Chapter 26 Dragged,
Dahlia.
" Wrap things from your end earlier. I will come pick you up two hours before our wedding. " From the other end of the line, Dalton's magnetic voice rang, and for a moment, my heartbeat went haywire. It was just a voice, and yet, it had so much effect on me. I was clearly losing myself.
" Okay. " After a brief moment of silence, I finally answered, my voice soft and light as it cut through the air, giving away none of the emotions that were swirling through me.
After my call with Dalton, I could barely fall asleep, and I decided to do my skin care as time dragged by.
It was my wedding day, and I still wanted to look my best. After my skin care, I indulged in a long and relaxing bath, and it was not until six in the morning that I stepped out of the room, clad in a black silk dress, a pair of flat shoes, a handbag, and my medium-sized suitcase.
Complicated emotions swirled violently within me as I took one last glance at the room that I had stayed in for years, a room that had quietly witnessed me both at my best and worst.
The room that had seen me cry happily when Jason proposed to me... The room that had listened to my soft giggles as I watched animated series with my father.
Looking at it, I was not just saying goodbye to the place that had been my home for years. I was also saying goodbye to that girl that loved blindly, trusted fiercely, and still got hurt.
For the kind of life that I wanted, and the kind of place that I was going, I couldn't continue being that girl. She had to be forgotten, and a new chapter opened.
Everything should have been heartbreaking, but at that moment, I felt like I was reborn, a new chance to start over, cleanly, and bury my past behind me.
My movements were steeled by resolve as I wiped one lone tear from my right eye, before clutching my suitcase handle and descending down the stairs.
By that time, the house was eireely quiet. After probably spending the entire night talking and celebrating their upcoming victory, my father, Sofia, and Gwen were likely to oversleep.
But, since Sofia was the bride, of course, they weren't going to sleep for too long. In about thirty minutes, they were likely to wake up, and I didn't want them to find me there.
After loading my bag in the car's boot, I made my way to the servants' quarters, and I was just about to knock on the door when it was opened from the inside..
" Nanny Tia?" I called, my voice shaking slightly with indescribable emotions.
She looked old, not too, but still, compared to the way she looked the last time I had a proper look at her, she looked different. And looking at her, a pang of guilt washed over me.
Nanny Tia was like a second mother to me. She had taken care of me ever since I was little, and after my parents divorced, she stayed behind to continue taking care of me.
He loyalty was to my Mom, but she had loved me like I was her own.
When, I kept moving up and about, worrying about Jason, taking care of all his needs, using my brilliance to help him crack business deals, while no one else cared about me, Nanny Tia did.
I would wake up with a pounding headache after a night of playing Jason's secretary and drinking with his clients, only to find her hangover soup on the bedside.
I would be so busy, to the point I forgot eating, and she would place a boul of vegetable rice on my study desk.
For twenty-one years, she had taken care of me, relentlessly, and I intended to let her go, and yet, looking at her, my throat constricted with unwillingness.
" Nanny Tia.." I tried a second take, and this time, my voice came out smooth, but there were tears welling up in my eyes.
" Here." I whispered, outstretching my hand, giving her a black bank card.
" Thank you for taking care of me like I was your own for all these years, Nanny Tia."
" There is enough money to take care of all your needs for years. And in the future, if you ever need me, give me a call." I whispered, a hint of unwillingness clinging to my voice.
She was that who understood me the most.. And our bond was way deeper than words could explain. I had planned to bring her to Jason's home after our marriage. But since I was no longer marrying Jason, I couldn't take her to the capital with me, and the only logical but painful decision was to set her free.
" I won't be marrying Jason. I am sorry I can't take you to the Capital with me. Life here is familiar with you. Please, take care, Nanny Tia." I added, gently pressing the card on her habd.
" I am glad that you have finally decided to let him go, mia. You deserved better."
" As for you leaving me here, that feels unfair, especially since, a part from your mother and you, I don't have any other family. " She added, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
" My bag is already packed, too." It was not until she mentioned it that I saw the black suitcase that stood near the door.
" You already knew?" I asked, my voice trembling with disbelief. I was pleasantly surprised, honestly. It turned out that my Nanny was updated with everything that was happening around, and she had already packed her things, ready to travel with me to my future.
" Your mother told me everything. "
"So, little girl, if you are thinking about getting rid of me, then you are greatly mistaken."
" In this lifetime, I have devoted myself to serving your mother, and I will do so by taking care of you and your future kids."
" Congratulations on your engagement to Dalton."
" Now, lead the way." She expressed, her suitcase at hand, ready to leave. To say I was touched? That was an understatement. I was moved to tears by Nanny Tia's devotion, and when I recalled the way I had neglected her in the past while I chased after the things that didn't matter, and people who didn't care about me, I felt even more guilty.
It turned out, she was my only family in Goldville, and now that we were finally about to go home, she was in tow, taking the journey with me.
Initially, I had decided to drive directly to the wedding venue, but since Nanny Tia had joined me, I decided to drive her to Dalton's villa before going to the wedding venue, and it was not until forty minutes later that I walked into the venue.
Everything was perfect, and in place.. Fresh flowers were already being arranged, and the crew planners swammed around in nervous movements as they did, undid, repeated and double checked, just to be certain that everything was up to standard.
Looking at everything, everything that I had worked so hard for, now about to benefit another woman, I felt nothing, not bitterness and certainly, not unwillingness, because in about three hours, the bride and the groom were going to vomit it all out.
In the meantime, I retreated to the changing room, where Miss Grey, the wedding planner, was waiting.
" Good morning, Miss Dahlia. " Shd called out, with forced enthusiasm.
" Everything is in order. In about thirty minutes, the wedding should be starting. " She added, frantically, as if she was afraid I wouldn't be satisfied with her hard work.
" Here. This is the flash drive. Make sure they watch everything till the end."
" That should be your final task from me. Do it properly, and I will keep my words. " I whispered to ear before I slipped the drive inside her purse, and she nodded, seemingly flustered.
" Consider it done. I hope you can keep your word." She urged, not daring to raise her voice at me, and to that, a cold sneer stretched at the corners of my lips. I was not like her. I always kept my words.
Just then, the door was pushed open, and in entered a very familiar face.
It was Jason. He had a glass of water, probably warm from the steam that rose from the surface, and a smile that looked too insincere that it stung my eyes..
" You are already here."
" Why aren't you dressed yet?" He asked, feigning confusion, and I nearly scoffed. What a one-man show! Didn't he find it exhausting?
" Here. Drink some warm water. It will soothe your nevers. " He added as he gave the glass to me.
I took it.. I could smell the strong scent of the drug.
The water was dragged. He wanted to excute his first plan.
And I took the glass from him, flashed him a tight smile, before I gulped all its contents...