Intertwined with my twin’s lover

Chapter 2

I hadn't envisioned walking down the aisles in the presence of over a thousand people, holding onto an artificial flower that Helen and I had so carefully selected yesterday, and getting ready to say the vows with a man that I used to see as my brother-in-law.

But I had to put up an act that would make him and the other hundreds of people believe I was Helen. I had to walk the aisles graciously like the bride I wasn't, and I had to smile as Helen does. Maybe even kiss him as she would.

Thinking of that alone made me want to throw up, but I kept my mind neutral and promised myself it wasn't going to be so bad.

I kept my feet trudging ahead until I was standing at the door that led to the one thousand-seater hall.

From where I stood at the entrance of the hall, I could see Pedro standing like he had lived his whole life practicing for this moment. Dressed in dark blue pants and a suit. He looked charming, a truth I couldn't deny. But he wasn't mine, he was for Helen. No matter what happens up there today, my mind was already positioned to see him as a brother-in-law and it would always stay that way.

I could see necks turn in my direction, and I could hear the murmurs that followed what I initially thought was admiration.

A few people cheered, others chose to stare calmly. My heart sunk deep into my stomach and I trembled slightly at the many eyes that gazed in admiration.

Helen had a unique way of walking in heels, even models couldn't equal that.

I in contrast was so timid, I couldn't even walk properly on heels. Maybe I'd manage to make a few steps without twisting my ankle. But with this many people waiting to see me walk into the hall, I was certain that I'd pass out halfway to the stage.

A piece of soft music resumed playing in the background and I knew it was time for my majestic entry. I could see the eager look in the eyes of the many people whose gaze was on me. Lucky for me, the veil didn't let them see the nervous look I wore. All they saw was an elegant Helen putting on a ball-like wedding outfit.

Slowly, I took the first step. Calculating where next to place my foot so I don't trip on the heels. At this point, my heartbeat was already hyper. The lone procession made me sweat hard despite the air conditioners that were on.

After my first few steps, I increased my speed slightly.

Noticing that there was still a long distance to cover and the rate at which I walked wasn't going to get me there without boring the audience, I added a little bit more speed to it.

Now, all I had to do was keep my feet moving until I was standing in front of Pedro.

I saw my mother sitting at the edge of the pew nearest to the altar. Waiting for me to hasten up my steps.

Although I wasn't certain if that was what she said, I heard Helen's best friend comment on my speed and mediocre way of walking down the aisles on my wedding day, after slaying for other less relevant events. "Come on Helen! You can do better than this. It's your big day." She repeated herself more audibly.

I was boiling in rage and hate but I kept it to myself.

Jenna didn't know that Helen was missing, so she thought that Helen was the one behind the transparent veil and heavy makeup.

I ignored all side talks and focused on the only thing that mattered to me.

Covering up everything that was going on, and going back home because my sister would be back soon.

I didn't dare think of what would happen if she didn't come back. I just had to stay positive enough to put up a good act and save my family name and the Gordon's too.

After twenty minutes of cheering from the audience, and a successful lame walk down to the altar, I was standing in front of the groom.

The priest paddled closer to us, looking at me as if to confirm Helen was the one behind the stuffy veil.

"Your dad was supposed to walk you down." He whispered loud enough for just my ear and Pedro's.

I nodded, hoping that they'd be a change in the topic.

"I learned he is somewhere in the audience."

"Yes! Just not fatherly enough to walk me down the aisles. You and I know he never really cared while we were growing up. Being here today doesn't make him my father. Besides, I didn't complain and neither did the groom."

I retorted sharply. Unwilling to say anymore or volunteer any other information. I was hoping I didn't sound too rude, but comforted myself with the fact that Helen was very rude, and would go to any extent just to keep her secrets the way they should be.

My father had raped Helen when she was five after he got drunk. My mum got a divorce, but Helen never healed. I bet Pedro doesn't know the full story. No one but my mum, Helen and I does.

"That's okay." The pot-bellied priest turned to face the crowd, shifting his gaze away from us. "Aren't they cute together?" He asked the creepy unorthodox question.

"They are!" The crowd cheered.

"Does anyone here have any reason why these two shouldn't be a couple?" Murmuring came from the crowd. A few people adjusted their position on their seats but didn't move towards the front.

I scanned through the audience knowing no one would come forward but trying to see the faces of everyone who said something in whispers. Except someone figures out what is going on, Helen wasn't ill-mannered enough to get her wedding interrupted.

"None!" He said to the relief of Pedro. Are you ready to say your vows?" He directed this second question to us but still faced the crowd.

"Yh!" We said almost unanimously. Both our voices sounded dry and uneager. I had to steal a glance at Pedro, wondering why his voice came as coldly as mine.

Pedro had been trying to maintain eye contact with me, flashing me multiple winks and creepy grins.

But I didn't find that romantic. It only reminded me of how he had come to see me but met Helen. And somehow got involved with her intimately, mistaking her for me. I chose not to straighten things out with them and moved out of the apartment we used to share a week later.

He didn't see much of me and never learned what happened.

I reciprocated with a shy smile, nervous and intolerant.

"Do you, Pedro Gordon take Helen to wander to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do." He nodded in excitement, lustfully leaking his lips, and causing an uncomfortable uproar in the audience.

"In sorrow and joy, pain and happiness, cold and heat, lack and..."

Pedro interrupted the bald man in a white satin gown-like attire. "I said I do." He almost thundered his response. "Get this over with, I have a bride to kiss." He said with a whisper, I hoped that the priest didn't hear him.

Even if the elderly man did, he didn't react to it. He simply spoke on. And then Pedro proceeded to slip the gold ring with diamonds on top into my finger.

"Helen." He started again, waiting for the cheering and jittering from the crowd to die down. "Do you take Pedro here, to be your lawfully wedded husband?" I looked at him uncomfortably. Swallowing hard to ease the pressure in my throat. My eyes shone through the hall at the many people that gazed at me and waited for my response. I prayed that Helen would walk in through that door, cast a spell on everyone present, and finish up with the wedding. Two minutes passed. Everywhere was still dead silent.

I realized Helen wasn't coming. I had no choice but to go on with what I started.

Waking up from my fantasy, my eyes rested on my mother, and she exchanged a threatening glance with a frightened look on my face.

"I do," I said, almost in a whisper.

"In lack and wealth, in sickness and in..." The priest would have rattled on, but I didn't have the patience.

"I do," I repeated slightly louder now. Slipping the expensive ring into Ped's finger as well.

"Take off the veil." The priest said with an instructive tone. The arrogant groom didn't mind that, he had waited so long for this moment to mind the tone. He strode two feet closer, so I could feel him breathe on my skin.

With each step he took, I could feel my heart beat even faster.

He lifted the veil from my face and stared calmly. His excitement froze, and the smile vanished. it seemed like he was trying to figure out what it was that was different about the face.

"Too much makeup." He finally said to my hearing alone. I smiled with relief. "We talked about this, Helen. I don't have a problem with too much makeup, but how am I supposed to kiss you so passionately with all of that on your face?"

I looked away. Not willing to engage in a conversation with him, let alone an argument.

"The groom may now kiss the bride." The priest announced, breaking the heat and tension that was slowly building up.

After which he had shifted away from us, so the cameraman could capture the moment.

Pedro who seemed so eager to dig his lips into mine, although oblivious of the fact that I was his bride's twin sister titled his head to the left and leaned forward. Parting his soft and warm red lips, he dug in allowing my tongue to slip inside.

The crowd went wild with cheering and excitement, this was the moment they all wanted to see. The kiss was short but energetic. Pedro had passionately consumed the lipstick he nagged about, and I felt bad for him.

I wasn't a huge fan of make-up either, but I had to do Helen here. And not Jasmine. It was Helen's wedding after all, and not Jasmine's.

Slowly, we recoiled from the kiss. My heartbeat was still very rapid. My imagination was still going wild. First, a kiss, My first kiss! what would be next?

Two years ago, this kiss would have made my entire lifetime. Pedro and I had met at the beach, and I gave him my contact number and address. He paid me a surprise visit but met Helen at home.

I don't know what happened, but he began to see Helen. I let them be, not wanting to be the one that'd cut my sister's happiness short.

Pedro and I met only twice after that incident. I was always at school, so he had no idea that he was with the wrong woman.

"Wait!" We heard a monotone voice yell from the entrance.