Chapter 4 The Uninvited Guest
1124 Words
Nina had just bought breakfast near the hotel and was walking into the lobby when she heard someone call her name.
"Nina!"
She turned to see Ben. He was dressed casually and stood up from a seat, walking towards her as if he had been waiting.
"Ben? What are you doing here?" Nina asked, confused.
"I came to pick you up. The whole family is moving to the wedding hotel today. We've booked a room for you there as well," Ben answered casually, his hands in his pockets.
"I can come by myself later. I haven't finished packing yet," Nina said.
"Let's pack now. What floor is your room on?" Ben asked, his tone leaving little room for refusal. He held open the elevator door.
"I can manage on my own," Nina repeated anxiously, seeing he intended to accompany her.
Ben remained unmoved, waiting for her to open the door to her room.
Without ceremony, he followed her inside, his eyes scanning the room briefly.
Nina hurriedly stuffed her scattered belongings into her suitcase, not wanting to keep him waiting.
"Let's go. I'm ready," she said, wheeling her suitcase out.
Ben immediately took the suitcase from her and led the way to the elevator.
In the lobby, he told Nina to return her key card and wait at the entrance while he fetched his car.
"Thank you. The front desk said my room was already paid for," Nina said awkwardly as she fastened her seatbelt.
Ben simply nodded and started the car.
"I apologize for our rather abrupt first meeting," Ben said after a moment of silence.
"It's alright."
"How have you been all this time? Is everything okay?"
Nina just nodded slowly. After that, the atmosphere fell silent again.
"Nina."
"Yes?"
"Would you mind if Delia accompanied me in the wedding procession tomorrow?"
"It's fine. Please go ahead."
"Really?"
"Really, it's fine! No one knows about us anyway. My friends will just think I'm there as Prita and Joe's friend."
"Thank you for understanding. I hope you don't feel slighted."
"If I felt slighted, that would be ungrateful. Your family has been good to me, protecting me all this time. I haven't even thanked you for the monthly support. Thanks to that, I was able to finish my studies and live decently."
Hearing Nina's words, Ben fell into thought. He had never given her an allowance. It had always been his mother, Rose, who sent the money. Providing for Nina was his responsibility, even if his mother didn't need the money back.
"Are you working now?" Ben asked, wanting to understand her life.
"Yes. I work at a small firm in Riverside. It was my first job after graduation."
"What do you do there?"
"I handle marketing and sales, and I also work as the owner's assistant."
"Do you like it there?"
"I do. The owner is very kind and has taught me a lot. The hours are flexible. It's been three years now."
Nina was a little surprised at her own openness. She rarely told others about her private life. She noticed a faint smile at the corner of Ben's mouth.
'So he isn't as intimidating as he looks,' she thought.
"What are your plans after we separate?" Ben's question startled her.
A flicker of loss passed through her heart at his eagerness.
"Well... after the divorce, I'll have to move out of Henry's house. I might rent a room near my office to save on commuting."
"I can give you an apartment and a car so you don't have to struggle."
"Oh, no, please don't! I can't drive. Public transport is fine. A room is much cheaper. You've already given me more than enough," Nina refused gently. Ben remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.
"Nina, if Grandfather asks about our separation, can you help explain it to him? To him, our marriage is very real."
"Of course. I will definitely help explain."
"Thank you. If you need anything, just tell me. I will certainly help."
Ben seemed pleased that Nina was being reasonable. The girl appeared prepared to accept his situation with his girlfriend.
Upon arriving at the hotel, Nina received her room key and parted ways with Ben. She was also given a detailed schedule of events from the pre-wedding activities through the reception.
She had deliberately skipped the ceremony rehearsal, knowing her place had been taken by Delia.
The wedding day arrived. The ceremony was solemn and touching. Nina could barely hold back her tears.
Watching the man she had once loved marry her best friend stirred complex emotions, made more sensitive by the thought of her impending divorce.
Even though her marriage wasn't conventional, it didn't stop Nina from feeling a deep ache. Her heart felt broken, lonely, and empty. She yearned to be loved the way Joe loved Prita, or Ben loved Delia.
Nina could only swallow hard, gently pressing a hand to her chest, praying she would get the chance to love and be loved by a true partner.
As the wedding reception was about to begin, Nina busied herself greeting old school and university friends. She didn't want to be in the family section, lest Rose ask why she wasn't in the procession.
"Nina! You look very official in the family's coordinated attire! Playing the matchmaker, huh? That dress looks beautiful on you. Stunning," Robert Foster, a friend of Joe's, complimented her.
The girl just gave him a playful look.
"Save the compliments!" Nina replied cheerfully.
"Ms. Amari..." someone from the wedding coordinator's team interrupted.
"Yes?"
"Please wait in the family lounge. The reception is about to start."
"Oh, I'm not in the procession. Ms. Surowe is taking my place."
"That's correct, but Ms. Surowe isn't wearing the coordinated attire, and her dress is a different style. It would be better for you to take the position."
"But..."
"Please. The guests have all arrived, and we must begin," the coordinator urged.
Embarrassed, Nina quickly said goodbye to Robert and followed.
"Where have you been? We've been waiting," Rose chided lightly, sounding impatient.
Nina lowered her head in apology, glancing towards the corner where Ben was comforting a disappointed Delia.
Nina really wanted to suggest Delia wear her dress, but there was no time left.
A moment later, Ben was standing next to her, positioned behind the parents of the newlyweds. When Ben offered his arm, Nina looked very awkward, stealing glances towards Delia.
"It's fine. Delia understands," Ben said quietly, sensing her hesitation.
"I'm sorry. If I had known, I would have given this outfit to Delia," Nina whispered, feeling guilty.
"It's alright," Ben replied flatly.
Slowly, Nina took her husband's arm for the first time since their marriage and began walking in the procession.
- Writer
