Going To Jail
WEDDING DAY
She walked down the aisle…
Oops! It's not her wedding day. But her friend Dahlia from college married today, and she was honored to be one of her bridesmaids.
"Could you pay attention?"
A firm voice sounded above her head. Monique looked up and was stunned after she peeked at her partner. Instantaneously, her cheeks blushed, nodding.
They were the next pair to walk down the aisle, and the wedding organizer was currently instructing them not to walk in a hurry but to seize the moment, to smile, and to pose for the cameras recording the entire event.
Just then, she had a better look at him. Clad in a white suit, he exuded a chill aura, but handsomeness covered how stoic his face was.
"Okay, now!" The wedding organizer gives them a thumbs-up, showing that they should start marching now.
On the red carpet, Monique walked with caution. She admires the magical decoration of the entire wedding hall, sighing with appreciation.
The wedding was very fancy because Dahlia's husband, Darius Davidson, comes from a well-off family and has a business with several branches worldwide.
Darius' family rented a super yacht for this wedding, bringing all their guests to Grace Island, where the couple picked out to get married and spend their honeymoon.
Grace Island is a popular destination for couples in love who often dream of getting married there, hoping their love will last forever, which is Monique's goal as well.
She was here on Grace Island to attend her closest friend's wedding, but her main purpose was to get married in secret to her boyfriend for four years, Leroy Yu, on this very same island.
However, his whereabouts are currently unknown.
Leroy seemed to abandon her.
Monique snapped herself to the present and wiped away the tears welling up in her eyes as she recalled her tragic situation at present.
'How did I end up marrying someone else?'
She gazed at the woman in the mirror, staring back at her curiously.
The woman looked stunning in a beautiful off-shoulder white gown and a flower crown on her head. The stylist has magic in her hands. After she had her hair styled and changed her makeup, she almost didn't recognize the woman in the mirror.
"Signora, please turn around. You need to wear some jewelry for your wedding."
~~~
A few hours ago…
A wedding ceremony was held inside the majestic White Castle, known as Grace Palace Garden, as the wedding reception always proceeded in the garden, where one could overlook the town below and the massive ocean on the Mediterranean Sea.
Monique quietly ate her dessert, and occasionally, she sipped her champagne. She was about to finish the last portion of her cake when her phone rang nonstop. She took her phone out of her purse and was dazed as she read the caller ID.
Suddenly, her chest pounded at a rapid pace. She doesn't know why, but her hunch is strong that this call brought terrible news.
Monique rose from her chair and looked around to find the bride. However, Dahlia Suarez, now Mrs. Dahlia Davidson, is talking with her in-laws.
She couldn't have the courage to approach this mighty family, so Monique slipped out of the garden and went to a quieter place.
"Hello, Debbie?" Monique hurried to swipe the green button when Debbi made her fifth call.
"Girl, why aren't you answering quickly?" A woman from the other line grumbled.
"Hey, I'm sorry. The wedding was too loud. I didn't notice your call right away. And then, I have to find a quieter place. So, what's up?"
Monique wanted to explain further but felt it could have been a better use of time.
"Monique, did someone contact you already?"
"Who? And why?" Monique wondered as the woman from the other line sounded troubled.
"It was about your temporary visa. It will end soon! The Davidson family extended their stay in the country for another week. What are you going to do now?"
Monique didn't reply but pondered. They sailed the ocean for two weeks and then stayed on the island for five days. So it means she has to leave the country in two days. But the problem is, she almost used up all her savings, and her hope to save her from having a tight budget was Leroy. He promised to be on the island when the yacht arrived on Grace Island.
She needs more money to buy herself a plane ticket to leave the island tomorrow morning. She will go to jail for three years if she cannot depart by then. There is punishment for staying in the country illegally!
"Monique, are you still there?" Debbie calls out to her repeatedly as the line becomes silent. She was also worried as it assigned her to arrange Davidson's guests' travel itinerary, including Monique's. She already informs everyone; however, Monique has not responded to the changes.
"Deb, what am I going to do?" Monique sounded like she was on the verge of crying.
Listening from the other line, Debbie dropped her shoulders to her sides, as she knew this was a big problem.
However, she shouldn't let Monique go to jail just because her temporary visa expires sooner. Grace Island has strict laws that must be followed unless you hold power, like the Davidson family.
"Monique, I don't know how I can help you." She may work for a travel agency, but she is in no position to do anything beyond her work. She can't do anything about legal matters when the case is against Miranda Country. Besides, her role is just as an assistant manager.
"Deb, all I need is a few grand to book a plane ticket today." Even when she is facing particular circumstances, she must remain calm. Monique couldn't help but have to beg Debbie as she started panicking.
"Monique, you know I am only a single mother. I don't have another source of income, but all I earn is enough to support my two kids. Why won't you ask for your boyfriend's help?"
A few grand are already costing them a fortune. Listening to Debbi, Monique fell silent.
Debbie knew Leroy would meet her on this island, so initially, this matter was only a minor problem. But her boyfriend wasn't here yet, as their planned wedding date was supposed to be three days ago.
Thank God she didn't tell anyone about it; otherwise, she would have become a laughingstock in her office. Having her heart broken, Monique was careful not to let Debbie notice she was facing a problem with Leroy.
It's been two days since she couldn't contact him. She wanted to presume that Leroy was preparing a surprise, and suddenly he would appear before her. But she knew that she only made herself look like a fool by dreaming what would happen as comfort.
"Okay, Deb. Thank you so much for letting me know. I will hang up now so that I can make a call to Leroy."
"Okay, girl. Keep me updated on what is happening to you there," Debbie reminded her before ending the call.
Monique heaves a long, helpless sigh. How could she contact Leroy if he stopped replying to her messages? Her Gram account is easy to search. It is impossible for Leroy not to contact her if he misplaces his phone. It happened before.
Therefore, she doesn't want to think that something serious happened to him. Even so, Debbie should have heard some news, as Leroy's family was known back in Sasha City.
Monique helplessly dropped her body to the nearby French chaise lounge on the corner. She kept trying to call Leroy through the Gram App, but her call never got through since this morning, and even if she wanted to contact him through his mobile number, she couldn't make a phone call, as international calls were too expensive.
All the while, Monique was still debating what was best to do in the next half hour. She opened her Gram app several times but could not press the call button. She also considered asking Dahlia's help but could not bother the newlywed bride.
Regardless, it may be a good idea, too. She needs to tell Dahlia that she can no longer stay anywhere in the country for another week.
After careful consideration, Monique summoned the courage to speak with Dahlia. Though she was nervous and sweating profusely, Monique was determined to resolve her issue.
And before returning to the wedding venue, she freshened up in the powder room.
Monique rehearsed her smile as she looked in the mirror and reminded herself not to be too nervous or smile too much.
"Alright. You can do this, Monique. You don't want to go to jail, so you must have a thick face." Monique retouched her makeup before she headed out.
She was walking down the hallway toward the palace's exit when her phone rang again. Monique pulled out her phone, but she was unfamiliar with the number flashing on her screen.
'Who could it be?' Monique's heart raced with anticipation and nervousness as she wondered who could be calling. While she hoped it was Leroy, she remembered Debbie's warning that someone would contact her soon.
Monique's fingers trembled as she swiped the green button and spoke hoarsely. "Hello? Who is this?"
"Hello? Is this Miss Monique Ramirez?"
Monique was taken aback when she heard the caller's Grace Island accent. She closed her eyes and nervously bit her lip before answering, "Yes, it is I..."
"My name is Misty Divine from the Miranda Immigration Office."
"Imm—Immigration Office?" Monique stuttered as she mused, 'Are they going to arrest me?'