Chapter 24 Wedding night
Linda's POV
I walked straight to the restroom, ready to explode and pour out my emotions to my other self in the mirror.
I banged the door and screamed silently, I couldn't risk people running to check who was screaming in the restroom.
After crying, I washed my face and changed into my uniform. Dabbing my sore eyes with a handkerchief, I tried to assure myself that everything was going to be okay.
But who was I fooling? Nikki's up now and she's sure moving in with her husband. I am only a pawn in their silky game, an object that everyone expects to have no feelings.
How would it even look like if they knew that I loved Charles from the depth of my heart? It would bring chaos and indescribable disaster.
All I need to do is to avoid him at all costs.
But why was he looking for me?
He was the one that almost devoured my lips at the altar yet I bore the blame.
Now he's looking for me?
My fingers shook terribly, my legs so numb with fear. With this condition, I'll probably disgrace myself in front of the guests when I go to serve them.
Something needs to be done about this fear.
I took some breathing exercises and tried to calm my nerves. But nothing worked.
The more I stayed inside the restroom, the more time I wasted and that means I kept the guests waiting.
“Que sera, sera” I muttered to myself and walked out of the restroom.
I headed to the kitchen to dish out the already cooked fried rice and chicken for the guests in the living room.
They didn't show up much for the event though, it was just the both families, so it wasn't much of a work.
Within a few minutes, I was already done. The food was placed carefully in a big tray which I held with caution. I tried to steady my hands but it still couldn't work, my heart still pounded fiercely across my ribs and it was evident that I was so nervous and scared.
Scared of seeing Charles' face, scared that I might mess everything up.
But still, I gathered confidence and walked slowly to the living room.
When I reached the entrance, my cerebellum forgot how to function and I couldn't move my legs. I just stood there listening to their loud laughter and discussion.
“I told you Charles, the wedding was going to be a successful one!” I heard Jessica's voice, loud and filled with excitement
“Yeah, the merger can now be completed. Cheers to a successful business venture” John’s voice came steady and calm.
“Where's my bride?” I heard Charles ask and I almost passed out
“You don't have to worry, Nikki's on her way!” I heard Jessica's response and my face fell immediately
I don't even know what was wrong with me. Why I had a weird feeling when Charles asks for his bride wishing the floor would just open and swallow me. Then suddenly, when Nikki's announced, I felt a pang of hurt and it seemed like though, my heart was being shattered in a million pieces.
“You shouldn't be worried about Nikki, we all should be mad at Linda for keeping us waiting with just this wine! Are we not going to get something to eat??” Jessica almost scowled and I rushed inside immediately without waiting for her to get to her feet.
“Why did you keep us waiting for so long?” She snapped
“I'm sorry ma” I replied and lowered my head
“Sorry for yourself!!” She snarled
“Why are you dressed like this?” Charles asked, his voice laced with confusion and somewhat anger
I looked up slowly and my eyes met his, my mouth parted but there was no word coming out.
“It's Nikki everyone!! Isn't she gorgeous?!” Jessica exclaimed and everyone turned.
I noticed no indifference in Charles' eyes, instead he focused on me.
Nikki came through the door, holding her gown up and smiling sheepishly.
Despite her act to look normal, I noticed her pale eyes and the tiredness in every step she took.
“She's not fully recovered” I whispered to myself then shook my head pitifully at how desperate she could be.
“I'm back bitch” Nikki whispered to me as she approached me.
“Move bitch” she said and pushed me hard with her hips and sent me sprawling on the floor. She then smiled mischievously as though she did nothing wrong and placed her hands firmly on her waist.
The food spilled and the plates were all broken. I was in shock as it came so unexpectedly.
“What are you doing?!” Charles said and sprang up immediately from his seat and darted towards me.
John simply shook his head and looked away.
“I'm so sorry Charles, of course you don't want our maid making a scene at your wedding reception” Jessica said, placing her hands on her chest.
“What do you mean?” He growled “isn't it obvious that it's Nikki causing a scene not Linda?”
Jessica gritted her teeth and let out a loud sigh.
Charles helped me up and held my both hands.
“What happened? Why did you stop pretending to be Nikki?” He asked gently, his eyes filled with concern
“I can explain everything” I replied, trying to avoid his eyes
“I'm sure you can but first, I'll be leaving with Linda, we have matters to discuss” he announced and the whole room fell into whispers
I was so scared to turn and look at the piercing faces surrounding me
“You don't have to, you're putting me in much more trouble” I whispered to him
But he shook his head and clutched tightly to my hands
“No!” I said and released my hands from his.
“Charles honey..” Nikki said, walking towards her fiance.
She looked so pale and tired.
“I don't feel so good, I ..” she held his arms
I stepped back immediately and Charles looked so confused as everyone was.
“Everything is just spinning, this..” she stuttered then collapsed in his arms.
“Ow! Nikki! Nikki honey!” Jessica ran towards them immediately and began to sob.
John just sat bewildered as his face shone red.
He stood up gently and walked towards us.
Jessica places her head on Nikki's chest and cried out
“No! There's no pulse. She's dead!” She cried and everywhere broke into two.
“Calm down woman. Take her inside” John ordered and motioned for me to take her off Charles' arms.
I rushed towards them quickly and carried Nikki. Surprisingly, she was not that heavy, she sat comfortably at my back.
I bit my lips hard and carried her inside the room.
I rushed out immediately and cleaned out the mess I made from the spilled food.
Charles tried to stop me but I ignored him and walked past.
My heart was beating furiously from fear. He has done enough already. Why would he want to ruin my entire life?
After cleaning up, I entered the room and Jessica kept crying.
“Wake up Nikki, you have to wake up”
I paced around the room praying that nothing would happen. But weren't we supposed to call a doctor or perhaps rush her to the hospital?
I tried to speak but she shut me up immediately
“Go get a glass of water!!”
I dashed into the kitchen and brought the cup of water as Jessica demanded
“Here's the water” I said and Jessica looked at me
“How's Nikki? Have you found her pulse?” I asked, deeply concerned
“Haven't you done enough?” Jessica started and my heart stopped
“This is all your fault! You made that scene in there!” She yelled and stormed towards me
I stepped back in fear
“What scene? Nikki pushed me!” I tried to defend myself
“Ohh! There you go again trying to make up excuses.” She snapped
“But I'm saying the truth”
“You're always blaming someone else! Tell me something, Why was Charles about to leave with you huh? Explain that!” She yelled and began to pack some clothes into my tote bag.
My jaw dropped. I just can't explain to her what happened. How would she react if she knows that Charles knows the truth? That he knows I've been pretending to be Nikki all along?
She'll hurt my mother just to get to me and I can't stand that.
I simply stood speechless and stared at her as she kept packing.
When she was done, she handed the bag over to me.
“Why are you giving this to me? Don't we have to take Nikki to the hospital?” I was confused.
But instead she gave me a resounding slap that left me in shock
“What did I do this time?” I held my cheek with misty eyes.
“Don't be stupid! Nikki's sick” she said pointing at the helpless girl on the bed
“And you know what that means?”
“No, no please” I begged as tears rolled down my eyes.
“There's no turning back now. You have to complete the wedding night” she said and the world tilted
“I have to sleep with Charles tonight in Nikki's place?”
“Ofcourse.”
“Isn't it too much? Playing with my emotions only…-”
“Shut the fuck up and bear in mind that you are just a substitute for Nikki!” Jessica spat
“Now you have to change and wear something more sexy, just like Nikki would” she said
Tearfully, I undressed and changed back into the wedding dress, wore a little makeup that made me look slightly like Nikki.
I was still shaking all over, not because I was going to spend the night with Charles, (it was always amazing) but for the fact that I'm just a substitute, doing this for someone else.
I was already in love with Charles, how would I bear when Nikki finally wakes up and claims her place?
I was still lost in thoughts when the door knocked and John stepped in.
“Charles' about to leave. Linda you should get going” he announced and my stomach tightened.
I stood with wobbly legs and headed to the door. As I closed the door behind me, I heard his voice.
Calm and soothing
“How's Nikki?”