Chapter 127

Bella sighed. There is no way she would do this in three days. Not with the design April chose.

"That's not possible," Bella replied. "Getting the materials ready for this dress will take time. Do you see the crystals on it? They are imported."

"But that's what I want," April said.

"Well, I'm sorry, you can't get that," Bella said.

Aside from the fact that it will take some time to get the materials for the dress, they have only two days to get the dress ready so she can use it on the third day.

What about the people who would be involved?

There are only a few people available now; others are working on other clients' clothes. With few people available, they would have to work overtime.

"But we have other beautiful designs," Bella continued. "You will love them."

April scoffed. "You think I care about your nasty designs? I want mine. If you're competent like my mother said, you should be able to get that done. Except you're not."

"April, you don't speak to her like that?" Mrs. Arden said.

April rolled her eyes. "I was just stating the fact."

Bella sucked in some air. If it wasn't for Mrs. Arden, she would not be seated here, exchanging words with April.

"You're not the only client, remember?" Bella answered. "And time is not on our side."

April scoffed. "How long does it take to make a dress? You..."

"April," Mrs. Arden yelled. "I won't let you speak to her like that." She faced Bella. "I'm so sorry for the way she spoke to you. She's not in a good mood."

Bella nodded. "I understand." Bella was surprisingly calm, which was a surprise to herself. "So what is the decision?"

"Bella, you do your thing."

"Mom? It's my wedding, remember?" April said.

Mrs. Arden ignored her and went on to speak to Bella. "I know you will do a great job."

"Audrey, bring the wedding dress catalogs," Bella said.

"Yes, ma'am," Audrey answered.

She left and returned with some catalogs. Bella took them from her and gave them to Mrs. Arden, who handed them over to April.

"I don't want that," April answered. "I..."

"You don't have an option here," Mrs. Arden told her. "If Bella doesn't take this job. Then the wedding is cancelled."

April frowned. "Mom?"

"I am serious this time, April," Mrs. Arden said. "If you had listened to me and let Bella make your dress from the beginning, you would have gotten your dream wedding dress and not that disappointment. Right now, you have no choice. You either pick from Bella's catalogs or there won't be a wedding."

April groaned. She stared dangerously at Bella. She had a lot to say, but she said nothing. She took the catalogs from her mother and began to go through them.

It took a long time before April finally pointed at a plain wedding dress. Her dream wedding dress was what she wanted; everything else didn't look appealing to her. Or maybe they do, but her bet with her friends is what scares her.

"You should be able to do this," she mumbled.

She was ready to be laughed at by her friends or maybe end up as the talk of the town.

She stretched the catalog to Bella, who took it from her.

"Is this what you want?" Bella asked.

April rolled her eyes. "Do I have a choice?"

Bella stared at April. She looked sad despite trying to act tough.

Bella sighed. "Do you really want the other dress?"

April furrowed her brows. "You will make it?"

Her mood had lightened up now.

Bella took a deep breath. Although April had been rude to her since she came in, she was a bride after all.

"Although I can't promise you that the dress will have every detail in the design, if you're willing to compromise, we can have a dress similar to that ready."

April was surprised that Bella was willing to still try to make her that dress despite her attitude towards her.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled. "I'm sorry for speaking to you like that."

Bella smiled. Maybe she really isn't a bad person.

"Audrey, get the sketching board." Audrey left and returned with a board. "Come over here, April."

April stood up and went to sit beside Bella. Bella drew the dress and began to make some changes to it while explaining to April why it was needed. By the time they were done, April loved the new version better; it had her soul in it and was designed just for her. April was fully involved throughout the process, and her opinions were treasured. For the first time, she felt heard and understood.

"Thank you, Bella," she mumbled. "Now I understand why my mom chose you."

Bella smiled. "I'm glad you love it. You can come in for the first fitting tomorrow."

"So quick?" April asked, and Bella nodded. She smiled. "Thank you."

Mrs. Arden thanked Bella for her time and also for making her daughter happy.

"It's my pleasure," Bella answered.

After they exchanged goodbyes, Mrs. Arden and April left. Bella breathed a sigh of relief.

"Finally," she mumbled. "Let's go back to the office, Audrey."

They returned to the office, and Charlotte and Liam were not in. Bella went to check on them in the relaxation room. Charlotte was asleep while Liam was watching a cartoon on his iPad.

She gestured to him to come. Liam followed Bella back to her office. While she worked, Liam kept watching his cartoon. Charlotte came to join them thirty minutes later.

"You're awake?" Bella said.

Charlotte nodded. "When I woke up, I did not see Liam beside me. I knew you were back. How was your meeting?"

"Fine," Bella said. "It did not start well, though, but we were able to come up with something."

"That's good news. It's time for lunch. Are we leaving now?"

Bella nodded. "Yes. I'm so hungry right now. Just give me a few minutes, and I will be done."

"Okay," Charlotte said. "I will call Mia to see if they are already on their way."

Bella rounded up her work while Charlotte placed a call to Mia, who told her they were about to leave the office.

They left the office with Liam and headed to the restaurant they planned to meet at. Jade and Mia were already waiting. They exchanged greetings and sat down to order.

"So how was the event yesterday?" Jade asked while they waited for their orders.

"It was fine," Bella replied. "There were a lot of people to meet. It was hectic."

"I know. My brother came back looking tired," Jade said. "He was still asleep when I left the house this morning."

Bella nodded. If it wasn't for work, she would probably be at home sleeping too.

Their food was served, and they began to eat. When they were done, they talked about a few things before they finally said their goodbye. Bella, Jade, and Mia returned to work. Charlotte took Liam to see his grandma and then left him there before going back to the company to finish up her work.