Chapter 25 Bridal Shop
SANCIA
Early the next day, Mama, Aunt Francesca, Isabella, Tina, and I all went together to the bridal shop for my wedding gown. Despite the circumstances of my marriage, Mama couldn't help being excited when she saw all the available wedding dresses.
I force down the dread that seeing all these dresses invokes; it reminds me of the last time I was in a bridal shop. Rosa is a middle-aged woman; she's the manager and bridal consultant of the bridal shop we are currently in.
They welcomed us with professional practice smiles and led us inside, where we all sat down. They'd provided us with drinks and snacks, she and the two other bride stylists.
From their little conversation with Aunt Francesca, it's clear she knows who we are and the kind of families we came from.
I sat there as Rosa brought in dress after dress while my family wowed and crooned, while the woman did what she knew best and asked me questions about what kind of dress I was looking for.
For some reason, Mama insisted on asking for my opinion; I had no choice but to feign enthusiasm and answer Rosa's questions even though she could see I didn't really care about the wedding, much less the dress.
Finally, they all agreed on three dresses Rosa and the stylists had selected for me to try on.
The time I've been waiting for was finally here. I stood up on shaky legs and started following Rosa when I suddenly turned and said.
“Christina, you coming?” I asked, nodding my head towards the changing room.
“What do you need Christina for? The bridal stylist will help you,” Mama said.
“Yes, I know. I'm nervous. I'll be more comfortable if Tina comes with me,” I said innocently.
I turned to Rosa, “You don't mind my cousin coming with me, do you?”
“Of course not, whatever makes you comfortable,” Rosa replied with a smile.
Christina stood up and followed behind us, carrying her small handbag. I wonder where she hid the clothes she promised to bring for me to change into.
Today's the day I am going to meet Antonio, and I need to find a way to sneak out without Mama or the guards noticing, which was close to impossible, but Tina promised me she had a plan.
Tina and I exchange looks as Rosa hangs two of the dresses in the fitting room while one of the stylists, the redhead, holds onto the third.
I strip to my underwear and get on the pedestal. My heart drums as the women help me into the dress.
“Wow, that's beautiful; you look so lovely,” the blonde stylist croons, smiling.
“What do you think?” asked Rosa. I glanced at the mirror, and I didn't know what to feel.
The woman in the mirror looks beautiful but sad. And there was no tingle or flutters in my stomach, no excitement at all.
“It's, um, lovely, right Tina?” I said blankly, and Rosa arched a dark brow.
“Simply gorgeous,” Tina agreed.
“I should probably go hear what Mama has to say, but can you please give me a few minutes? I don't feel so well,” I said, grimacing, then swayed for more effect. Rosa reached out and steadied me.
“Are you okay?” Tina asked worriedly.
“Yeah, yeah, just a little dizzy, it's probably hunger. Haven't eaten anything since morning, I didn't want to look fat in my wedding dress, I will be fine,” I said, feigning fatigue.
“Oh, that happens quite a lot with brides, but are you sure you are okay?” Rosa asks concern.
“Yes,” I said, waving her concern away.
“I just need a few minutes. Can you let my family know to wait for me? If they ask, just tell them I'm nervous. I will be out soon.”
“Sure, okay, come on, girls, let's excuse Miss Vincenzo,” she said, ushering the girls out. Then she smiled and nodded at me before going out. Tina and I jumped into action at the same time. We only had a few minutes before they came back when I didn't go out.
“Quick, help me,” I said as I tried to reach behind me; Tina swiped my hands away and started dragging the zipper down.
“Tina, hurry the fuck up. What's so hard about dragging down a zipper?” I whispered loudly.
“The stupid thing is hooked, and I'm afraid to rip it,” she said, yanking even harder now.
“I don't fucking care…” The dress falls, pooling at my feet. I didn't have time to celebrate; the hard part was yet to come.
“It's done,” she exclaimed and started stripping down.
“Where are the clothes?” I asked, and then my eyes widened when I realized she'd had double clothes on her body, a silk blouse and slacks underneath the jeans she'd been wearing. She threw the shirt at me; I caught it and quickly put it on. The slacks were next.
The last item was a blonde bob wig with bangs and a long, curly, dark brown wig that was almost the same color as my hair. I put on the blond wig while she dons the dark one. She's now fully dressed in the wedding gown. I swallow and quickly hug her.
“Be careful, Cuz,” Tina said.
“I will, I won't forget this,” I replied, my voice thick with emotion. She rolls her eyes.
“Get the fuck out of here, Sancia.”
“You look like the bride, beautiful,” I said. She looked even more beautiful than I did wearing it. And I was hesitating; I was scared of the consequences of what would happen to both of us.
I don't care what happens to me, but I'm afraid for Tina. Papa wouldn't go easy on her, not to mention her father. But Antonio is waiting. He's probably worried by now, thinking I couldn't make it.
“Sancia, I swear to God…,” she started.
“I'm going.” I grabbed one of the wedding dresses from the hangar and walked out, leaving behind several wedding dresses on display instead of going to the right, where Mama and the rest were waiting for me.
“Hey, where are you taking that dress?” My heart literally jumped in my chest as Rosa approached me from behind. I could already see the door to the outside.
“The bride said she hated this dress and I should take it away,” I said in a different voice. Or at least I tried as I walked even faster. It took everything for me not to break into a run as the sound of her steps came closer.
But I know if I did that, it would be over because I would alert the guards outside. She grabbed my arm and whirled me around, her eyes widened in shock.