Chapter 21 Nervous Nikki
Linda's POV
It was midnight on the wedding day and I sat helplessly on my bed staring at the ceiling, tears blinded my eyes speaking every word that was concealed.
The sharp pain from the smear of the hot knife no longer hurts. What broke me the most was the feeling of seeing Nikki and Charles together after today.
I knew how sleeping with him messed up with my head, now I would be exchanging vows with him at the altar and you think I'll still be sane?
I tried hard to be uninvolved with this whole stuff, but right now, I am so involved in it that my involvement would do greater harm.
Not just to my mother but to my mental health.
I buried my shivering hands in-between my laps and cried out.
“Why would she crash out now?!Why?”
I thought about what mum would feel if she found out what I'm about to do.
Maybe I should've told her the truth and unburdened this pain with her.
But what would be my gain sharing pains with a woman consumed by her own grief?
My heart skipped a beat as the clock ticked.
Then Charles' call came again. I have been ignoring his incessant calls because I don't want to hear his voice., not now for it would only cause further ruin.
My phone rang and rang but I tossed it away, then after sometime, as though he respected my decision, he stopped calling.
I didn't feel relief, not at all. I felt a heavy weight settling distinctively in my chest.
“He deserves to know the truth” my conscience came again.
“The truth always catches up with you and when they do, it destroys everything” I can still remember this lecture, his very first lecture at school.
I looked at the clock, 11:35. I laid on my bed and covered myself with the thick blanket believing it would prevent me from hearing or seeing the next tick.
Fortunately for me, sleep stole me away.
I dreamt of a happier life with my husband, he was a familiar face that I knew so we'll but I can't figure who he was. I saw a healthier mum living the dream life I promised her and my nightmares were absent. Slowly, a large smile replaced my sadness.
The loud bangs coming from my door woke me up. I checked the time and it was six am, the wedding was by ten.
“I know you can hear me from there Linda. Open this damn door at once” I heard Jessica yell and I jumped out of my bed
“Open the door Linda” then came John's sonorous voice
I ran towards the door shaking all over. Then I slowly unbolted the door and Jessica’s hard and piercing slap landed across my face.
“What the hell are you doing in bed by this time? The makeup artist has been waiting here for hours!!” She snarled
I held my cheeks in pain and looked at John who stood hands akimbo, anger surging through his eyes.
“I'm sorry.., I overslept” I muttered, breathing shakily
“Sorry for your fucking self!” She retorted
“Freshen up and come out to get dressed” John said calmly despite his anger then walked away.
“I give you only but five minutes to do that or face hell on earth” Jessica said then turned to leave.
“How is Nikki doing?” The question escaped my mouth before I could stop it and she paused for a while, maybe taken aback.
Then slowly she walked away without uttering a word.
I sniffed back my tears and headed to the bathroom.
The makeup artist sat comfortably on the sofa, discussing with Jessica who sat just beside him.
Her face lit up as she saw me.
“Over here, over here” she called for me that stood quivering like a mouse
“I've been waiting for you angel, are you ready to be the most beautiful lady in Maple City?” He said sweetly and I chucked in my mind.
The most beautiful lady in Maple city? I hope he wasn't referring to Nikki. Well, whether he was or not, I am definitely not ready and can never be ready to be her.
I walked towards them, ignoring his question.
“You have to make her look exactly like Nikki, I paid you well so you have to deliver properly” Jessica told him
"Of course Mrs Jenkins! I always deliver but the problem is her is the subject matter. Is she really ready for this?” He asked looking concerned
Immediately, Jessica dragged me to a corner and held my chin up roughly, pinning me to the wall.
“You’ll play this part and you will play it well or your mother will die in the street, sick and alone” she whispered wickedly into my ears
I have no problem pretending to be in love with Charles but how will I ever be able to watch him with Nikki after this? My mind wasn't yet ready for this but I just have to be strong.
Before I could stop it, a tear rolled down my eyes.
“If you ruin your makeup with these silky tears, I'll take no chances and remove your mother from the donor's list” she snarled
I wiped my tears quickly and nodded in understanding.
“Good, now all you have to do is to go out there and be the good girl you're supposed to be” she said and I braced myself up, prepared to face whatever it was.
“Sometimes, you just have to make some sacrifices for the greater good,” the artist whispered slowly into my ears as he began to work.
When he finished, I stared at the mirror and I couldn't find Linda.
All I saw was a frightened and nervous Nikki.
“You don't have to be nervous, no guests were invited” John told me as we were about to leave for the venue
“John! What the hell are you discussing with her? Time is against us” Jessica yelled at her husband and the latter hurried into the car.
“Caword” I muttered silently but somehow, his words landed somewhere soft in my heart and filled me with warmth.
When we reached the venue, it was exactly what he told me. No guests, only the Priest.
Then me, John, Jessica, Harvey and Charles.
My hands shook violently as I clutched my flower bouquet tightly with fear as it dawned on me that I was really doing this.
I noticed a huge smile on Charles ' face and I wondered why he was this happy. Didn't the thought of getting married to Nikki piss him up? Why's he so happy today?
I prayed sincerely that he doesn't recognize me because only then will I be able to move on.
“May we welcome the bride!” The Priest announced and legs turned so numb to move.
I tried walking but my legs failed me, so I turned and looked at the Jenkins.
“I can't do this. I can't lie to Charles” my voice cracked as I said it
“It's not a lie, he's still marrying Nikki” Jessica whispered, trying so hard to sound nice
“You're just a stand-in” John chipped in
I shook my head “No, this is wrong”
“For God sake Linda, everyone has their eyes on you. Go now, it's too late to back out” Jessica said shoving me forward
“I just can't -” I stammered
“I guess you don't want your mother to get that kidney transplant next week right?” She whispered into my ears and my heart skipped a beat.
“You found a kidney?!” I exclaimed
“Yeah, we did” John replied
“The doctors are just waiting on the go ahead” Jessica added
“If I do this, you promise that my mother gets that kidney” I kept my tone formal this time
“We promise” they said in unison.
“For mum” I told myself and inhaled deeply.
Then John stepped forward and held my hands as we walked towards the altar.
Every step I took, I prepared myself to act like Nikki but my nervousness still betrayed me.
You can't blame me! Charles fixed his eyes deeply into mine, plus he looked breathtaking in his well ironed suit.
Harvey stood beside me, his smile gave me confidence as I walked.
The both of them wore delighted smiles that I couldn't help but wonder if today was the best day of their lives.
John stepped aside and left me facing Charles face to face. Gawd! I didn't know how to feel.