Chapter 170: The Bridal Shower

Chapter 170: The Bridal Shower
(Gretel’s POV)

This morning began with more buzz of excitement it seems, soft laughter, steaming coffee, and a feeling I couldn’t quite put into words—like something delicate and joyful moving around us, like the scent of rose petals.

Today was our bridal shower. Mine and Jazmine’s.

The last official day before our wedding. Tomorrow, we’d be wives. But today… today we’d be the glowing brides-to-be, celebrating and having fun.

Jazmine had booked an upscale beauty salon in the heart of town for our hair and makeup. She insisted their services were top-notch.

“We just sit, sip, and sparkle,” she said with a wink as we entered the salon, the glass doors glinting under the morning sun.

The place was luxurious. Cream walls, gold-rimmed mirrors, chandeliers dangling like upside-down tiaras.

Soft classical music played in the background, but it was quickly overpowered by the excited chatter between us girls. Mira was already picking a lip shade before she even sat.

Bianca was taking selfies from the moment we walked in. Jazmine and I were escorted to special bridal stations, seated on velvet chairs with trays of tiny cupcakes and fruit-infused water beside us.

The stylists got to work, curling my hair into soft waves and pinning part of it back with tiny crystal clips shaped like blossoms.

My makeup artist used a soft palette—rose gold eyeshadow, a hint of shimmer on the cheekbones, and a nude-pink lip that made me feel like a princess version of myself.

Jazmine went for bold—sultry lashes, a sharp eyeliner wing, and a deep coral lip that made her eyes pop out even more.

We looked at each other mid-glam, grinning like kids.

“You ready for this?” she asked.

“I guess I am. Even though I'm still feeling a bit nervous,” I laughed, sipping my peach-flavored water.

She smirked. “Don't be.”

By the time we left the salon, we looked and felt like royalty it seems. The girls were glowing too—each of them dolled up and dressed in shades of pastels and soft florals, complementing the theme Jazmine had picked.

We all climbed into the sleek black SUV waiting outside, careful with our gowns, trying not to wrinkle anything or ruin the curls.

Inside the car, the music started—Mira’s playlist, of course—and the energy buzzed all the way to the venue. Which was the event hall.

It was a beautiful sight.

Soft pink and gold drapes flowed down from the ceiling like fabric waterfalls. The air smelled like vanilla and fresh peonies. Tables were set with delicate china, candles in glass globes, and name cards in elegant calligraphy.

A rose-gold “Bridal Shower” sign shimmered at the front of the room, with two high-backed chairs beneath it—one for Jazmine and one for me. As we stepped inside, cameras flashed.

I didn’t even know who was taking pictures at first—maybe one of the photographers Jazmine hired—but I didn’t care. For once, I wanted to be in the pictures. I wanted to remember this.

Guests began to fill the room. My mom came in wearing a silver dress that sparkled subtly under the light. She looked radiant, her eyes slightly watery as she hugged me.

“You look beautiful, sweetheart,” she whispered, brushing a loose curl from my cheek. My dad was somewhere near the food table already talking to Aron. Laughter bubbled up in my throat. I'm glad he came too.

Then the music changed—light jazz came from the speakers—and the hostess announced us formally.

“Please welcome our lovely brides-to-be—Gretel and Jazmine!”

We walked in together, hand in hand, and the applause filled the room. My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t think I could. So Jazmine invited them to the bridal shower. I was overwhelmed by her thoughtfulness.

The next few hours were a blissful moment. We played silly games—the “how well do you know your groom” quiz had almost everyone laughing as I tried to guess Devion’s favorite childhood snack and it was grilled cheese, not peanut butter sandwiches.

Jazmine nailed almost all of Aron’s questions, of course. There were presents—elegant nightwear wrapped in delicate paper, customized robes, scented candles, heartfelt notes. Every gift felt like a warm hug to me.

We ate mini desserts off trays shaped like wedding rings—strawberry tarts, champagne cupcakes, chocolate truffles that melted on the tongue.

The champagne glasses barely went empty, and almost every few minutes someone pulled us aside for a selfie or a candid photo. We posed with the bridesmaids, made funny faces, and snapped cute shots in front of the floral arch.

Jazmine even dragged me to the photo booth corner, where we wore ridiculous tiaras and held signs that said “Bridezilla” and “Future Mrs.”

“I’m keeping this one,” she said, holding up a picture where we both had cake on our noses.

We sat together for a while, plates in our laps, shoes off under the table, watching people move around us.

“This is better than I imagined,” I told her softly.

“Wait till tonight,” she said, eyes twinkling. “Bachelorette party is where things get wild.”

“Oh boy.”

We stayed at the event hall until late afternoon, basking in love and laughter, it seems. The guests gradually filtered out, hugs and promises to see us at the ceremony tomorrow shared in soft voices.

The staff began clearing the tables, but Jazmine and I sat a little longer, our gowns slightly wrinkled by now, makeup still holding strong, and hearts content, it seems.

“You still nervous?” she asked me quietly.

I thought about Devion—his strong hands, his quiet intensity, the way his eyes softened most times when he looked at me. “No,” I said. “I think I’m ready now.”

She reached out and squeezed my hand. “Me too.”

We gathered our gifts, changed into comfier clothes in the bridal suite, and stepped out into the sunlight glow of early evening. The SUV was waiting again, ready to take us home—but we weren’t done with the fun.

Tonight would be the bachelorette party. Our last girls’ night before we became someone’s wife. Even though I felt slightly tired, but I was anticipating the night party too.

I looked at Mira and she gave me a smile, while Bianca was scrolling through photos on her phone. It seems they weren't too tired for the night either.

But for now, I leaned back in my seat as the car pulled away from the event hall, thinking about all the things I enjoyed today. The laughter. The sparkle. The love.

Today, we were celebrated. Tomorrow, we’d walk into responsibilities.

And tonight?
Tonight, we’d dance like little kids and have fun too.