ChapterTen
1346 Words
JENNA’S POV
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The entire hall had been thrown in sheer uproar after the shocking revelation of Natalie’s pregnancy, everyone mumbled words to each other. They were all shocked.
My stoned wedding dress soon felt like a thorn on my flesh, it pricked my skin and only added more salt to the injury that was still hurting.
I glanced at everyone’s faces and it felt like everyone was looking at me with judging eyes. I even heard some ladies whisper, “Did she really lie about being his fiance?”, and all I heard after that was the stinging sound of stifled laughter.
Richard, in turn, stood not uttering any words, I couldn’t imagine what could be going on in his mind. I just hoped that he was not doubting the carefully thought out lie we had cooked for him.
I didn’t expect this to be the turnout of events, especially not on my big day- my wedding ceremony, I felt everyone’s eyes piercing into my skin. Anger fueled within me and I knew that I wanted nothing more than to eliminate Natalie. She had become a problem too big to ignore.
I looked around the hall and my gaze finally landed on Natalie who was now soon surrounded by tons of reporters, wanting her to say something but she just kept saying the same thing over again: “Richard is the father of my unborn baby and we were engaged before he got into an accident”. She ignored any further questions requiring her to divulge more information about what happened afterwards.
“I’m sorry, Jenna. I will do everything within my power to make this wedding happen”, my mom said, I turned to look at her and she had the same look as the others. A pitiful look.
I didn’t want that, I hated being pitied.
“Can I get everyone’s attention, please?”, the priest who had now grabbed the microphone announced.
It was only a matter of seconds when the crowd clatterings finally halted.
“As we are in a complete dilemma of whether what has just come to light is true or false, I would therefore proclaim that this wedding be called off till when it has been proven that the child doesn’t belong to Richard Temple,” he said, and allowed everyone to digest the direction he had just given.
Everyone had one thing or the other to say; while some were in complete agreement with the priest, others were vehemently against it.
I felt my own fate being decided by people’s opinions and I didn’t want that. What if 8 to 9 months was enough time for Richard to regain his memory of his life with Natalie?
I had to move very quickly as I couldn’t afford to lose him.
“We can’t just call the wedding off because this strange woman claiming that she is pregnant for my fiancé,” I protested.
“From my knowledge, I don’t think she is a strange woman, I hear that she’s your half sister which makes it difficult to join you and Richard as a couple. That would result in an incest which is highly prohibited and preached against. We have to wait till she gives birth to know if you two can be joined together as a couple,” the priest said.
“What if she’s not pregnant and this is her plan to stop the union?” my mom added.
“Is this enough for you to believe me?” Natalie’s voice echoed through the hall, she was flashing a picture in the air. The Ultrasound of the unborn baby.
“I believe we are done here”, the priest said.
“But…” My mother tried to say something else.
“Just let it go, Natalya. If there’s anyone who has deceived everyone, it’s you and your daughter”, Natalie said.
Shock gripped me and hearing people murmuring to themselves only made things worse.
Seeing that the priest couldn’t be convinced, I decided to give up on it. I had a plan B already and that was the elimination method.
The Priest dismissed the gathering and everyone left the hall in their numbers till the hall was almost empty.
Richard was also led out of the hall by Lena Temple, his mother, he seemed as confused as ever.
“Coward, he’s not helping matters”, I muttered underneath my breath.
I was more frustrated that he had not said anything despite everything that had just happened.
“Let’s go, Jenna”, My mom tried to pull me out of the hall but I resisted. I was not done yet.
I walked up to Natalie who was now about to leave the hall, sighting me, she had stopped.
“Natalie, I never knew you could be this desperate. Look at you pulling up a show to stop my wedding,” I said, faking laughter.
“Let’s see how long your laughter can last,” Natalie said, glaring at me.
“You must think you stand a chance, don’t you?”
“Look, Jenna. Richard has always been mine and will always be, you and your mother are bloody liars.”
I got furious and lifted my hand to hit her across the face but she was quick to grab my hand before it fell on her face.
“You should keep your hands to yourself, you would need it to wipe your own tears!” She said, sounding and looking so unfazed, flinging my hand away.
“You’re such a b***h! I hate you!” I cried out. “Mommy, let’s go”, I pulled my mom out with me.
Natalie’s scornful laughter soon erupted in the air and I knew not to look back.
Richard was standing outside the hall, so I decided to play my last card: “Can we talk?”
He nodded and he led us into one of the subrooms.
“Richard, you don’t have to believe her. She’s trying to ruin our marriage just because she can’t be with you,” I said, feigning worry.
“I know”, Richard said, not thinking twice about his words.
“You do?” I was happy that Richard wasn’t swayed by the drama she had pulled off.
“Yes, she claimed to be my fiancé and now, she claims to be carrying my child. What other stunts would she pull when this one wears out?”
I smirked. I was impressed. Maybe he wasn’t a coward anyways.
“Thank you, Richard.”
“My mom would be waiting for me so I have to leave now”, he said and I nodded in agreement.
On getting to the lobby, Richard had seen his mother having a conversation with Natalie.
Lana asked that I excuse them but I hung around eavesdropping on their conversation. Lana was definitely up to no good. I needed to spring to action immediately.
I picked my phone and dialed the number I usually dialed whenever my cunning could not fix any problem I had: Snake. Snake is the leader of a fraternity and he is also my ex-boyfriend.
“Hey, pretty girl,” he said, from the other line of the call.
“Cut the greetings off, I need you to do something now,” I snapped.
“What’s that? You know I would do anything for you, angel”, he said proudly.
“I need you to kidnap someone now, I will send you her details”, I said, swallowing my breath.
“Okay”, he said, dropping the call.
I sent pictures of Natalie and address of the venue to Snake and he responded with “Noted, on it”.
I smiled as I put my phone to sleep; Very soon, Natalie would not be in the picture.
It would be a happy ever after for me and Richard, I chuckled happily at the thought of this.
- Writer
