Chapter 8

As we walked into the store, I’m certain that this was a dream. Everything inside looked like an absolute dream. Like every bride’s dream.

Except, it’s not exactly my dream. It should be but I wasn’t the rightful owner of all these luxury.

We were specially greeted by a lady that seemed to be in her early fifties, yet still looked incredibly agile and young.

“Hello Mr. And Mrs. Maserati. I’m Cheryl, it’s a pleasure to have you both,” she greeted with a warm smile. “We have been expecting you for the exclusive showing, please, come this way.”

*Mrs. Maserati? That’ll take some getting used to.*

She ushered us along, down the expanse of the store to another are in the small corner that felt private and exclusive.

I just followed along with Adrian. This was all so strange to me, I didn’t even know how to act. I probably resembled a child hiding behind his parent’s back.

When we arrived at the exclusive suite area, it was clear that we were really expected. It wouldn’t be far fetched to say that this whole place was reserved for us strictly.

I sat alongside Adrian, propped upright and stiff as I cowered in anxiety. Adrian doesn’t look bothered in the slightest, he flung his arms around me on the sofa.

The wine flutes we’ve been offered in his other hand, “Can we skip the talk and begin to find my wife the perfect dress?”

Mrs. Cheryl reddened at the call out, hurriedly moving to drag the rail of beautiful dresses that stood at the corner waiting. “Of course…of course.”

“Miss, which one would you like to try first?”

My heart thudded in fear as Adrian suddenly cuts in, I was midway to standing up, “It is *Mrs.* Maserati, lady,” he corrected with a deadly glare that froze even me to place. “I’m not paying you that exorbitant amount for you to disrespect my wife.”

I immediately felt bad for her. She has been so sweet and didn’t deserve that. It was a first for me, seeing the Adrian from the rumors, and I’m suddenly glad I wasn’t at the other end of that.

I definitely couldn’t tell him now. Who knows what he would unleash to know that my father sent a replacement bride.

He had asked for the youngest daughter of the Stewart family, he got the youngest daughter, just not the biological one.

I finally stood, looking at the array of dresses that lined up in the rail. Cheryl picked up a random one from the rail. With a small stiff smile she asked, “How about we start with this?”

“Of course,” she gulped. She hesitated before escorting me toward the dressing room, then asked in a shaky voice, “Will you be waiting here, sir?”

He glared icily at her, “Yes..”

Cheryl hesitated again before murmuring, “Well… the thing is, the groom shouldn’t see the bride’s dress, sir.” Her gaze dropped to the floor. “It’s considered bad luck.”

“I have too much money to concern myself with myths such as that,” he replied coolly. “So why don’t you do what you’re paid to do, and don’t speak where your opinion isn’t required.”

“Yes, sir,” she answered at once.

*Oh God. He was a devil boss indeed.*

After trying out about nine different dresses, I was ready to give up. They all looked nice but not mine. They were tidal worthy, easily top tier but I wasn’t feeling any of it. And thankfully, Adrian didn’t either.

His responses had been a series of…

‘Too bland.’

‘Too plain’

‘Too dull’

‘Too much skin, my wife can’t be flashing guests.’

‘I’m fairly certain that was my grandmothers dress, next!’

‘Are you fucking kidding me right now’

He never directed those comments at me, more to Cheryl and her staffs who were red in the neck from fear and mortification.

His final comment was, “I’m pretty sure I paid for an exclusive bridal showing for me to having these distasteful dresses.”

Cheryl was shaking like a leaf, it was hard dealing with him but I agreed. Nothing I’d worn suited me.

I’m still in the changing room when I heard Adrian. “If the next dress you give to her doesn’t wow me, you’re not going to like the outcome,” he spat with so much venoms that even I feared the outcome.

One of the staffs finally came in with another dress, and I was stunned. I hadn’t even put it on yet, but I just knew.

I quickly put it on, letting the staff into help adjust and zip it up. It was magnificent, the dress train flowed like water at my feet.

It was an ivory white structured strapless gown. It had a sweetheart neckline, a fitted bodice that cinched my waist with clean precision. The fabric flowed into a full, exquisite ballgown skirt, and the cherry on top was the bow at the back and the pockets that sat at each side of the dress. It was beyond perfect.

For the first time since this dress ceremony started my heart pinched with excitement. I felt genuine joy and fullness just seeing myself in the dress. I was sure the emotion was not absent in my eyes either.

Only that I hoped he liked it, Adrian had showed perversion to every single dress since we got here.

I looked to Cheryl at the same time she asked, “Do you like it?”

Her eyes shone with worry at my coming response, she must be hoping that I liked it enough to convince Adrian. I see she took his threat very seriously.

I nodded, “Yes, I really do.

Her shoulders dropped in relief that I see physically leave her, “Wonderful.”

As I came out, Adrian is on his feet pacing the front of the elevated bridal stage. He stopped—

He looked up at my on the platform, eye shining wide with so much adoration that knocked me breathless, “Oh, this one is perfect.”