“Mrs. Harper, please, calm down. I’m trying my best,” I pleaded with my parents’ doctor over the phone.
“My dear…” Her breath was shaky, and she sounded so tired. “I understand this. It’s just that this is quite disturbing. Once again, she suffered a cardiac arrest. This time around, it really, really felt like it would kill her.”
I raked my fingers into my hair, trying to hold back my tears. “Please, I need you to understand that I’m trying my best. In forty eight hours, I’ll settle the bills. She’ll be fine, I promise.”
“Okay.” She sighed again. “Hope so. Anyway, take care of yourself. Bye for now.”
“Bye,” I added, and swiped my finger past my phone screen to hang up the call. Keeping the phone in my pocket, I turned to Vicki who had her back on me, as she stared at her reflection through the rectangular shaped mirror that was hung on the wall. “Are you really going to say nothing?” I cut the silence between us.
She glanced at me through the mirror, and just scoffed. “What’s left to say? You’re getting married, aren’t you? Just do it.”
“Um…” I put my hands behind me, stepping close to her. “James said we should no longer work as maids. He said he doesn’t want anyone to see his future wife dressing up like his servant.”
She let out a heavy breath, spun around to look at me, a whole lot of indifference motioning in her eyes. “Ma’am, you’re his future wife. Not me. So, go on. Go and please your man.”
I rolled my eyes. “You can’t keep up with this attitude. I mean, are you really not gonna be supportive in such a hard time? I’m doing this for us. Can’t you understand that? Huh?”
She looked down, scoffing for a second time. Looking at me again, I spotted some tears in her eyes. “Maybe I’ll understand all this if you told Ryan about it. And maybe I’d understand it if you were sensible enough to see that you’re only ruining your life.”
“You’re such a child. You aren’t mature,” I sputtered, sauntering towards her.
She shook her head at me. “Our parents aren’t the only ones who need surgery. You also need one. Your brain needs to be changed. That thing in you skull is empty and dumb.”
I frowned a little. “That’s enough, okay? You don’t have to be so mean.”
“Mean? You’re the—”
“Sorry to interrupt you guys,” one of the maids cut us off. I hadn’t even noticed her walking in.
I feigned a smile. “Oh. It’s okay. Do you need something?”
She walked closer to us, her hands behind her. “Um, Mr. James needs to see you. He said his family members have arrived.”
“Oh, okay. Will be there,” I said.
She turned to leave. However, for some reason, she halted in her tracks, and turned back to me. She laughed weirdly. “Um, Serene…” She pursed her lips, her eyes squinted at me. “I’ve been hearing certain things from the other maids, so I wanna confirm if it’s true. Are you really getting married to James?”
I swallowed, nodding hesitantly.
Unexpectedly, she gasped. “My world! What the heck? James of all men? Woah, woah.” She gaped too. “Are you for real? My gosh, I can’t believe this. Why’d you wanna get married to him when you can easily date him and get the money you need?”
I felt very bad. I wouldn’t have ever thought I would want to get married to a man for his money.
“It’s my choice,” I stated.
“Such a stupid choice,” Vicki muttered.
The lady shrugged. Shaking her head at me as if I was some kind of idiot, she turned to take her leave. I turned to Vicki, rolled my eyes again, and just made my way out of the room.
Getting to the living room, I was surprised to see a whole lot of people. Earlier, when I had gotten here, I hadn’t seen anyone. How in the world had the place become this full?
“Oh my gosh!” Someone squealed from behind me.
Snapping my neck around, I was surprised to see a blonde haired smiling weirdly at me. I quirked an eyebrow at her. And, before I could say a word, she gripped my arms, towed me to her, pouting as if she was about to cry.
“Are you… okay?” I asked.
“Oh my! Her voice is so good!” She exclaimed. Who the heck was this?
“Wait, what’s—”
“Oh my goodness! She’s an angel!” A young lady hurried over to me as well. She rubbed her hands against my face, which made me wince. She gasped too. “She looks like a goddess. Gosh, how did James find such a beautiful woman?”
I gulped. Instantly, I realized that they were James’ family members. He had told me that his family and friends would be coming over, excluding Ryan. He had said that they would help me out with my wedding dress and jewelry.
I feigned a smile.
“Can’t wait to have you in the family. You’re so beautiful,” the blonde said.
“Thank you.”
About twelve people walked up to me, congratulated me on the wedding, and gave me numerous kisses on the cheek. Due to the excessive greetings, I stood up, heading out of the house to find breathing space. I hadn’t expected so many people to come over for the wedding.
About stepping out, I halted when my eyes caught Tracie and Praise standing a few feets away from the door. Gloom was all that ran through their facial expression. Praise had her hands on her waist, Tracie wearing a stern look. They looked angry and exhausted.
“Y-You’re here?” I swallowed. I sauntered to them, stood in front of them, feeling very embarrassed. “What’re you guys doing here? I mean, how in the world do you know this place?”
Tracie looked away. “Serene, we’d like to speak to you in private.”
Okay. I had to get ready to get scolded.
“Come with me,” I said. I walked through the corridor. Getting to the room Vicki and I had been staying, I shut the door behind me when we walked in. When Vicki saw them, she hopped from the bed, and rushed over to us.
She took Praise’s hand. “Thanks for coming. Please, tell her to use her senses.”
I folded my arms around my chest. “What now? You called them over?”
“Oh.” Tracie snorted. She crossed her arms on her chest as well, standing in front of me. Her eyebrows were creased, mixed emotions racing in those eyes. “Really? So, you weren’t planning to state this to us?”
“I was,” I confessed. “But, only after the wedding.”
Praise glared so, so crazily. Oops. That was the wrath. “Girl, are you crazy? Is this some kind of joke? You wanna get married to… James? That thing?”
I shrugged. “What? He’s a human. People can change.”
“But not him!” Tracie retorted, flipping her long, bronze hair past her shoulder. “What makes you think he’ll change when you get married to him? He didn’t change before marriage, but you expect him to change after marriage? What are you? The Messiah who solves every problem?”
This was what I had been trying to avoid. I hadn’t wanted to see them because I knew they would criticize me for this.
“See, guys.” I sighed. “Someone has to pay for my parents’ surgical operation. They’re gonna die if no one does that.”
Tears welled in Praise’s eyes. “This is stupid. Don’t do it, please. Daniel and I will try to help you with some funds. Tracie’s also willing to help. You and Vicki can take a loan or something. There are better options.”
“No. This is what I want.”
She huffed. “But, what if there was no James? Wouldn’t you seek a better way of helping your parents?”
“But there’s a James,” I choked out. Knowing that their words could warp my decision, I frowned hard. I guessed it was better to give them some attitude. “And please, you guys shouldn’t interfere in my life. Yeah, we’re friends. But, that doesn’t make you decide on the things I should do. Don’t make me end this friendship.”
“What about Ryan?” She asked further, her voice low and shaky. She was already crying. “What’s gonna happen to him when he finds out? What’s gonna—”
“That’s enough.” I raised my hand to shun her. I let the tears go down my throat, then uttered, “If you’re really my friends, I’m asking you to please, respect my decision. You don’t have to support it. All you need to do is to respect it. Please. Don’t interfere in my affairs.”
Tracie shook her head at me. “Okay. If that’s what you want, so be it. Go on. Ruin your life. Do whatever you want.”
“Thank you.” I looked away.
Praise sniffled. “Fine. Wishing you a happy married life.”
“Thanks,” I said.
“Such an idiot,” Tracie mumbled. Immediately, they walked past me, stormed to the door, and slammed it when they stepped out.
A bit enraged, I twirled around, leaving the room. Heading back to the living room, once again, I bumped into James.
That sinister smile formed on his lips. “Hey, buddy. Bumping into you again?”
“Leave my way,” I commanded, looking away.
As if he had expected me to do that, he pulled my jaw so I’d look at him. “Still avoiding eye contact? What a joke.”
“Do you need something?” My question was straight. I had no time to deal with his shitty prattle. I was already so upset with everything and everyone.
“Tomorrow…” He took a step closer, still smirking like an idiot. “… you’ll be going shopping. You’ll buy your gown. And please, buy a very expensive one. Buy the most expensive one. The one that’s just as expensive as Ryan’s income.”
I scoffed, tears moisturizing my eyes so quickly. “Guess you find it funny to talk about him? You love the fact that you betrayed your friend?”
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Okay.” I stepped backwards. “I’ll get ready for the shopping. Have a nice time.”
About walking out on him, he pulled my arm back. Uninformed, he threw my back against the wall beside us, pinning me to it. His long fingers crawled to my jaw, and he pulled it. Leaning close, he smirked even more, ignoring the fact that I looked nervous.
His breath tickled the skin of my face, and he whispered, “Permit me, my lady.”
I shook my head at him. Expecting that to stop him from doing whatever he was planning to, he only leaned close, his lips pressing against mine. Embarrassed and extremely upset, I closed my eyes.
This was wrong. I was cheating on Ryan.
After a while, he pulled away. He brushed his thumb finger over my lips, those sapphire blue eyes glinting as if he had just won an expensive award.
I flushed with anger. “Hey. You don’t have the right to do this.”
“Really?” He chortled. “But Ryan can do it? What a joke.”
I was silent. I guessed this was what I had gotten myself into.
“This is wrong.” Tears trickled down my cheek.
“See you later, wifey,” he said. With that, he turned to the other corridor, and sashayed out of here.
I put my hand over my mouth, holding back my tears so much.
“This is what you want?” All of a sudden, Vicki appeared.
I shook my head at her in surrender. “I can’t help it.”
“You’re such a fool. Idiot,” she spat out. Saying that, she jogged out of my proximity, leaving me broken.
Overly frustrated, I slowly sat on the floor. Putting my eyes down, I wept.
When was I going to stop crying? Was this just the beginning of my agony? I was really going to marry the good-for-nothing dude?
***