The bridal stylists came rushing over. "Oh my God, what happened?" the owner of the bridal atelier asked. They all came running as they had heard the sound of Nich's shout. "What will she do now?" one asked. "Hope they are still going to pay for damages," another said.
Soft whispers spread. I said trembling. "Nich, it's okay. We would fix this, right?"
Nich nodded. "Over here," Nich called out to the stylists, waving his card in his hands. "Include the amendment charge, please," Nich informed her.
---
My stomach turned at the sight of my family home. We were visiting my parents to plan the wedding. I wished we could have the wedding without them. Especially without that monster.
Nich noticed the frown on my face and gently squeezed my cheeks with his hands. "I know what you have in mind. It's just a weeks to go, and you would be all mine," he said, placing a kiss on my neck.
On getting to my house, memories of my childhood started flooding in. I felt strength leave me. With teary eyes, I pressed the doorbell.
The door swung open immediately—well, probably they had been waiting for my arrival.
Who appeared before me was the very person who made me avoid home and also traumatized me as a child.
A woman dressed in a short green fitted gown with a fur jacket over it, her sleek black hair falling from her face to her shoulders, her face battered with light makeup and thick red lipstick. She hugged me with a fake smile. "Linda, you look good," she said as she scanned me up and down. "Why wouldn't I?" I replied, giving her a fake smile back.
Her face quickly changed. She gave me a cold look, then faked a smile.
I knew this woman very well. Amelia was two-faced. She would bat her eyes and be all smiles in the presence of my father and outsiders. She was often referred to as an angel because of how nice and sweet she would always present herself in front of others.
Nich quickly cut in, giving a greeting to her, which she reciprocated, grinning from ear to ear. "Where's Ro..."
Before I could finish, Rosa, my beloved stepsister, ran in screaming my name joyously. "Linda!!!!!!!"
She hugged me. I rolled my eyes. "Hypocrites," I thought to myself.
Between the melodramas, my father walked in, and Nich and I went over to greet him. We then sat down to have lunch. The maid brought in the food and set it on the table as we ate quietly.
"You have secured the wedding hall booking, right?" my father asked. "Yes, I have," I responded. "That's good. I think that was all that was left remaining to be concluded, right?" he asked. "Actually, we have a problem left," Nich interrupted.
I shot him a cold glare. "What!" he mouthed to me. "What problem?" Amelia questioned inquisitively. "A small problem came up with the wedding gown during testing. Though amendments will be made, we just want to be safe," Nich informed them. "Hmmm, so you are sorting for another bridal gown?" Amelia asked. "Yeah," I answered as my face fell to my lap, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Just a week to the event, Linda. "Welllll... I happen to know someone," Amelia said.
Wow. My jaw dropped and my eyes widened in disbelief, as Amelia is the last person I thought would be of aid. "Hold on, let me give her a call," she said as she stepped out with her phone. She came back within a minute. "She said we should make an appearance, so we could head over there right now."
I was taken aback yet again. Nich and I exchanged looks. He nodded in approval.
On getting to the bridal shop, my eyes travelled all around. Each gown on a mannequin, looked glamorous. Each gown's detail excited me.
But how come Amelia knew a place like this and never recommended it? In fact, why was she even helping me?
I had initially thought she was strongly against the wedding. What's with the sudden change? I stole a glance at her. "This demon," I scoffed.
"Look at this," a woman standing far off gestured towards a mannequin. "Oh my God," I let out in disbelief. "This is it!" I gleamed.
Thank God Nich didn't come along. I grinned in excitement—my plan to wow him was working.
I walked hurriedly over. I walked around the mannequin, looking at every detail. My hands trailed over the material. It was beaded on the chest area and had a skin-like net material on its sides.
"Go and test it on," Amelia pointed to the testing room.
The gown fitted perfectly.
This time, I was going to be more careful. I lifted my dress with my hands and walked as though there were obstacles. "Oh no!" I gasped.
I wanted to surprise him. "Nich, you weren't meant to be here," I grudged, hitting his chest with my tiny hands. "I couldn't hold it, my love," he chuckled. "Now I don't feel that delighted." "Your beauty still amazes me," he said while brushing his fingers through my hair. "Where is Amelia?" I asked, narrowing my eyes looking for her. "She headed back home" Nich informed me.
Oh well, I thought she was eager to see me in the gown.
A few minutes later, I headed over to the counter. "Here, package this," I instructed the sales rep. As I brought out my card, She said, "Your mother paid for it."
"My mother?" I uttered. "Amelia paid?" I let out the question loudly in total disbelief.
Nich and I walked to the car, I was still in disbelief. "Maybe she is trying to make amends," Nich said, trying to convince me. "What amends? Is that a joke?" I replied, laughing loudly.
Nich didn't know her as much as I did. All he knew were stories I had told him.
"…and IIIII will always love youuuuuu…" my phone rang. "Hellooo?" "Hello, Linda," the voice cracked. "Yes, Aunty?" "Linda, where are you? They have been kidnapped," the voice wailed, already crying.
My heart pounded. "What do you mean? Who has been kidnapped?" I questioned.
Nich looked at me with worry. "Everyone—your father, A…." she was yet to complete her sentence when the call cut off. Amelia didn't make it home ? But she just left minutes ago or was she abducted as she got home along side others ?
I was still skeptical. Probably this was a prank.
Before I could dial her number again, a message came in: "You are to come here with a ransom of 470 million dollars before Friday. Do not involve the cops," a voice spoke.
"470 million?" I chuckled. What a prank.
My laughter was cut short.
The camera moved.
There they were- Rosa, Amelia, and my father laying unconsciously on the floor.
"This is proof that we are being serious," the voice said.
Nich grabbed the phone. "What is all this?"
I got out of the car, already pacing. What is all this? My wedding is fixed for Saturday. "Let's head over to the station," Nich said. "Didn't you hear what he said? We shouldn't involve the cops ! Do not waste her time; if not, consider them dead!" I screamed at him.
Frustration was already building in me. "470 million dollars? How?" "Let's go see Aunt Martha first. How come they contacted her first instead of you?"
We entered the car as Nich sped over to Aunt Martha's house. I hurriedly knocked. As she opened the door,she saw me and burst into tears. "My brotherrrr!" she wailed loudly.
Tears came down before I could stop them.
I hated my family so much, but I didn't want them dead.
I had always prayed for the death of Amelia, but now that this has happened, it dawned on me that I didn't want her dead. "We have to try to get the money, Aunty."
Nich had dropped me off and told me he would get back to me—he had somewhere to be.
"What does this all mean?" I muttered, rifling through the scattered documents on the table. I was clearly confused by what was being shown to me.
"Mr. Otelio was already in deep debt," Mr. Mathew said. "In deep debts? How? Since when?" I questioned.
This was too overwhelming. I sat, hands on my knees. "I'm sorry, Linda. He didn't want to inform you." "How much do we really have in total?" "100 million?" I asked in disbelief. "Out of 470 million, we have just 100 million?" I question
ed him. "Okay, what about the estate?" I asked downcast. "The estate is on mortgage," Mr. Mathew said, avoiding my eyes. "Wonderful!" I exclaimed.