GLADDY EMMA.

Lena's POV.

'This couldn't be happening.' I thought, almost panicking as I stared at my soiled wedding dress.

I tried to bury the rage burning inside me as I realized that the accident I had tried avoiding eventually happened.

But how come?

What the hell was going on?  

Was the past so hell-bent on repeating itself?

I wanted to cry out, but my parents were currently in the dressing room with me, trying to find another dress for me; unfortunately, all the stores were closed.

I relaxed on the sofa, initially telling them not to waste their time because I knew they weren't going to get a dress, but they refused to listen.

The wedding was put on hold with the guests probably confused.

"OMG! Lena, are you okay?" Tia dashed in, inquiring as if she cared.

I caught the hidden smirk on her lips and felt the urge to slap her hard but I had to be rational now.

She stood in the room, glowing in her white dress, reminding me once again that she was going to be mistaken for the bride in the next few minutes and would steal the spotlight from me.

This was all my fault, I was too gullible previously because it was Tia who suggested that both of us wear white on my dream day, and I agreed, thinking it was nothing.

But now that I thought about it deeply, could she have planned to steal the spotlight from me from the onset and gotten someone to ruin my dress?

She knew I wouldn't get another one since the wedding was fixed on a public holiday so all popular, wealthy business associates and popstars could make it.

This wedding was supposed to be the biggest of the century and it was, except the media took Tia's face as the bride.

Because of this, companies demanded to have her as an ambassador, while my existence was barely remembered till I began Project FXT.

The project Dane had been battling with for years. The media and Netizens then began to pay attention to me because no one believed I could bag the project.

Also, Tia was working with me on it, and I wonder if she planned to steal the spotlight for that for herself too?

"We can't get any dresses Tia." My dad sighed with regret while my mum patted me on the back, trying to console me.

"What are we going to do now?" Tia asked and I gritted my teeth against one another, knowing what she was about to hint.

"Lena can't go out like this. I am sorry, but it would be a disgrace, considering the guests present." Tia began and I noticed my father was about to agree with her.

Fuck! No, I had to do something.

I was hurriedly racking my brain for a solution when;

"Oh, don't worry about that, there is someone here who can help." I heard a familiar deep voice say and we all turned to the entrance at once.

Standing there was Mikahali and;

My breath got caught in my throat as I instantly recognized who was with it.

All colors drained out of Tia's face as recognition sank in her, too, while both my dad and mum looked delighted.

"Oh my God! Gladdy, is that you?" My dad exclaimed in disbelief as I tried not to shiver in my mum's embrace.

"Gladdy? As in Gladdy Emma, what is she doing here, Lena?" Tia whispered into my ear, obviously furious as Gladdy walked into the room, with her head standing tall.

"If this bitch is going to be here, then I am not doing a thing." Gladdy turned to tell Mikahali who was still standing by the door.

"No problem sweetie, she will leave right away." My mum said, and Tia looked taken aback, beads of sweat gathering on her forehead despite the air-conditioning in the room.

"Mum, are you s-sending me out for her? But w-what could Gladdy probably d-do?" Tia stuttered and a feeling of satisfaction went through me as I watched her panic.

Why wouldn't she when her plans were about to fumble? 

I mean she must have been the one to send those maids after me so my gown could get ruined and she could steal the spotlight.

But with Gladdy around, she could only dream on because Gladdy was a professional, fashion designer and my best friend from childhood until Tia tricked me into sending her to Jail.

"I can fix her dress, so will you leave, or should I?" Gladdy asked and my mum instantly got to her feet.

"Of course not." She then turned to glare at Tia who was trembling.

"Leave before I call the guards." She threatened and I grinned.

Mum had never liked Tia anyway, she only endured her and tried to fancy her because I was obsessed with Tia, being my friend.

Once Tia scrambled away like the outsider she was, I turned to my parents.

"Please can you give us a moment?"

My mum understood the situation immediately and nodded, before dragging my dad, who looked like he wanted to refuse, away.

Mikahali too left and I was grateful.

But as soon as I realized I was alone with Gladdy, my heart pounded heavily against my chest, especially when I looked into her eyes that were no longer warm towards me.

She looked like she wanted to kill me and I couldn't blame her.

I messed up big time and broke our trust.

Tears gathered at the brim of my eyelids and as I tried blinking them back, they dropped, rolling down my cheeks.

Gladdy's eyes widened in disbelief. "Okay, I thought Mikahali was being funny when he mentioned that you have changed but probably, he was right."

I stiffened as she said those words.

Mikahali mentioned that I had changed? How?

I cleared those thoughts, deciding to focus on the present as I moved closer to her.

"I am so sorry, Gladdy. I was a fool, and I hurt you." I stiffened as the tears continued to drop.

"Aww, is the Almighty Lena finally feeling guilty?" She mocked, and I bit my lower lip hard, knowing I had missed my friend, no matter how much I didn't want to admit it.

Gladdy worked in the fashion department of my company. Tia joined that department and framed Gladdy for a crime she (Tia) committed, and without investigating, I locked Gladdy up and destroyed the fashion department.

Gladdy began to hate me afterwards, but before I died previously, I heard she got killed in Jail over a misunderstanding, and I didn't even bother to console her parents despite figuring out that she was innocent.

I chose to protect Tia who performed a pity party.

How could I have been so heartless and gullible?

Now that I was reborn, I decided to make things right and thought about exposing the truth once the wedding was over but surprisingly, she was in my presence now.

Had she been freed?

As if reading my mind, Gladdy began to talk.

"Mikahali cleared my name this morning and asked me to forgive you. He said you were being controlled then, but now seem back to being yourself, the Lena that saved me from bullies, back in elementary school." Gladdy chuckled, and I wanted to laugh, but instead cried more.

My heart felt full as I stared at one of the people who truly cared about my well-being, but I thought they were my enemies and had them punished severely.

"We can do a reunion later but for now, let's fix your dress," Gladdy said and got to work.

In an hour, my tears had dried, my make-up retouched, and my wedding dress looked so gorgeous that I almost didn't believe it was the same dress.

It looked even better than the original design as Gladdy had fixed the mess with more diamond stones and fabrics.

"I d-don't know what to s-say." I felt teary again and Gladdy frowned.

"Don't you dare Lena. Since you have changed, it doesn't make sense you still want to marry Dane, but I know you must have your reasons, so go there looking like the queen you are instead of some spoiled brat." Gladdy warned and I laughed.

Later, she stepped out and Mikahali stepped in.

"Whoa! You look glamorous." He commented and I remembered everything Gladdy said about him.

This dude basically saved me today, not only did he bring back a friend I had lost but he also spoke in good favor of me, so without thinking, I walked over to him, wrapped my hands around his neck, and kissed him hard.

He reciprocated, his arm wrapping around my waist as he thrust his tongue into my mouth.

My God! He tasted so delicious that I wanted more.

I felt my legs wobbling as his kiss got hotter, and I pulled away to catch my breath as he stroked my hair.

"What was that for?

"Thank you." I appreciated looking into his eyes, which were filled with so much desire for me that my heart skipped a beat.

I was about to lean in to kiss him again when a knock sounded on the door.

"Lena, you there?" Dane shouted and I froze, my lips parting in surprise.

Dane was here?