The morning brings a hapless day upon the Laurent house as the day marks the 17th death anniversary of Mr. Stone, Melisende's father. The house was naturally cold and inhospitable, with the tinniest bit of hostility in its air, but it was all very well misted by the warm smile of the forty-five year old widow, who loves her husband dearly even after 17 years of his death and the lovely and kind daughter who is obedient as ever. The women in the house were tucked away in bed still dreaming sweet dreams, quite aware that waking up would mean participating in the events of the day to come.

The Laurent family, specifically Ms. Aurelie Laurent had set forth different rituals and traditions for the day. First, of course, is the lugubrious visit to the grave of their 'dead' husband and father respectively, followed by the celebration of 'Lovers' day' at L' Amour.  Confused? Let me help you catch up.

Melisende's sweet and kind French mother, Aurelie Laurent is the CEO and founder of the wedding planning business capturing major market share in Ireland, Scotland and Miami named L' Amour, as cheesy as it sounds. She has dedicated her entire, practically money-minting company to her love for her late husband and the holy task of uniting lovers into the bond of matrimony, or that is what the company's website page says, somewhere in between the flowers. There are just too many flowers, couple of hearts and some swans or birds, it is a crowded, cheesy, sophisticated and classic website.

We are five hours into the lachrymose day and the house has now settled in a state of rush and chaos. The helpers in the house are seen scuttling around covering the distance from the kitchen to the garden, and then to the black car standing in front of the gate.

Aurelie can be seen chanting 'flowers, coats and Melisende' in a rhythmic manner as she walks down the staircase. Though, she does it in the most sophisticated and reserved manner, which makes her deliriousness look quite composed.

Her demeanor remained calm and composed as she finished her breakfast. At six o'clock, her patience seemed to be slipping away as she alternated between checking her watch and gazing at the staircase waiting for her very disappointing daughter to arrive.

It is a day of great importance for the Laurents and she didn't want even a smidge bit  of deviation from the plan that they have been following for sixteen years now. About fifteen minutes and a two minute time deviation from the plan later, Melisende scurries down the stairs, whilst still adjusting her black dress with her right hand which seems to be a little ill-fitted around the waist and shoulders and carrying a pair of white elbow-length gloves in the other hand.

She is welcomed by the scrutinizing gaze of her disappointed mother as she finally reaches the middle of the living room. She takes a step forward towards the sofa Aurelie is seated on, and finds her staring at the long gloves, to which she quickly replies," Sorry, I didn't have time for the makeup!" Wow, there seems to be some tension between the ladies.

Aurelie hugs her daughter wholeheartedly as she does every year and whispers stringently in her right ear," If you would have cared a little for everyone doing so much for the day, maybe you would have had time for that." The helpers watch the lovely exchange with the smile on their stupid faces because everyone is a sucker for tradition.

"Bring the black gloves please", Aurelie asks one of the helpers while fixing a mourning veil on Melisende's head. The first year's tradition of dressing completely in black has been followed religiously in the following years. Usually, there would be a tantrum from Melisende on the idea of being rehearsed and robotic on the morning of the mourning day. But, the chance to organize the 'celebration of love' at 'le couer de l'amour', as her mother would say it, made her suck it up.

It was something she had been begging to do for about a year and excuse the 'brattiness', but the rich kids aren't used to waiting for so long for an opportunity. Aurelie was after all, a supporter of nepotism as she did wish for her legacy to be continued by her 'poor excuse for a child but still her own blood' sort of daughter. She wasn't the only cold hearted dyspeptic lady, specifically to her daughter, it just seems to run in her family.

Her father had distanced her from him, because she was also coincidentally a disappointment and even though, it wasn't parenting at its best, it seems that she is following this tradition too. The usual taunts from her mother were usually met by outrageous breakdowns, rage, sarcastic comebacks or the classic walking off while slamming the door from Melisende.

But today was different and special as Melisende hugged her mother back, though, it did seem for a minute her intention was to choke her. Nothing but a little family tiff just to begin the day right!

The women moved towards the car with a stoic expression gracing their faces. Ms. Aurelie Laurent dressed in a black calf-length black dress with a plain robe over it and a netted veil over her head. Following her was Melisende, dressed in a knee-length black dress which she was still adjusting the shoulders of, her arms covered in black gloves and a veil similar to that of her mother.

Their every step towards the car seemed to add certain gravitas, explaining the day was indeed momentous. But, no one can argue that, after all, L' Amour did strengthen its grip and acquired a strong place in the market after this day.

A widow's love for her late husband and her noble wish for all couples, coupled with her immediate jump to organizing elite weddings and her appearances on various talk shows talking about life as a widow and the society's image of her, did made her the centre of all attention for a while. Weirdly, she was quite ready and prepared for all of it. Rumours say, she never shed a tear after the misfortunate event, but we don't listen to rumours because rumours also say she slaughtered her husband for fame and money.