The Jilted Bride

Chapter Five

I am inside the cab and on my way to GL’more Boutique. Good thing I made an appointment. I am excited to see what will be the outcome of my wedding dress.

The cab pulled over at the boutique’s doorway, the driver look at me in the rearview mirror, “we are already here, ma’am,” he politely said. I smiled and handed the fare to him, I added an extra tip for his job well done.

“Thank you, have a great day.”

I get out from the cab and went inside the GL'more boutique, the owner, Xhataine Fin, my high school classmate, welcomed me with her arms wide open and a smile plastered on her heart shaped face.

“Ivien!” she shouted in glee as soon as she wrapped me in her arms to give me a warm welcoming hug.

“Xhataine,” I mentioned her name and hugged her back tightly. We stayed like this for a whole minute before letting go of each other.

“You look so beautiful! You must be elated coz' you’re going to get married. I am envious,” she said and pouted her lips. I playfully pinched her arms and linked arms with her.

“Don’t be, someday you will find your match.”

She scoffed and stomped her feet like a little kid having a tantrum. “I doubt it, my boyfriend left me for another woman, saying that I wasn’t enough for him. What an i***t, who does he take for?” she started to vent out her anger to me. I think this is sort of catching up things we missed for the past few years.

“Then I heard that the girl forced him to leave me because she’s already pregnant. The audacity! But I am already happy for them. Sometimes we will trip and fall but we should know how to stand on our own,” she continued.

“You are absolutely right about that. It was so inspirational,” I teased her then we ended up giggling together.

“But seriously, I realized that I don’t need a man to be happy.”

I proudly smiled and gave her a hug, “you deserve better, Xhataine.”

She chortled and tickled me and my initial reaction was to stop her, I didn’t noticed that I slapped her hand.

“Sorry about that!” I nervously apologize to her but she just chuckled and nodded at me, “it’s fine.”

Xhataine excused herself for awhile to get her sketchbook and went back to my side. She asked me every detail that I want for my wedding dress, while she was sketching I am keenly observing her face. She look so serious and I understand why she’s well known, because of her professionalism. Wish I could be successful like her.

“Earth to Ivien,” she said and snapped her fingers right at my face.

“Oh! Sorry for spacing out.”

“Is this okay to you?” she asked politely and showed me what she sketched.

My eyes grew bigger because of shock. I shrieked and jumped on the sofa.

“Oh gosh! That’s Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!” I exclaimed and hugged her, she stared at me like I have lost my mind.

“Supercali–what? I don’t understand.” She looks baffled that’s why I laughed so hard.

“It means wonderful.” She seemed to have her eureka moment that she was stunned for a moment.

“Showing of your intelligence, huh?”

I just laughed at her and playfully rolled my eyes. She added more details and told me that the dress would be finished after a month.

“See you then? By the way…” I opened my purse to get one invitation and handed it to her. “You are invited to my wedding.”

She jumped out of excitement and hugged me so tight. “I thought you’ll never say that. Congratulations again!”

I am walking on the street when I bumped into a man who is wearing a blue jacket and covering his face with a cap. I’m about to say sorry when I recognized who he is.

“Silver?”

“Ivien?” we both said unison.

I took a step back and put my hand inside my pocket. My hand began to sweat and tremble but I remain composed.

“How are you? I’ve been looking for you but your mother said that you already left and probably won’t be able to come back home. I searched everywhere but you are just here.”

I am just staring at him and trying to figure out if he is telling the truth or simply telling a lie.

“Where have you been all this time?” he asked me and tried to touch my shoulder but I flinched and took another step back. He noticed that I’m avoiding him so he didn’t dare to touch me again.

“Sorry, I am just overjoyed after seeing you again. Would you like to grab some lunch?”

I heaved a deep breath and opened my mouth to say something.

“Look, I’m in a hurry so I’ll go ahead.” I turned my back on him and walked fast but he grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him.

“I need to talk to you, spare me a minute or two.”

I diverted my gaze and pretend that I did not hear him talking.

“Ivien, I know I made a mistake. Are you still mad at me? C’mon, talk to me,” he pleaded but I still don’t think I’m already emotionally and mentally stable to hear his excuses.

“Yes, I am still mad at you. So will you please f*ck off? I don’t want to see your face ever again.”

He sighed and dropped down his one knee, “I still love you. Please listen to me, I didn’t mean to hurt you and I will never, ever going to do that again.”

I consciously look around to see if someone is witnessing this horrible scene.

“Stand up!” I demanded but he shake his head aggressively and hugged my left leg to stop me from leaving him.

“I love you, Ivien. Take me back. I’ll be a good man.”

I tried to pushed him away bit he won’t let me. “I am going to get married!” I said in a loud voice, he was stunned for a moment and I grabbed that chance to run away from him. I don’t want to see him, that bad memory is still haunting me and I am scared of that.

“Ivien!” He tried to chase me so I run faster but he caught me in his arms.

“Please tell me you are lying,” he begged and hugged me tighter. I use all my strength to pushed him away, I was fuming mad but I calmed myself. I lifted my left hand and showed him my engagement ring.

“This is the proof, so don’t show yourself to me again. Please, I am begging!” I cried out, I bit my tongue when I saw his facial expression changed. He is now mad and I know any minute he would hurt me.

“You are just doing this to get back at me. I will win you back, Ivien. I swear!” he said it like a threat. He left me alone in the walkway with trembling knees and sweaty hands.

I am really scared at him. Silber is my ex, my first boyfriend but he tried to harass me. He is abusive and manipulative. He wants everything to go on his way. I left him because I can’t feel my freedom, I am like a prison in a princess dress. He gave me everything but he was controlling my life like he owned me.

I didn’t know how I went back home when my mind is in chaos. I sat on my bed, hugging my knees and slightly swinging back and forth as I think of my happy memories with Kenji. I am having an anxiety attack and I don’t know what to do. I want to call someone for help but I don’t think they’ll understand. I don’t think they will be able to save me from drowning in my own thoughts.

I did not notice that I am tearing up, I am still scared. That scene repeatedly flashed back in my mind like an old cassette tape.

It was a windy night and I am at home alone. Doing my thesis that I am going to submit the day after tomorrow. I am busy doing it when someone covered my eyes, I smelled dahlias too, right at that moment I know it was Silver, my boyfriend.

“Surprise!” he exclaimed gleefully and gave me the flowers. He kissed the tip of my nose and claimed my lips that made me stilled. I pushed him away but he started to forced me to kiss him back. He started to touch me inappropriately. I am scared at that moment and I felt betrayed. I trusted him but he is doing this nasty thing to me.

“Stop it, please. Stop it!” I begged and he stopped but je was so mad. He told me that it’s my obligation to satisfy him because he is my boyfriend.

That hit me, I do not deserve this kind of treatment so I stow away and only left a letter for my mother saying that I found a job in a very far place and they don’t have to bother looking for me.

My body is shaking in fear. I don’t want to remember anything from my past. I covered my body with blanket and shout like a mad person.

“Ahhhh!” I repeatedly shouted all of my fear, disgust and frustration until I got better. I feel exhausted doing that but it’s all worth it. I am already calm now. I rolled to the side of the bed and opened the last drawer of the bedside table. I searched for medicine and hurriedly put it in my mouth including the sleeping pill.

MY OFFICE is very silent and I can only hear my breath. I’ve been trying to contact Ivien but she’s not answering her phone. Maybe she’s doing something again, I decided not to bother her anymore.

I searched for a specific name in my contact and called it. After few rings that person picked up the call.

“What?”

I giggled softly and make a kissing sound, “I missed you,” I whispered.

“Then come here and spend time with me.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll be there at seven. See you.” I ended the call and fixed my things so I can left early but my plan is ruined when Orfelia entered my office wearing a mini skirt and a plunging sleeveless top, I almost puked me she purposely leaned on my table to show off her cleavage, as if I’m interested.

“What are you doing here?” I asked her sternly. She smiled flirtatiously and twirled her hair while looking at me innocently. She was too obvious.

“Your mom told me to wait here. We’re going to shop at her favorite mall.”

I didn’t know they were close to each other. But it’s not my concern, I am in a hurry and she’s disturbing me.

“Wait for my mother here, I am going somewhere very important.”

I walked passed behind her but she grabbed my hand to make me stop and she blocked my way.

“Important? You are going to Ivien?”

I nodded my head and pushed her to the side so I can go. I did not bother looking back, she was just a mere girl that my mother wants to set up with me.

“ARGHH!” I stomped my feet when Kenji left me alone in his office. He is getting unto my nerves! How dare he ignored my charm? He is not attracted to me? He’s playing so hard to get but I know he’s a softy. Should I seduce him more?

Am I not beautiful anymore? Or he was just being faithful to that wench? What a lucky girl.

“I am going to make sure that he’ll end up with me and not with that cheap girl. Gosh! I am irritated! I need to inhale fresh air.” I stormed out of his room but I saw his mom coming this way so I go back inside and pretended to read a magazine. I need to get his mother’s side.

“Orfelia, why are you alone? Where is my son?”

I quickly stand up to face her, “I don’t know, he immediately left when he saw me saying that he’s going somewhere important but I don’t know where exactly.”

She sighed and massaged her head. “He must be going to that gold digger! That b*tch is stressing me out!”

I instantly smiled after hearing what she said. She hates Ivien and that’s a good news. But of course I pretended to be a concerned friend.

“You don’t like my friend?” I innocently asked her. Her forehead knotted and she began to laughed sarcastically.

“Friend? Oh darling, you are so generous but please find someone who belongs to your circle and not that kind of woman.”

“Why do you hate her, Tita Margarita? She’s the sweetest and kindest person that I ever met.” I tried so hard not to sound bitter bit she didn’t seemed to notice because she is so mad right now.

“Don’t try to take her side. Stop befriending that kind of people, they will only use you.”

I smiled softly at her, “May I ask you? What kind of girl do you want for Kenji?”

“To be honest, I want you. Someone exactly like you, charming, have a slender body, smart and from a wealthy family and Ivien doesn’t have that qualifications. She doesn’t fit as my daughter in law. I don’t want her for my son.”

She sighed again and touched my shoulder. “We should unwind, let’s forget about them first. Let’s go now,” she said and dragged me out of Kenji’s room.

I thought we were going to the mall but we ended up in a water theme park. I would like to complain but I stopped myself, gosh! This is so childish! Imagine at that age she still choose to unwind in this kind of place.

I endured an hour of strolling around with her and pretended that I am also excited and happy about this.

“I think it’s time to go home. Thank you for spending time with me, hija. I’ll call you often.” She hugged me and dropped me outside my house.

“Take care, Tita Margarita,” I responded and hugged her too. I get of her limousine and wave her goodbye. When she’s already gone I let out my disappointment.

“Gosh! That old lady!” I messed my hair and entered my house.

I throw my bag at my maid, “bring me a freshly squeezed orange juice. Pronto!” She hurriedly run to the kitchen and the other maid panicked after hearing my thundering voice.

I ascended to my room and called my personal maid to give me a massage.

I take a warm shower and after that I lay down on my bed and let them do their job.

“What should I do to make someone fall for me?” I asked out of nowhere. My personal maid giggled, “everyone will fall for your beauty and intelligence, so don’t worry about it.”