(Kim's POV )
The car ride was anything but ecstatic as my parents, especially my mom threw words at me, I felt attacked as she stated on my dress when she was among those who picked it out.
"That's a lot of cleavage being exposed!" She took a peek at me from the front mirror. "It doesn't even look good on you, we should have gotten you another dress,"
"Mom, Kim looks good!" Eloise remarked, smiling up at me and I returned it but less bigger as I stared down at my palms, fondling with my hands.
"Look at her, so sheepish and weenie, Kareen would have looked stunning in that dress, she looks beautiful in everything anyway"
"Kareen is the bride, Mom!" Again, Eloise countered. Such a sweet little sister I had, she understood me better than anyone.
"I know, she is just perfect, she's only 23 and has gotten herself the best job and she getting married to the richest man in the country," Mom praised with a dreamy smile as she stared at the road.
"Kim's gonna have a good job and get married to a billionaire too, right Kim?" Eloise peered expectantly at me, waiting for my reply but mom interposed as she whizzed.
"Oh please, have you seen the way she looks, no organization is going to employ a techie that loves being in her head all the time, and trust me, no man in his right senses would want to make her his wife, she's a lost cause. She can't even cook, good for nothing!"
Again with the derogatory words, pricking through my heart whenever she spat them out with no empathy for my feelings. I should be used to it by now but I wasn't and I didn't think I would ever be able to get used to it.
"I have an interview with LGPC on Monday," I uttered and this time, dad cackled as if he just heard the absurdest parody of the century.
"That's one of the biggest companies in the US"
"And isn't that your fourth try. If it had been Kareen she would have bagged that job so easily," Mom laughed along with Dad, smashing my dreams all over again. "And I've told you to quit the thought of becoming a photographer, we didn't send you to college to become a shutterbug, that's just so lame, Kareen is a Financial Manager and she's doing so well, I'm so proud of her, right honey?" She reeled to dad and he nodded.
I bit my bottom lip, my mood turning pungent while a lump crystallized.
Kareen this, Kareen that, she was just so perfect, so excellent that I was nowhere compared to her. Just a year after graduating, she had already gotten a job as a financial Manager in a big company and was getting married to a young billionaire while I was nothing, submerging myself in books and taking photos, thinking one day my prince charming would come sweep me off my feet. Ah!
I saw nothing wrong with dreaming and I equally didn't see a need to substantiate myself to anyone, not even my parents.
To them, I was in the blink.
"And can you please put on a smile, you are going to scoot all the guests away with that face of yours!"
Kareen and I had the same face! Those words nearly slipped past my lips but I swallowed them. I found it inconsequential.
It was a 20 minutes drive, yet it felt like an hour as the car finally stopped in the hotel's parking lot. We got down from the car, my parents went ahead with Eloise while I hung behind, trying so hard to elevate my putrid temperament but it wasn't working.
I told myself not to be impacted by their words, yet, they still got to me no matter how hard I attempted.
I won't blame them though, I was already 23 of age, working as a waitress and selling photos to minor organizations, I still lived with my parents regardless of knowing my presence wasn't needed, reminding me of my incompetence daily. I was equally a graduate yet, no one wanted to hire a wonk with glasses in their companies.
I sighed heavily and put on a smile as I strode into the five-class resort, it was my twin sister's wedding. For her sake, I chose to be optimistic. At least, one of us was living the life we wanted.
I met my family on the elevator, I cowered to the corner, resting my head on the wall as the lift when up to the top floor.
The door opened with a ding a few seconds later and we walked out, heading towards Kareen's room while Mom went on and on about how Kareen was the perfect daughter, how she wished Eloise would one day turn out like Kareen.
This day had been nothing but about Kareen but then again, that was how it had always been. Kareen, Kareen, Kareen.
If I didn't know better, I would have started despising the name on how much it was being let out in a day.
Arriving at my sister's room, Mom excitedly knocked on the door and it opened to reveal an unfamiliar girl. Mom excitedly shoved the girl out of the way and ambled into the room, we followed after her. However, the enthusiasm died as we ceased at the sight before us, our gaze staring at the woman who sat elegantly on the bed, one leg crossed over the over, showcasing her red stilettos heels that went with her deep v neck jumpsuit and a pair of polarized sunglasses at the bridge of her nose.
She equally stared back at us. "Welcome, I've been expecting you," Her tone was non-existent, she pushed the glasses lower, revealing a pair of elegiac brown orbs that drilled through our skulls with contempt.
I watched as Mom and Dad shared uncertain glances before peering back at the glamorous woman. "Where's Kareen?" Mom started and the woman hissed, the abhorrence in her gaze not fading.
"How brash of you to ask a question I should be asking, Mrs. Quant, Where is your daughter?" She catechized in a formal tone.
The way she spoke was hushed, yet emphatic, settling an awful feeling in our gut.
"What are you talking about. Where is Kareen, this is her suit, she's supposed to be here!" Mom's voice was sharp and snappy, her gaze now glaring at the woman.
The woman scoffed, yet didn't respond while the girl who opened the door earlier advanced with a piece of paper, and extended it towards mom who didn't hesitate to snatch it out from her grip and unfold the paper, reading its content.
We watched silently as Mom's eyes widened with each word she read before passing the note to dad. "That's impossible!" She gasped.
"I believe you know your daughter's handwriting better than an outsider,"
The suspense was killing me as I went behind dad, pecking at the note, and my eyes enlarged at the boldly written words. Kareen's writing was unmistakable.
"I realized my happiness didn't lie with him anymore, I can't keep lying to myself anymore, I'm sorry!-" The note read.
To be continued...!
"I do not believe this!" Mom's voice shattered the stillness that fall upon the room as she paced from one end to the other, hands on her hips.Kareen ran away from her wedding, Realization sunk deep into my system. Why would she do that?!Mom sharply reeled to dad. "Philip, call Kareen immediately!" She ordered and Dad didn't hesitate as he pulled out his phone and dialed Kareen's number but it immediately went into voicemail. "Keep trying till you get through!" She rasped, racking her hands through her hair, aggravated."Now listen..." The woman got up on her feet, arranging her glasses. "Today's rite is not about wedding two people together, Billions of dollars are involved, contracts are at risk, and believe me, I won't lose any of those because of some foolish girl who makes preposterous decisions!""We will have to postpone the wedding, something must have happened to Kareen!" Dad suggested and a peal of demeaning laughter erupted from the woman's throat."This wedding will not
I gawked at my reflection in the mirror, smoothing my hand on the patterns of the wedding dress, realizing how it fitted my body. I sighed with my shoulders plunging while I took off my glasses and loosened my ponytail, letting my wavy hair fall on my shoulders.Picking up my dress, I stepped out of the bathroom, finding my parents and a make-up artist waiting for me, I was immediately rushed to a chair."We are a bit late but there's nothing wrong with the bride arriving late at her wedding, I will make sure you look perfect!" The make-up artist clamored in an energetic tone as she set her item's down and started working on my looks. I smiled at her. "By the time I'm with you, you won't be recognized, you will be more than perfect!"Again, I sent her a smile. I peeked a glance at my parents who stood in the corner watching me. I immediately averted my gaze.A few minutes later, my makeup and hair were done and a veil was placed over my head. I was ready to leave and seconds later, I
(Kim's Point of View)I remained placid, the words of the priest barely penetrating through my eardrums as I continued to gawk at Mr. Rodriguez, most might think it was from reverence but I was flabbergasted without a doubt.I have never met Kareen's fiance before and this wasn't who I thought he was.Through the veil, I met his eyes for the nth time but this time, I didn't try to look away.His eyes were the deepest and darkest shade of grey I have ever seen, they punctured through my face but what caught my attention more was the dreadful glint in his eyes that could not be unseen once it was discerned.Was he able to tell I wasn't Kareen and if he did, why was he pushing through with this?I felt anxious with those grey eyes staring up at me and when I couldn't take it anymore, I finally looked away till it was time for the rings and the vows.His best man came forward with the rings, my breath hitched and I flinched when he took hold of my hand. I gulped when he didn't do anything
(Kim's Point of View)The Rodriguez's mansion was an enormous one, especially the living room where I was crouched, however, the more I sit there with my hands held on my laps, the more the space got portable with the various pair of eyes gawking at me from the opposite.Under their gazes, I felt small, I had never been the type to strive for attention, I made sure to stay away from it till today and I felt like I had nowhere to hide, I felt jeopardized.Awkwardly, I reached out to adjust my glasses.Five more minutes passed with no one saying a word till a man in a suit hiked into the living room with a suitcase and a smile broke on Mrs. Evans's lips as she stood up and shook the man's hand. "Welcome Attorney Gilroy, we've been expecting you, please have a seat,"The tanned man sat beside me on the couch while Mrs. Evans went back to her seat."Attorney Gilroy, I want you to meet Kim Quant, the sister of Kareen Quant, I believe you must have met her before,"I attempted to make mysel
I strived to keep my focus on the task at hand which was serving the guest at the restaurant I worked in but I couldn't, finding myself zoning out, deriving to a horrendous headache."Are you alright?" My colleague queried and I bobbed, I was fine, I just needed to lay down, it was nothing grave.Dumping the tray into the washing sink, my gaze thwarted to the ring on my finger and sighed. What had I gotten myself into?"Are you sure you're alright you have been spacing out lately,"I held up my head, watching my colleague and only close friend Sam ambling in. She placed her hand on my forehead, "You don't have a fever,"I beamed. "I'm fine Sam, it's just a headache,"She shrugged and slept her back on the wall. "So...when were you going to tell me about that?" She motioned towards the wedding ring on my finger."Ah, this..." I snickered nervously. "It happened out of the blue,""It sure did, I had no idea you even had a boyfriend, the Kim I know would never conceal anything from me, w
I beamed as I waddled out of my bedroom, sliding through the photos in my professional camera, searching for the perfect ones to sell However, the smile on my face plunged when I discovered there was nothing good enough to barter.I sighed with my shoulders dropping. I seriously needed to scour more. I arrived at the living room, not finding the usually frigid man with wayfarer glasses, however, my gaze docked on one of the maids and my camera instantly clicked and she paused, ogling at me with a dumbfounded mood."Oh, I'm sorry, I normally take pictures of people doing everyday things and nature," I immediately clarified."Oh, there's a garden at the back,"My grin magnified at the information. "Thank you," I ducked thankfully and raced towards the back of the mansion. The sight that greeted me was wow as I abruptly thwarted and gawked.The sight before me was an immense oasis with many multi-colored flowers blossoming gloriously.With a satisfied smile, I too
Anxiously, I loitered outside at the company's lobby, adapting my glasses once in a while and nuzzling my hands. And soon enough, the company's secretary finally arrived and I stood up, the tiny smile on my face plunging as she handed over my folder."I'm sorry but we can't accept those photos,"I gaped, "What's wrong, this is how I normally bring my shots, and you guys used to accept them,""They are of lower quality, they are not technically sharp and polished. Perhaps the camera wasn't good enough. You can try some other company or come back with better photos next time, Thank you Mrs..." She paused, eyeing the ring on my finger."Mrs. Rodriguez," I resolved thoughtlessly and she gaped at me. "What?"She shook her head but inquired further. "Rodriguez, as in the Rodriguez Empire?" Hesitantly, I found myself nodding. "Is there something wrong?"She snickered. "Oh, there's nothing, can I please see the photos one more time, we might have made a misstep in acces
Being woken up again by the same farcical nightmare, I strolled out of my bedroom in the middle of the night, unable to catch my beauty sleep in an oversized shirt that chopped down to my mid-thigh.The hall was nearly murky and the living room was darker as I strode down the staircase and went to the kitchen, turning on the lights.I hiked toward the fridge, opened it, and peered at the food items. Should I make myself a midnight meal? But I didn't know how to cook, the last time I tried to, I nearly chopped my fingers off and burnt my parent's kitchen, I was banned from ever stepping into the kitchen, Kareen was a much better cook, she didn't spend her time being a nerd.Between Kareen and I, she was the life of the party, especially in college, she was the most popular girl while I was just the popular girl's sister, which I didn't care. I recalled being called a face thief one time. It was rather comical since I was a minute older than Kareen, didn't that mea