CHERYL IN TROUBLE

I WILL NOT

CHAPTER TWO

I WILL NOT.

CHERYL'S POV

I felt more relieved today. It was our wedding day – mine and William’s – and I was determined to look my best. To give nothing off. No one would suspect a thing, what I was about to do. It would come as a complete shock to everyone and then I would have the last laugh.

Yesterday, after almost thirty minutes of crying, I had picked myself from the floor and stood the running shower. Allowing the cold water wash away all of the grimness I had witnessed then I had dressed in the dress Lou had picked for our girls night and headed out.

There had been no trace of what I had seen. No lingering emotion and we had partied as though everything was alright. No one knew, no one suspected a thing. They also did not notice when I slipped away for about ten minutes. Now whose heads were high up in the clouds.

I smile now, as I wale down the aisle towards an expectant William. The hall quietened considerably when I entered and I glimpse my parents on one side of the pew proudly smiling at me. Kayla is beside them, silently cheering me on or us she booing me?

If I had not seen what I saw yesterday, I could have been thankful that she was here. A pillar of support to hold up my beating heart. I caught a glimpse of William’s parent too but I did not focus on them. I turn my full game to William and the priest who is to bless our marriage and widen my smile.

They do not know what was coming. What is going to hit them soon and the force that will come with it.

Once I reach the end of the aisle, William holds out his hand – as a proper gentleman would – and I take it. He draws me up to him and I gasp as if taken by surprise by the action. When in reality, nothing surprised me anymore.

“You look truly breathtaking.” He whispers and I allow myself to blush. I was tempted to tell him that yet he had left this breathtaking beauty to sleep with her sister on the eve of the marriage but I hold myself back.

I count to ten instead, smiling as each minute brought my surprise closer. The video – our wedding video – the one which we had planned should be playing now but the audible gasp from our beloved audience and my sister’s pale face tells me that is not what is playing.

Everyone would be seeing now the atrocious affairs going on between my fiancé and my sister. She stands to her feet – red from embarrassment – and I almost wince. All eyes are on her, if I were her I would pull myself in a shell and hide where no one can see me.

They cast their judging glares from Kayla to William and his confused expression almost makes me laugh. I grin at him instead. I don’t have the strength now to appear like I know nothing of what is going on.

He steps down from the alter and goes to see what has everyone shocked and when he sees it, all color drains from his face. He looks to me as though to begin to beg me and then to my parents and then his. He does not look at her. I almost laugh out triumphantly but I do not care again.

Kayla holds her gown up and runs out of the church and soon the entire hall is in disarray. My parents stand up too and begin a slow march towards us. Their angry glare is focused on William and I almost feel sorry for him. Almost.

William’s parent do not move an inch from their seats. It is like their butts have been glued permanently to the church pew but their deathly glare does not leave their son’s face.

William though is focused on me. He has tried severally to come up with a ‘reasonable’ explanation and failed.

I sigh. “There’s no need to explain s**t to me, Will.” I say quietly. I’m shocked at how controlled I sound. So emotionless. William is also smacked by my reaction.

“But –” he begins and I cut him off again.

“The evidence is up there.” I say pointing to the wall display. “For everyone to see. It is not like someone has come in here and accused you, it is our there, Will. You sleeping with my sister.”

I sound bitter now, pained and my parents are yet to say anything. I was done. I pick up the gown and begin to make my way away from them when my mother’s hands stop me. I look up at her, confused and the tears I have been holding in suddenly rolls forth.

She sees the tears but she does not react. Her face is stone cold, just as it has been for as long as I can remember. I move back, if she had not stopped me, William would have anyway.

“Just –” William began to speak again, to reach out for me but my father cuts him short. I almost smile. Perhaps for once, my family would take my side. But I could not be more wrong.

My father looks at me and I’m not sure he sees me. Perhaps he sees a slight ruffle in his perfectly laid out plan but not me – not his daughter.

“You will continue with this marriage, Cheryl.” He says I feel like I’ve been punched in the guts.

“What?” I exclaim. I had not expected this. I had expected a lot of things but certainly not this. Not them wanting me to continue in this sham.

“Cheryl.” It is my mother speaking and her voice is even colder than my father’s. Sharper.

“You will do as your father has said. You will go back up there and read out your vows and get married to William Long.”

I shake my head. “Never.” I spat. What makes them think they have a right to dictate things to me now? I was their daughter for god’s sake and I have just been disrespected by a man and my sister. How is it that I am no better than a piece of rag which they can just kick about in their eyes?

“No.” I repeat. “I will not get married to this…” I look William up and down and his is red with shame. “…man.” I could still respect him enough, respect my parents enough not to call him names.

My mother frowned – the most movement she has made with her face since my walk down the aisle. I look around, people are looking at us, staring at us but no one has taken out a camera or a phone just yet. I am glad for that bit. My parents were really strict with their rules.

“He slept with Kayla.” I retort. Perhaps I needed to remind them of his crimes .

“It does not matter.” My mother chimes.