Nicole’s POV
“I need to use the restroom,” Dawn whispered beside me. “Be right back.”
I gave her a small nod and let out a soft hum without turning to take a look at her.
It hurt as much to know that she’s not particularly pleased to be here or to be sitting with me and waiting for the man she loves to walk down the aisle with another woman.
Just how wicked could I be? She could have been thinking about that all along.
I sighed. Whirling around just in time Dawn took a left side that led to the restroom.
The best I’d done was to avoid her dull sad gaze, but that didn’t make me any less guilty.
“She’ll be alright,”
I drew a shaky breath, lifting my gaze from where Dawn had been a moment ago.
Earth to you, Nicole.
I had not planned to look this pathetic just because a lady wanted to dump me for my brother.
No! Not actually dump, for we’ve never been together.
“Of course,” I managed a faint smile, not making the mistake of looking at her mother.
“I just wish you’d make the right choice.”
Yeah right! Like that needs to be thrown right in my face.
I bit my lower lip, occasionally drumming my finger on my lap.
It’s supposed to start now, Ethan is supposed to be here by now, waiting for his bride before the priest.
Perhaps, that’s why Dawn has run away. Right! The pressure of seeing that man you love pronouncing his forever with another woman.
I sighed. But Ethan is nowhere to be found, and I did not seem like the only one that just noticed.
“I wonder what’s taking them so long,” Mrs. Shaw mumbled. “They should have started a long time ago.”
I know that.
I was about to heap up my chair when Grandpa rushed in.
If anything, his expression did no justice to my thought.
He looked worried, paled, and nervous. But grandpa’s expression was nothing compared to Mr. Austin’s or Anthony’s.
If anything, he looked ten times paler than Grandpa.
“I wonder what’s wrong,” Mrs. Shaw said, already on her feet, taking a long stride toward my grandpa.
Yeah! I wonder what’s wrong too.
“What happened?” I asked, surveying Grandpa carefully.
I noticed, under his weary look was a mind look I could not comprehend.
Whatever it’s that’s happened, I hope it’s nothing I can’t handle.
“What are we going to do,” Austin said. “The guests… what about our guests?”
Ah! I didn’t see much of that Mr. Austin guest. I meant, everyone here is just family and family friends.
Due to the short notice, and my brother’s reluctance to get married, we could not get to invite that many guests.
My guess!
“Ethan…” Grandpa said, panicky, “Ethan is…”
“Is it true?” My dad came bundled up into the room, mom at his heel, and the to-be a bride too.
They all look anxious and pale. Their eyes reduced to slits, and ears flared up as though trying to be told it was all just a joke.
I have this feeling that this is never going to end well.
“Dad,” Mel called, slowly shaking her head. Her misty gaze held her Dad’s. “It’s not true, is it?”
Grandpa sighed. “I’m sorry Mel,” he mumbled. “no one meant for this to happen, but unfortunately, it’s true.”
The word has barely escaped his mouth when Mel’s tears slid down her cheeks.
He tugged her white ball gown in her hand, her lips folded, and I have this feeling that she was trying hard not to let out a loud howl.
Though it’s clear that she’s deeply hurt, I’m not sure if it’s because of what happened, or if she’s hurt because the probability of the wedding being called off is an almost full percentage.
“There ought to be something, of course,” Austin turned to grandpa with pleading eyes. “You’ve got to do something”
Grandpa shook his head. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled. “I’m not sure there’s something I could do unless you’ve got an idea.”
Scoffing, Mr. Austin turned his bottle-green eyes on me, tugging me with a horrible thought in my gut.
No! It is not what I’m thinking. Of course not!
“I don’t think we can remove him out of the hospital,” Dad said. “If he’s pugging that much he fainted.”
Oh! I exhaled softly.
Pugging seems like the kind of thing I don’t think could happen to Ethan, but then…
“He can take his place,”
I almost choke on my spit. No! I did.
Take his place? Replace Ethan?
“W.. what?” I spluttered.
Damn! I’m not the bride, and there’s no way I’d be going there, pledging mine forever with a lady in place of my dear stepbrother.
“Funny, funny!” Grandpa cackled. “You’re funny I must say, Austin.”
“Have any better idea then?” He almost snaps his gaze still on me, surveying me as though I’m something that interests him.
“Of course not,” grandpa smiled. “But I don’t think Ethan and Cole look that much alike for our guests not to find out.”
“It’s still better than the wedding being called off. ”
“Believe me, Austin,” grandpa placed his hand on his shoulder. “Only if the groom will be allowed a veil, I’d second the idea. ”
I chuckled. Yeah! And that makes me feel better.
“Listen,”
I settled my gaze on Mel who’s just spoken.
Violently, she wiped her tears with the back of her hand and sniffed.
“I don’t care about the wedding,” she croaked. “Can I see Ethan?”
“What..?”
Alright! I’m not the only one who seems surprised.
Did Mel just say she doesn’t care about the wedding?
Asshole! My brain insulted me; if she’d cared about the wedding, what could she have done anyway?
And I agreed.
The groom is not on the stand.
“That’s right,” I said. “She has the right to see Ethan, at least.”
“Of course,” Dad said. She cast a nervous glance at Grandpa.”I think it’d be better if you take us to him.”
“Of course,” grandpa glanced at me, for a split second, something passed through his eyes but I had no time to comprehend whatever that means, for I was pushed (roughly) out of the way and a loud cry of panic shrouded my ear.
“Dawn…!”
Mia yelled, halting before Mrs. Shaw. A pair of nude heels which I recognized to be Dawn’s in her hand and the small silver purse she’s been holding.
“What happened?”
“Dawn…” Mia said again, her voice shaky like someone who’s about to break down soon.
Oh right! Her tears were already strewn all over her face.
A wave of panic shot through me. This is not another bad news, is it?
“Calm down,” Mrs. Shaw mumbled, but I can tell by the sound of her voice that she was not calm herself. “And tell us what happened.”
Mia took in a deep breath, sniffing so hard.” I don’t know how it happened,” she began.”I just wanted to ease myself in the restroom when… When…” She broke into a loud cry, her shoulder sagging under her sob. “When. I saw her being bundled away.”
“What… What do you mean?”
“I think,” she cried.”Dawn has been kidnapped!”