Sheena arrived at the church premises 25 minutes before the appointed time for the wedding.
Elena had called to tell her to come directly to the church as everything she would need for the wedding had been moved to the church. She had made the cab driver drive hastily towards St George's cathedral in no time. ‘Sheena! Where the hell have you been? And what the hell are you wearing?’ Her father questioned irritatedly as soon as she got out of the cab and paid the driver. She didn't have the time to freshen up before hurriedly leaving the guest house earlier. She knew she looked like a hooker after a night's job, with her disheveled hair, extra short gown, and broken heels in hand. ‘I’m so sorry Dad. I slept over at a friend's place where Elena dropped me off last night before we parted ways. I woke up late cos I wasn't feeling too well.’ Sheena offered the fabricated story Elena had told her over the phone when their father questioned her about both their whereabouts last night. Mr Woods looked at his daughter with irritation and worrisome surprise. This wasn't his beloved daughter Sheena. The one who was very particular with looking decent and smart at all times - one who never wore revealing clothes outdoors. If it had been his eldest daughter, Elena, clad in this attire, he wouldn't have been surprised because she was the black sheep of the family who always fancied anything that exposed her curvy parts. ‘Can I get someplace to quickly freshen up, Dad?’ Sheena's voice filtered in through his thoughts. He turned to look at the nun who had given them an upstairs room at the church where they had set up and kept everything the bride would need for the wedding. 'Is there a place she could freshen up, please?’ He asked, hopefully. 'Sure, there is. Come with me.’ The nun gestured at Sheena to follow her as she walked through the side of the cathedral towards a building that looked like a school dormitory. 'Do make sure to hurry up. The wedding starts in less than 20mins!’ Her father shouted after her as she walked behind the nun towards the dormitory-like building. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Sheena sat absentmindedly in front of the dressing table as the makeup artist applied the last of the blush to her smooth cheeks. She looked absolutely beautiful and gorgeous in her white glamorous wedding gown with her head tied in a perfect bun atop her head. She sat staring at her reflection, reflecting on the wild, life-altering event that was about to take place at the church hall downstairs, any moment from now. She knew the part she was to play was incredibly huge and pivotal, but she still wondered if she should be playing that part. She wondered if she was doing the right thing by agreeing to marry Mr. Dominic Rollins, especially after last night's romantic adventurous, and exhilarating experience with her “lucky handsome bloke”. She still remembered his name vividly; Jake Cross, her most gentle and charming lover. A million thoughts ran through her mind as she considered the options available to her at the moment. She wondered if she should try convincing her father against the entire thing one last time or just damn the consequences and refuse to go ahead with the nonsanctimonious wedding. The sound of the singing orchestra bore through her thoughts and brought her back to the present as someone opened the door to the dressing room. The intruder put his head through the door and muttered. 'Where is the bride, please? The wedding is about to start.’ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘You look absolutely beautiful, my love.’ Sheena's father whispered as they both walked, arm in arm, down the aisle towards the altar where her husband-to-be stood, dressed in an exquisite and expensive white tuxedo, waiting impatiently for his bride to be presented to him. Sheena didn't reply to her father's compliment as she wasn't particularly the vivacious bride who would have been elated to be walked by her father down the aisle, towards her young, handsome, and charming groom, standing confidently on the altar with a huge belated smile on his face. While it didn't make the situation any better, Sheena was glad that the wedding was a very small one with only the couple's family, relatives, and very few friends, present in the hall. Sheena's family and relatives were seated at the right-hand side of the church while the Rollins family and friends, sat on the pews by the left. From under the veil, Sheena noticed Mr “Too Much Facial Hair" - the handsome blond from last night - standing beside Elena on the same pew where her grandma and other family members sat. He was dressed in a black suit with Jean trousers and Sheena wondered why and what he was doing here and much less with Elena, her sister. She made a mental note to ask Elena later, but first, she had to get this whole charade of a wedding over and done with. As they got closer to the altar, Sheena could see the Rollins family members seated at the first pew on the left, all dressed in the same cream-colored gown, except for the only man in their midst who was dressed in the same white colored tuxedo as Mr. Dominic her groom. She wondered if he was the estranged bastard son whom everyone said was cold, eerie, and never liked associating with the family. ‘Hello, my love. I must say you look stunning. You're even more beautiful in person than in those pictures your father showed to me.’ Mr Dominic whispered in her ears as soon as he lifted the veil from her face after her father had offered her to him and went back to his seat with the family. Sheena looked irritably at the old man from the corners of her eyes. He had on well-trimmed grey hair and beard and looked like he was a very handsome man in his youth - one who chased after the young girls and broke so many innocent hearts along the way. No wonder people claimed he had so many mistresses and married two wives, she thought solemnly. The church priest soon started his short sermon on marriage and how it binds the two people involved forever. Sheena shivered involuntarily at the word “forever." She shuddered at the thought of being forever bound to this man but later relaxed when she remembered her father's promise that the marriage would only be for 2 years. 2 long years, she thought solemnly. The priest read the vows and requested they both answer affirmatively. Dominic Rollins gave a quick and emphatic “Yes!" to his, while Sheena took a long moment to think and weigh her options before reluctantly saying “Yes." 'If anyone knows why this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony or if anyone does not want these two to be joined together as husband and wife, let him speak up now or forever hold his peace.’ The priest stated, looking at the small congregation who remained silent to his utterance. He was about to carry on with the officiating and pronounce the couple husband and wife when just then, the huge cathedral doors were pushed open, letting in a handsome olive-skinned man who was dressed smartly in a navy blue Italian suit and black sleeve with no tie. The whole congregation turned back in surprise to look at the intruder. They thought he had come in to stop the wedding in reply to the priest’s earlier statement, like how it happens in the movies. Sheena and Dominic turned at the same time to look at the man who stood at the entrance of the church. Sheena's eyes grew big like saucers as recognition and realization hit her like a wave of salty sea water on the beach. This was Jake Cross, her “lucky handsome bloke” standing there at the door! She wondered how he found her and what he was doing here. Just as she was about to move towards him, she saw Mr Dominic Rollins smiling at her Jake Cross with what looked like pride in his eyes. Almost immediately, she heard him mutter in a joyous hushed tone. ‘He came. My son came.’Jake Cross stood rooted at the entrance of the hall, unsure as to why he had changed his mind at the last minute, and decided to come to the church to witness the old man get married again - for the third time.He had ended his meeting hours ago and if he had left early enough, as soon as he was done with the meeting, he’d have arrived at the church on time, way before the ceremony started, but then, he chose to remain at the office pretending to work while thoughts of his mysterious blue-eyed goddess plagued his mind.After a while, he'd decided to go home but found himself driving toward Southwark where St George's cathedral was located and where his father's third wedding ceremony was taking place and most likely reaching the end.He parked his car at the church's parking lot. He sat there holding the steering wheel and brooding, contemplating if he should go into the church or just reverse his car and head back home.After a while though, longer than five minutes he decided on the
Sheena paced the room haphazardly, unable to stop her heart from racing.She felt uncomfortable and unnerved by the intense look Jake had given her as he sauntered confidently to the table where she and Elena were seated.Sheena stopped to look at the wall clock. It's been five minutes since she got to her room, Elena should be here by now and she wondered what was keeping her sister.She had her back to the door with her muddled thoughts, when the door to the room opened, ushering in an intruder.‘Oh God, Elena! What took you so long?’ Sheena queried, with her back still facing the door.‘I need help getting out of this gown, please.’ She shifted her hair which she had let loose to the side to allow Elena to untie the strings and undo the zipper.As the figure got closer and slowly pulled down the zipper of the beautiful strapless gown, Sheena froze. The familiar green citrus and fine cedar wood scent she has come to know too well wafted into her nose. She knew right then it wasn't
Jake and Sheena froze in their act. They turned to the door left ajar but no one had come through.Sheena quickly drew up her dress left in a puddle around her feet, covering her nakedness. She secured the dress to prevent it from falling.Jake flexed his shoulders regaining his composure, moved away from Sheena and placed his hands into his pant pockets. The duo peeled their eyes towards the door awaiting the entrance of the intruder. Just then, a maid entered, struggling with a basket of clean laundry. The maid gasped upon seeing Jake and Sheena in the room. 'I'm sorry.’ She apologized shyly and turned to leave but was stopped dead in her tracks by Jake's commanding tone.'Come in.’ he ordered, gesturing with his hand for her to enter.The maid turned to him, still skeptical if she should enter the room. Jake noticed her hesitation and nodded his head towards the bed, encouraging her to carry on.The maid walked with trepidation into the room and went about her business briskly. S
Sheena didn't go back downstairs to join the reception party after her confrontation with Jake. She had been too distraught with what had happened.When Elena finally came upstairs to meet her, Sheena made Elena excuse her by saying she was indisposed. Elena had come back saying Mr Dominic didn't like the news but he allowed it because he had guests.Sheena remained in the room pitying herself till the end of the party. With Elena gone, she had a lot of time to sulk. Just when she thought the day couldn't get any worse, Mr Dominic appeared.'Why didn't you come back downstairs?' Mr Dominic asked Sheena, his eyes glaring daggers at her, his voice as cold as ice.Sheena was instantly filled with fear upon hearing Dominic's cold voice. She hadn't noticed when he entered the room as she was absorbed in the disturbing thoughts in her head. She remained seated on the mattress, knees drawn to herself as she brooded. She raised her head to him to respond to his question. His look sent fiery
Dinner had ended on a tense note with Sheena at the receiving end of most of it. She was grateful to return to the confines of her room. She had barely touched her food and she wasn't the only one guilty of this.Mirabel and Michelle had barely touched theirs too. They instead, fed off the intense hate glares they directed at Sheena.The day had been very eventful for Sheena. She never asked for any of this. She felt too young to carry all that life was throwing at her. At her age, she would be expected to live life, attending wide parties and having blissful sex. Although Sheena was not one to live life attending parties and sleeping with strangers she was certain this wasn't the way to live for anyone her age. Sheena's mind lingered on sleeping with strangers. She thought of Jake in that instance. How wonderful he had been to her. She had imagined her first time to be fairytale perfect and Jake made it all that.Like in the movies, meet a stranger and have wild passionate lovemaki
Jake stood by his room window overlooking the city, he stared at the view absentmindedly. The window provided its occupant a wide-range view of the city, the colorful lighting, and the people as they go about their businesses but without all the noise.He occupied the top floor of one of the most expensive condos in London. He could afford it. He was rich.He stood by the window wearing nothing but his skin. He had just finished romping with his girlfriend Annabelle. He was supposed to feel satiated, exhausted but satiated. But he didn't feel any of these right now.He was disturbed. His mind was elsewhere, wandering to a place where it shouldn't; Sheena. He just couldn't stop thinking about her.He recalled their last meeting. He could still taste her lips in his when he had kissed her. The feel of her silk molds against his hands. He felt himself growing hard again.He was still mad at her for keeping such an important detail of being engaged from him. He couldn't forget the fact th
A bright light suddenly shone from the open windows against Sheena's closed eyes, waking her up. She shifted from the very uncomfortable position she had taken on the floor.She grunted in pain. Her whole body ached. Sleep had eluded her the whole night. Only until the wee hours of the morning did she let herself slip into a conscious nap as it were.Sheena remained alert like a guard on watch the whole night. She couldn't believe Mr Dominic would let her off the hook just like that. She anticipated his return at any moment, changing his mind and going back on his word.She stretched herself, her bones popping with each movement. She yawned tiredly as she tried to locate the source of the sudden brightness in the room.Her eyes still hazy from sleep, caught the outline of a figure standing by the window. Sheena's adrenaline kicked in and she scampered to her feet immediately, ignoring the pain she felt in her joints.'Good morning ma'am!' Sheena's vision cleared to reveal the tall sl
'You shouldn't take their words to heart.' A small sweet voice spoke, making Sheena turn to see her companion.Sheena turned to see Mary, the youngest of Mr Dominic's daughters smiling down at her.After what had happened in the kitchen, Sheena had taken solace in the garden, sulking, crying her eyes out, and drowning in self-pity. She regretted ever being born.She swiped at her eyes and bowed her head to hide her teary face from Mary. She wasn't even sure how Mary knew what had happened. And like Mary could read thoughts, she answered her unspoken question.'Maria told me what happened.' Mary said to Glenda as she stooped close to Sheena, sitting beside her.Sheena sniffed. 'It's fine.' She responded in a frail voice as more tears dropped from her eyes.'No, it's not. Mirabel and Michelle can be very vicious. They are very greedy and think you're here to claim your father's wealth. Dad is not getting any younger.' Mary explained, trying to calm Sheena and excuse her sisters.'I have