Thirteen

KELILAH'S POV

Here I was, standing before a towering shopping mall, all because of Faith.

“So, what are you planning to get?” she asked, eyes twinkling with mischief.

“I don’t know. Just something… practical?” I replied, shrugging.

“Oh, don’t be a bore, Kelilah. How about we buy something sexy?”

I shot her a wary glance. “Faith, this isn’t a club night. Besides, you know Loveth wouldn’t wear anything revealing.”

Her idea of “sexy” usually meant tiny, barely-there clothes. “Alright, alright,” she said, grinning. 

“How about something classy yet… alluring?”

I snapped my eyes at her for the second time, and she sent a gigglish laughter my way 

“Come on. Just this one's, okay?”, she pleaded.

I want to insist on my stand, but faith was just the kind of person I couldn't bring myself to say no to.

"Whatever" I grumbled, letting out a defeated sigh. 

Before I knew it, she had pulled me toward the clothing section, shoving a dress into my hands. 

"Try this" She said as she thrust the clothes into my hand. 

I went into the dressing room and wore the clothes she had given to me. It was a black backless dress, a daring choice that barely skimmed my thighs.. It hugged me in all the right places, and, truth be told, it looked incredible. But public appearances? Absolutely not. I stepped out, hoping for her quick approval so I could take it off.

“Damn, girl! You look like fire!” Faith declared loudly.

“It’s too short. I’d never wear this in public,” I countered, fidgeting as I turned around for her.

She rolled her eyes.

"First turn around and let me see you".

I turned round while she made cheering noises.

"I love it. It suits you perfectly"

"Didn't you hear what I said? It's too short. You know, if I am to bend over, all my goods will be on display". I said and she let out a laughter.

"Then try not to bend over".

"Say what ever you want Faith, but I can't wear this".

She let out a defeated sigh.

“Fine, fine, I’ll find you something a bit more modest,” she said, defeated.

 Soon, I was in a slightly longer, sleeveless dress with an open back. This one, I could live with.

“This one works,” I shouted out from the dressing room.

"As if I was going to give you an option?" she shouted back at me and I chuckled.

I took off the dress and changed into my old ones, before walking out of the dressing room.

"Let's go lingerie shopping"

"What for?", I asked 

"I need new ones", she said.

"Okay fine. But, let me pick out a dress for Elena first" I said.

I picked out something simple that I knew she would like. Why Faith convinced me to get lingeries, which made me end up with more shopping bags than I planned for.

 I picked out at least five lingeries and I even tried one out. I loved the way it felt on me and how sexy I felt in it, but there was really no reason to wear it. Jackson had once mentioned that he didn't like it, and since I was getting married to him, I had no reason to buy something he wouldn't like.

And there again. I thought of Jackson as mine. I think it isn't going to be easy to get him off my mind that easily, as he happens to appear in my thoughts all day.

“Can we stop by the perfume section? Mine’s almost out,” I said.

Faith huffed. “Fine, but my feet are killing me. I’ll grab a coffee and wait for you.”

"Okay. Get some for me as well. I will be joining you in a moment".

We parted ways and I went to get my perfumes. I decided to get more because I probably won't have time to get one for a couple of months.

After paying, I was just going out of the store, when I bumped into someone, his chest was hard, and he scent seemed so familiar. It was like that of… Jackson!!!.

Quickly, my gaze snapped up to the man in front of me, I wanted to lash out at him and ask him why he just wouldn't let me leave my life in peace. But just before I could make a scandal. It fall back on me that the man In front of me wasn't in anyway Jackson.

“Sor.. sorry”, i apologized in a stuttering voice.

Thank goodness I had a bit of control on myself for a short period of time, otherwise, who knows what mess I would have made.

“I should be the one saying sorry. I mean, I wasn't looking at where I was going*, he apologized to me.

“It's fine”, I said with a forced smile plastered on my face, as we both went out separate ways.

It was as if, I have just emerged from a tub of cold water. The incident that had just happened a few seconds back kept replaying in my head. The thought of Jackson was beginning to drive me insane. And to make matters worse, his constant messages was still ongoing, and that wasn't just helping matters.

“Kelilah!!!”, I had a voice scream out my name.

“What are you thinking about, bitch?. You almost poured away my cup of coffee.”, she asked as she narrowed her gaze at me.

“I'm so sorry Faith. It just that jack..”, I halt at a spot. 

What's was I even trying to do?.

“It's nothing”, I ended my explanation.

“Ohh, I see where this is coming from. Don't tell me that you are missing Jackson already. Well not to worry it's just a matter of time until you both beloyto each other, okay. So cheer up”, 

Faith was talking alant nonsense, but I couldn't blame her though. She knows absolutely nothing about my current state with Jackson.

Silently, I grabbed my coffee and we left the mall. I decided to dress up at Faith’s place, as it was more closer to the new diner.

We left the mall and headed to her place to change before the dinner. By the time we reached the newly opened diner, Diamond Palace, the lights sparkled from afar, casting a warm glow over everything.

Helen and Juliet arrived first, while Loveth followed. She also came with Tyra.

We all got ready together, and when we were finally done, we went to the diner together. 

"Welcome beautiful ladies. I'm Crystal." A beautiful lady at the entrance greeted, as she smiled at us.

"Thank you. You have a lovely place" Helen complimented and we smiled at her.

"Please go in". She said, adjusting to the corner, for us to make our way in.

We found a table for six and a waiter came over to us. He was a cute guy with a wavy cut, who smiled shyly, as Faith kept teasing him 

"What will you ladies like to order?".

"Make a choice for us. I trust it'll be as tasty as you", Faith licked her lips and the poor boy blushed even harder.

"Can we all agree never to go to Kat's restaurant again" fayith said when our food was delivered to us.

"I agree. The food came so fast. And it tastes fucking good", Helen said 

"Well I have to go there. It's my sister in-laws place", Loveth replied, making me want to choke at my drink.

"There's no rule that says you have to go there", Faith retorted.

"It's a silent rule and I'll go, because she'll become family once Kelilah marries Jackson". Loveth said as she sent a smile my way 

 I faked a smile at her, and shifted my gaze back to my food. 

We ate our food and ordered an extra dessert. This was honestly the best place for a hangout. Much better than that of Kat's. But I couldn't just accept to faith request, as it would bring up suspicious and confused glare amongst them.

"I have to use the restroom" Loveth said after a while as she left us at the table as I watched her disappear.

She was gone for a while now and I didn't really burder about her, until I spotted a man on a black suit hovering at the entrance and stylishly observing the room. My chest tightened and panic prickled my skin. I was so scared that it might be one of the men who had been following me all this while. 

Where they looking for me?.

They might have thought of Loveth to be me, since we were both identical. Just I considered heading toward the restroom, the door opened and Loveth came through, causing me to relax back into my seat as relief watched over me.

I looked out for the man on suit once more, but then I discovered that he was gone, the entrance was now empty as if no one was there to begin with.

We spent few hours of the night having fun and laughing at silly jokes, while the night carried on with easy, and after the di

Finally, the rest of the night passed smoothly, and afterward, we all went our separate ways. While and I walked back, and she eventually broke the silence.

On getting home, I decided to spend few hours of my time in Loveth's room. The atmosphere was still fun, and happy, until she changed everything.

“Nathan came by the office today,” she began quietly.

My stomach twisted. Had he told her about our earlier conversation?

“He talked to me about the marriage. Tried to convince me to accept it.”

“Loveth…” I tried to say, guilt pressing on my chest, but she continued.

“He mentioned you visited him, too. I just wanted to say thank you for trying.”

I swallowed hard. “I… I failed you.”

“You tried,” she said softly, resignation in her tone. “Maybe I just have to accept it.”

I met her gaze, refusing to give up. “No. There’s still time. We can find a way.”

She shook her head, sadness in her eyes. “Like what?”

I had no answer, and the ache in my chest deepened.

What could we possibly do?.

Not knowing what my response would be, I dashed out of her room and went to my room, deciding to take a shower and think properly. 

Even after the shower, no idea could be made. But while dressing up for bed, I finally thought of a plan that I felt like would be of great help. So I went back to Loveth’s room.

She was laying on her bed when I walked in, so I slipped into her room, crawling under the covers beside her as we lay in a comforting silence. She finally spoke, her voice small and trembling. 

“I’m scared, Spare”

Helplessness washed over me, and I hated it. I wanted to do something, anything, to protect her, so i brought up my perfect idea.

“What if we ran away?” I whispered, a mad idea forming.

Hwr gaze snapped at me 

“What!!, we??. What about you wedding? What about Jackson?”,

That name again!!. I so much hated the mention of that name. The sound of his name ignited a storm within me, but I held it back, so helpless that I couldn't show it to anyone.

“He’ll understand”,

"So, you're willing to leave everything and run away with me, Spare?"

"You underestimate how much I love you and what I'll do for you, Loveth"

She looked at me with tear-filled eyes, her hands squeezing mine.

"What of our family? What happens to them when we run away"

"Nothing will happen. The king would only get angry for a short while, and after that he would take his fucking ass back to his kingdom and find his stupid bride there".

Loveth chuckled, but I could sense her worry hadn’t disappeared. 

“Running away isn’t the answer.”

I sighed, pulling her closer as we both stared into the darkness, clinging to the faint hope that maybe tomorrow would bring a miracle. Or that we’d wake and realize it was all just a bad dream.