Chapter 71: Chapter 71

Next morning.

There is a loud noise coming from downstairs and I take a look at my alarm clock to see it's just 6:00 a.m. My head falls back into bed trying to force myself to sleep again, but who am I kidding even I know there's no way I'm falling asleep with the noise downstairs.

I pull off the cover from my body and drag my feet out of my room and walk into the living room where Phoebe and some strange faces putting things together are. I spot Jake in nothing but his boxer with a dull sleepy face. Guess I am not the only one who was woken at a bad time. Jack who I am guessing had opened the door for Phoebe opens the door and enters the room and seeing me give me a weird look. I return it with a glare and cross my arms over my chest.

"What's the noise about?" I demand straightway, looking at Jack who shrugs and points to Phoebe.

"I don't know, I'm not the one making the noise."

Phoebe who hears my voice turns and walks to me with a happy face. "Finally the bride is awake."

"Yea, you woke me up," I mutter under my breath.

"It's six the wedding start starts at 9 am and the bride is expected by 9:30 and we will need you ready at any time around 9 which is just three hours from now and we need to get you ready."

"See babe we are so eager like we are the ones getting married."

"Yea you could take today if you want to." I offer with a steel voice.

He winks at me, "No, I think I'll pass today."

Phoebe claps her hand and some ladies dressed in short red and black gown walk towards me and I back away "What are they doing?"

"They are gonna help you take a bath." She says as if that's gonna help me feel better.

"I've been bathing myself for twenty-one years, thank you, but I think I can handle today."

"Don't be absurd. There are trained professionals, this is their job" I shake my head in disagreement. The only hand I'm used to on my body is Rory's and he alone gets to bathe me. I do not care if they're fellow ladies but I just need me to do my thing.

My argument doesn't stand, because Phoebe possesses the same sweet-talking mouth Rory possess and one way and another I find myself being bathed and dressed.

The make-up-ing lasted for two straight hours and after that, I was put into the gown and the setting and adjustment takes the next thirty minute and after two hours thirty minutes of preparation, I was ready. The door to my room opens and Jack and Phoebe enter. There are already dressed and looking as sophisticating as there could be. Jack is looking as handsome as ever in his black and white tuxedo and black tie. His hair dyed complete blonde, which I have to say looks very good on him. Phoebe on the other hand looks breathtaking in her ruby-coloured dress that shows off her perfect curves even though no flesh is exposed. Standing about five feet ten inches with her four inches heels she is now almost the same height as Jack who is six feet tall.

"Oh my gosh," Jack exclaims with wide eyes. "Is that you, Taylor?"

I roll my eyes and stare at him. "Of course not, it's Josh!"

The ladies begin to release the roll setting of my hair and, to it can have its perfect curls and Phoebe gives me a satisfied nod as the ladies finishes and exit the room.

"Oh, by the way, the world knows that we are triplet and that I'm the hottest of them all," he says with a smug pride and brings out his phone. "Look I've got over fourth on Instagram thousand follower in the last twenty-four hours." He shows it to me like I'm interested.

Phoebe rolls her eyes, "You're already taken." She reminds him with a frown.

"And I'm glad." he smiles tilting her chin so she would look at him and her frown softens and she smiles. "Mycole called, he apologized and said he might not make it for the wedding."

"Oh." My face falls sadly at his sudden change.

Mom entered and so did Josh and Jack and their jaw nearly seeps the floor as they stare at me in overwhelming awe. The two notwithstanding, are looking great. Jake is in a red suit and black trousers and Josh is in a white long sleeve and a black short with both their hair combed back neatly in a decent style. Mom's in a purple lace gown which flows on the floor and her hair styled into a messy bun which I have to say makes her exquisite.

"You two look amazing by the way," I tell them.

"Thanks at least someone thinks this looks good." Josh gestures to his dressing, and at the same time glares at Jake.

"You look so beautiful, child." Mom compliments and comes to hugs warmly.

"Thanks, mom."

"The car is ready here I think," Phoebe says looking at her wristwatch as we break away from our hug. "We'll use the next fifteen minute to get to the church."

We arrive at the church and I'm helped out of the limo and from the stairs of the church are divers of decorations some of flowers and others of ribbons. There is a red carpet from outside into the church. On the other side are the media and the pressmen who are taking pictures of every little thing and moves I make and I suddenly how nervous.

What if it all crumbles? Because a lot seems to be expected.

I brush that thought aside and fill my head and mind with positive thoughts. Jack walks to my hand and takes my arms into his and together we all walked into the church hall.

"Arise for the bride." Comes the announcement to the whole church which is filled with more than a hundred guests arise and all turn towards me. I swallow nervously and my left hand comes to hold on to Jack tightly. He looks down at me with an assuring eye and together we move forward towards the altar where the priest stands. I notice the absence of Rory, but I try not to take it into much thought as we take out seats, he probably on his way. I take note that no member of Rory's family apart from his Dad and Phoebe present in the church and my heart tightened guess they kept to their word of never being a part of our lives.

An hour later and Rory is nowhere to be found and everyone in the half grows restless and a little murmur starts going around and I can't ignore them or act like nothing is happening. I become perplexed and worried and I begin to think of any reasons that might make him not turn up.

Phoebe returns to us and shakes her head. "His line is switched off."

I bite down on my lips, trying to not sound so wrecked because that is exactly how I am feeling now. "I don't know why he's not here, we talked last night and he was eager to come. He should have been here already according to plan."

"My son isn't coming to this place." The familiar famine voice draws the attention of everyone seated including myself to the door and there is Melina, in a green overall and black trousers.

My heart sinks immediately and I get up along with the three Js and Mom. Phoebe walks over to where her mom stands and ask her. "What are you talking about, mom?"

She places her hand on her hips, walking towards me majestically. "If Rory isn't here, it's because he has realised his mistake and realise that marrying this woman would be the worse decision he will ever make."

A sense of panic surges through me like a nasty acid reflex and I wrestle to keep myself together in front of the much crowd.

"What are you talking about? What have you done, Melinda?" Henry's voice comes as hard as possible as he walks to his wife.

She turns to him. "I did not do anything." She replies defensively. "This woman has made us look like the bad guys for so long," she accusingly points at me, "it's high time the truth of who she comes out. She's a slut, like any other she's only interested in our son's money."

Not being able to stand any more insult, I take to my heels, running as fast as I can into the street. The newsmen and paparazzi begin to take pictures of me immediately they see me runs run outside the church into the road and they running behind, still taking pictures.

"Taylor!!!" I hear Jack call to me, but never for once do I look back, I have to see Rory, I don't know what truth is there that he now know, but it is a lie and I have to make him understand that.

The gown which was adjusted this morning for my comfort, has become a great discomfort as it drags behind me on the streets but I don't stop running though and when my feet begin to hurt, I pull off my stilettos and put out my hand to the taxi I see coming towards me. It stops and I get in, telling the driver the direction which he should go.

When I arrive at Rory's house I get down from the car and handed my white diamond earrings to the driver just like I had bargained with him and I run into the gates of, but unlike usual (because I've been here a few time,) there is no guard or security around and I begin to wonder why that is and if he was inside but summoning my courage up, I walk inside.