Chapter 10 Chapter 10
Iris
“Oh.” the lady gave a derogatory look as she took in Vickie’s look. Her smile faltered, slipping for barely a heartbeat before she forced it back into place
as she glanced at the Alphas.
“My apologies, they do share a resemblance,” The lady apologized and my father waved it off.
“It’s fine, it happens all the time, hopefully Darius won’t make that mistake on his wedding night.” My father joked and the silence that followed was awkward.
Abruptly, the tailor laughed. It sounded fake just like my father’s sense of humor. I guess she needed to butter him up to get that paycheck.
Go girl! Anything to get paid.
“You don’t have to worry. I know your daughter well,” Darius said casually but to me that statement hit nerves I didn’t even know I had.
“Well shall we,” the tailor ushered looking at Vickie who looked like she had better things to do.
“You look ehm… well darling,” She tried to compliment her and Vickie scoffed.
“I won’t be part of this false indulgence, can we just get this over with.”
My father chuckled but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk as he looked at Vickie. “She’s right we have so much to discuss.” My father walked ahead speaking to the other Alpha while leaving Darius to enjoy our company.
“I’m sure you lovebirds would want to catch up, you can as I lead you through the building.” The tailor said, smiling widely, it looked creepy.
Vickie shrugged and then walked towards Darius. “I don’t like you.” She said straightforwardly and the tailor shifted quickly rushing ahead.
Which turned me into an irritated third wheel.
Darius looked indifferent as if he expected her words or maybe didn’t care for them. “You’re at the back of a very long line.”
“Call this business transaction off, I don’t want to be stuck with a handsome player for the rest of my life,”
That got a reaction out of him, Darius scoffed then looked towards where the Alphas had walked through.
“I’m just here to seal the deal, they are the ones negotiating why don’t you speak to daddy and tell him you’re intimidated.”
Vickie's jaw dropped then she stepped forward trying to look buff. Vickie had a form bigger than mine but Darius’ huge frame made her look petite under him.
“In your wildest dreams will I be intimidated by you,” she spat, meeting his square in his gaze.
The side of Darius lip twitched a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. “One night with me and I’ll bend you to my will.”
Every word pushed me to the edge and that was my undoing, without thinking I grabbed Vickie’s hand and pulled her away.
“Let’s go.” I pouted, literally dragging Vickie into the stall.
“Woah ,Iris, slow down.” Vickie pulled away, stopping me. “I promise I want to leave this place more than you do but don’t pull off my arm please.”
“Right this way ladies,” The tailor said, directing us in, the air changed, everything smelled like fabric and perfume and expensive polish. Workers rushed around us carrying gowns draped over their arms, pins between their teeth, measuring tapes hanging from their necks.
Vickie was ushered into a fitting room, and after a few minutes she stepped out wearing the first dress.
And gods… she looked good.
The gown hugged her waist, flowed in soft folds, and the white shimmered under the lights. For a second, even I forgot to breathe.
But Vickie just stared at her reflection with a pinched face.
“Magnificent!” The tailor exclaimed and everyone around looked at the dress in awe.
“I don’t like it,” Vickie said flatly, cutting through the moment.
My eyebrows shot up. “Why not?”
She opened her mouth… then closed it. “I don’t know. I just don’t.”
“You don’t have to worry darling, we’ll find your dress.” The lady flicked her hand and everyone got right to work.
She stepped back in wearing a more luxurious gown than the first, detailed to the bone and studded with diamonds. It wasn’t her style, before she said a word I knew I needed a chair cause it would be a long day.
“What about this?” The tailor asked as she helped Vickie on the podium to stare at the mirror.
She shook her head. “It’s too much.” As predicted.
So we tried another. Then another. Then another after that.
Same reaction every time.
“No.”
“No.”
“Absolutely not.”
“This one looks like a tablecloth.”
“I can’t breathe!”
By the sixth dress, the tailor’s polite smile was cracking like cheap paint.
Vickie finally dropped her arms with a frustrated sigh. “Maybe it’s the color,” she muttered. “Can we try black?”
The tailor froze.
“Black?” she repeated, sounding like Vickie had suggested showing up naked. “My lady, white is the standard for royal weddings. Tradition dictates—”
“Fuck the standard,” Vickie snapped. “It’s my wedding.”
The tailor inhaled sharply, hand pressing over her heart. “My lady, I cannot—”
“You can,” Vickie cut her off. “And you will. I want a black dress.”
I sighed internally.
If there was ever a perfect moment to vanish, this was it.
While Vickie argued with the tailor, I quietly stepped out suddenly remembering the note resting on my palm. Outside was just as busy people rushed everywhere and I didn’t feel comfortable reading the note.
I slipped through the chaos, eased toward the hallway, and finally reached a private room with the lights dimmed and bolts of silk stacked against the wall.
A perfect hiding place.
I closed the door gently behind me, heart pounding.
With a slow breath, I unfolded it.
If you want the secret of the night to stay a secret,
I’ll need a favor….
My stomach flipped so hard I felt dizzy. Before I could finish reading, a hand swept in and snatched the note straight out of my fingers.
I gasped, spinning around so fast my heel bent.
“Give me back… I started, but the words died on my lips as I saw who it was. “Darius.”