”

             
Makei had a good point, Brian thought. He wanted to marry Tabitha soon, and this would be the perfect opportunity. “Why not? Let’s do it! Now, where do we start?”

             
The men arrived back at the bungalow with so many bags, Demi and Tabitha was concerned. “Did they have a great close-out sale or something?” Demi asked, laughing.

             
“Yeah, did the two of you buy everything?” Tabitha added. Brian and Makei laughed too after finally surveying the bags placed on the dining room table. “I guess we did go a little crazy,” Makei admitted. “At least we won’t have to go back into town for groceries anytime soon,” Brian said.

            
 
‘That was an understatement,
’
Demi and Tabitha both thought while exchanging a quick glance. They had to admit, their men were making sure they did not have to leave the bungalow for anything, but they had plans of their own. “We have to go into town,” Demi said, still fighting the laughter at how ridiculous all the bags on the table looked. “I would ask if we needed to pick up anything, but that would be a waste.”

             
Before either of the men could offer their assistance or tag along, Demi and Tabitha were out the door. Demi wanted to find the perfect gift for Makei since she had not bought him anything for Christmas. Although he told her she was his gift, she still wanted to show him how much she appreciated him with a gift. They browsed around from booth to booth without any luck until a man from one of the vegetable booths explained to them that there was a downtown area filled with boutiques and shops. Demi and Tabitha beamed like children.

             
The ride downtown was quick. The many shops and boutiques that lined each side of the street looked like Ocean Drive in Miami South Beach. When the driver parked, he told them to just phone him when they were ready to return to the bungalow or if they needed any help with packages.

             
Demi and Tabi shopped. They went from store to store, buying anything they thought Makei and Brian would like, along with several purchases for themselves. They had shirts, ties, slacks, shoes, gadgets, jewelry, the latest cell phones, and even underwear. They were having a blast. When they had almost bought more than necessary and the bags were packed inside the car, Demi spotted a shoe boutique and ordered the driver to stop. Tabitha thought she was hurt or had seen someone she did not expect to see, but as she looked in the direction Demi was pointing, she smiled too.

             
The shoe boutique had some of the most exotic, one-of-a-kind shoes that both Demi and Tabitha ever laid eyes on. The owner of the boutique was also the designer of the shoes. She called them Eccentric. They were in all colors imagined, and with many different features, including unusual straps, jewels, and fabrics. Demi was in heaven, right there in that store, on that hidden island of paradise. Now she truly never wanted to leave. Reading Demi’s mind, Tabitha said the same things aloud. The woman showed them everything they asked to see, and then some of her new creations, which they awed over. When they made their final selections, she wandered into the back room. When she returned with a pair of her new wedding collection creation, Demi melted.

             
It was the most beautiful pair of stilettos she had seen to date. The fabric was eggshell satin, with several jewels lining the front of the shoe. A single strap went up the front of the shoe, with an ankle strap finishing the look. The shoe sparkled. Demi was in awe. She had to have the shoe for her wedding, no matter the cost. Before Tabitha or the woman could say anything, Demi whispered, “Size eight, please.” The other two women laughed.

             
“That is a beautiful shoe, Demi,” Tabi said. “I can just see you wearing it on your wedding day. Makei is going to die!” Demi tried on the shoes. When she looked in the mirror, she cried, she was so happy. She wanted to marry Makei right then and there. Her heart was so overjoyed. All the things that happened in her life did not matter anymore. The only thing she cared about was the life she planned to have with Makei and the family she wanted to give him.

             
The women were silent on the ride back to the bungalow. Tabitha held Demi’s hand the entire way. They quickly composed themselves before they arrived. While the driver unloaded their bags, Makei and Brian came out to help. “Oh no,” Tabi said. “You guys cannot see anything in these bags. We’ll get them, now go on back inside.” When Makei looked with concern at Demi, Tabi assured him she was fine and pushed him inside. Demi smiled at Makei and, he smiled back at her, relieved. When all the bags were safely put away in Demi’s hidden shoe closet, which Tabitha loved, they joined their men in the living area. The smell of something delicious filled the air, and they wanted to know what the guys had been up to while they were gone. Demi walked over to Makei and hugged him with the most passionate embrace she could give.

             
“What was that for?” he asked.

             
Demi shrugged. “I missed you.”

             
“While, in that case come here,” Makei said hugging her again. He kissed her lips as he gazed into her eyes before pulling her down into his lap.

             
Brian kissed Tabitha and offered to fix her a drink. Tabitha looked from Brian to Makei. “So, what have the two of you been doing while we were gone? And Makei, why didn’t you tell us about all the shops and boutiques downtown, man?”

             
“I knew that if I told, we wouldn’t see you.” Tabitha and Demi smiled, knowing it was the truth.

             
“So, what’s up? What have you been doing while we were gone,” Demi asked. The look the two men exchanged roused their suspicions. “I guess you will just have to wait and see,” Brian responded, walking over to the bar. Tabitha playfully pouted crossing her arms over her chest.

             
“Baby, are you sure you’re okay? You not hurting or anything, are you?” Makei whispered to Demi as they sat on one of the oversized sofas. He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her closer. “I’m just a little overwhelmed. With Christmas and all, I want everything to be perfect. This will be our first Christmas together since our breakup. I truly appreciate you and everything you have done for me so far. But I am kinda mad at you for not telling me about downtown.” She kissed him on the lips. “I knew if I told you, I wouldn’t get to spend as much time with you. Sorry, but I was being selfish. We can go shopping tomorrow if you like.” Makei stood up, bringing Demi up with him. “Come on, baby, we have something special planned.”

             
Tabitha and Brian were already in the dining room. The table was beautifully set, with a wide variety of exotic food, along with several desserts. “Look at what our men did for us,” Tabi said. “We are truly blessed.”

             
“Yes, we are,” Demi nodded in agreement.

             
They ate and ate until all four of them were full to bursting. They sat at the table talking about everything until Brian cleared his throat signaling to Makei that they should ask the ladies about what they discussed earlier. Makei looked at Demi so intently she almost choked on her drink. “Demi, Brian and I want to ask you and Tabitha something very important. If you don’t agree with it, please feel free to let us know. It’s something I’ve been thinking about since I saw the two of you hug at the airport.” Tabitha and Demi looked at each other, at Brian, and then back to Makei.

             
“What is it?” Demi asked. “You guys can ask us anything.” It was Brian’s turn to speak. “Tabitha, I really love you. I want to marry you so badly, it hurts. When Makei told me that he and Demi were engaged, I got jealous thinking that they would get married before us. When he asked me what I thought of his idea, I was completely caught off guard.” Both Demi and Tabi were on their feet, demanding to know what was going on.

             
Makei grinned. “Brian and I would like to know if the two of you would like to get married here on the island New Year’s Day. Would you like to have a double wedding? You’ve been best friends forever, been through everything together, and then some, so it just seemed right that you share your special day together too.”

Demi and Tabitha were so emotion
al, they jumped up and down screaming and hollering like there was cheering for their favorite sports team.

             
“Oh my God, I would love that,” Tabitha said.

             
“I would love that too,” Demi said.

             
Makei and Brian grabbed them, hugging them, joining in the celebration. In only a few days, all of their lives would change. They would soon be able to embark on the journey that God had set forth for them, starting their new lives together.

Chapter 35

ON CHRISTMAS morning they sat around the fireplace exchanging gifts before breakfast was prepared. Makei loved all of the gifts Demi gave him, and Brian loved what he got from Tabitha.
The predicted storm hit later that day, and was so heavy the island was shut down completely. It was a good thing they bought all the food they had. Otherwise, they would have gotten pretty hungry. After the storm moved on, they cleaned up the broken limbs and debris it left behind. The rest of the days flew by quickly, but perfect.