The Kidnapped Heiress

Chapter Eight

“Where are we going?” Brie demanded as Aria drove down busy streets.

Monica and Eloise shrieked and laughed in the back seat as Aria passed slower traffic. In the front, Brie gritted her teeth and gripped the door handle. Usually, they walked or took a bus to their destinations precisely because she couldn’t stand Aria’s driving, but this time Aria insisted. She had the whole day planned, starting with their appointment at the dress shop.

Swooping into a parting spot across the street, Aria announced, “We’re here.”

“Génial!” Brie sighed as the others giggled.[1]

“What?” Aria looked at her.

“Who taught you how to drive?” Brie demanded.

“Papa,” Aria shrugged.

“Ugh, Americans,” Brie rolled her eyes, eliciting more laughter.

“Can we just go?” Aria huffed before disembarking.

The others followed her down the walk, excited by the prospect that Brie was the first of their group to get married. After they chose their dresses, they would go to a café to eat before ending their day at the spa. It had been a while since they had a girl’s day, and they were all intent on enjoying it.

“Oooo! Look! Laurant Designs!” Monica squealed. “Wouldn’t it be fabulous if Brie got a Victoria Laurant dress!”

“I know!” Eloise agreed. “But come on! It’s so hard to get an appointment with them. And there is no chance we’ll ever be able to meet with her. So, what shop did you make an appointment with?”

Aria smirked as she opened the door to the very shop they had been admiring. Their gazes went wide in surprise as she gestured for them to enter. Hesitating, they followed her and gazed at the extravagant gowns on display as soon as they walked in.

“Bonjour, puis-je vous aider?” the clerk greeted with a stiff smile.[2]

“We’re here for our appointment,” Aria answered. “DaLair. Is Vicki in?”

“Are you sure you are in the right place?” the clerk gave her a dubious look. It wasn’t just anyone who could walk in and ask for the owner, especially not four young women.

“She’s expecting us,” Aria assured her.

“Of course she is,” the clerk wrinkled her nose.

Aria raised a brow, took out her phone and sent a quick text. Her phone chimed with a reply. She glanced at the screw before smiling at the clerk.

“Maybe we should go,” Brie suggested. “There are other dress shops.”

“It’s fine. Tante is on her way,” Aria smiled.

“Miss, you really should listen to your friends,” the clerk said.

“And you really should check your appointment list,” Aria countered. “It is part of your job.”

“Aria!” an excited voice called as Charlotte emerged from the back.

“Tante!” Aria embraced her.

“I’m so sorry Vicki is running late,” Charlotte said. “So, who’s the bride?”

“Brie,” Aria nodded to her friend.

“Congratulations!” Charlotte smiled, offering her hand. “I’m Charlotte. I take it these are your bridesmaids.”

Brie nodded, tongue-tied as she stared at the glamorous woman in front of them. She wasn’t the only one. The clerk stared wide-eyed as she looked from Aria to Charlotte and back again.

“This is Monica and Eloise,” Aria introduced.

“Fabulous! Let’s start with the bride,” Charlotte grinned. “It’s your day and you are the star. Right this way. Louise, can you get some refreshments, please?”

Charlotte led them to a couch with a small pedestal and mirrors in front of it. She smiled warmly as she looked over the foursome and remembered being as young and vibrant as they were. She handed them several albums, allowing them to peruse the variety of gowns currently available to get an idea of style and looks.

Louise returned with water and some crisps. She seemed unusually quiet as she set the refreshments out for them before hurrying back to the front counter. Charlotte gave her a curious look. Normally, Louise liked to help with clients.

After a moment, she asked, “Now, what were we thinking? Do you have a style you really like? Did you want to go with white or were you going to go with another color?”

“I want to keep it simple,” Brie said after a moment. “Definitely white. Nothing too heavy. Ooo, like this.”

She pointed to a dress with a gauzy skirt. The top was fitted, coming off the shoulder with cap-sleeves. It had a smooth satin finish with a long train.

“Yes, we have that one in stock,” Charlotte nodded, “and a few others similar to that. So, come with me, and we’ll get you set up in the changing room. I’ll grab some options.”

Brie nodded, blushing as Charlotte led her away. Aria and the others passed their time pursuing the albums. Monica and Eloise snuck glances in Aria’s direction and nudged each other. Both were bursting with questions. Pretending not to notice. Aria waited for them to reach their limit.

“So, Aria,” Monica said. “Your aunt works here.”

“Sort of,” Aria shrugged.

“What do you mean, sort of?” Eloise asked. “She came out of the back, and did you see how quickly that clerk changed her attitude?”

They glanced at the saleswoman who first greeted them, now nervously trying to keep her head down. The moment Charlotte emerged and embraced Aria, a look of awe and fear crossed her face. Aria hadn’t spared the clerk a second thought, but Louise kept looking over at her.

“Well, Charlotte actually owns this boutique,” Aria said.

Monica laughed, “I don’t know what your aunt told you, but this is Victoria Laurant’s shop.”

“I know,” Aria nodded. “Vicki is maman’s best friend, so she’s been like an aunt to us.”

“I can’t tell if she’s joking,” Eloise said.

“I’m not,” Aria insisted.

The others gave her dubious looks and Aria wondered if she never told them about her extended family. It had never been a bragging point, so she rarely discussed it. Certainly, they knew she was from a rich family and that her father was a business executive while her mother was an artist, but did she not elaborate?

She must have been playing one of her games, holding back such information until it made the greatest impact. Aria could almost kick her younger self, who would have found this situation hilarious. Maybe she really was growing up, or maybe she was just that depressed.

“Ooo! Brie, you look gorgeous!” Monica squealed as she emerged in the first dress.

Brie blushed, stepping onto the short pedestal to gaze at her own reflection as her friends cooed. Aria was the first and foremost to offer compliments, loving how Brie’s dark hair contrasted with the white dress. She was a beautiful, classy bride. Aria wished her hair was half as cooperative.

“C’est magnifique!” another voice exclaimed.[3]

They turned to see Victoria had finally arrived. Monica, Eloise and Brie stared, wide-eyed as the famous designer moved closer. Even though it was her boutique, they hadn’t expected to see her.

“Bonjour, ma crevette,” Victoria greeted, kissing her cheeks.[4]

“Bonjour, tante,” Aria greeted.

“I’m sorry I was late.”

“It’s all right. Charlotte has been helping. These are my friends: Monica, Eloise and, of course, Brie our bride.”

“Ah, yes. Our bride,” Victoria smiled. “How is the fit? Not too tight?”

“N-no. It fits fine,” Brie stuttered as Victoria moved closer, scrutinizing the dress and how the bodice fit.

“Did you want to try on another?” Charlotte asked.

“Y-yes. Please.”

“Let’s go,” Charlotte smiled, escorting her back to the dressing room while Victoria sat with Aria and the girls to wait.

“Rough day?” Aria asked, eyeing her aunt.

Victoria waved her hand as if shooing away a fly, “Just people offering their opinions where their noses don’t belong.”

“I know how that is,” Aria nodded with a sigh.

“Do you?” Victoria raised a brow.

Aria was glad it was a girl’s day. She didn’t like the searching look her aunt was giving her. Luckily, her aunt wouldn’t confront her in front of her friends, but she had a feeling she was only delaying the inevitable.