"Hailey!" That was the umpteenth time I zoned out today at this particular spot, and here again I was, with someone calling me back to life.I blinked angrily, as I widened my eyes in panic mode, taking in my surroundings once again. I had been pulled out of my thoughts by my groom, Xavier.He was the one that shouted my name earlier. My eyes stared at the man dressed in a white tuxedo and I swallowed, taking my eyes off him again to look around.We were in the church already, and standing in front of the altar before us—me and my handsome groom—was a priest. There was a crowd in the audience, and many of them were staring at me. I could have sworn that some were glaring at me with murder in their eyes.Why? I was getting married to the man of their dreams. I was sure if they were given guns or daggers, they would not hesitate to have me dead at any opportunity possible. But little did they know that even I was not happy about this thing we were doing, calling it a wedding."Hailey, a
The after party was held at a different venue. But before that, I was to go back to the hotel they rented for us, and get changed from the white floral wedding dress to the one they prepared for the after party.Xavier has also left the church, but in another car. Susie was the only one with me since she was my best lady for that day and she was to be with me all through to assist and for other reasons.The maid lady was at the hotel already, so she would be the one helping me get dressed and prepare for the after-party.The limousine that drove us was quiet as the driver drove it. Just Susie and I were inside, together with the driver in the front, who was minding his business as he drove. Susie on the other hand was with her phone, her earphones in her ears.No one needed to tell me that this was the right time to speak to her and apologize if I was going to. But I thought of all possible ways to start the conversation, and I just could not figure out the best way to. I just sat the
Again, Susie and I couldn't finish our discussion before we had to hurriedly dress up and prepare for the after party.The ride back was also quiet, because this time, she had her earphones on and was listening to music with them. I just sat there thinking of how much my life was falling apart. When we arrived there, Xavier was already waiting for us outside."And why did you not go in?" I asked him after he complained of us arriving late. He went further to tell me that he regretted not having the phone numbers of either of us, so he had to wait and keep watching the gates till he sighted the limousine."Weddings after parties don't work like that, dummy!" He snapped and dragged my hand, which came to me unexpectedly and we rushed to the front of the hall."Could you hold me more gently!" I snapped, but did tried as much to make sure he was the only one that heard that.The media and several reporters were present at the venue, and the clicks of their cameras at us showed they were
The next morning was no different from every other day before the wedding. The only difference was that I woke up with a ring on my finger and a banging headache. I sighed as I clutched my head tightly to my hands and laid on my bed. The lady maid had come in earlier to inform me that dinner was ready and we were all expected downstairs, but the headache I was feeling did not let me know what I was going to do next.Knock knock.Who was there again? I thought I told the lady maid that I'll be down in some minutes. If they can't wait any longer, they should just continue without me.Knock knock."Who's there?" I asked."I." I heard Susie's voice say. I was taken aback to know that it was Susie at the door. On a normal day when we were good, she could never knock before coming into my room. And here she was knocking, taking me by surprise. "Are you going to tell me to come in or not?""Oh, come in. Come in." I said and she opened the door and walked in, closing the door behind her. Stil
"It is I, Hailey. It's your father." He replied and I did not say any word in return. I just stared at nothing in particular, with the phone still by my right ear. When he did not hear me speak, he spoke again. "Are you there? Can you hear me?""I can.""Hailey, I know—"He was saying something but I cut him off along the line, because I was not ready to hear any of it. "I don't have a father. And besides, I think you have the wrong person."Immediately I said that, I did what I know how to do best, I hung up the call immediately. Is there a name for getting shocked by something you already knew to expect? Because that was exactly what just happened. I knew it was him even before he said it himself, but I was still shocked when he said it. I sighed as I dropped the phone on my bed.Duncan was not going to stand in for me at the hospital, so I had to go there myself. I would not let any stranger do that for me in the name of family.With that thought in my head, I immediately forgot ab
"Yes, come in, please." I heard the female doctor say, and I walked in with a nurse. "Good evening, miss." She said and I simply nodded, then she ushered me a seat opposite her. I sat on it and waited for her to finish arranging the files on her table.The nurse I came with inside also picked up something on a nearby chef and walked out without saying any word. As she did, she closed the door behind her."Good afternoon, ma'am." The doctor finally said when she was done with whatever she was doing initially."Good afternoon, doctor.""You were here yesterday, and you said you would send someone to come do the necessary things and all of that." She stated."Yes, ma'am." I said. Then, I added. "The person would not be able to make it anymore due to some issues, so I had to come myself.""I see." She said, checking the opened file in front of her. "But madam," she called out to me again. This time, she had raised her head from what she was reading and had her attention on me."Yes, ma'am
I was about to walk into the special ward where fresh dead bodies were kept before being taken to the morgue to be cremated when I sighted a familiar face. It was Duncan. I wanted to avoid him and act like I didn't see him at first, but I decided to call him, so he could know I saw him."Duncan!" I called out to him. He turned to the direction the voice came from. From the look on his face, I could tell that he was surprised to see me. I wondered why he was surprised though, because he was the one who called me to come and do my things myself. So, what was he expecting? For me not to come?"Hi." He simply replied as I walked to meet him where he stood."I thought you would have left. You called me since, and from how you spoke, you let me know you were already leaving. So, what are you still doing in this premises?" I asked him.He looked reluctant to answer, but he eventually did. "Nothing. Just hanging around.""Oh," I said and there was silence between us. Then, I decided to bring
"Dad, I'm back!" She said.My eyes went wide open in shock as I stared at both of them and I noticed the resemblance. No, it must not be. The lady is my so-called sister?"Laura," he replied and drew her into a small hug. "What did the doctor say?""She just finished up the necessary things and let me know we could leave with her whenever we want to." She replied to him while I stared at both of them.I looked from her to the father and from the father back to her. I still could not believe I had almost a whole complete family and grandma told me they were all dead."There's someone I want to introduce you to, Laura." He said to her, Then, he looked from her to me, and I rolled my eyes."Oh, her? We already met." She said, flashing her white set of teeth to me. I stared at her without a word."You have?" He looked at me with a look of surprise evident on his face and in his voice."Yes. She's Mrs. Xavier Lowell, the lady that got married to the son of the billionaire Lowell in—"His f