Chapter 65 Christian Plans Their Wedding
“How convenient! That’s not how it works. You can’t get a real wife without a real marriage!” she hissed, carrying the food to the table. Christian helped her with a grin as if challenging her to stop him.
“Deal with it! It was your idea!” He waited for her to accept his challenge and confess, but she didn’t. How stubborn could she be?
Skylar grumbled under her breath. She knew he was challenging her to admit that she wanted a real marriage with him. Somehow, her ego stopped her from admitting it aloud to him. She placed the food on the table and sat down beside Erica.
“What’s cooking between you two?” asked Erica, leaning in to whisper in her ear. She and Sebastian had just returned from the wedding venue to grab a quick lunch before heading for the last fitting. Ever since the mishap, Sebastian employed two bodyguards to accompany him everywhere. Grandpa Ben tried to convince Christian too, but he didn't pay any heed to it.
“Nothing special! So, what theme did you settle for?”
“Hollywood theme!” Skylar groaned while granny chuckled.
“Is that a theme even? You could have chosen a dreamy, romantic theme instead!” suggested Skylar.
“No, that’s so boring. We’re going for a glitzy, glam reception!”
They discussed animatedly, and Skylar pointedly ignored Christian. Later she accompanied Erica to her seamstress to get dresses for herself too. With Sienna’s wedding coming up, she had lots of shopping to do.
“Where’s Sebastian? Isn’t he accompanying us?” asked Skylar as they headed to the boutique. Sebastian had dropped them off and gone to park the car. It had been ten long minutes, yet he nor his guard had joined them. With the other one stuck to them, they grumbled all the time.
“No, he has gone to get his tuxedo. It’s on the floor below us.”
For the next two hours, Erica went through her last fitting and tried on new dresses. After a lot of shopping, they emerged from the shop, exhausted but satisfied. “Call Sebastian and find out where he is. We can grab a drink before we leave.”
“I’ll just call him.” While Erica called him, Skylar looked around the floor of the mall. It wasn’t as grand as the one in New York where she usually went, but it wasn’t small either. There were around three bridal boutiques on this floor itself. However, her eyes went wide at seeing a familiar figure in one of the bridal boutiques. His back was turned towards her, but Skylar could recognize every feature of his even if she was blindfolded.
She blinked with disbelief and re-focused on the man. Yes, it was surely the one and only Christian St. James! But what was he doing in a bridal boutique for women?
“Sebastian will meet us here in a couple of minutes. He had a problem with his tuxedo. He had to get it altered,” said Erica, joining her. Skylar tore her gaze off Christian and focused on her.
“Let’s order drinks in the meantime,” said Erica, pulling her towards the food court nearby. Skylar glanced back at the bridal boutique but didn’t see Christian there. Where did he disappear? Was he really there? She went with Erica, feeling totally confused. If Christian needed a tuxedo for himself, he would have accompanied Sebastian to the shop. Why did he have to sneak into a bridal boutique for women?
Sebastian joined them, and they enjoyed a drink. Erica showed him her purchases, while Skylar felt like a third wheel between them. It was evening when they returned to Caleb’s house. Skylar found a sulking Christian working on his laptop when she went into her room.
“I’m sure you’ve enjoyed yourself without me!”
Skylar smiled at his grumpy mood. She wanted to ask him if he had followed her to the mall but checked herself. What if she was mistaken? He would mock her for seeing him everywhere she went! Maybe she was going a little crazy about the guy, more than she should! How would she live without him after two years?
“Yes. Why won’t I? It’s been ages since I've gone shopping!” she dumped her shopping bags and stretched on the couch beside him.
“What have you bought? You could have informed me of your plans. I would have given you my bank card.”
“Thanks! I don’t need your card.”
“Maybe you don’t, but as your fiancé, it is my responsibility to look after your needs.”
“Times have changed Christian. I’m not dependent on you at all. I can take care of my needs.”
“Okay, you win! So what have you bought?” said Christian with an eye roll. Skylar excitedly showed him the dresses she bought while he scowled at seeing them.
“What? Don’t you like them?” asked Skylar, glancing at the displeased look on his face.
“Nope! Are you planning to wear them to Sienna’s wedding?”
“Yes. I love them, especially this turquoise dress. It’s the bridesmaid’s dress.”
“Have you gone out of your mind?” he asked with a horrified look on his face as he picked up the dress and inspected it.
“Why? I love it!” she protested, snatching it from his hands.
“Where’s the top half of the dress?” he asked in confusion. Skylar groaned at the man! Despite being a successful, modern entrepreneur, a man of the world, he was pretty primitive in his thoughts.
“It has a sheer, illusion neckline, shoulders, and back!”
“You aren’t wearing it. Go to Rosetta’s Bridal Shop tomorrow and return it.” Skylar gaped at the man. How did he know the name of the shop? Apart from the tag mentioning Blue Mermaid Collection, there was nothing to give away the name of the boutique!
“How did you know I bought it from Rosetta’s Bridal Shop?” Christian looked uncomfortable and avoided her eyes. It made her even more suspicious! What was going on? Did she really see him at the mall today? Was he stalking her?
“Sebastian told me.” He shrugged, getting up to escape her questioning. Skylar somehow had the feeling he was lying. Sebastian wasn’t with them. He was at the men’s shop downstairs. He left the room hurriedly while she freshened up.
Later, she helped Lillian in the kitchen. Christian was busy on a conference call all evening, along with Sebastian. “The house will be so empty after you all leave,” said Lillian with a sigh.
“We will visit you again soon.”
“Erica and Seb are leaving immediately after their wedding,” said Lillian, as they gave finishing touches to the prepared food. “I’ve spoken to Father Patrick at the church nearby for your wedding date. He will fix a date next week. I’m sure you and Christian will return by Monday?” Skylar gaped at her in shock. She had no idea Christian was planning to marry her by next week. She hadn’t taken him seriously at all when he told her.
“Yes, we’ll return by Monday. How will we prepare in just a couple of days?”
“Oh, leave that to me. Our event management team at SJ Metropolitan Suites will organize the reception in their banquet hall. Christian doesn’t want any guests. It will be a simple wedding with just a close few.”
“Lillian, can you serve dinner now? We have a ten minutes' break!” announced Sebastian, rushing into the dining room followed by Christian. They had to stop their discussion and serve them. Erica was busy with the kids while they served the men. Their grandparents had gone with Caleb to visit a friend of Grandpa Ben.
Skylar was upset with Christian and avoided him throughout dinner. How could he plan so much without informing her? She wanted to invite her friends too! They would be so upset if she married without them!
However, Christian was oblivious to the thoughts going on in her head. He disappeared with Sebastian after dinner. Their grandparents arrived and later Skylar retired to her room. She lay down on her bed, waiting for Christian. She needed some answers from him!
However, it was well past midnight, yet Christian didn’t join her. Skylar dozed off to sleep, tired of waiting for him.
The next morning, she woke too late and looked around for Christian. He and Sebastian had left for work early in the morning. “They have an important meeting today,” explained Erica.
“We’re planning to go to the mall today. Skylar. Will you come along?” asked Lillian. Skylar remembered the dress she had to return.
“Yes.” So, the whole family went out to enjoy a day at the mall. Skylar did not get an opportunity to confront Christian in the next two days. She had the feeling he was avoiding her on purpose, but why? Why didn’t he want to tell her about their wedding plans?
Finally, it was Friday, and they boarded their jet before sunrise to go to New York. After take-off, Skylar glared at him, ready to demand answers now. “I had thought you’d be excited to attend your friend’s wedding, but you look furious. Are you mad at me or what?” he asked with a goofy grin, as if he was unaware of his misdeeds!
“Yes, I’m mad at you. How can you plan our wedding next week without informing me?”
“I informed you. I told you about it.” He smiled, getting her even more riled up.
“What’s the hurry? I want to invite my friends, Christian.”
He shook his head with a grave look on his face. “Desmond Steele is still roaming free. Both Seb’s and our wedding will be a private affair. No guests, no gala parties. Do you realize the man has murdered our parents for money? He can do anything!”