Wedding dress part 3

I had seen the reactions of multiple women who were furious after being turned away from a prestigious boutique. i had thought it was quite funny but here I was trying to be like them. I wasn’t going to go all out and yell but I would –in the most subtle way possible- make them beg me.

It’s either that no one recognized Giulia as the fiancée of Cohen or thought she wasn’t important. I knew they wouldn’t treat Cohen in such manner. No one would treat anyone who has power such away. No one would ever turn them down. I’ll like to believe no one knew who Giulia was because she didn’t come out much.

Not looking away from Miriam, I commented, “Wow, is this how they treat their customers”.

Miriam stared at me in confusion. “I suggest we leave”.

I disregarded what she said and asked her, “Would you remind me of my full name?”

She blinked, startled. “Ma’am?”

“My name,” I repeated, lifting up my chin. “Say it.”

Miriam hesitated, then, with a nervous glance toward the boutique, she lowered her head. I could tell she was embarrassed but her feelings were of no use to me. She knew I would be able to get in if they realized who I was. I mean, who would refuse making a dress for the future Luna. They will be recognized by the whole pack.

“You are Giulia River,” she answered.

“And who will I soon be?” I questioned.

“You’ll be Giulia Slade,” she replied.

My lips slowly curled into a smile.

The whispering behind me grew louder. Someone was watching. I didn’t have to turn to know. The market was full of eyes that saw too much, mouths that spoke too quickly. If I left now, with my pride in tatters, the story would be twisted before I get back home.

Home?

Can I call it a home?

I couldn’t call it that yet.

Anyway, Miriam would twist the story as well and spread the gossip to everyone in the resident. I would prefer to announce myself and my distaste for their treatment towards me now and let everyone be present so there’s no way Miriam could have an upper hand.

I exhaled slowly. That would not do.

I press my lips into a thin line. I glanced back at the restaurant and I was glad the woman and an who denied me access to the boutique were still outside. I turned back to Miriam.

“You know, it’s quite strange how an establishment like this would forget their Luna’s face,” I said, projecting my voice. I made sure my voice was loud enough for everyone to hear. “Whether you like me or not isn’t any of my concern but the fact that you would reject the Alpha’s proposal is just…funny”.

Miriam shifted uncomfortably, unsure whether to respond.

I tilted my head. “I’m sure you would have been briefed or at least informed about my wedding dress and if you weren’t then that’s the fault of my maid”.

Miriam squirmed.

“I might as well go inform Alpha Cohen that the wedding has to be moved to a further date because my wedding dress wasn’t ready in time,” I turned to face the woman and man-the boutique staff- behind me. “Right? It would be a shame that everyone realizes how poor the customer service is here. If you can’t treat the Alpha or I with respect, I wonder how you treat the members of the pack, Amelia”.

Her name was written on a name tag pinned to her breast pocket.

The effect was immediate.

Amelia’s lips pressed together, the muscles in her jaw tightening for the briefest moment but just as quickly, she exhaled softly, smoothing her expression into something pleasant. A practiced smile replaced the irritation in her eyes as if the anger had never been there.

Her eyes darted between Miriam and I before she let out a nervous laugh. “Oh! My lady!” She stammered. “Forgive our actions, we weren’t expecting you today and because of how busy it is here, we just-“

She was nudged by the man beside her whose name was Caleb. His name was written on the name tag pinned to his breast pocket. Her words got cut off mid-sentence.

My eyebrows creased.

“You’re too busy”. I blinked, stunned.

“Don’t listen to her. There must have been-oh, an awful misunderstanding!” Caleb said with a smile. “W-we simply didn’t realize it was you! Why don’t you come in? The sun is scorching hot today”.

Amelia glanced at him. A winkle popped in the middle of her forehead.

It was amusing to say the list. I held in my laughter.

Amelia turned back to me, her practiced smile still rested on her lips. “Yes, come in”.

Behind her, I caught glimpses of the boutique’s elegant interior, mannequins dressed in elegant gowns and rows of even more amazing gowns on display and a handful of wealthy individuals who paused what they were doing to watch the unfolding spectacle.

I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. This was something I never had and now I had it, they expect me to just fall easily for the little attention they gave me. It was evident they never respected me and they only spoke to me because I used Cohen’s reputation as a shield. I wasn’t going to fall so easily.

I could simply leave. Walk away and let them dwell on their own interpretations of the scene.

But no.

Reputation was not something to be given away so carelessly.

I stepped forward, meeting Amelia’s gaze. I stared at her, searching her eyes.

I could tell what she thought. She probably wondered how a person like me could talk down at her and get what I want. I didn’t know Giulia’s background but It was easily to figure out it’s either she’s an orphan or she came from a poor background because it seemed no one cared for her or her well-being. It had been just a few hours since Giulia was declared alive, yes but someone would have at least come visiting claiming to be her friend or family but no one has.