I had a hard time falling asleep. I had no idea what Hermie could do to possibly stop my wedding, but it wouldn’t be enough. I finally fell asleep and woke up to my phone ringing, it was Amber. She told me she would be at the hotel at 8am, it is 7:45am. I answered. “Ugh, do you know what time it is?” I laughed. She started to giggle.
“Wake up, bitch! I’m downstairs. I’m so ready to go!” I jumped out of bed and threw on fresh panties, leggings, a sweatshirt, and tennis shoes. When I got to the lobby, James and Miles were waiting for me. I looked at both of them who could barely make eye contact with me.
“Ready?” I asked sarcastically. Amber looped her arm into mine.
“Let’s get you the most beautiful dress.” She smiled softly. For someone who is concerned with me making it back for our wedding, Maximo has yet to text or call me.
“Okay.” I said weakly.
“Cheer up, there is not much money cannot fix, so let’s spend some big money and have a good time. But first, we need to get coffee!” We stopped at a local coffee shop before heading towards the dress shop. I had called and rented out the dress shop for Amber and me to find the perfect dress. Miles went in first and assessed the shop before we entered. The shop employees were all cheery and sweet. They asked me what I was looking for, gave us champagne, and sized me.
Amber was walking amongst the rows of dresses, picking out the sluttiest ones. We laughed and added some to the pile. That was when I found my dream dress. It was fitted, long-sleeved, lace, beaded, and off-white. It fit my body like a dream, hugging my curves and exposing my chest. It was see-through in the back with lace and beads. I walked out and Amber started to cry, James looked down at his feet, and Miles gave me a soft smile. The employees all stood around wiping their eyes and smiling. I felt like a princess. “Is this the one?” I asked the room and everyone except James said ‘yes’ or nodded their heads. I looked at James who wouldn’t look me in the eyes. “James?” I glanced my way and gave me a single nod. It really hurt. I turned around towards the mirror and held back tears. “Okay, this is the one.”
The ladies bagged the gown, luckily it fit perfect because the wait for alterations was months out. Not to mention the gown was $15,000, one of their most expensive dresses. Next, we needed to get shoes, so we headed towards the mall. We found a fun cosplay store and went in, admiring all of the different things they offered. Amber ended up buying some platform boots that went all the way to her hips.
We found a shoe store but couldn’t find any shoes that I liked enough to pair with my dress. We found a Gucci store and finally found a pair of white heels with beading and lace. They matched my dress so well you would have thought they were designed by the same person. I opted against a veil; my parents couldn’t make it out for the wedding. They were in Canada on business.
Amber wouldn’t be able to make it either, she had her own business she had to run. She apologized to me all day, I reminded her over and over it was okay, that it wouldn’t be my only wedding, which made her laugh.
When we were done shopping the car dropped Amber off at her house. I had bought it for her after I opened The Velvet Room. She was a web designer that made and created websites for all kinds of businesses. She made all of my websites for The Velvet Room and my tequila farm and distillery. She was a wiz at it too but was still living out of a shitty apartment in a bad part of St. Louis. I found her this mini mansion as she likes to call it. She kissed my cheek goodbye and held me for what felt like hours. I started to cry as the car pulled away. I didn’t know when I would see her again.
The car finally pulled back up to the hotel and the housekeeper brought out our bags. Claire had texted me where to meet her to pick her up. We pulled up to her small house and she was waiting outside. Her roommate waved her goodbye as Miles put her bags in the trunk. “Hey!” She said so excitedly as she crawled into the back of the car. James looked her up and down and smirked.
She noticed and gave him a shy smile. Miles hoped back into the passenger seat, and we headed towards the private airport outside of town.
We were greeted by Tazio at the airstrip. “Hello, Ms. Fallon, good to see you.” He greeted everyone else and helped get the bags onto the plane. I sat in Maximo’s usual seat and leaned the chair back hoping to get some more sleep. Claire was chatting away to anyone who would listen to her. Her and James flirted back and forth the entire flight. I couldn’t take it anymore and finally went to lay in the bed to drown out their voices.
Once we landed on the Hernandez’s private airstrip, 2 black SUVs pulled up to pick us up. I was hoping Maximo might meet us there, but he was not in the car when Tazio opened my door. I sighed. “Don’t worry, bello, you will see him soon.” He gave me a small smile. I opted to ride alone, but Miles insisted on riding in the car I was in. James, Claire, and Tazio’s security detail rode in the other car.
Tazio made small talk the entire ride. Telling me about the wedding preparations and important business dealings I had missed out on this past week. I was relieved when we pulled into the gate of the Hernandez house. Tazio jumped out and opened my door as the guard opened the front door for me. I expected Maximo to be waiting for me when I got inside, but he was not home. “He is in town dealing with business, he will be home soon.” Tazio squeezed my arm and walked towards the office.
“Ah, my future daughter-in-law.” An unpleasant voice said behind me.
“Hello, Jesus.” He walked over and kissed my cheek, it sent chills down my spine. I stepped back and turned around, walking towards my room.
“Is that anyway to great me, bello?” He called after me, which I ignored. I showed Miles to his room and Claire to hers. They were similar to James’s room with a twin bed, dresser, private bathroom, and closet.
It was getting late, I had waited at the dinner table for Maximo for long enough before I decided to go to bed without eating. I laid down and fell asleep.