Chapter 2 The Runaway Bride

Victoria's POV

"Brenda, why are you always this childish?" I groaned as she yanked open my curtains, flooding the room with a harsh wave of sunlight that slapped my face awake.

She laughed, tossing a warm pancake onto my bed like a Frisbee. "Want me to pour water on your face too? Or are you finally going to get up and get ready for my wedding?"

I squinted, shielding my eyes. "Oh... that's true." Sitting up, I reached for her hand, holding it gently.

"Brenda..." My voice trembled. I gave her that baby-sister look I knew always melted her heart. My bottom lip quivered, just a little. Theatrics had their uses.

She crossed her arms. "No-don't give me that look," she said, biting back a smile.

We both broke into laughter, the kind only sisters could share-intimate, innocent, fleeting.

"Should I just wish you good luck now, my lovely sister?" I asked, wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug. Too tight, maybe-she wriggled out with a chuckle.

"You seriously need to grow up," she said, brushing a hand through my messy hair. "I'm sure he'll be a good man."

"You sound like Mum," I said, rolling my eyes. "Neither of us has even met him. How can you all be so sure?"

She shrugged, trying to play it cool, but I caught the flicker of doubt in her eyes.

"You don't have to keep sugarcoating what's clearly messed up, little cutie," she teased, flashing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes as she stepped toward the door.

She paused, tossed a pale-blue dress at me. "Wear this. I think it'll fit. You'll look stunning."

And just like that, she was gone-off to face a future none of us fully understood.

Something about her felt... different. Her smile had been too tight, her voice too light. But maybe I was overthinking. Maybe it was just the wedding nerves.

A knock snapped me back.

"Victoria," Mum called through the door. "The event planner's here. Go freshen up."

"I'm on it!" I called back, dragging myself toward the bathroom.

As the hot water ran over my skin, I noticed my phone buzzing. Five missed calls. Nelson. What was going on?

I was barely out of the shower when Mum barged in without warning.

"Are you not done yet?"

"I overslept, sorry," I said, rubbing lotion onto my arms.

"Brenda's already on her way to the courthouse. Your father and I are leaving now."

"I'll catch up. I'm going straight to the church ceremony."

She gave a curt nod and disappeared down the hall.

The moment I started applying my eyeliner, a shrill voice tore through the house.

"Who put those meat trays there? Move them! This is a DISASTER!"

I groaned. The event planner was in full battlefield mode again. Every five minutes, another drama.

"When will this madness end?" I muttered.

"Today," I answered myself, chuckling bitterly. Great-now I was talking to myself.

I struggled into the dress Brenda had left me, cursing under my breath as the zipper refused to cooperate.

Then came a soft voice behind me. "Who's making you smile like that?"

Warm hands brushed my waist. The zipper gave in. A kiss landed on the back of my neck, gentle and familiar.

"Nelson," I whispered, already grinning. "When did you get in?"

"Just now. You were busy falling in love with your reflection."

I smirked. "Well, don't I look good?"

"Perfect. But I'm biased," he said, his fingers brushing the curve of my hip.

I turned toward him, teasing. "Biased or not, am I not pretty without the dress too?"

The dress straps slipped off my shoulders as I leaned into him. He caught me by the waist, lifted me onto the vanity table. His lips found mine-urgent, searching. His fingers fumbled at the back of my bra.

"I can always take another shower," I whispered.

He hesitated, glancing toward the window. "Are you sure? This is your dad's house. No CCTV cameras?"

"They're all outside. Relax."

He gave a half-smile. "Okay, love."

Just as things started heating up again-my phone buzzed.

Aunt Teraza.

"Where are you?" she demanded.

"Uh-"

"You're still at home?"

"Yes."

"Stay there. We're coming now."

Click.

My heart dropped. We? Jesus.

"Babe, you've got to go. Now. I think my parents are coming back."

Nelson frowned. "I thought they were going straight to the church?"

"So did I. But something's up. Go. I'll meet you there."

He kissed my forehead and slipped out quietly. I fixed my dress, took a deep breath, and checked the mirror again.

The dress hugged my figure just enough to make me look like Brenda. Almost like I was stepping into her shoes.

Not even thirty minutes later, I heard voices-loud, rushed, full of unease.

I stepped into the hallway.

Mum. Dad. Aunt Teraza. Uncle Herry. Mr. Kelvin. And strangers. All of them walking in like a storm, panic etched into every face.

"Mum?" I asked. Her lips were pale. She leaned on Dad like her legs might give out.

"Someone please tell me what's going on," I demanded, voice rising.

No one answered. Until-

"Darling," Aunt Teraza whispered, gently.

That tone. That softness. I braced myself even when I knew I was losing it.

"Brenda is missing," Mum said.

The words knocked the breath from my chest.