Tension At The Bridal Shop

I shouldn't have given her gifts, Ryan thought closing his eyes in fraustration,it felt as if I was living in torments since light, Lia has been all over my thoughts.

Suddenly a knock echoed, "Come in"Ryan firm voice sounded.

The maid opened the door walking in "I did exactly as you instructed sir"

"Good, what was her response"Ryan asked.

"She had wanted to return the gifts, but somehow I coax her into accepting them" the maid replied..

"You can leave"Ryan said waving his hands as he walked back to his bed.

"That woman is so stubborn, Ryan still couldn't believe he was finding it hard to ignore her presence,he had always wanted this 7 months to come to an end.

The marriage is in 1 week,he had a lot of work to do, picking up his phone a notification popped up .

Squinting his eyes,he realized it was from Jason, " I know you're up to something with that woman you claim you love"

Ryan knew Jason would surely suspect, " more reason why I need to hasten up the preparations for the wedding, before Jason does something crazy" he thought.

~~~

In Lia room,she was talking to her dad over the phone.

"Lia my darling what have you been up to, how did you manage to pay the bills, even taking me to one of the prestigious hospital"

"Daddy I finally got a job that pays well,I promise to visit soon when I'm chanced" Lia replied.

"Please daddy stay strong for me, I promise once all this is over here,we will live a happy and peaceful life without any worries" Lia continued.

"I miss you my darling,so much that I want to see your pretty face badly"

Lia couldn't help but fight back the tears,she wanted to hold her father,hug him and tell him she loves him,she can't wait for this whole contract thing to end,she wants to be with her dad again.

"Lia my darling you don't have to worry,the caretaker takes very good care of me" 

"Dad please tell me if you need anything, don't hesitate please"

"Daddy loves you darling" her father said.

The tears Lia had been fighting back finally slipped from her eyes.

"I love you too daddy, just hold on a little, and I'll be back before you know it, okay"

Lia dad finally hanged up leaving Lia staring at her dad picture as tears kept rolling down her eyes.

Just when she was about to drop her phone she received a message notification from Ryan.

"Get ready we're heading now to the bridal shop".

This guy is a pain in the ass, Lia thought dropping her phone, walking Into the bathroom she slammed the door hard.

Ryan stood outside as he smoothed his suit jacket, trying to project a calm demeanor. He glanced at his watch, anxious about Lia's arrival. As the door opened, she stepped outside, looking radiant yet distant, her eyes avoiding his like a practiced dance. Dressed in a simple but elegant sundress, Lia exuded beauty, a fact that struck Ryan hard but tried so hard to ignore.

"Ready?" he asked, his tone strained as he tried to strike a balance between indifference and concern. 

Lia nodded, not meeting his gaze. "Let's go." 

As they headed to the car, the air was thick with unspoken words. Ryan stole glances at Lia's profile, her brow furrowed in concentration or irritation—he couldn't tell which. The silence felt unbearable, yet he didn't know how to break it without risking another confrontation. 

Arriving at the bridal shop, they were greeted by the soft chime of bells as they stepped inside. The boutique was upscale, adorned with elegant displays of lace, silk, and tulle. The atmosphere was filled with whispers of excitement and happiness from other brides and their entourages, contrasting sharply with the chill between Ryan and Lia.

I hate to see myself here Lia thought feeling awkward.

"Can we just get this over with?" Lia said, her voice barely masking the frustration she felt. 

"Of course," Ryan replied, forcing a neutral expression. 

They were guided to a fitting room at the back, where Lia was handed a selection of gowns to try on. As she disappeared behind the curtain, Ryan took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He hadn't ever imagined this process would feel so fraught, but there was something about the looming tension that made him uneasy. 

Minutes later, the curtain slid aside and Lia emerged in a stunning gown, the fabric cascading around her like waterfall silk. It was strapless, with intricate lace detailing and a fitted bodice that accentuated her curves in all the right places. The moment Ryan laid eyes on her, his breath hitched in his throat.

Though it didn't reflected on his expression, glancing at her one last time he looked away.

"What do you think about your bride sir" A The attendant asked waiting for his reply.

Yet, even as his admiration surfaced, Lia's expression was cool. She spun around to give him a full view, although her eyes remained fixed on the floor, avoiding his gaze. "What do you think?" Lia asked,she hated the fact that she was wearing a wedding gown for a man she had no feelings for 

"Try into something easy," he replied coldly, 

"And?" she prompted, her tone icy, as if daring him to say more. 

He shifted uncomfortably, grappling with his frustration. "That's it,try something better" Ryan continued.

Lia frowned, her arms crossing over her chest as if to shield herself from any semblance of closeness he might want to foster. "This is the last time I'll change,I have no time for this?" She stepped back behind the curtain, throwing him a quick, almost defiant look before disappearing again.

The woman assisting Lia in wearing the dress could feel the tension emitting from the two.

As she changed into another gown, Ryan leaned against the wall, the silence weighing heavily upon him. Memories of their last argument played in his mind like an unwelcome reel.

Moments later, the curtain rustled again, and out came Lia wearing a different dress—this one a sleek, fitted silhouette with dramatic sleeves, the sheer fabric adding a touch of modern elegance. 

Ryan's heart raced at the sight. "You look so old in this, didn't you have something nice"Ryan said turning to the woman.

"I'm sorry sir, I'll change this right away"the woman replied walking Lia back inside.

Lia hesitated, her brow pinching slightly, "Look who's complaining,he has no sense of fashion in him" Lia whispered softly to herself.

"Where you speaking to me." Ryan asked stepping closer, a spark of warmth kindling in his chest as he let the brief moment of connection seep through. "Whatever" Lia continued walking back inside.

Just like that, the spark fizzled out. Ryan watched helplessly as she retreated again behind the curtain, the joy of the moment slipping through his fingers. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration and stared at the ground.

"Why do I keep messing this up?" he muttered under his breath.

The next gown appeared, and as Lia emerged, she wore an ethereal dress fit for a fairy tale. It was a flowing gown with a delicate train, glittering with flecks of silver threaded through the fabric. It matched her complexion perfectly, framing her figure in a way that was both romantic and elegant.

Ryan felt a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, but as he glanced at Lia's face, he noticed the same tension wrapped around her. She stood poised yet unyielding, her eyes fixed firmly on his, waiting for a reaction. 

"That one …. I'll go with that"he said, allowing his tone to dip into sincerity. 

"It suits you better," he continued trying to navigate the fragile mood. 

Lia's gaze held his for a moment longer than usual; "why is she staring at me with those eyes" Ryan thought, staring into her eyes back,Lia looked away immediately turning to the bridal shop attendant.

"We'll go with this one" Lia said.

"Ma'am I'm pretty sure your boyfriend would be delighted to see you change into other gowns"

"No it's fine, I want this one"Lia replied quickly,she didn't want to spend time changing into several gowns for Ryan,it increased the tension between them stronger. 

Lia's expression softened slightly, and for the first time since entering the shop, Ryan sensed the walls were beginning to crumble, piece by piece. 

Changing back into her normal clothes Lia walked back to Ryan standing with his back resting on the wall.

"Lia would like to have some coffee"Ryan asked, the words came out from his mouth without thinking.

"No,I'm tired I need to rest"Lia uttered plainly walking away.

"I never should have sked her" Ryan thought creasing his brows.