**THE BLACK MARRIAGE**
©Ralph Angel
EPISODE 1
“This gown is perfect” Sonia exclaimed as she hurriedly held out the wedding gown that caught her fancy in the extremely large room filled with gowns. Jessica sighed exhaustedly. “You can’t obviously expect me to wear that?” “And what is wrong with this one again ooo” Paulina asked, equally exhausted. “Yes, tell us what is wrong with it. Even though I don’t like the design at the back, I can’t wait for you to make your choice. We have been in this dress shop for hours” Lizzy scolded. “And every cloth you guys have been pointing out is either too showy or too expensive” Jessica pointed out.
Lizzy stood in front of Jessica. “You are dulling my spirit honey. You are getting married to the richest and most famous guy in this blessed country of ours and you are lamenting money? He gave you his MasterCard for crying out loud” she exclaimed. “So? Am I supposed to drain the account all in the name of a wedding dress?” Sonia stepped in. “I agree with Jessica” Jessie smiled. “We can’t overspend just because the guy is rich”. Lizzy hissed “All the same, no gown here is expensive enough to catch his notice. I mean, come on, this gown is not even up to 150, 000 Naira” Paulina said in one breath. “I agree with Paulina” Sonia said. Jessica shook her head. Of all her friends, Sonia was closest to her.
Jessica believed that no matter how many friends you have, you would always have a best friend, or at least someone who was closer to you than the others. Sonia always played it safe. She is not the arguing type but when it came to advice or a good listener, Sonia was impeccable.
She would reason with you and carefully try to make her point without an argument. Lizzy was the fashion freak that could use her last penny to buy what was in vogue, as long as it fits her perfectly.
Paulina was the one with the attributes of a mother. She babied and bullied everyone into doing her will but she could never really exert her controlling power on them; especially not on Jessica. Jessica was the most stubborn. Once she made up her mind, it takes only God and divine intervention to change it. The only way her three close friends ever succeeded in manipulating her is if they joined forces. Her stubborn nature was the reason why they still have not picked a wedding dress for the wedding that would hold in two weeks time. Lizzy was busy sampling other dresses while the others continued to argue. “What is wrong with the ones I selected?” Jessica asked. “No… I surely would not best you if you wear any of those” Sonia said with her eyes wide. “Your fashion sense is totally out of league. I am sure no one would have agreed to wear those ridiculous dresses in the year 1789. Do you know the dignitaries that would be present at the wedding? I would definitely not miss handshakes and photographs with governors. You need to look presentable enough my dear, if you are going to be marrying Andy Williams. He is every woman’s dream”.
Paulina had dreamy eyes. “Why don’t you marry him instead? I am so tired of this” “Oh really? I am so grateful honey” Paulina squealed happily. “I always knew you liked her more than me. Why did you not give him to me?” Sonia asked with sad, accusing eyes. Jessica hissed. “See the people I call my friends” she shook her head. “Hey lazy bones” Lizzy called, out of sight. “Get your butts down here. I got the hottest gown here and I am not taking ‘no’ for an answer” The girls walked there even though Jessica was reluctant, knowing that whatever caught Lizzy’s fancy would not please her.
Paulina and Sonia gasped when they saw the gown. Jessica’s breath was blown away as she stared at the gown. It was the most beautiful gown she had ever set her eyes on. She hid her interest in it and noticed what she had suspected. The gown needed no jacket, unlike most of the tubes she had seen. It was a tube with a transparent net finishing which gave it small hands, although sleeveless.
The design of the gown from the net beginning to the stylish finishing was so breathtaking but the gown was too exposing to Jessica. “I can’t” she finally said and they all turned stunned eyes at her. “OK, listen bride, you are going to wear this gown whether you like it or not. What is wrong with it?” Lizzy was clearly angry. “The net” Jessica said flatly. “What?” Sonia exclaimed. “You can’t be serious” Paulina said Jessica caught sight of the price tag and her eyes widened. “It is also too damn expensive”.
The three friends turned glaring eyes at her and from the look on their faces; Jessica Adams knew that she had been boxed into a corner……….
To be continued…
