Chapter 19
One day.
Jules remembered too vividly how her life had turned upside down. And how she lost everything in a matter of a day.
Upon checking her watch, it was twenty-two hours more to be accurate before the most momentous event in her life.
Then.
Everything about her life was about to change. She could feel it at every nerve endings and every fiber of her being. The life she knew would never be the same.
"Oh, my..., Oh, my..., Oh, my G..." A shrieking sound echoed behind her, filling every corner of her room. "That is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen, Jules."
She heard her sister-in-law gush about her stunning wedding gown on full display on the other side of her spacious room.
She could not blame Kaely since she had reacted the same way when she first saw it early that morning. She believed it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her entire life.
"Only the best for the bride of the century." That was how the designer described the gown she would wear since she was about to marry one of the most eligible bachelors in the city.
But if she had a choice, she preferred something simpler. However, Dale's mother would not have it as she planned everything up to the tiniest details.
"You will not wear some rug at my son's wedding." That was Mrs. Hawkins's exact words.
"Mom, let Jules decide on what..." Dale was about to defend her, but she stopped him.
"That is ok. I am sure your mother knows best." Of course, Jules agreed with his mother, hoping that would lessen the friction in their budding relationship.
She had already sensed that Dale's mother did not like her, but she understood. She was an outsider about to infiltrate their private world and join their exclusive family.
It might take time before his mother warmed up to her and learned to trust her. But for now, she had to endure the awkward moments and hope for the best.
Now, from some magic or miracle, or more or less the best money could buy in short notice, Dale's mother pulled off one of the biggest celebrations that the city would ever see, her wedding.
"Exactly..." Agreeing with her stepsister. "It is perfect." Truthfully, she thought it was too stunning and flawless that she was afraid to touch it.
She was terrified that she would ruin it, seeing that it must be the most expensive thing she would wear in her lifetime.
Besides that, she could already picture the best wedding she had ever seen. At least judging from the fuss and buzz that was going on around her.
In a flash, she had become an overnight sensation, an instant celebrity as her pictures were plastered all over the major newspapers and her life dissected on the news.
"Anyway, are you ready? The girls are already waiting for us." Kaely grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out of the room, dragging her to the surprise she had prepared for her bachelorette's party as her maid of honor.
She only wanted a simple party with a few friends, but somehow her stepsister seemed to lose the definition of her wishes in the translation.
But she knew Kaely meant well. Therefore, she tried her best to enjoy the party that her stepsister made an effort to organize for her.
"Isn't she the luckiest woman alive?" Kaely shouted in front of the rowdy crowd while she sat in the middle of the room as the woman of the hour.
She smiled, believing she was because she was about to marry the man of her dreams. She was about to become the wife of the man she loved.
"Let us drink to that," Kaely shouted, raising her glass to her. Then, everyone simultaneously swallowed their drinks, forcing her to join them. After all, this was her celebration.
The night was far from over as Kaely prepared a lot of surprises from programs, games, and gifts. And like everyone else, she ended up having so much fun.
Unfortunately, she was also consuming alcohol like it was water as Kaely and her friends continued refilling her glass.
"I think I need to go to the bathroom." She said, excusing herself from her stepsister and their friends. Well, truthfully, they were more like Kaely's friends than hers.
"Oops!" She held on to her sister's shoulders when she almost fell. "I think I am drunk." She giggled, finding her situation hilarious.
Regardless of her condition, she stood up, slightly staggering as she balanced herself despite her shaking legs and swirling vision.
"Do you need help?" Kaely stood beside her, assisting her on her feet.
"No, go have fun. I can manage on my own." She assured her stepsister.
She still believed she could make it to the bathroom without falling unconscious. But, honestly, it was a struggle since the alcohol was putting a toll on her mobility and sensibility.
"Aah!" She felt much better as she rested her head on her palms while relieving her bladder. But it did not help clear the fuzziness in her brain as her world began to spin.
Still, she struggled to get up, ready to make excuses and return to her room. She believed she had enough. She needed to sleep, or she might look like Bridezilla on her wedding day.
"Can you believe that Dale is about to marry her?" Suddenly, behind her muddle brain, she heard those words. She had to stop, believing it came outside the cubicle doors.
"Don't worry. Aunt Frances is doing everything she can to stop it. Even Damon is flying today to talk sense to his brother to stop this nonsense."
"So, do you think there will not be a wedding by tomorrow?"
"I just don't think it. I believe Aunt Frances will never let it happen. They will find a way to stop it."
"What about all this money and the preparation?"
"This is worthless to them. They don't care if they wasted all this money as long as Dale does not end up with a thrash like her."
"But what about Dale? Will he agree to..."
"He will because his brother will disown him if he disobeys his wishes. Do you think Dale can survive being poor? I don't think so."
"Do you think Dale loves her? He is only using her to hurt Tessa because she left him."
"Why do you think he would marry a girl like her? A girl he just met. He only wants to get back at Tessa."
"Dale is only using her."