Getting home drenched, to my parents, was better than not showing up at all as they had thought I had ran off. I knew they thought this way because I walked in on them having the argument about not keeping a closer eye on me at this really delicate period of time, with my younger siblings scolding them severely. Didn't I mention I had younger siblings?
Well, I actually do and they are twins of the opposite sex; a boy and a girl. They were born five years after me and together, we grew up as our parents only three children; a happy family of five.
Madison and Mason have been inseparable since birth and although as they aged, they developed different interests, they still kept a really short leash on each other. Their bond, sometimes, makes me jealous but that feeling doesn't normally last as I reassured myself with the fact that it was absolutely normal for them to be extremely close; they did share the same womb for forty weeks. They had moved from the family house some months before my graduation and relocated to Jersey city in search of their own voice as they both enjoyed dancing.
This was the excuse they had to leave home, but I knew better that they just needed space to explore their fun lifestyle, and Jersey city, popularly regarded as "chill town" was their perfect choice. It was closer to home and so it was easier to convince the old folks.
Their sudden presence in the house was not a surprise as they must have heard about the marriage and had come to "celebrate" with me.
"Sophia is here." Mason said, been the first to have noticed my presence.
"Where have you been, big sis?" Madison, or Mady, as I like to call her, said in a soft voice as my mother just stared quietly.
"When did you guys come back?" I asked, ignoring their own questions in the process.
"About an hour ago. Oh! My goodness! You're soaking wet." Mason half yelled as he tried enveloping me in an embrace.
"I'll get a towel." Mady offered.
"Don't worry about it. I'd just go in and dry up. I'm feeling really sleepy."
"Okay. Should I-" A wave of my hand and a weak smile arrested the rest of her words as I made my way towards my own room.
I didn't have the strength to eavesdrop but I knew deep down they would be talking about me tonight, with mum explaining, in details, how I'm trying to throw away this golden opportunity over Marcus.
Getting myself soaked in hot water and relaxing in my tub, I closed my eyelids and allowed my thoughts travel to whenever. I didn't think I'd fall asleep till I opened my eyes to hear nothing but absolute silence. Wrapping myself up in a towel and upset about not being involved in a drastic accident, I jumped onto my bed and slept off.
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The morning sun met with me getting prepped and ready for a wedding ceremony I no longer wanted a part of. The makeup artist was doing her absolute best to make sure I looked nothing less than perfection as I was after all, the bride and the star of the event. As soon as the makeup artist was done, the fashion designer who had my gown tailored specifically for me and this event, helped me get into it the right way, making sure to flaunt every hem of perfection it had. It was a perfectly white gown with a jewel neckline and a mesh stomach bodice fitted to accentuate my waist line. Coupled with the fact that it was of royal length and long sleeved made it a gown that walked right out of my dreams. If only circumstances were different, I would have actually been happy when I glanced at the mirror to behold its beauty.
The hairstylist took over almost immediately, styling my long strawberry blonde hair into a curly updo and with that, the make up artist touched up the makeup as the designer started accessorizing the dress.
Soon, they were done and cameras immediately started clicking, trying to capture every possible angle so as to pick the one worthy enough to publish in the articles and social media. I guess this was one of the perks of being married to a billionaire.
Today's guest list was going to be made up of people who wouldn't even look my way twice. It should have been exciting but whenever I wanted to feel a little excited, I get reminded of Marcus and the excitement immediately fades away.
Madison was in the dressing room with me, getting the vip treatment and chatting with me but I was less interested as I continued texting all those who knew Marcus, begging them for help. As I did this, my phone suddenly beeped with a notification from Natasha and it read, "Marcus is on his way to China. If you want to meet him then you'd have to get to the airport before his flight leaves. I'm mailing the fight ticket to you now."
How she got that information wasn't as important as me now getting information about Marcus, but he was going to China? Why?
Not wanting to attract attention to myself, I quietly excused myself and pretended to want to use the toilet, and from there, I was back on the road, flagging down a taxi and begging him to drive faster.
Momentarily forgetting about my civic responsibility to pay my cab ride, I dashed into the airport and headed straight for his gate, hoping to catch him there. Thankfully, he was right there and I couldn't help but run into his arms but this time around, he held his arm out and refused to hug me back.
"What's going on, Marcus?" I asked, breaking free from the unreciprocated hug.
"Me, moving on. That's exactly what's going on." He said bluntly, doing everything he could to avoid my eyes.
"I don't understand. What's with China, and why all of a sudden?"
"I really need you to be happy." He sighed and I knew that was him changing the topic on me.
"I'm happy with you. I love you, Marcus!!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, hoping he'd come to his senses and see who is standing in front of him.
"I don't love you and I'm already on my way to find my happiness, Sophia. Goodbye."
"Marcus, wait." I called out but he already handed the ticket to the air hostess who gestured for him to walk in, "Please." And he left without looking back at me but if eyes were what I was searching for, then I would have been extremely satisfied as the entire airport stared holes into me. It hurts but not as much as Marcus saying he no longer loves me. What can I make of this?