Days passed on like a blur. Wedding bells were ringing. Selene Rogers had finally surrendered to her ill fate. She hadn't had anything from Charlotte yet,that worried her. On the other hand, Lilian was yet to make a move despite having evidence against her.
"Hey sweetheart," Charlotte's calm voice greeted, bringing back from her thoughts.
"Charr, what happened to you? Where have you been?" Selene cried out not caring if she sounded needy emotionally.
Charlotte's tired expression says a lot as she engulfed her friend in a hug. How could she explain to Selene that she'd been mugged along the way to the club and was in the hospital.
"Don't worry about me, am here now,"Charlotte assured her not wanting to worry her more.
"You can't go disappearing on me like that?" Selene complained sobbing even more. She didn't care if she ruined her make up.
"Let me retouch your makeup and help you get ready, we'll have plenty of time to talk after the wedding," Charlotte said, feeling that up until the last minute she couldn't save her from the cruel marriage.
The atmosphere seemed cold and merciless with every step she took. Mr Rogers stood at the church doorway waiting to walk her down the aisle, after all he had an image to maintain.
"You better behave," her father warned, taking her hand around his. Selene's cold smile said it all. This was it, her life was over. She bit her lip fighting back the tears that threatened to flow out of her eyes.
"You know I will dad," she replied coldly making sure he felt the spite in her tone.
Many people seemed awed by the way she looked. They looked at her as if she was some precious gem. The decorations around made it seem like a joyous occasion to those who didn't know what was going on.
At the altar,there he was in a dark tuxedo suit which hugged him like a second skin. Jake looked at the woman walking towards him with an emotionless face. Nothing much had been said between them ever since that night at the club. Jake had vowed never to touch her. She was promiscuous and he hated it.
Meanwhile as the ceremony went on,Lilian who seemed to be missing was checking herself out in the changing room. She had planned on ruining this day and humiliated her stepsister in front of everyone.
She grinned evilly at the mirror touching Selene's ring necklace that was hanging around her neck.
As Lilian approached the church door she could hear the pastor giving out the vows to the couple. Her heart tightened as she heard her sister accept them. Did she think she'd be happy with a wealthy man? Lilian thought of an evil idea crossing her mind. She clicked the heel of her shoe making it loud enough that heads turned to identify the source of the noise.
Selene looked at the doorway only to find her step sister being the cause of the nuisance. Was this it? Was the wedding over even before it was over? Selene felt her world freeze. It was as if time stopped when Lilian approached the altar, holding something in her hand.
Jackson Lynn looked at the intruder wondering why she had to make such a dramatic entrance. He signaled for the pastor to proceed feeling that much time had been wasted. The look of panic on Selene's face made him curious as to what she was afraid of.
Later in the early evening, everyone seemed to be getting to know each other laughing and socializing. Selene was glad Charlotte didn't leave her side despite her husband's obvious attitude of neglecting her. He was busy laughing and talking.
Charlotte's phone rang, " I'll pick this real quick Lene,don't get too bored on your day," she said, excusing herself.
"I see you managed to pave your way in a rich man's claw?" A feminine voice said, making Selene turn around.
"Excuse me, who are you?" Selene politely asked, looking at her. She seemed very powerful from her outfit and her demeanor.
"Oh forgive my manners," the woman chuckled, " after all you didn't get to meet the family before jumping into his bed and now marriage?" She added spitefully.
Selene furrowed her brows, surprised at the rate of hatred in the woman's voice.
"I see you two have met each other, this is Rebecca Lynn my step mom," Jake said coldly from behind them.
"Now if you'll excuse us mother, I need to take my wife for a little while," he rudely said, creating tension among them.
"Of course son,after all she's your prize," Rebecca said sarcastically, faking a chuckle. Selene felt awkward being trapped in what seemed like a family drama.
"Your mother doesn't seem to like me much,"Selene said, trying to start a conversation. It was at this moment where she wished Charlotte was here.
"To be honest no one really likes pretenders," Jake stated,his face emotionless. Selene's heart burned, hearing how cold he was towards her.
"Congrats Siz," Lilian's pretentious voice came, making Selene's mood dampen more. It was as if Lilian knew when to make things worse.
Jake turned around at the source of the voice, something caught his attention, the necklace that was tangling on Lilian's neck. How could it be? He'd searched far and beyond for the woman who wore that necklace but never found her. Was this some sort of karma? How could he fulfill his promise to her now that he had wed another?
"Nice necklace Lilian," Jake found himself saying the words out loud before he could stop himself. He just had to make sure it was the one. Selene looked at him shocked then back at her step sister who wore it like it was hers.
"Thanks Jake, I've had it for a long time," she flirted playing with it.
Soon she was alone again,this night seemed too long for her.
Selene couldn't take it anymore, the crowds seemed to be knocking the air out of her lungs, suffocating her. She rushed towards the balcony,feeling relief when the air hit her. Finally she was away from all the mocking and taunting.
Muffled voices caught her attention disturbing her peace. She walked towards the room where they were coming from. One could have guessed, it was as if there was a struggle.
She cautiously pushed the half closed door ready to help anyone who might need help.
She gasped at the sight before her, "oh my god." The words were out even before she could stop them.
There he was ,her husband with his tongue deep in Lilian's mouth. She felt her knees give out and she fell to the ground breaking them apart from the noise she had caused.
"What are you doing here?" Jake asked, looking at her in surprise and confusion.