Four

CHAPTER 4

Isabella pulled herself out of the hotel room. Her wedding was today and she was just in the arms of another man. She tried not to blame herself because she was drugged but just could not blame herself.

She realised her phone was not anywhere around her meaning that she could contact William or anybody about her whereabouts. She couldn’t even go back to the hotel room to ask the man for help. She sat on the curb outside the hotel wondering how she would make it to her wedding when she was halfway across the city.

She tried to connect the dots and understand what happened the night before. William texted her to meet her somewhere but didn’t show up, then she was drugged and slept with a strange man.

She remembered a little bit of the night and shivered. She couldn’t believe that she behaved like such a slut. Isabella screamed while tugging her hair. Some people passing looked at her like she was mad.

In the middle of a city with no money or phone she decided to walk to her wedding venue. Hopeful they put out a missing search for her. The ache between her legs were a constant reminder of what happened no matter how hard she tried to forget. Every step reminded her of last night. Isabella couldn’t believe she cheated on William. She just couldn’t help it and blame herself even though she was drugged. She blamed herself because she enjoyed herself the night before.

Brushing away the tears from her eyes she walked up to someone for help.

“Please can I use your cell phone to call my fiancé?” she asked the startled woman. Isabella knew she probably didn’t look her best but she didn’t care.

The woman gave her the phone with a smile of pity. She muttered a thank you and typed in Williams digits. The phone rang but he didn’t pick.

Isabella blamed on the number being a foreign one. William didn’t pick up unknown callers.

“Thank you.” Isabella said sadly handing her the phone. She begun to walk away but stopped when the woman grabbed her arm.

“Dear you look lost. Do you need some help.” The woman asked her eyes filled with concern. Tears filled Isabella’s eyes once again she nodded.

“I need a cab home but I have no money.”

“Oh poor you.” The woman rummaged through her bag and pulled out a couple of bills. Not only that she also flagged down a taxi for her.

“Where are you going dear?” she asked her. Isabella barely mumbled it out. The woman relayed the instructions to the driver and handed him some cash.

“I don’t know what I could have done without. Thank you so much.” Isabella said holding back her tears.

“No worries my dear.” She waved her good bye. Isabella stared at her as the cab started moving and stared until she lost sight of her. After that tears spilled from her eyes with no control. Like a faulty tap. Wreaked sobs escaped from her lips. The said nothing and just handed her some tissues.

She cried until they reached her destination.

Isabella had always wanted a small wedding. So she organized for a garden wedding with only a hundred guests. Just close friends and family. The shock on her face when she arrived and the venue was already filled with over five hundred people was completely real. There were so many people that she couldn’t identify it seemed the ceremony had already started without her. She wondered how that was possible.

Isabella moved through the crowd in search of William but he wasn’t anywhere to be found. She wondered if the date of the wedding was correct. Some people stared at her in distain but she didn’t care. She knew she looked completely haggard with her rumpled clothes and puffy face it was irrelevant to her at the moment. All she wanted to do was find William and explain what happened to him to him then everything would be alright.

The music that welcomes the bride started to play. The crowd hushed and settled to their seats only Isabella remained standing. Finally, she could see William at the altar front. Like an insane person she wanted to rush to meet him but a hand clawed into her upper arm holding her back. Tears stung her eyes due to the pain, she whipped her head back to see who the person was. To her surprise it was her step mother.

The bride started to come down the aisle. Isabella’s body froze. It was her step sister Sandra.

Fury filled her. She was wearing her wedding dress, her veil and holding the bouquet William and she carefully picked out together. Isabella couldn’t believe this was happening or how this was possible.

Sandra finally made it up to the podium smiling shyly at William. Isabella’s heart broke when he smiled back.

“You see... they are meant to be together, not you. You don’t deserve anyone.” Her step mother wickedly whispered into her ear. Her nails had already broken her skin. They were all the way at the back so as not to draw any attention. To outsider eyes it looked like her step mother was trying to politely escort an intruder from the premises.

“If you are against this union, speak now or forever hold your peace.” The priest said.

Isabella saw her chance. This marriage will not take place on her watch.