Wedding Dress

Did he know I was riding in that car? Why did he smirk as if he had seen me?

Timothy’s car had heavily tinted windows, but earlier it felt like Mr. Davidson could see me clearly—he even smirked. I shook my head, thinking maybe he was just trying to provoke me.

Weird...

“Did anything else happen?”

I looked at Tim when I heard his question. “Huh? W-what do you mean?” I stammered, not quite catching everything he had said.

He maneuvered the car and parked in front of the well-known wedding shop that his mother had chosen for us.

“I’m asking if anything else unusual happened to you last night. Aside from the pervert, the woman who saved you, and the car you rode that wasn’t actually the one you booked. Did anything else happen?”

Name your price…

“Love?”

I cleared my throat and smiled at Timothy. “Other than the flowers you sent, nothing else. It’s such a waste that I left them at the bar,” I said with a pout as I stepped out of the car before him.

I took a deep breath and lightly tapped my cheeks, scolding myself for letting that man get into my head. I shouldn’t be thinking about him anymore.

“Let’s go?” Timothy said, putting an arm around me as he guided me inside the wedding shop.

Even though this wasn’t the first time I’d met his mom, my nervousness never seemed to fade. I always felt this way whenever I saw his mother. I had never truly felt comfortable around her.

“By the way, love, I’m going to my father's house later. I’m cooking dinner for them. Can you come?”

“Is Michael going to be there?”

I nodded. “Yes—”

“Love, it would be better if we just see each other at the wedding. You know he doesn’t like me. I don’t want to ruin your family dinner.”

I sighed and didn’t insist anymore. The last time they met, it had been a mess. Dad had almost ended up in the hospital trying to break up their fight.

“Why can’t you and Michael just get along like before?”

He didn’t respond, and we entered the shop. Right at the entrance, I saw Aunt Zen raise an eyebrow when she spotted me.

“Good afternoon to the most beautiful Mommy in the world,” Tim greeted his mother and gave her a hug.

“Good afternoon, Aunt Zen,” I greeted and kissed her cheek.

“You look like you’ve gained some weight, Rebecca. You should watch your figure—your gown might not fit you.”

“Mommy, what are you saying? Rebecca is the definition of sexy. I’m so lucky to be her husband.”

His mother shook her head and said nothing more, while I glanced at the mirror, suddenly self-conscious about my body.

Did I really gain weight? But I'm still on a diet...

“Tim! You’re finally here,” Aiza greeted us. She owned the wedding shop and was a close friend of Tim’s mother. “Your mom’s been getting impatient. I told her she was just early and you weren’t late at all.”

“Is what I asked for ready, Aiza?” Tim asked.

“Well, of course. You gave me a hard time with the design, but we managed. Come on, I’ll show it to you. I’m sure Rebecca will like it.”

Asked for?

“Asked for? What did you ask for? Didn’t Rebecca and I already choose her gown and just have it adjusted?”

“Mom, my soon-to-be wife should have a wedding gown made exclusively for her.”

I shot Tim a warning look, certain Aunt Zen wouldn’t like that, but he only smiled at me and guided me toward the showroom.

I immediately heard Aunt Zen scoff. She clearly didn’t like that I wouldn’t be wearing the wedding gown she had chosen for Timothy and me.

At the beginning of my relationship with Timothy, she had been civil with me—though never particularly warm.

But when Tim and I started living together and she found out about it, her dislike became blatant.

There was always something negative for her to point out whenever we saw each other, especially when Timothy wasn’t around.

I knew I wasn’t the woman she wanted for her son. There were times I considered breaking up with Tim just to make things easier… but in the end, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

“What do you say?”

My lips parted when I saw the wedding gown. It was obviously made just for me. It was the exact design Timothy had sketched when he once asked about my dream wedding dress.

“It’s beautiful, Aiza. You did a great job!” Timothy said proudly.

As he spoke, I walked closer to the gown, admiring the flawless craftsmanship.

“Isn’t the neckline a little too low?” Aunt Zen commented, making Timothy chuckle.

“Mom, we’re living in the twenty-first century. Besides, it suits Rebecca perfectly.”

“How much is that?”

“Tim got it at a very friendly price, of course,” Aiza replied cheerfully. “He’s my godson, so I gave him a fifty percent discount. So it’s only one hundred thousand dollars.”

My eyes widened, and I froze mid-gaze at the gown.

“Timothy! That’s way too expensive!”

“Mom, I have savings for Rebecca’s and my wedding.”

“Even so—”

“Mom, please. Let’s not argue about this.”

Timothy walked over and wrapped an arm around me. “Want to try it on?”

“We’ll talk later, Tim,” I said, shaking my head.

*

“Are you still mad?” Timothy asked, handing me a cup of coffee like a child cautiously approaching his mother.

We had gone straight to a coffee shop after leaving the wedding shop. Aunt Zen didn’t join us for snacks—clearly displeased with Tim’s change of plans for my gown.

I sighed and leaned against his shoulder. I felt guilty for snapping at him in the car earlier when all he wanted was to surprise me.

“Love, I’m not mad at you. But you should’ve asked me first. Your mom has a point—it’s too expensive.”

“Compared to everything you’ve given me, the price of that gown is nothing. I value you far more than its cost.”

“You’re unbelievable. You love me too much—it’s scary.”

He frowned. “Scary?”

“Yes. I read something on social media. The guy was exactly like that—kept saying he loved her so much, but he still cheated.”

He went quiet, and I instinctively pulled away when I saw his expression.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Don’t tell me you’re going to be like that guy.”

He laughed and pinched my cheek. “The things you read—”

I swatted his hand away when my phone rang.

I sighed when I saw who was calling, but I answered anyway.

“Your mom?” Timothy asked. I nodded.

“Hello, baby girl?”

“Mom, what’s up?”

“You called last night. I couldn’t answer. Mission failed, baby. Your dad still doesn’t want me.”

“Let’s not force him anymore, Mom. Darius was mad at me too.”

"Becca, I just want to see them so I can apologize. Can’t you really convince them to meet me?”

“Not for now, Mom. How about at my wedding? We’ll see then.”

“Alright. Speaking of which, you’re getting married, and I haven’t even seen your fiancé—not even a picture. You forgot to show me.”

“Then how about we have dinner with him tomorrow?”

“Really? You’re actually introducing me to him?”

“Yes, Mom. See you tomorrow night?”

“Okay, baby girl. I love you.”

When I ended the call, I glared at Timothy, who had been shamelessly pressing his ear close to my phone earlier.

“Ahhh, baby girl,” he teased, feeding me a spoonful of cake. I accepted it, but not without smacking his arm.

“Don’t tease me, Tim.”

He laughed, then turned serious. “It didn’t work out?”

I sighed and shook my head. He knew about my plan to help my mom reconcile with our family. Even though she had been back from Maryland for months, our busy schedules—and the tension—had kept them from meeting.

“Take it easy. I’m sure everything will be okay.”

“I hope so. I know Mom hurt us badly before, but even if she and Dad don’t get back together, I at least hope we can be okay as a family.”

“Knowing you, I’m sure you’ll make them reconcile. You even managed to change the reckless Timothy,” he said with a smile, gently caressing my cheek.

After our snacks, he drove me home. I didn’t insist that he come inside and just reminded him to rest after stopping by the subdivision’s security office to request the CCTV footage.

“Win!” I greeted excitedly as Darius’s golden retriever ran toward me. He jumped on me, knocking me down, and I squealed as he licked my face.

Good thing he still remembered me, even though I hadn’t been home in months.

“Win!” Darius scolded, and the dog immediately calmed down before running back inside the house.

Darius helped me up, but I jumped on him instead, wrapping my arms around him.

“Darius, I missed you!”

He set me down and ruffled my hair. “The way you jump around—you’re still like a child. You’re about to get married, and you’re still this hyper, Rebecca,” he said in a lecturing tone, though a small smile tugged at his lips.

“Where’s Michael?”

“He just woke up. He’s in the dining area having coffee with Dad.”

“Is Dad mad at me?” I asked, wincing as Darius put an arm around me and led me inside.

“When has Dad ever been mad at his princess?”

I pouted. “When he found out I was living with Timothy and not my so-called best friend?”

He shot me a look and lightly smacked the back of my head. “That was something to be mad about.”

I hooked my arm around his waist and hugged him. “I love you, Darius,” I said sweetly.

He just messed up my hair again and didn’t respond, but I knew my brother loved me dearly. Words weren’t necessary.

“Dadddyy! I missed you!” I exclaimed, immediately hugging Dad as he stepped out of the dining area, likely to greet me.

“Well, you didn’t say you were coming.”

“I told Darius, but I said not to tell you so it would be a surprise. Besides, someone here might suddenly make plans,” I said pointedly at Michael, who silently sipped his coffee.

I pulled away from Dad and walked over to Michael. “Hi, Michael. How was your flight?”

“Smooth,” he replied briefly.

I moved behind him and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Michael, I missed you… didn’t you miss me?”

He removed my arms and stood up. I almost felt sad, thinking he was about to leave, but I smiled when he suddenly pulled me into a hug.

“Of course I missed you. I brought you something from Hong Kong.”

“Really?!” I responded excitedly.

He chuckled softly and pinched the tip of my nose. “You’re still like a kid,” he said, making Dad laugh as well.

“It’s in my room. On my bed. Go get it.”

“Yay!” I shouted and ran toward his room.

My mouth fell open when I saw the paper bags on his bed—luxury brand labels everywhere. Clothes, shoes, bags.

“Oh my gosh! What’s all this? These are so expensive, Michael!” I said, turning to them as they followed me in.

“Open them.”

“Here’s mine, princess,” Darius said, handing me a small paper bag.

“It’s not even my birthday. You guys,” I said, my eyes welling up as I opened their gifts one by one.

My lips parted when I saw the shoes—perfect for my wedding gown. A stunning pair of glass slippers from a well-known brand.

“Wear that on your wedding day,” Michael said.

“Michael!” I cried and hugged him tightly.

“Open mine, little sister.”

I grabbed the bag from Darius and gasped when I saw a complete set of jewelry inside. The diamonds sparkled brilliantly.

“You guys! These are so expensive!” I cried, hugging both of them.

“Of course. Your brothers love you. But do you think your dad would let himself be outdone?”

I stepped away from my brothers and stared at the envelope Dad was holding out to me.

“W-what’s that, Dad?”

“Just open it.”

I took it—and my jaw dropped when I read what was inside. It was the title to a house and lot property under my name.

“Dad!”

He laughed and hugged me. “I know Tim will prepare a house for you, but I bought that property when you graduated. It’s really for you. You can pass it down to my future grandchildren.”

“You three are unbelievable! You really love me so much. I’m so lucky!” I sobbed as I hugged all three of them.

“Your nose is running, Becca! It’s getting on my shirt—I just took a shower!” Michael complained, pushing me away, which only made me rub my nose harder against his shirt to tease him.

Lord, thank you for this family.