Chapter 9
1756 Words
MARA'S POV
Riding in Denver’s car, I had no choice but to go with him since my mom couldn’t leave work. She was supposed to come with us today.
Last night, my sister Bella called us out of the blue. She said she was coming home earlier than planned, cutting her stay in London short to just three months. She wanted the wedding to be ready by the time she returned. I guess catching her cheating pushed her to make that decision.
Denver and I were going to meet the wedding planner today to pick up the invitations and check out the outfits for the big day. I noticed he was in a much better mood this morning, unlike the past few days where he acted strangely. Maybe he was happy because his wedding with my sister was finally happening.
Am I ready for this? Yes, it hurt. But I had long accepted that my love for him was unrequited. At least I could be happy knowing my sister is marrying a good man.
As the car slowed down and stopped by the roadside, I glanced at Denver.
“Wear your seatbelt, Mara,” he said.
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as he reached over to fasten my seatbelt. The lock clicked right near my chest, sending an inexplicable thrill and electricity through my body. And maybe Denver felt it too, because I noticed him pause for a moment, shaking his head as if to snap out of it.
He stared at the road for a few more minutes. We both stayed silent after that.
He dropped by the drive-thru of a popular fast-food chain and ordered my favorite meal. He knew I had breakfast at home before he picked me up, but he also knew that food like this always brightened my mood.
“Thank you,” I said when he handed me the order. I munched on the fries and sipped the soft drink as we drove.
“Can I have a taste? ”
A taste? How could he when he was driving? I realized what he wanted when he opened his mouth, waiting for me to feed him fries. Sometimes, I wondered if this guy was really a professor. How could he be so clueless? Didn’t he know how awkward this is?
Reluctantly, I fed him. We were like a couple. I doubted my sister ever did this for him; it wasn’t her type of thing.
After a few more minutes, we arrived at the wedding boutique owned by the famous wedding planner, Rachel. She greeted us warmly.
“Come in! Would you like some coffee? ”
“No. Don’t mind us, Rachel. We’re full,” Denver replied.
Rachel led us to the receiving area. She left for a moment and returned with several invitation designs.
“So, here are my samples. Choose any you like. Actually, Bella personalized all of these, but I made extra samples so you have more options. I ensured Bella’s personal touch was in each design.”
Denver nodded as he looked through the designs. Then he shook his head. “I don’t have any idea about this.” He turned to me. “Which one do you like, Mara? ”
I glanced at the invitations in front of me. The metallic gold envelope, the most fragrant of them all, with a faded lovebird design, caught my attention, so I pointed at it. “I’m sure Bella would like this.”
“How about your personal choice? ”
I was stunned. Why was he asking me when we were not the ones getting married? I glanced at Rachel and noticed her eyes darting between me and Denver, with a peculiar look in her gaze.
“This one, Bella, will love it,” I managed to say, pointing it out to Rachel.
“Good. I think she’ll like it too. About the wedding gown, I talked to Bella earlier. She said, given the time constraints, it’s okay to go with a premade gown. Can you call her so she can choose?”
“Sure,” I replied, taking out my phone. Luckily, my sister’s online account was active, so I pressed the video call button.
“Hi, Mara! Are you and Rachel at the boutique already?”My sister greeted me as she answered. She seemed to be at practice, wiping off sweat with people dancing in the background.
“Yes,Bella. Rachel asked me to call you so you could see the wedding gowns and choose one. Here’s Professor. You can talk to him,” I said, handing the phone to Denver.
Turning away, I walked over to the display of wedding samples, like souvenirs and invitations. I didn’t want to listen to their conversation.
Denver and Rachel head into an extension room. The glass walls revealed the display of wedding gowns inside. My sister must be choosing now.
I blinked back tears, trying to stop them from falling. “Don’t worry, Mara. You’ll find someone more handsome than him who will love you deeply,” I whispered to myself, hoping it would ease the tightness in my chest.
Denver and Rachel had been in the room for about twenty minutes when a staff member approached me.
“Ma’am, they’re calling you inside.”
“Why? ”I asked, confused.
“I don’t know either. Just go in, please.”
I nodded and followed the staff’s directions. As soon as I entered, I was greeted by a stunning array of wedding gowns. The designs were all so elegant. There were modern and classic ones. I couldn’t pick the best one because they were all breathtaking.
“Hi, Mara,” Rachel greeted me. Without warning, she wrapped a tape measure around my waist. “You and your sister have the same waist size.”
“Huh? ”I was confused.
Rachel smiled. “Your sister wants you to try on the wedding gown and take pictures to send to her so she can see it better.”
“What?! ”I felt shock wash over me.
“Come on. The fitting room is right here.”
“No. Shouldn’t Bella be the first to wear it? Isn’t there a superstition about that? ”
Rachel smiled again. “It’s the opposite. The superstition says that the bride shouldn’t wear the gown before the wedding day because it’s bad luck. Some of my other clients even ask others to try on the gown for them.”
“But. . .”I looked at Denver. He seemed to agree with Rachel because he smiled and nodded at me.
I had no choice as Rachel gently pulled me into the large fitting room. The mirror inside was as big as a wall. I could see my entire reflection, wearing just a shirt, jeans, and sneakers. I wanted to shrink away because I felt like I didn’t belong in front of such a huge vanity mirror.
“Take off your clothes,” Rachel said, pointing to the smaller fitting room. “Then wear this.” She handed me a fitted short and tube bra, both in white.
As I entered the small fitting room, I saw that the wedding gown my sister had chosen was already inside. I was amazed by its elegance. It was simple, with no intricate details, except for a combination of lace and bead silhouettes on the back.
“This is our A-line design wedding gown. It’s a popular choice because of its simple yet elegant design. Actually, someone else wanted to buy it, but I reserved it for your sister because I knew she’d choose it. I designed it myself, and I’m proud to say that a famous ballerina like Bella will wear my first-ever wedding gown,” Rachel explained.
“What if it doesn’t fit Bella?”
“Don’t worry, I measured her before she left. She’s a ballerina with a well-maintained figure, so I doubt she’ll gain weight. Besides, you two have the same body type. You’re lucky to be part of a slim family.”
“I see. . .”I muttered, unsure of what to say.
“Okay, let’s get you into this gown.”
Rachel and another staff member helped me put on the wedding gown. Since it was simple and didn’t have many details, it didn’t take long to wear.
We were all amazed when it felt like I had transformed into a princess. I barely recognized myself, except for the thick glasses on my face. The gown suited me perfectly, as if it were made just for me.
Rachel shook her head, snapping out of her daze. “Wow! I didn’t realize such a beautiful figure was hiding under your shirt and jeans.”
I blushed. “T-thank you.”
“Would you mind if we let your hair down? ”
Rachel started unbraiding my hair after I nodded. I heard her gasp, so I looked in the mirror. My waist-length hair, naturally straight, had turned curl from the braid, and I looked like a goddess.
“Is that really me? ”I asked, surprised. I was so used to tying my hair up that this change in appearance startled me.
Rachel removed my glasses and admired me. “You’re stunning even without makeup. Can I take a picture? ”
Before I could answer, she stepped back and snapped a photo.
“My glasses. I can’t see well without them,” I said truthfully. My vision was blurry without my glasses.
“Oh! I’m sorry,” Rachel apologized, handing my glasses back to me.
“Thank you.”
“So, are you ready to show your brother-in-law the gown? ”
What Rachel said made me freeze. No! I’d die of embarrassment! Why didn’t I think of it?
Before I could protest, Rachel and the staff opened the large curtain. Denver was right there, sitting and reading something.
“Mr. Villafuerte,” Rachel called to get his attention.
Denver looked up, and I saw his jaw drop when he saw me. He was stunned, like he was under a spell, making Rachel chuckle.
“My gown is magical, right? And that’s without makeup and with glasses on our model.”
He didn’t say anything, as he kept his eyes on me as he moved closer.
"Mara..." he murmured.
I looked down, but he gently lifted my chin, making me meet his gaze. "P-Prof," I stammered, unsure of what to say.
"You're very beautiful, Mara," he said, his voice full of genuine admiration.
- Writer
