Page 58 of What Happens This Christmas
Once I had my earrings on, I stood up and walked to my closet, a new sense of giddy coming over me. I was about to see the ivory hand-beaded and embroidered off-the-shoulder gown I’d found for the event months ago. It was a sheath gown, but because this was winter, I wanted a fuller skirt. That was precisely why I’d taken it to a seamstress to attach an overskirt. At my final fitting, I’d felt like royalty, and I couldn’t wait to get iton again and experience the same feeling. They’d taken forever, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever get it back, but I finally had.
Only, I had to part with it again for some very necessary dry cleaning. Much to my excitement, our housekeeper had picked it up last week and tucked it away in my closet for the time when we would be reunited.
I stepped in front of the garment bag that hung there like a dream suspended from clouds. Not able to resist a second more, I reached up and pulled it from the rack, placing it on a hook so I could unzip the beauty and be transformed into a queen.
This was but one reason why I loved the world I was subjected to because of my husband’s social status. It just fit the feelings that I craved…well…feeling. It gave me the opportunity to wear the most extravagant things. Things that had the power to transform. Things that made me feel not just beautiful but truly radiant.
My hands shook slightly as I reached out to touch it. My palms were sweaty, my heart racing. Oh, jeez, I felt like a virgin, not knowing what to expect my first time or the proper way to handle a man’s equipment. Although I may have felt that way, it was lucky for me I was far from a virgin, especially when it came to matters of couture. Clasping the tips of my fingers around the zipper to not mess up my French acrylics, I slowly pulled it down to reveal…
Oh.
My.
Goodness.
Gracious.
A disaster!
I pulled it down to reveal a disaster.
How could this be?
What had I ever done to deserve this…this…atrocious fate?
I was being punished, I knew I was, I just wasn’t completely sure why.
Like with a car accident by the side of the road or a lover’s spat in the middle of a party, I couldn’t seem to peel my eyes away. I was bewitched by the haunting sight before me.
I contemplated whether this was my own worst nightmare, but the results were in not seconds later. Yes, indeed, this was one of my worst nightmares come true.
The gown was not the gown I’d last seen. Not only was the skirt ruined, but the beads, the embroidery, it was all ruined. Hidden away in the garment bag as if no one would be the wiser.
What self-respecting person would do such a thing? They had to be a monster to know full well that I entrusted them to take care of this masterpiece, and they destroyed it. Well beyond repair.
How could this have happened? I mean, to think that this was the most absolute worst-case scenario.
I tore it off the hanger and clutched it to my bustier.
Heat trickled down my spine, and I felt a piercing need to scream.
What was I going to do? I couldn’t very well show up to the event in this…this…this…disaster.
Suddenly, the walls felt like they were closing in on me. My pulse raced at an alarming rate and my heart jumped into my throat. I feared I might be sick.
My mind was spiraling, going a million miles a minute.
What did I tell you? She never belonged here.
She’s an imposter.
I feel for Nick, I really do.
Talk about a disappointment. Nick must feel slighted. He married the wrong woman… The wrong woman… The wrong woman…
Those three words kept playing over and over again in my head until finally I couldn’t take it any longer. Not for another second.
Bile formed in the back of my throat, but I pushed it down, ignoring the cold sweat that I was breaking out in.
