CHAPTER 3

CELINE's POV

I got to the hall before I eventually came across Nicholas again. He was talking to someone who I believe must be one of the businessmen but I don't care. I walked after him but he actually turned in time to see me.

“We need to talk,” I said and he arched his brows as if he didn't hear me but I know he did.

“Please give me some minutes.” He said to the man and walked towards me. He caught my wrist and pulled me forward. Strangely, I didn't feel repulsed by his touch. I parted my lips to speak but Nicholas beat me to it.

“Give me your phone, " he said and I scoffed inwardly.

“What?” I asked and he stretched forth his hand.

“Your phone?” Nicholas repeated and I don't know what made me do it but I gave him my phone.

Nicholas used my finger to unlock it and I wanted to ask him what he was planning to do

“I just texted you. Wait for my call.” Nicholas said and gave me my phone back.

"You must be kidding right now. I never asked for your contact." I told him, my voice raised.

“If you will excuse me now.” He said and walked back to meet the man. I clenched my hands and walked away from Nicholas. Away from mother and father. I finally take in deep fresh air and I can't stop thinking about what was really happening. I pinched myself just to be sure if I wasn't dreaming but it's not.

It took a while before Father eventually told me to come meet him at the car. When I got to where he is, my mother was already sitting inside the car. She will soon hear the news and I wonder how she will react. Neither of them ever loved me from day one, which is no news to me.

“Nicholas told me he is going on a business trip and he will be back in a month. I need you to get yourself prepared and use the next month to focus on yourself. You can resume work when he is back and I don't want you to say anything.” Father said and opened the car door

He didn't even wait for me to give him my own reply. Did he not care about my feelings at all?

I got inside the car and Mother turned to face me. “I heard about what happened, Celine and this is actually a disgrace to me despite how I taught you.” Mother said with disdain in her voice.

“You should be grateful Father caught on quick. The story would have been different.” Mother said and I wish she could just let me be for once. But in everything, she will always support my father.

If she were my mother, I would be in endless pain but I am glad she is not.

“Thank you, mother,” I said without explaining things to her. I will talk to my father later just to know if there are ways I can amend this.

***

“You will do as I say, Celine. Didn't I ask you to keep yourself and I will try everything possible to marry you off to a man who will eventually cherish you without talking about your stature and now that you caught Nicholas' interest, you think I won't approve of him?” Father asked and he hit the table and everything on it rattled.

I have been trying to talk sense to him since morning just to know if he is going to listen to my plea after what transpired last night but father refused to listen. I have known him to be like this and he didn't prove me wrong. No matter what I did, my father would never acknowledge me.

I contributed greatly to his company and that's the only thing he could boast of.

“As of today, stay at home and learn to be a good wife to him. If you are willing to accept him, I will allow you back in the office. It's not as if you have a choice.” Father said and I wish I could prove him wrong, that I have a choice.

His words hurt me like a dagger, cutting through my skin and I ran out of his office, like a coward. The tears trickled down my face and I couldn't even hold it back.

Maybe it was because I am overwhelmed with so many emotions. “Madam, please watch out”, I heard one of the staff say but it was too late. My knee hit the photocopy machine and fell on the floor, hitting the staff with my body but he managed to regain his balance.

“Ahh” A low groan escaped my mouth and I felt something tear. It was my dress. The staff tried to pull me off but she couldn't because of my weight.

When I looked up, everyone was looking at me. “Ma, your dress”, the staff pointed out but it was too late, everyone already saw my torn dress and there were murmurs.

“Isn't she supposed to look at where she was going?”

“I wonder if she had a fight with her father. She is crying.”

“Maybe she is crying because she hit the machine badly.”

“He tried to pull her up but she wouldn't budge. She really needs to cut down on her weight.”

“And the dress is too tight.”

I could hear them talking behind me and it hurt more because I heard them. I ignored the lump forming at the back of my throat and stood up instead.

“Thank you. I will try to get something to cover it up.” I said and took a step forward with my head bowed and I collided with a wall.

No.

It wasn't a wall.

I will recognise that even from a thousand miles. It's the same man I lived with for three years. I looked up and saw Nicholas looking down at me.

“Are you okay?” He asked and I became tongue-tied to speak.

The past has changed. Nicholas and I didn't meet before he went on the trip in the past. So what is he doing here?

He took off his suit and draped it on my shoulder, covering my torn dress.

“Come with me.” He said and I followed him without saying a word.

“Thank you but I can save myself,” I said and took off his suit jacket.

“I didn't ask you to rescue me,” I said and threw the suit at him.

His expression was unreadable and I didn't have time to check his appearance.

“What got you crying?” He asked out of the blue, surprising me.

Did he seriously hit his head against the wall after getting drunk that night? Because why is acting nice in front of me?

“Wait,” I said and continued. “Are you seriously asking me that? If you don't want me to shed more tears, withdraw from the marriage. I don't like you.” I lay my claim but Nicholas acted as if he didn't hear me.

He took the jacket and folded it. “I came here to see you.” He confessed and I laughed inwardly.

I took a deep breath and looked up at him, although he was a few inches taller than me.

“If you are here to discuss me and you, count me out, Nicholas. I will see to it that your wish never comes to pass. Go and see father and tell him you are no longer interested.” I said and made my way towards the restroom.

I got inside the restroom and locked the door at the back. I dropped the purse and took a better look at my face. I know I am pretty but people will never focus on that; all they do is talk about my size.

Maybe it's high time, I finally listen to the doctor's advice. I am going to lose a few pounds and embrace my new self. I pulled out my phone and a message flashed across the screen.

Nicholas: I will be waiting for you outside. We need to talk.

Well, I have nothing to say to him. I ignored the message instead and called my sister. In this kind of situation, the only one who can help me is Rachel. She is the only one who supports me in our family.

“Hi, Celine. It's been a long time since I heard from you.” Rachel said and I agree with her

“I'm fine, Rachel. I should have called but I was just too busy with a lot of things.” I confessed.

“Okay, it's fine. I understand.” Rachel replied.

“I actually need your help. I am ready to go on a weight loss journey.” I informed my sister and I heard her scream in joy on the phone.

“Finally Rachel. I'm so happy. I will be with you shortly.” Rachel said and ended the call.

I am not really sure if I am making the right decision but if I want to escape death, I will have to change the past. I only need to get another dress to wear so I can confidently go out, I doubt Nicholas will still be waiting for me.

“Hello, ma’am.” I heard my secretary's voice the moment the call connected.

“Get me a new dress in the next five minutes. I will text you my location.” I said and ended the call.