Chapter One

I woke up to the constant banging of the door outside my room.

I sighed.

Here we go again. It’s so early in the morning. I got up of my bed and ruffled my hair in annoyance before going out. I barely get any sleep these days because of my sister.

As I was getting nearer to the door the banging and shouting gets louder.

“Open this door! Open up, Nola! I know you’re in there!” I was frozen in place hearing that voice. It was the freaking landlady! My eyes widened when I realized what day is today.

It’s the last day of paying our rent!

I cursed myself. Shit! How could you be so forgetful, Nola?

Nevertheless, I composed myself and opened the door. The huge body of Mrs. Castillo welcomed my sight. She was wearing her usual green dress and pearl jewelries. She looks like a cabbage, to be honest.

“Hello, Mrs. Castillo!” I greeted her awkwardly. I tried to smile but failed miserably after seeing her frown.

“Do you know what day it is?” she asked with her usual high-pitched voice. Oh, God. That was ear shattering.

I tried to chuckle. “Mrs. Castillo, don’t you have any calendar at your house? Did you really went all the way here to ask what day it is?”

Her brows furrowed. “What calendar?” she asked clearly confused.

“Don’t you know it?” I walked near the window where my calendar was hanged.

“This one. Don’t tell me you don’t know what calendar looks like?” I acted shocked. To be honest, I was just trying to distract her from asking me to pay the rent.

Her brows furrowed and threw the white fan that she always use towards me. Luckily, she missed my head. I picked it up and return it to her, which was a bad idea. She used it to hit my head.

“I’m not kidding around, Nola Florentina.” She said firmly as she hit me everywhere with her fan. I winced not because of the pain, it was because she said my whole name.

“Mrs. Castillo, you know our situation right? Can you please let us off this time? Promise it will be the last!” I even clasped my hands as if I’m praying to some saint. The only difference is she is no saint, she is the evil personified. Kidding!

“I understand you and your sister’s situation, Nola, but please understand me too! I already let you off for three months and it was already too much!” she answered and fanned herself with her fan like she was some kind of Maria Clara.

“I really don’t have money right now… I’m still searching for other works to pay for my sister’s hospital bill…” I said.

I heard her sigh. “Two days,” I looked up to her. “It’s all that I can give. Two days and you're out.” She said and stormed out of my apartment.

I heaved a sigh and sat down. I opened my phone and called my best friend Caleb. “Hello, sis mars! What’s our problem today?” he greeted.

I sighed again. “What’s after Mars?”

“Huh?” I can already imagine his confused face right now. It made me chuckle. I asked him the question again.

“Jupiter?”

“Wrong.”

“Huh? Has it changed? Did Jupiter just evaporate? I didn’t know that.” He said which made me laugh.

“Money. Mars I need money.” Hearing that he cursed at me and laughed.

“What’s with you today? You’re so funny, I could already die, but I’m sorry honey, I also don’t have money today.”

My shoulder dropped because of what he said. “Oh really? Alright. Do you have part-time jobs available? That humongous woman will throw us out in two days.” I said.

“Speaking of part-time job, I have a perfect job for you.” He said and I suddenly felt the surroundings lit up. “Oh really? What is it?” I asked eagerly.

“We will have a photo shoot for our new magazine want to join?” he asked

“Yes! Even if it’s for bold stars I’d still accept it!” I said and I heard him groaned from the other line.

“Gaga! As if I would offer that to you. Wholesome shoots are only suited for you, dumbass.” He said and we both laughed.

“Promise me! I’d do that!” I said making sure that I’ll take that spot.

“Yes yes, but promise me also that you’ll come on time! I’ll definitely pull all of your hair if you don’t come!” he threatened. I just laugh.

“Alright I’ll go now. Take care of Niah for me.”

“Yes of course.” He said and ended the call.

I happily prepared myself to go to work. Finally, my other problems are solved. I even jumped and punched the air in joy. I will be going to pay in time Mrs. Castillo! In your face!

I hurriedly wear my uniform and went out of the apartment. I walked to the corner of the street where jeeps who pass by the Hotel come.

I am currently working as a station chef in Higgins Hotel and Restaurant. I am in charge of anything sweet in the restaurant. Well I can cook any food but pastries and desserts are really close to my heart. It reminds me of my parents. They love to bake since then, we even have a bakeshop when I was young, but we failed to maintain its sales when my little sister got diagnosed with lung cancer.

My sister was diagnosed with lung cancer at a very young age.  She was just 10 that time, the doctor even said that she only have 5 years to live which made us all devastated It only got worse when our parents died two years after she was diagnosed.

Niah’s situation became worse as years pass by, and I was forced to give up our bakeshop and sell it together with our house in order to afford my sister’s medications and treatments.

Good thing Caleb was there always willing to lend a hand whenever we are having a hard time maintaining our finances. He even encouraged me to apply as a chef at Higgins’ Hotel where I work until now. I couldn’t thank him enough, I really owe him a lifetime.

“Hello everyone!” I greeted them the moment I went inside the kitchen and as usual, I received no responses. They just look at me, and they went back to work again.

“Nola there’s an order at room 83, two tiered fondant cake, mocha flavor and here’s the design.” Our Sous Chef said and approached me to show the design. It was a couple holding a balloon that says happy anniversary. “They requested that the pastry chef should bring the cake to their room at 3pm.” He said and went back to what he was doing.

I sighed. VIP couples.

I started making the cake with the help of my assistant Lara. When we put the batter into the oven, we started making the fondant. We’ve mixed the butter, sweetened condensed milk, confectioner’s sugar and vanilla extract in mixing bowl until the fondant has the consistency of a modeling clay.

While the cake is not perfectly baked, we started making the designs in the cake and other decorations.

When the cake was baked, my assistant placed it in a cooling rack for 15 minutes. To kill the time, we cleaned our station first and started designing the cake.

“Nola, it’s so pretty!” my assistant complimented.

I jokingly flipped my hair. “Of course! We’re the one who made it, it should be pretty.” I said and we laughed. We placed it in the cooler first because it was not the time yet. It was only quarter to 2. I’ll go out at exactly three.

Our sous chef made us bake a cake again, and we immediately obliged. It was exactly 3 pm when we finished the cake that was ordered. I immediately fix myself and went to the said room.

I was with a hotel staff when we arrived at the floor. She was holding a bottle of white wine.

Just as we are going to the room, we saw a woman in front of it as if waiting for someone.

“Uh Ma’am, did you order this cake?” I hesitatingly asked the woman. The woman looked at the cake and started crying. Hard.

“That jerk! Today is not our anniversary! Dickson that son of a bitch!” she said and opened the unlocked door. Minutes later, we heard cries and screams inside. We didn’t dare to take a step inside because of the commotion.

Uh oh. Looks like your name will be Son starting tomorrow.

The woman was crying when she walked out of the room, when she saw the cake, she grabbed it away from my hand and slapped it to the man’s face. Both me and the hotel staff winced. It must’ve been painful.

She spotted the bottle of wine that the hotel staff was holding. She snatched it away and went back inside.

“Call the security, for the love of God.” The man on the floor that was covered with cake whispered. The hotel staff immediately called security through her walkie-talkie.

And as if on cue, screams were heard in the room. The woman dragged another woman who had the comforter as a cover at her naked body. She was soaking wet. The woman must’ve poured the wine to her.

She threw the bottle on the floor. Luckily the floor was carpeted so it didn’t break into pieces. “You pigs!” she screamed as she dragged the woman and her cheating boyfriend by the hair and hit each other's head.

What the hell?

I don’t know if I should stop them or just stand there and laugh. That was fucking hilarious. I thought she was just going to pull the hell out of her hair, but she proved me wrong.

I never thought that women could be this strong and scary when mad.

At the end we tried to stop them but the woman was just too strong. She was on top of the woman and continued slapping her as she shouts “You’re my best friend! How could you do this to me?” over and over again.

Luckily the security team arrived and immediately dragged the woman out of the floor. The hotel manager talked with the guest, and we went in the elevator with the woman. “Let go of me!”

She suddenly sat on the elevator floor and started crying again. “That cheating motherfucker! I hope his penis would magically be glued to his forehead! Fuck him and his ancestors!” she screamed.

The four of us looked at each other and tried not to laugh. She looked up and saw us trying not to stifle a laugh. The elevator doors opened, and she went out first and faced us. “Go on laugh at me, someday your partners will cheat on you! I swear to the Devil!” she said and walked away.

We all looked at each other one last time and shrugged before going out. We all went to our works after.

As I was going out of work, Caleb called me. Oh, great timing. “Oh Caleb?”

“Nola, come here quick your sister…” I didn’t let him finish and immediately hailed a cab to the hospital.

Niah… What happened?

“Doc!” I called my sister’s doctor the moment I saw her outside her room. She was with Caleb.

“Nola I’m glad that you’re here. I need to be brutally honest with you, your sister’s condition is getting worse. She’s okay for now, but she really needs surgery as soon as possible to know what could we do to help her.” She explained. The moment she said that my sister is getting worse, I cried.

Caleb immediately hugged me and I continued crying in his arms, as the doctor explains the procedure that they are planning to do. Caleb was just answering the questions for me, for I was just crying and can’t even speak.

We entered her room and her roommates’ guardians quickly approached me. “Believe in miracles. God is always here.” She said as she held my hands firmly.

“We’ll pray for you and your sister.” The other woman said. I nodded my head and wiped my tears. I looked at my sister. She is sleeping peacefully now.

I can’t help it but to feel bad for her. Every time she had her therapy I can see that she was fighting the urge to scream or cry because she knows that it’ll hurt me. Every time her body rejects the food and puke she would always smile after.

She would always say that she will fight for me. She would fight for her life because she was afraid that I would be left here alone. We already lost our parents she didn’t want me to lose her.

If only I could switch places with her, I would do it without doubt. She suffered enough.

We spent the night at the hospital with Niah. The next day, Lara came to take care of my sister. It’s our day-off and Caleb and I have a photo shoot to attend.

We all went to our own house to prepare.

While I was combing my hair, I heard a knock. I wonder who is it? I didn’t order anything online and Caleb said that he’ll go first to prepare the location. I opened the door slowly and saw a delivery guy holding a huge box.

“Ma’am here’s your dress, you should wear it to the photos hoot.” He said and walked away.

I immediately closed the door and opened the box. “Wow…” I said in amazement. It was a poet sleeved blush colored wedding gown.

“It’s so pretty… now I want to get married because of this dress.” I said and laughed. I wore the dress together with the shoes in it. I decided to fix myself. I was doing a fresh make-up look and braided my hair and put in a bun, so I can put the veil.

“I look like a bride now wow!” I said when I looked in a mirror. “All I need is a groom and I’m good to go!” I said and giggled. I check at the time and my eyes widened in shock. Oh, fuck I’m going to be late.

I immediately walk out of my apartment and hailed a cab. I can hear my neighbor’s side comments but I didn’t mind them.

Just as we are near the church where we are going to do our photo shoot, we got stuck in heavy traffic. How unlucky you are Nola Florentina.

“Are we there?” I asked the driver.

“No Ma’am, I’m sorry your husband must be waiting for you.” He apologized. I shook my head and put the bill on the car seat and went out. Fuck this I’m running to our location. I heard the driver shouted for my change but I didn’t mind him.

I ran through the highway and I can already hear their cheers and some even congratulated me! They fucking thought I’m a bride that is late for her wedding. What the hell…

“I’m here! I’m sorry I’m late!” I opened the big double doors. Wait…

Why are there many extras? Where is Caleb? Why is there a priest in front?

My eyes widened upon realizing something. Oh, shit Nola this is fucking embarrassing. Wrong location! Retreat!

This is a real wedding!

I waved my hands awkwardly and was about to go out when the woman dragged me and fixed my hair. “Ma’am, you’re late! Mr. Higgins is already mad, they thought you were not going to show up!” the woman whom I guess is the wedding organizer.

How can a wedding organizer not recognize the bride? “It’s your turn to walk ma’am…” she said and pushed me towards the aisle. I have no choice but to walk, maybe the groom will realize that I am not his bride.

But I was wrong.

He didn’t recognize his bride!

Seriously? What’s wrong with this wedding? Even the guests didn’t recognize me. Is this some kind of blind wedding? I didn’t know it is still relevant these days.

“Uh I think you got the wrong bride.” I whispered to the man at the end of the aisle.

His brows furrowed “Well lucky you, you’ll get married today.” And he dragged me towards the priest.

My eyes widened in shock. “ Father… Can you give a minute please? I’m just overwhelmed by the happenings can I talk with my honeybunch sweetie pie?” I said and dragged him out of the altar away from the crowd.

“Keegan please tell me this is the woman you hired?” the man asked the man with gray eyes furiously.

The man with gray eyes studied my face. “Eh? Her face had change… Excuse me did you have plastic surgery before the wedding?” he asked me.

I stared at him in disbelief. “Excuse me this face is authentic!” I said and flipped my veil. The groom rolled his eyes at me. “I made a mistake, I was supposed to go for a photo shoot, but I was given the wrong location. I’m outta here.” I said but the groom grabbed my hand.

“No you can’t go. You’ll be the substitute bride.” He said and dragged my back to the altar.

I sighed dramatically. “I’m always the substitute when will I be the first choice?”

“Shush your mouth and let’s get this over with.” He hissed and faced the priest like nothing happened. “We’re ready father.” He said and smiled. I scoffed God doesn’t want two faced people!

But seriously… Is this for real?

Am I going to marry someone I don’t even know?

What the fuck?

Lord, it was only a joke when I said I want to get married!

“You may kiss the bride.” Oh, fuck. This is real! This is real!

The man stared at me for a moment and then kissed me torridly. My eyes widened in shock. What the actual fuck Nola?! He was kissing me in front of many people! In front of the Lord!

What the actual fuck?? What the hell are you doing?