5. New Groom New Bride

The days flew by quickly and in a twinkle of an eye. It was Saturday, the day everyone had been looking forward to.

The Rowling household was bustling, with everyone getting ready to leave for the long anticipated engagement dinner. George Dupree had sent over a gift basket containing expensive jewelries, fine wine, and an invitation to the private  dinner. Since it was an exclusive private dinner, the Rowling family weren't allowed to invite anyone else, and no press were allowed.

Sophie woke up feeling sick and nauseous. For the last couple of days, Lady Jane has been performing her magic on her, trying to make her fit into the elite beauty standards, and it seemed to have work, at least to an extent.

Sophie's new look still couldn't be compared to Mandy's look and body, but it was a lot better than how she looked before the makeover sessions.

"So what do you think?" Lady Jane asked as Sophie walked out wearing another outfit. This was the tenth outfit she was changing into, and just like the others before, Agatha rejected it.

"No, no. I don't like it. She looks too fat and plumped," Agatha said with a frown on her face.

"Maybe that's because she is fat and plumped. It has nothing to do with the outfit," Carlos said, walking into the room.

"Yeah, but isn't there a way to hide it or something, She can't meet the Duprees looking like a one month old pregnant woman," Agatha said, making Beatrice snicker.

"Well, perhaps she could wear a griddle. It would suck in some of those fats and give her a nice ladylike shape. What do you think?" Lady Jane asked.

"Perfect. I love it. She should definitely wear it," Agatha quickly jumped on the suggestion.

Sophie went into the dressing room, and after about forty-five long minutes of shoving her into the griddle, She walked out, looking like a completely different person. 

There was silence for a while as they all stared at her stun stroked by her new look. Her big belly were flat, giving her a nice waistline, and the griddle served as a nice push-up for her breast, giving her a good and sexy cleavage.

"Wow.... you look...." Lady Jane paused, her eyes fixed on Sophie as she searched for the right word.

"Beautiful," Agatha said, and her lips curved in a smile.

"Not as beautiful as my Mandy," Beatrice muttered, getting jealous. She had volunteered to assist Agatha in picking an outfit for Sophie, hoping she would have a good laugh and relief herself from the anger she felt about Sophie getting married before Mandy but seeing the way everyone especially Agatha stood stunned at Sophie's temporary body type made her really jealous.

"You look beautiful, my dear.... you know with this body, we can go for a better outfit, like this elegant red gown here," Agatha said, pointing at another outfit.

"Erm, I appreciate the compliment, but..... I don't think I can go anywhere with this griddle," Sophie said, trying to catch her breath.

"Why? It looks good on you. It makes you look ladylike and not a fat chubby plump old maid," Agatha said.

"Yeah, but I can't breathe, and I need my breath to be able to marry Maxwell," Sophie said, pacing her words gradually.

Agatha chuckled, a frown appearing on her once happy face. "Sophie, you better learn to contain yourself with a small amount of air because you are not taking off this griddle," Agatha said, her voice laced with anger.

"But... I really can't..."

"Shut the hell up and go put on this outfit, we are running late already," Agatha said, throwing the red dress at her.

Sophie gave her a pleading look before she headed back into the dressing room. Just like Agatha had suggested, the red dress was a perfect fit for Sophie.

"Perfect, we would go with this one," Agatha said, nodding her head. She turned to Lady Jane, "Complete the look and send her downstairs. You can pick up your cheque from the butler when you are done," Agatha said, and with that, she left, alongside Carlos and Beatrice, who also needed to get ready for the engagement dinner.

"Is that Sophie?" Mandy asked, stunned, her eyes fixed on Sophie, who was excorted down the stairs by the bulter.

"Yes, doesn't she look beautiful. Lady Jane really did an amazing job," Agatha said, with a big smile plastered on her face as she stared on Sophie without sparing Mandy a single look.

Mandy frowned, hearing a hint of proudness in her voice. She was used to seeing the family talk to Sophie with disdain and anger, but now, she saw a different light on her grandmother channeled towards Sophie, something that has never happened.

"What?" Mandy scoffed, her eyes turning towards Beatrice, who also appeared to be angry but managed to give her a reassuring smile.

"What happened to Sophie? What's with the sudden transformation and, above all, what is wrong with grandmother?" Mandy asked. They were now on their way to engagement dinner, and luckily for Mandy, she was riding the Lamborghini with just her mother, Beatrice.

"She is wearing a griddle, and your grandmother seems to be very impressed with the way she is looking. You need to have seen them in the dressing room. Even your father was lusting over her, I'm sure if Sophie wasn't his daughter, he would be drooling all over her," Beatrice said angrily.

Mandy chuckled, "All that fuse for something that isn't permanent. For how long can she go with the griddle, a day or so,"

"A day Indeed, let's just hope she lasts the night without collapsing for lost of breath," Beatrice said in a mockery tune.

"She can't breathe?" Mandy asked, her lips twitching in an evil laughter.

"Yes, but you know how your grandmother can be. She insisted that she would wear it," Beatrice said

"That's good, though, with the way Sophie is, she would definitely embrace the entire family," Beatrice added with an amused smile.

"Yeah, I can't wait for that. It would be the highlight of the dinner," Mandy said in between laughter.

"The cherry on top of the dessert," Beatrice supported, and they two burst into laughter.

The limousine pulled up in front of Ziba Beach, one of the most exquisite beaches in Europe. It was meant for 'the one percent of the one percent' as it cost almost a fortune to make a reservation. 

Sophie scoffed as she looked around the entrance, taking in the beautiful deco that screamedlots of money. The Dupree was no doubt rich, considering the way they were throwing money around securing luxurious location for a wedding that had slim chances of working. 

"The fate of the entire family rests on your small shoulders, Sophie. Ruin this, and I would make sure you regret it for the rest of your miserable life, even in your grave," Agatha said, her eyes fixed on Sophie.

Sophie gulped hard as she felt cold chill run down her chills. "Okay," she muttered, not sure if she was supposed to keep mute or respond to Agatha's threats.

The Rowlings were ushered in by the warm smiles of three waitress, who led them to the well decorated outdoor restaurant where the Duprees were already seated waiting for them.

Just as George had said, the dinner was indeed close and private dinner as the only Duprees that had attended were Maxwell, his mother Connie, his elder sister Danielle, and off course, George Dupree himself, no reporter were in sight, just security guards making sure that no outsiders intrude.

The two families said warm pleasantries to each other before they settled down, allowing the chef to serve them.

"Hope it wasn't a lot of trouble for your family coming at this hour. This was the only time we could make sure the paparazzi won't send out their spys," George said, starting up a warm conversation.

"It's no trouble. It's also a convenient time for us," Agatha said, her eyes tracing towards Maxwell, who sat quietly on his wheelchair without uttering a word to anyone, just as he did when they walked in. She would have assumed he was dumb if not for the fact that she had heard him talk the other time while he was proposing to Mandy.

"You grandson is rather too quiet Goerge, the only world I have heard from him is will you marry me?" Agatha said. She felt the need to draw attention to that, just in case Maxwell had other underlying health issues George was trying to hide.

Goerge let out a small laughter, " Well, it's a good thing that you would be hearing it again today,"

Agatha gave him a light smile, stealing a glimpse at Sophie before turning to George.

"Yes, but he won't be saying it to the same girl," Agatha said, making Connie shoot her a sharp glance.

"I beg your pardon," Connie said, her eyes fixed on Agatha.

"Well, The Duprees and the Rowlings would be in-laws, but unfortunately, not with Mandy as your future daughter-in-law," Agatha said.

"And who would be the daughter-in-law, you?" George said with a soft laughter.

Agatha smiled, shifting her gaze from Connie to him. "I will take that as a compliment, George. But no," Agatha paused.

"Meet Sophie Rowling, my eldest granddaughter," Agatha said, introducing Sophie to everyone.

All eyes fell on Sophie, and for a moment, there was silence as they all stared at her, accessing her.

"You mean your illegitimate grand daughter?" Connie asked angrily.

"She is my granddaughter. That's the most important thing. I figured out that since Maxwell, here is the eldest grandson. It would only be proper if I marry off my eldest granddaughter to him. That way, the equation would be equal," Agatha said.

Connie chuckled, her anger riling up, "What equation are you talking about? You are marrying off your worthless granddaughter to my...."

"Worthless son," Agatha said, completing her sentence stunning not just Connie but everyone else present.

"What?" Connie scoffed.

Agatha flashed her a half smile before turning towards George. "You said I should have a bride, and here I am with a bride, now it's left for you and your family to decide if you want this marriage to go on or not," Agatha said.

Silence enveloped the place once more as everyone stared at George to make the final decision.

"Please say no, please say no," Sophie prayed, her eyes fixed on George Dupree just like everyone else.

"I'm impressed, Agatha. You have just proven that you are indeed the Chairwoman of Rowling group," George paused. He shifted his gaze to Maxwell and then to Sophie.

"I see no reason for the marriage not to go on, as long as they both want it, this shouldn't be a problem. So Maxwell, if you are interested and willing to marry Miss Sophie Rowling, why don't you ask her to marry you and see what she says," George said.

All eyes shifted from George to Maxwell, curious to know what his next move would be.

Connie stared deeply at Maxwell, trying to signal him not to say anything to Sophie, but unfortunately for her, he totally ignored him as he signaled Oliver to hand him the box, which he did

Maxwell pulled himself towards Sophie, stopping his wheelchair not far from her. He stared deeply at her, taking in her details. Unlike Mandy, Sophie appeared to be more timid and shy.

He opened the box, revealing the same diamond ring he had used in proposing to Mandy. After taking it out, he looked up to Sophie.

"Will you marry me?" 

Was that even a question, Sophie stared at him, knowing she could never turn him down as freely as Mandy did and got away with it. 

She shifted her gaze to look at Connie, her supposed future mother in-laws. She had a deadly look in her eyes, and Sophie didn't need to be told that she wasn't a fan of her son getting married to her.

Her eyes drifted towards Agatha, and immediately their eyes met, her warning came ringing in her head over and over again, nonstop.

Sophie exhaled deeply, feeling nauseous. "Yes," She barely managed to say before her nauseousness overwhelmed her. Just when Maxwell wanted to slide the ring in her finger, Sophie stood up forcefully and ran outside, with her hand covering her mouth and gagging all the way out. 

"Isn't this interesting? Now you want my son to marry your pregnant granddaughter," Connie commented, stunning everyone.