Chapter 51 — (Sequel) Rising Affection

Zinnia.

Wedding shopping.

Wedding shopping was indeed hectic.

Thankfully, Clave and I already got married in a church with close people only. Now it was the time for the official wedding preparation to begin. It would be the grand wedding of the senator's son—something for the media to feast their eyes on.

"You didn't let me pay half for our new house. The least you can let me do is buy my own wedding dress, Clave," I let out as we were still inside the car near the mall.

Draven was already parading the stores with my mom, Zara, and Kavita. Today, we would select the wedding dress. The event was still six months away.

Clave parked the car first and then shifted his gaze to me. "I told you that house is a wedding gift for you from my side."

"But I couldn't give you any wedding gift yet!" I crossed my arms against my chest.

Clave leaned to me and kissed my forehead. "Patience, wifey. I told you I would tell you what I want as a wedding gift. There are still six months left. What's the rush?"

"You know I will still celebrate our real anniversary on the day we actually got married. Not the one upcoming."

He chortled. "I know it very well. Now don't bother about the wedding gift. And I will buy my wife's dress. You cannot stop me from pampering her. Got it?" He pulled my cheeks.

"Ouch, Clave!"

He pecked my lips and said, "Now let's go and find you the perfect dress, kid."

I nodded and we got out of the car.

Once we entered the mall, there was an ice-cream parlor at the corner. "Do you want ice-cream?" he asked me.

I shook my head. "I will just take an espresso from the café on the second floor later on."

"Well, I am taking one for Draven then. He will love it," with that, he went to the ice cream parlor.

I watched him as he was choosing which flavor to take for Draven. Since Draven was an ice cream lover, he loved every flavor of ice cream except the ones containing peanuts. So Clave was having a hard time selecting one out of the many varieties.

I walked to him, only to see he finally picked up the mint chocolate chip one.

While he was handing over the cash, he looked at me and asked once again, "You sure you don't want one?"

"No," I replied with certainty.

After he was done, we went to the third floor, not before buying an espresso from myself. I didn't want to buy one now, but Clave said I wouldn't have time once I start seeing the wedding dresses.

"Mom and Dad!" Draven left Kavita's hand and ran to us. "I chose a dress for you. You will look like a princess."

I smiled at him. Before I could say something, Clave said, "And I brought this ice cream for my champ. I figured you would need this in this hot weather."

He handed the ice cream to Draven who squealed in excitement. "Thank you, Dad!"

"Now let's see what my son has chosen for me," I uttered and walked to the shop holding Draven’s hand.

"Hey, Zinnia and Clave," Zara greeted us.

"Finally you two are here," Kavita chimed in. "What took you so long?"

"I—" Draven interrupted me.

"Mom, this is the dress." He pointed his index finger to a pretty wedding dress. Despite already owning one wedding dress, I was about to buy my second one. The previous wedding dress was too bought by Clave. He seriously meant it when he vowed to spoil me with everything.

The dress was a glamorous mermaid silhouette that amplified curves for a sultry result. It sure looked too fancy, which was perfect for a glamorous outdoor wedding.

"You should wear that and show it to us," Clave commented, making me shoot a glare at him.

He just gave an innocent smile, but I knew that devilish face.

"Yes, Zinnia," Mom spoke up. "Go and put it on."

"But Mo—"

"Mom, please..." Draven said as sweetly as possible, melting my heart immediately.

I sighed and agreed.

I took the dress and went to the changing room.

I hated coming shopping with Clave, especially when I had to buy my outfits. He would make me try all the dresses on purpose just to torture me. Normally, I would choose only one or two outfits and try them and pick the one I loved the most.

But Clave? He would make sure I try almost all the dresses in the store, and that's exactly what he did when we had to buy my first wedding gown. His remarks were, It's too flashy, your cheeks look chubbier, you look cute but I want a bit of sexiness too, that's a little too sexy, this dress doesn't actually suit your style, and many more!

I slipped into the dress, mentally making a note that if Clave didn't like this one, I wasn't buying my wedding dress in front of him.

I looked in the mirror inside the trial room and smiled to myself. The dress was an elongated bodice that hugged my body, and the skirt flared out mid-thigh, creating the hourglass effect. It was so pretty. Draven really did a great job. I loved this outfit.

"Mom, are you done?" Draven asked from outside.

Sighing in a deep breath, I got out of the changing room.

Five pairs of eyes kept looking at me, without uttering a single word.

"Umm..." I decided to start speaking to break the awkward silence. "Do you guys not like it? It's okay, we will look for another one..."

"Perfect," Clave was the first person to speak, making my eyes grow wider in amusement. Clave loved the dress? "We are taking this one, Zinnia."

"You are looking so pretty, Zinnia," Mom informed me, looking at me with a proud look.

"Yes, MashaAllah," Zara added, gushing.

"I chose this, after all!" Draven boasted.

"No wonder why I loved it. Great work, Champ!" Clave ruffled Draven's hair, who fixed it instantly with a frown.

"Dad! Flora said this hairstyle suited me. You ruined it now." My little lover boy still wasn't over his crush on Flora Valentino.

"Oops, sorry," Clave said sheepishly and started to take out his phone from his pocket to Draven for using the camera, but Kavita came forward.

"It's fine, Clave. I will fix his hair," Kavita volunteered, giving him a courteous smile. "You should be careful with this hair. Kids are oddly sensitive about it."

"Oh. Okay." Clave didn't pay much mind to it and started walking toward me, while I watched as Kavita mended Draven's hair, and as soon as she was done, he ran off to his grandma.

Noticing that Clave was standing right in front of me, I asked, "You really liked this gown?"

"I won't lie about this just because Draven chose the dress. You are really looking perfect, wifey," he leaned in and whispered to me. "The moment you stepped out wearing this dress, I can't stop thinking about how I would do you."

I could feel the heat rush to my cheeks. He still never failed to make me blush.

"Okay, I think Zinnia's wedding gown is finalized." Clave walked to the counter along with Mom and Zara.

Kavita was standing in one corner, just looking at Draven who smiled looking at the reflection of his fixed hair in a mirror in the store and surely thought about his crush.

It seemed normal to me because she hadn't even commented on my dress. That was until I noticed Kavita's face. Her eyes showed something which I had never seen before, especially not for Draven.

Affection—rising affection.