Chapter 23 Nikki's up
Linda's POV
My heart stopped and my legs froze as he called my name.
I felt everywhere turn cold then warm slowly, a feeling that made me fall in love with him. He just reminded me that I was still Linda although dressed like Nikki.
He still saw me, despite the whole dress up games. He knew me.
I opened my mouth slowly, already in shock that he recognized me.
“You know?” I said, lost in his fixated gaze
He parted his lips and was about to speak when I felt a rough feminine hands on my arm.
I turned back and it was Jessica.
“Its time for the reception”
She said and yanked me off from Charles hold.
Dragging me away, I still couldn't take my eyes off Charles. My eyes kept looking at him, afraid to let him away from my sight.
“Face front you bitch!” Jessica scowled but I ignored her
Then she stopped and forcefully turned my head forward.
“You don't have any right to stare at Nikki's husband” She warned and I just looked helplessly at her
She looked so enraged and angry.
My heart pounded as I wondered if I didn't play my part well.
Ofcourse I didn't, he recognized me but that wasn't my fault!
He knew it wasn't Nikki even when I walked down that aisle. I noticed the way he looked at me, it wasn't how he stared at Nikki.
He looks at Nikki distantly, a cold and nonchalant look. But when it comes to me, I felt that warmth in his eyes.
The way he looked as though he hasn't seen me in ages.
His eyes always lit up with this unsual light and he gets lost when staring at me.
That was the exact look in his eyes while I walked down that aisle.
I tried to shrug it off, assuring myself that he thinks it's Nikki. Perhaps he's just happy to see her in this gown.
Now he knows it's me, how will I cope?
Jessica dragged me and pushed me into the car.
“Start the car” she commanded and the driver sped off immediately to the house.
I sat beside her, shivering like a mouse. Charles lips on mine seems not to go away and I felt his presence with me.
And that was why I felt guilty. So guilty.
I shifted to the end of the car seat and rested my head on the door watching people move freely round the street.
I wished I was among them, tending to my business freely without coercion and fear.
The reception was going to hold at the Jenkins mansion and deep down, that was the last place I wanted to go now.
The ride felt so short, shorter than it was supposed to be.
Jessica was still fuming in rage as we stepped out of the car. My heart beat doubled in fear as fear overwhelmed me not knowing what would befall me next.
The compound was already decorated with canopies and only a few guests had arrived.
“Wait for me at your room” Jessica ordered, her voice filled with pending outrage.
I quickly rushed into the house while she stopped at the living room to exchange formalities with the few guests.
I entered my room pacing about restlessly.
“What happened?” I asked myself
“What did I do wrong?”
I squeezed my trembling fingers and rubbed my forehead.
Then I sat down on my bed and buried my hands in-between my shaky legs.
“You have to calm down Linda, nothing is happening” I whispered to myself.
Even at that, I felt tears form gradually in my eyes.
I wiped it off immediately and took a deep breath. Anyhow it turned out, I just have to look strong.
My heart literally jumped out of my body when the door flung open and Jessica stormed inside my room.
I stood up immediately and folded my hands behind my back.
“You lowly bitch!” She spat as she walked up to me
“Ma’am..-”
Before I could finish, a hot slap landed across my left cheek and I saw stars flying in a circular form.
I placed my palm on my left cheek and tried to shield myself but
“GBAM!”
Another dirty slap on my right cheek.
“What did I do? I did everything you asked me to do!” I cried as blood filled my mouth
“How dare you kiss Nikki's husband like that?” She roared
I looked at the short, white headed woman at my front in both shock and suprise.
What did she expect me to do when the Priest told us to kiss?
“You told me to play my part well. What the hell did you expect me to do when I was at the altar?” I retorted, anger mixed with pain lacing my voice
“You kissed him like your life depended on it. You think I don't know that you want Charles by all means?!” She snarled and tried grabbing my hair but I took a step back immediately and she missed
“I've done everything you asked me to do. And all you do is to humiliate me? You watched the whole incident well, Nikki's husband was the one that wanted to devour me!” I spat and she shook her head
“What should I have done eh?” I continued “Push him away?”
“One more word from you and you won't live to see the break light if tomorrow” She threatened
I calmed myself down but tears flowed down my cheeks.
Then she lurched towards me and tried to remove the wedding gown forcefully from me.
I struggled and pulled her hands off my body.
“I can get it off myself” I said
“Well hurry up, I don't want to keep Charles waiting” She replied impatiently
“If you can excuse me..-” I tried speaking but she snarled at me
“You've grown wings this few days, and trust me to cut them off. Undress now, in front of me!”
I shrieked in fear then quickly but carefully, I slipped out of the wedding gown standing stark naked only with my underwear gown.
Suddenly, Nikki barged into my room and shock was written all over our faces.
This was the person lying almost lifeless in her room with a dozen of needles attached to her skin.
How come she was standing, looked so energized?
“I'm back bitch!” She said sassily, placing both hands on her waist.
“Now give me my dress” she said and snatched the gown from my hands.
“Now get out from this room, Nikki has to dress!” Jessica said happily and excited as she pushed me out of my room
“But, I…-” I tried to protest but she locked the door.
The door opened again and my maid clothes were thrown out of my room.
“Go change into those clothes and serve the guests!” I heard Nikki's voice
I picked the uniform from the floor and placed my ears on the door.
“I need to look so hot for my husband!” I heard Nikki's voice
“He was so happy at the church. Oh Nikki, Charles can't wait to call you his wife” her mother replied
My heart felt so broken and I didn't even know what the cause actually was.
Tears flowed uncontrollably from my eyes as I curled myself on the floor and sobbed.
“Oh Charles, you were really never meant to be mine, so why does it hurt so badly? Why does it hurt to lose you??” I muttered and buried my head on my laps
Suddenly I heard some footsteps approaching where I sat but I was too choked up in tears to look up.
“Linda?!” I heard the voice clearly.
It was Harvey’s
“Linda? Oh my god Linda!” He said and rushed towards me.
“What happened?” He asked as he squatted beside me
I wiped my tears and looked up to his face slowly.
“Harvey…” I stammered
“It's fine, I understand” he whispered and patted me gently at my back
“Charles sent me to find you” he said
“Charles?” My eyes widened and I sniffed back my tears
“Yeah” he nodded
“What does he want?” I asked
“Are you okay?” He asked, and I removed my face from his intense gaze
“I have to act strong. I really do” I told myself
“Yeah, I'm okay. Just a long day” I replied and he still didn't avert his gaze from me
“Are you sure?” he pressed on
“Trust me, I am. Besides, I need to put on something more appropriate” I said and stood up immediately
“Linda..”
“Harvey, you need to go to the reception please. They're inside that room and it won't be funny if they see us here” I said po
inting at the door
“They?” He asked with suprise or rather curiosity as he looked at the door.
“Yes, Nikki's up” I responded and without waiting for his response, I walked out.