The Wedding Night

“In the race of life, you should never lose your true self.”

*****

Melody POV

After the meeting with the seller whose name I found out to be Daphne. I told her I was going to get the money at the end of the week. Lorena almost loses her voice when she found out the amount we will be paying per month.

“It’s a lovely house. For new tenants like you, it is $1000 per month.” Daphne had told us.

“$1000!” Lorena yelled. “That’s is $12, 000 per annum. Are you crazy?” She shouted at the woman.

“I told you before we came here that the house is not for people like you.” Daphne retorted.

“People like us. I know we don’t have money but that $1000 per month is a waste of money.”

“Then take the other house. It’s for your type.” Daphne said but it looks more like an insult and Lorena wasn’t the time that takes insults lightly.

“You bitch,” Lorena cursed in Italian and rushed to hit her but I stopped her.

“Let’s not fight. Please.” I begged and then turned to face Daphne.” We will get the house but it will be at the end of the week.” I promised.

“What?” Lorena’s loud voice echoed in my ears. “Are you crazy? The money is too much. We cannot afford it.”

“Please allow me to deal with this Lorena,” I begged and she nodded in agreement but the Lorena I knew was going to throw a fits once we got home and she did.

“What were you thinking Mel?” Lorena questioned as soon as we got home. “How could you made a promise like that when you know we can’t afford it?”

I grabbed her hand but she pulled it away. “I’m trying so hard to make sure we have a good life and you will be a fool if you didn’t see it.”

“Oh, I get what you are doing Mel. You are proving yourself. You want to show me that you are in charge right?” Lorena challenged. She walked closer to me and pointed a finger at my face. “You are acting like this because I am not doing anything. Henceforth, I’ll prove you wrong. I prove to you that I can get a job and…..”

“Lorena,” I calmly called her name.”That’s not what I meant. You are taking this too far.”

“Too far?” She chuckled. “Listen here melody. I am going to prove myself to you .” Lorena walked out of the room and slammed the door causing a loud bang.

That’s was yesterday and ever since then, Lorena had refused to speak to me and every time I tried to apologize to her, she always find a way out of my sight. I felt lonely that I couldn’t speak with my friend but what could I have done when she is trying all her possible best to get away from me.

The invitation I got from my boss was a birthday invitation and when I saw the name of the host, I almost fainted because it was the last name I didn’t believe I’ll see ever again.

“Marissa Aderemi” I whispered the name that evokes fear into my mind.

Marissa Aderemi is Franklin’s mother and her hatred for me was much worst than the hatred people had for the devil. Her mere presence alone is enough to make me feel low and scared.

I couldn’t go to a party where my worst enemy was and what would happen if she found out that I was alive all this while and with a child.

They will take my poor baby away from Me.

“No, I’m not going to such a party.” I declared and threw the invitation on my bed but then my phone and when I saw the caller, I groaned out in frustration.

“Hello sir,” I greeted.

“Be ready by seven pm. Did you get the package sent by my driver?” He asked.

What package?

Before I could reply, he ended the call.

What package was he talking about? I didn’t get any package.

I tried calling him back but he didn’t pick up and I couldn’t help but imagine the package he was talking about. I was still brooding when the door slammed opened and Lorena entered the room with a box alongside Hope.

“This came for you,” Lorena informed and dropped the box in front of me and then went to seat down at a corner in the room.

I looked at her and when I saw that she wasn’t looking at me, I carried the box and placed it on the bed.

“Mummy, what’s is that?” Hope asked me as she stared at the box on the bed.

“I have no idea baby until I check it,” I told her.

I shook the box to be sure it wasn’t stuffed with a dangerous weapon or sort.

“Don’t worry, I already shook the box downstairs. It’s good.” Lorena told me.

So she was looking at me.

“Lorena,” I turned to face her but she cut me off with her hand. “Look, I’m…..,” she raised her hand again.

“I’m sorry,” we both said at the same time.

“I need to tell you something!”

“You go on first!”

when we realize that we were speaking at once, we both burst into laughter.

“Are you both feeling okay?” Hope asked us.

“Mummy and I are just having fun,” Lorena replied and stood up from where sat in the corner of the room. “I’ll go first.” She turned to face me. “I’m sorry for jumping to a conclusion yesterday. I shouldn’t have said everything I said and I had no right to be angry. You are everything anyone could ever ask for. I’m sorry,” she apologized.

“Oh, Lorena!” I rushed to hug her. “I’m sorry too. I was stupid to think you didn’t mean anything. I love you!” I declared.

“Va bene la gente potrebbe pensare che siamo lesbiche(it okay. People might think we are lesbians.) ” Lorena jokingly pointed out.

“I don’t care,” I replied.

“I want to join too,” hope squeezed herself in between us. I carried her and she hugged the both of us.

“Family forever!” She shouted.

Yes, family forever.

A few hours later, I was in front of the mirror in the lobby while waiting for the receptionist who claimed to be a good make-up artist to perform her magic on my face. Giovanni had sent a red sequin body con dress that was showing the back and a pair of black heels to match. As if that wasn’t enough, he also bought a pair of diamond earrings and a necklace that matches the outfit.

All of that for a birthday party.

“Now for the finishing touch,” Joy, the receptionist rubbed something on my face and clapped her hands when she was done. “Look at the mirror hon,” she said.

I opened my eyes and gasped when I saw my reflection in the mirror. I was different. I felt like I was staring at somebody else. I haven’t look good since forever.

“You look good Mel,” Lorena commented.

“Mummy looks like a princess,” Hope commented and jumped up.

“Wow!” I exclaimed as I continued staring at myself. Joy had done a great job in hiding my freckles and spots. My face was spotless and my lips look fuller with the red lipstick she added. Even my hair was packed in a bun style.

I was a different person.

“I can’t believe this is me,” I said.

“Believe it or not sweetheart but that’s is you. Embrace your new self.” Joy said to me.

“Thank you joy for transforming me.”

“Transforming you?” She scoffed. “You were pretty already, I just added a little bit of touch.”

“All the same, thank you.”

“No problems.” Joy replied and walked out of the lobby.

“Let’s go get you in your dress,” Lorena pulled me go and we headed into our room.

After putting on the dress, I walked out of the room while walking slowly due to heels that I wasn’t accustomed to.

“Wow!” Lorena exclaimed.”Bellissima(beautiful) ” she commented in Italian.

“Mummy, you are pretty!” A happy Hope rushed to hug me. “You look so beautiful, mum. I wish I was like you.” She stated sadly.

I bent to her Level and hugged her. “You are already beautiful my baby girl. You look like Cinderella,” I told her and she jumped happily.

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I stood up and faced Lorena. “Thank you for everything love,” I said to her and she didn’t say anything but only nodded.

I should be happy that I was different tonight but I wasn’t instead there was an emptiness inside of me. A pit laid In my stomach and it imputed to fear. inside of me.

“Are you okay?” Lorena asked me. She must have sensed my fear.

I inhaled deeply and sat on the bed. “Lorenza Aderemi is going to be there and she is a demon,” I told her. “If she finds out that I have…..” I looked at Hope and saw her looking back at me. She looked happy and I didn’t want her to hear what I had to say. As little as she was, she was one smart girl.

“I get what you are trying to say,” Lorena admitted. Can’t you just tell franklin who you are and sort this out?”

“I c-can’t,” I stuttered. “He won’t believe a word I said. His brother might have filled his head with lies about me. Until he recovers his memories, I am planning on keeping my identity safe from the Aderemi’s. ”

“Then don’t go.”

“I can’t,” I stood up from the bed. “I’m indebted to Franklin and if I misbehave, he might do otherwise. I don’t want to lose you and Hope.” I told her reminding myself that it was Franklin who helped Lorena and Hope served their identification crisis and if it wasn’t for him, they might have been deported to Italy.

“What’s are you going to do?” Lorena asked while placing a hand on my shoulder.

“I guess with all this make-up on. No one will recognize me. I have only met his parents twice and Marissa won’t even notice me at the party.” I assured Lorena that I was going to be fine. My phone rang and nobody had to tell me to know it was my boss calling.

“He is here!” I announced to Lorena. “I gotta go. Wish me luck.”

“Good luck and be safe.” She hugged me.

“Bye, mommy.” Hope waved at me as I made my way out of the door down to the lobby.

“Have fun dear,” joy smiled at him as she saw me walking out.

“Thank you Joy,” I replied and walked out of the motel ready to face whatever I was going to meet.

My heart was echoing in my ears and I felt my hand getting sweaty.

Calm down, Melody.

I looked opposite the motel and saw Dennis standing by a white Venza. He waved at Me to come and when I got closer to the car, I felt a twist in my stomach.

I was going crazy.

“Mr. Aderemi is waiting for you,” he opened the passenger car door and I slide in. There at the passenger seat was Giovanni sitting comfortably and staring at the phone. When he saw me entering, he raised his head and looked at me. We both stared at each other for a while until he said…..

“You are five minutes late. ”

Really? Not even you look beautiful or your dress is nice.

I blinked twice to see if I was hearing something else. As soon as he pointed out my lateness, he went back to his phone.

The car started and soon we were out of the motel.

I hope I dare to face what I’m about to see.