SURPRISE WEDDING

THE NOT SO long dining table was occupied by the Quinn family. Mr. Alejandro Quinn, the head of the family is seated at the end of the table and on her right side is his wife, Mrs. Abby Quinn. On the left side, Zeke Alexander Quinn and Zoe Abigail Quinn are seated properly while the maids are serving their breakfast.

Zoe is part of a typical wealthy family. Her parents own a financing company that is widely known in their city. The Quinn's are one of the prominent members in the business world.

"Zoe, be ready for your wedding tomorrow," Mr. Quinn said casually while they are enjoying the meal on the table.

The lady choked on her food as her father's words registered in her mind. Her brother was quick to hand her a glass of water that she never wasted a second and drink from it.

After regaining her breath back to normal, she faced her father in shock and asked.

"My wedding? Tomorrow?" She wanted to clarify what she heard just now.

Her father nodded, "Yes, we already talked about it, right?"

She looked down on her food and nodded slowly, "I know dad, but I didn't expect that it will be tomorrow instantly."

"We've been planning your wedding for a while, sweetie," her mother grinned happily, "we want to surprise you."

Oh! She's more than surprised at her parents' announcement. She could have gone to a party last night to enjoy her remaining hours as a free woman. What if her soon-to-be husband will not as good as she think? On that thought, she doesn't even know who her groom is!

"Mom, what about my groom? Who is he?"

Her mother just smiled suspiciously and spoke, "You'll know who he is tomorrow."

For goodness sake! She might be the only bride who have no idea or knowledge about her soon-to-be husband. Zoe just hoped that her parents chose a decent man that will take good care of their daughter.

She is a follower to her mom and dad. She does whatever they want because it's for her own good, they say. But sometimes they cross the line and can be so controlling, to the extent that her marriage is decided by them.

"Dad, don't you think it's too early for Zoe to get married? She's only 25," her brother tried to convince their father.

Zoe smiled because it is always her big brother that saves her ass in front of their parents. But it's rare for his brother's opinion to change their decision and she know that this marriage thing is fixed and unbendable.

"We already found her match and they agreed to it. They also like Zoe to be the wife of their son," his dad.

She knew it. There's no way to stop this.

"Why couldn't you let her decide things for her life?" There's irritation in Zeke's voice.

"Zeke," Mrs. Quinn called her son with a warning tone, "this is for Zoe's good. Trust us."

Zeke was about to argue when Zoe patted his arm, making him hold back his words and look at her little sister. She gave him a small smile, saying that it's okay. He just sighed and continued to eat quietly. He can't do anything for his little sister. It is always like this, their parents telling them what to do and it's annoyingly suffocating.

After they finished eating, each one of them went to their respective tasks for the day. As usual, Zoe's parents and Zeke went to the company to do some work. On the other hand, Zoe headed to her appointment for this day.

Together with her manager, Fern Cabios, they entered the dressing room to prepare for today's event. Zoe is a professional catwalk model for 4 years. She is a well-known model that gave her the opportunity to do a lot of fashion shows in different countries.

Unlike the Quinn family, Zoe has no interest in the business field. She is not suited for it. She hates dealing with problems that requires critical thinking. The reason why she's been in modeling until now is because she made a deal with her parents. They will let her continue her career in one condition, when the time they found her match, she will agree in the marriage.

'And that time has came already,' Zoe thought as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"Boo, you've been staring at your face for some time now. I know you're beautiful but it looks creepy," her manager's voice brought her back to reality.

She shifted her gaze in Fern's reflection in the mirror behind her and rolled her eyes playfully.

"It's creepy because you're looking at your own reflection, boo," she giggled at her own remarks.

Her manager is part of the lgbtq+ community and she considers Fern as her bestfriend. They were friends since college until now, that they are working already.

"Huh?! You can't even reach my level of gorgeousness, boo!" Fern flip his imaginary long hair and stuck out his tongue to Zoe.

Fern is gorgeous and handsome indeed. He dressed in a fancy and fashionable outfit. His hair is styled neatly that is combed backwards. Women who don't know Fern often flirts at him only to be meet by a disgusted look from him.

"Whatever, Fernando," she grinned to annoy her friend more.

Hearing his real name, Fern grimaced and playfully pulled the woman's hair.

"Fernando! Stop it!" She can't stop giggling at the displeased reaction of her friend while pulling her hair.

"You! I don't want to hear that name!"

"Come to my wedding tomorrow!"

Surprised Fern let go of her hair, turned her chair to face him and looked at Zoe with wide eyes.

"What did you just said, boo?" Fern blinked at her.

Zoe sighed and fixed her hair using her fingers, "I said, come to my wedding tomorrow."

Fern laughed that he almost fell on the ground while clutching his stomach. Zoe got a bad joke in her mind.

"Are you dreaming? Gosh, you need to wake up. We have an event tonight, boo."

Zoe frowned and face the mirror again and put a light make-up on her bare face, "Silly! I am not joking. You'll receive the invitation later."

Fern saw that her friend is dead serious but he still can't believe it. As far as he knows, she doesn't have a boyfriend, how come she'll get married tomorrow? But as a Quinn, it's possible that it is an arranged marriage.

He reached for Zoe's straight long black hair and braided it. He is her temporary stylist because they will only rehearse this morning. The main event will start later at 5 pm.

"I see. Who is the lucky groom then?"

Zoe shrugged, "I don't even have the slightest idea."

"What the hell? That's crazy."

He looked with pity at his beautiful model. This is one of the downside of being the daughter of a rich family. No freedom and her fate is decided by the elders.

Zoe grinned at him that he knew was forced, "It's a surprise."

They were called at the venue to rehearse the program. It's not difficult for long time models like Zoe to follow instructions. They've been walking above different platforms for years and they mastered the skills to somehow avoid mistakes in the runway.

After an hour of rehearsal, they were sent back to their suite to have lunch and rest to prepare for tonight's event. And that is what Zoe did. After consuming a light meal, she rested until 2 pm where they started to make preparations.

Zoe is staring at her own fierce reflection in the mirror. She is wearing a long white silk-satin camisole that only fastened by a single button in front to cover her average size chest and looks like a gown in the back. It was paired by wide-leg high waist white pants and a white 6-inch stilettos. Her long hair is in slicked back style.

She frowned and murmured to herself, "What a coincidence."

Tonight's line of clothing is modern bridal gowns that was created by the famous fashion designer, Mrs. Agatha Grande.

"You look stunning, sister!" Diana, one of her co-models exclaimed.

Zoe smiled and said, "You look cool in that white pantsuit, Di."

Actually, all the models looks angelic in their white outfits, like they will attend a grand wedding.

"Good luck, ladies!" Mrs. Grande exclaimed excitedly at the models.

They were lining up at the backstage since the fashion show will start any minute from now. The girls cheered each other when they heard the host introduced the clothing line. One by one, they enter the runway and present the various outfits.

It was Zoe's turn so she put a straight face and bore her emotionless eyes. As she entered the runway, she forgot all the thoughts that are clouding her mind. She took her first step with confidence. This is her passion that always ignites her spirit. She wanted to showcase the excellent works of fashion designers through modeling it.

There are many people present at the event, big and rich people in their suits and elegant dresses. There are cameras everywhere that bright flashes from it almost blind her.

She nearly stop walking when her eyes met with someone's cold stare in the crowd. Her heart wildly hammered inside her chest, so different from her calm and stoic face. Zoe gulped secretly and continue walking like she's not in panic at the moment.

She thanked every great being when she reached the backstage without falling because her knees are literally shaking from what she saw in the hall.

Zoe took a deep breath to calm her racing heart. A smile appeared on her lips and she can feel her heart fluttering in an unexplainable reason.

"Oh my god," Zoe whispered. She just saw Hans Titus Donovan! She was dumbfounded knowing that the man she's infatuated with watched her walked in that freaking stage!

She did all her best to hide her smile when they all went back to the stage for the final show of the clothing line. She did not dare to look back at the spot of Mr. Donovan. It will only make her fragile heart melt with his breath-taking gaze.

The fashion show ended after 20 minutes long. Zoe sighed in relief knowing it's now over. She is now in her simple red fitted mid-thigh length dress with square neckline.

"Congratulations for the fantastic job, ladies!" Their handler said happily as the models gathered, "Since Mrs. Grande is more than satisfied in the show, she invited us to join the dinner party!"

Oh crap! She needs to go home early for her 'wedding' tomorrow but declining the invitation would be rude. Maybe she can stay for a little while? Besides she will be a married woman starting tomorrow. Let her own this night.

Fern met Zoe at the entrance of the dining hall. He has this mischievous smile on his face that made her frown in confusion.

"What, boo?" Zoe inquired.

Fern whispered in her ear, "I will talk to Mr. Mayor's hot butler, cheer me."

Zoe stopped in her track and face her manager and whispered firmly, "Back off! He's mine!"

Fern giggled while anchoring his arm on Zoe's and they walked side by side to the dinner, "Didn't you said that you'll be married tomorrow, boo?"

She groaned and rolled her eyes at what her bestfriend said.

"Ah right, thanks for reminding me."