Chapter 52.

The Peninsula spa at Fifth Avenue. That was the gift card that Ryder had given her for a full day of spa treatment. She had almost forgotten all about it due to the stress of planning a wedding till Charlie mentioned something about Holly going to a spa and getting her facials done in time for the wedding.

That was when Holly remembered about the gift card. Charlie had decided to accompany her. She was going to be her maid of honor.

The Peninsula spa gave an intimate vibe in a space that was gracious, discreet and luxurious. The walls were dark lacquered wood walls and it had English chandeliers and Carrara marble counter tops. It was so quiet and serene that Holly and Charlie found it hard to believe that they were still in New York. They couldn't even hear the sound of traffic!

The spa offered everything from a regular sauna treatment to a cryo facial to rejuvenate and repair the skin. But Holly and Charlie were only getting their facials done with a massage treatment.

While in their fancy soft and plush robes, after getting their facial treatments done, Holly and Charlie discussed the final details for the wedding.

"So, who is going to officiate the wedding?"

"I don't know, Ryder's Dad is handling that."

"Okay, we'll check that off our imaginary list. His mum is the one in charge of the decorations right?"

"Yes, she came up with the idea of us using Pierre Hotel as the wedding venue. We can have the wedding and reception at the same place. They'll reserve the restaurant for the whole day."

"The whole day?!!! That sounds fucking expensive."

Holly nodded in agreement.

"They said it wasn't a problem and they preferred using a five star hotel like Pierre for the wedding since it's going to be small and intimate."

Charlie nodded her head as she paused a bit.

"I guess that makes sense. And you? How do you feel?"

She said as she turned to Holly who had a wide smile on her face.

"I feel great! It's like I'm finally having everything I ever wanted and it's overwhelming. Although sometimes..."

Holly hesitated. She didn't know if she should voice out her fears to Charlie. She was probably worrying over nothing. But for the past few days, she couldn't shake the unmistakable feeling that something bad was going to happen. The feeling refused to go away. It started when she had put on her wedding dress and everything had felt surreal and ever since then it had refused to go away.

"Earth to Holly!!!"

Charlie shouted in Holly's face and Holly blinked rapidly.

"Hey! Are you okay? You were saying something before?"

"No, nothing. It's just stuff about the wedding. Nothing at all."

Holly reassured her but Charlie didn't look convinced.

"Hey! You can tell me anything. We've been through a lot together. We're even having a babies at the same time. You can tell me anything!"

Holly smiled.

"I know. It's just wedding jitters."

"Hnmmm. Okay. How is Ryder doing?"

The single thought of Ryder brought a smile on Holly's face.

"Oh! He's just so happy. He's always talking about us or the baby, I've honestly never seen him so excited. It's like he's stuck in this happy bubble that no one and nothing can break."

"Wow! Who would have thought he was going to fall so hard for you. Any plans for a honeymoon?"

Holly nodded.

"Not yet, but I don't think I'll like to spend it out of New York. There's a lot going on right now with both of our businesses. We're keeping our options open though."

"You should. You only get one official honeymoon."

Charlie commented and Holly smiled. She was right.

What was this nagging feeling? She asked herself as she shook the bad thoughts away.

After the spa treatment, Holly had gone to retrieve her gown from the bridal shop. She was taking it to the Pierre's Hotel where she was staying for the meantime. Ryder had lodged her there a day after her parents arrived in New York.

Her parents had made a comment about how the bride and groom shouldn't see each other until the wedding day. Ryder, eager to please Holly's parents had caved in to their demands.

Ever since then Ryder had visited her in the hotel once and her parents shooed him away when they found out he was around. She had not seen him the whole day but they had spent the majority of the day talking to each other on the phone.

Her parents were staying with the Bates since their penthouse apartment had enough room. Ryder would spend the two nights left in his Condo.

Holly couldn't resist the urge to try on her dress again as she stared at it in awe. She ran her hands over the satin smooth fabric and she felt flutters in her stomach. It was a truly beautiful and simple dress. One she loved and adored a lot. She slowly took off her clothes as she decided to try on the dress again.

It was a stunning A-line gown with a boat neck style with long sleeves and a backless design. It had a flattering silhouette and smooth, clean lines from the waist to the floor. It wasn't only a pretty dress, it was also a breathtaking dress.

Holly was so engulfed in her reflection at the vanity mirror that she didn't notice that Ryder had slipped into her room and was watching her.

"My God, Holly! You're Perfect!"

"Argghhhhhh!" Holly screamed as she ran into the bathroom and locked herself in it. She didn't even wait to see his reaction, all she knew was that Ryder had seen her in her wedding dress.

"Holly! Holly! Open up you look beautiful! Just let me see it one more time!"

Ryder begged as he knocked on the bathroom door trying to force himself in.

Holly hurriedly took off the gown and placed it in the dry bathtub.

"Let you see it? Ryder it's bad luck for the groom to see the wedding gown before the wedding!"

There was a short pause and Ryder started laughing.

"Holly! Baby, you don't really believe that do you?"

"I don't know. All I know is that something bad happens if the groom sees the wedding dress."

"Now, where the hell did you hear that from?"

Ryder asked as he put his hands around his waist.

Holly paused for a while. Where had she heard it from? There were different sources, but it was mostly from the TV soap operas she was always watching when she was younger. And she didn't know many grooms who claimed they saw their bride's wedding dress before the wedding so it must be true.

"Ryder please. I don't know. I just know it's bad luck. Why don't you go to the hallway for a while. When I hide the dress I'll call you back inside."

"How did you get in anyways?"

She asked with a tinge of annoyance in her voice.

"You gave me your second key card remember?"

"Ugh! Okay Ryder. Please just give me a few minutes and I'll change and hide my wedding gown."

"Okay! If that makes you happy. I'll go in the hotel hallway and wait."

Ryder said as he walked away.

Holly sighed in relief. Her heart was beating so fast she felt like it was going to explode in her chest. Was something really bad going to happen?

She had been having the nagging feeling that something horrible was going to happen and then to top it all off, she felt like Ryder seeing her wedding gown had somehow confirmed her suspicions.

Holly hid her wedding gown safely in the closet and changed into casual clothing.

She opened her door and found out that Ryder was still waiting outside the hallway.

"Are you calm now?" He asked quietly and she nodded as she let him in.

"I'm sorry for shouting at you earlier. I just... I've just been having this really bad feeling and I don't know what to do."

Ryder frowned as he hugged Holly. She buried her head in his chest as she inhaled his scent. His presence was so calming that she felt all her fears slowly disappearing.

"Bad feeling? Are you okay? Are you sure you're not stressed out?"

Holly shook her head.

"I don't know. It's just this silly nagging feeling that something bad is going to happen on our wedding day. I'm trying hard to shake it off and then you come in and see my wedding dress..."

She buried her face in her hands and Ryder gently pulled her hands away from her face.

"Baby, I know you're feeling overwhelmed. You have to take things one at a time. Nothing bad is going to happen. Do you love me? Do you want to do this?"

Ryder asked gently as he cupped Holly's face and Holly nodded her head slowly.

"Yes. I do. I love you and I want to do this. I want to marry you."

Holly whispered softly.

"Then, there's absolutely nothing to be afraid of. We deserve to be together. We deserve to be happy."

"I know we do. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

Hello! I hope you're enjoying the story! Quick question, do you believe it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding? Let me know in the comments!!!