His little secret, my sweet sin

CHAPTER7

~Maryjane’s POV~

Three days.

Three days since I ate anything or had a bath. I could hear the bustling outside. A Lopez wedding was no regular event, everyone that mattered was going to be there.

Everyone that was at our wedding and at the christening of our Sky. They will all be there to see how lopsided my life has become. I was going to sit right here in this filthy room and not watch the love of my life get married to my best friend.

I cleaned out some more gunk out of my nose and added the toilet paper to the growing stack by the dresser in the room.

There was a soft knock at the door, it startled me. I was dozing off again for the gazillionth time.

“Mi querida (my dear)?” Rosita called softly from behind the door. “Are you awake?” I scrambled to my feet wiping my eyes and smoothing out my hair, I cupped my hand over my mouth and nose, exhaling into my palms checking for the tang of my morning breath.

“Uhf my God that stinks!” I muttered to myself, deciding not to speak for as long as I could afford.

“Come in Abuela” I croaked, my voice hoarse from disuse. The door creaked open and Rosita entered, concern plastered all over her wrinkled face. In her hand, she held a bag which she placed on the dresser before coming over to me.

“Mi ninã (my daughter), are you okay? I brought you a dress,” She said softly, stroking my hair. “For the wedding”.

My heart plummeted, I had hoped to not attend the event and mope around. At least that was better than being made a spectacle.

“I….I don't think I can go, Abuela, por favor,” I stammered, tears welling up in my eyes. “I can't face them, I can't face everyone”.

She stroked my shoulder softly. Rosita, my Abuela was like the mother I never had, so soft and so nurturing.

“Ay, Nina, nonsense, child. You are strong and you will hold your head high”. She shook me a little as if to shake off my inferiority complex.

She made for the bag on the dresser and pulled out a stunning Olive Green dress, its silk fabric shimmering under the room’s dim light. She let it cascade so I could see its full length and a note dropped to the floor.

I rushed to pick it up. Maybe it was Christopher, maybe he'd finally come to his senses and now he's apologizing, maybe it's our event now after all, maybe this would be the dress in which he renews his vows to me. I smiled as I unfolded the paper.

“Do not disgrace me tonight, show up and be prompt ~Chris.” my expression dimmed just as fast as it lit up. “I can't wear that Abuela”. I whispered, my voice breaking. “It's too much”.

“Nonsense Nina, it's perfect, preciosa,” Rosita insisted, her eyes glimmering. “You will be the most beautiful woman there”. I smiled, Abuela always knew what to say.

“I don’t think I can do this, I can't”. I shook my head, a tear dropping from my left eye. “Sometimes we have to face our pain, and our fears and show the world that we are not broken.” she pulled me into a warm embrace, the scent of cinnamon filling my nostrils as I broke down in tears.

“What is the meaning of this?” Julia thundered right after the door burst open, she was all glammed up standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips, “Why are you not dressed?”

I pulled away from Rosita, my body trembling. “I….I don't feel well,” I stuttered.

“Look, if this is your grand plan to boycott this wedding, think again. You will not shame this family with your absence”. Julia snapped.

“And you!” she turned to Rosita, “Get out!”

Rosita bowed her head, and quietly left the room, closing the door behind her.

She turned back to me, a fiery furnace in her eyes….

“Now get dressed”.

*****

The guests started pooling in, friends, family, and foes from all walks of life walking majestically into the heavily decorated multi-purpose Hall.

I saw a few familiar faces, whispers, and laughter. The merriment was in full swing. The more the night progressed the more I realized that this beautiful dress was just a ploy to disgrace me even further.

I was basically reduced to a bottle girl. The bottle girl in a princess dress. I let Abuela’s words replay in my head “Sometimes we have to face our fears, and our pain and show the world that we are not broken”.

I’m going to chin up and be strong for my Chris. I approached a table, a tray of champagne flutes in hand. “Drinks, ladies?” I managed to say.

“MJ? Is that really you?” Diane asked while the others gasped.

“Yes, it’s me”. I responded, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace.

“You look….different”. Tiffany muttered, “We all haven’t seen you since you dropped out of fashion school”. I could hear the mockery in her tone loud and clear.

“Different?” I asked, my voice flat.

“Yes, different”. She purred, her eyes scanning my dress, “Like a maid”. Still staring me down head to heel, the other ladies burst out laughing.

“Tiffany please”. Diane sarcastically added, choking on her suppressed laughter.

“Oh come on Diane,” Tiffany retorted, her eyes still fixated on me. “It's just a little joke. I'm sure MJ knows I'm just teasing”.

I felt a blush creep up my neck, my cheeks burned crimson with shame. I forced another smile, my lips trembling. “Have a nice evening ladies, and congrats on your marriage Tiffany”.

I turned and walked away, the laughter following me like a swarm of bees. I scanned the room and saw Christopher, his back to me, conversing with some of his business partners. I waited till they dispersed and then approached him, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Chris, can we talk?” I asked.

He turned, his eyes cold and distant. “There is nothing to talk about”.

“Please,” I begged, my eyes welling up. “Why are you doing this? Why are you marrying her?”

He sighed, looking exhausted. “This is what's best and you need to accept it”.

“Best for who?” I cried, my voice rising. “Best for you? Best for her? What about me? Take me back!” I held his hand but before he could respond, Calista’s loud voice cut through the air.

“Well, well, if it isn't the scorned bride”. Her voice was so loud everyone turned to look at us.

“Calista please I wasn't doing anything” I begged while she just giggled dryly.

“Look everyone, the barren wife is begging Christopher to take her back!” The room fell silent and all eyes were on us.

“Calista please”. I whispered, my voice trembling.

“Leave my husband alone and go back to your station. Stop embarrassing yourself”. She sneered amidst gasps and laughter.

“Oh my god, I can't watch”.

“She’s such an i***t”.

“How much more embarrassing can she be”.

“I heard she's a witch”.

“Does she really not have a womb?”

Whispers and more whispers from the guests. I leaned against the wall, my head spinning, my body trembling.

“Hey hey, are you alright?” Beatrice rushed towards me. “You should sit”.

I nodded, stumbling towards a chair but my legs gave way. The room tilted around me, and a cold sweat broke on my skin. I closed my eyes, tried to focus on my breathing, and then everything went…

Black.