Always the Bride

9. Meeting the next husband

I walk back out onto the busy street then stop and text Gregory one last time telling him I don’t know what time I’ll be home. He’ll ask questions when I see him but that will give me enough time to think up an excuse.

Right with that sorted, I suppose I should start this thing. After all the money I’ve paid out, I can’t back out now. Then again, there’s no way I’ll be backing out. The pull of the wedding gifts is too much. I need to find blokes eager to marry, and quickly, so I can satisfy my craving. It’s like I’ve become a vampire all of a sudden. Rather than craving blood though, I’m craving wedding gifts. I need my fix! Yes I’m aware Gregory showers me with gifts every day but it’s not the same.

Desperate to get this show on the road, my eyes dart up and down the streets looking for a nightclub. It’s a weeknight so the clubs are much quieter but considering where I am, there must be something open. Then I spot a sign just down the road. Picking up my pace I power walk in the direction of this club, full of high hopes.

I know I’m an attractive woman, even more so with this makeover, so I’m not worried about finding a man. I’m more worried about finding one who wants to marry. Many people are scared of the idea of marriage now days. Then again, with people like me roaming the streets you can’t blame them.

Once again a stab of guilt catches me off guard and makes me question what I’m doing. Perhaps I really should get some professional help? I mean this isn’t normal. Shouldn’t I be happy just to settle down with one person?

Sadly, this is the problem. When I tried that I failed miserably. Then why have wedding gifts suddenly become such a necessity? Is it because of Marcus? Am I really that unhappy with Gregory? He’s not a bad man. I could be happy if I let myself. Not everyone ends up with their soul mate. I’m just one of those people.

Before I can think any further, my thoughts stop abruptly when I arrive at the nightclub. Even though I’m not in an alleyway now, the main road is still quite deserted and it’s obviously not a popular place. The tacky neon sign is hanging on one hinge and flickering on and off. There’s not even a bouncer on the door. This doesn’t bode well. Perhaps I should have chosen a better place. Then again, with little time to plan, I have to take what I can get.

Sadly I’m out of my comfort zone right now. You see, I don’t go clubbing. Ever. It’s just not me. I hate crowded places, I hate smokers and I hate loud music. But I’m not me now, am I? I’m Julia now and she’s an outgoing girl who enjoys clubbing.

Doubts start to creep in as I realise something. I didn’t really think this through properly, did I? Theoretically I should have planned my identities and known them inside out. Since I only know my identity, and haven’t given thought to any others, I’ve got a big problem on my hands.

Well for now I can only do one thing. I just need to make sure all decisions I make and all my reactions are not me. They have to be Julia. As soon as I get home, or someplace private, I will note down who I am as Julia. After that I will have to make sure I plan and know my other identities properly.

My stomach drops. Oh god, I’m seriously doing this! And not just as Julia but I am seriously contemplating having multiple identities. This could be one hell of a disaster. Then again, it could go off very well. Within a year I could have a nice collection of wedding gifts.

This thought brings a smile to my face and erases any doubts I had in mind.

Taking a deep breath, I get myself into character then walk in. It’s time to find myself a second husband.

As I step inside, I’m instantly greeted with smoke so thick I struggle to breathe. My eyes sting and I can barely see two feet in front of me. Through the smoke I can see flashing lights and lots of bodies gyrating against each other. The music is so loud it feels as though my whole body is vibrating.