Chapter 2

We then got into a huge room, full of wedding dresses, shoes, and accessories... you name it!

The villa was already a shocker, this private room was even above and beyond.

Antonio put me down and ordered one of his staff to help me choose.

"I will come back after an hour to check," he said, walking away.

"But aren't you breaking the rules?" I asked.

He turned to look at me.

"The groom is not supposed to see the bride until the wedding day."

He snickered, "I can break the rules whenever I want to princess," he replied, walking away. "Make sure to choose something you will feel proud in wearing."

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Egostical," I said to myself.

I saw the women look at me as if they wanted to burst into laughter.

"Is... everything okay?" I asked.

They could not hold it in anymore.

They busted into laughter.

"Sorry, but..." one of the women said.

"You are the first person to ever stand up to him."

I looked at them, wide-eyed. "What...?"

"Of course," one of the women said, "It is just so nice to see Antonio meet someone - rather, have a wife who can stand up to his arrogance."

I started to laugh.

"Oh wow, thanks for the laughter," I said, "I always work with stubborn patients, so it is now part of my personality."

"Oh?" one of them asked, "So you are a doctor?"

"Yes," I replied, "At the Delucia National Hospital."

They looked at each other.

"Didn't you know?" they asked.

"Um, know what?" I asked, confused.

How much secrecy is hidden in this household?

They then decided to brush it off.

"Never mind, let us help you pick a dress," they said.

They led me to the ball gown dress aisle.

"Wow," I said, like a little girl admiring a wedding dress on TV, "They look great."

One of them looked at me, with a smile on her face, "You haven't seen wedding dresses before?"

"No, I have, but on television unfortunately," I said, touching one of the dresses, "My demanding work... has not allowed me to look at wedding gowns for fun."

"Okay," she said, "Would you like to try that one you are holding?"

I looked at it, "No - I was just admiring it."

"Feel free to choose any, they are all paid."

I looked at her, "WHAT?!"

"Oh Rea," she said, "This aisle has fully paid wedding gowns."

"What a hopeless romantic Antonio is!" I exclaimed with a hint of sarcasm.

"Be careful," she said, "He wouldn't like to hear that."

"I match his energy," I said, "So we will see who will win the battle."

I laughed, looking at the dresses until it struck me.

"Choose something you will feel proud to wear."

"Something I will feel proud to wear huh?" I said to myself.

"Were you saying something?" the other lady asked.

"No, I was thinking about his words, 'Wear something you will be proud to wear,'" I said, imitating his voice.

I looked around and asked, "Tell me please, which dresses are the most expensive?"

They looked at each other and smiled, "Playing the game hard we see."

"I mean, I need to feel proud of what I wear," I said.

They took me to another aisle where I saw a white, turtle neck, ball gown dress. I quickly walked over to it, touching the embroidery and examining the design of the dress.

"I found the one," I said, looking at the ladies and pointing at the dress.

"Excellent choice!" they said.

I was taken to the dressing room and Jackie and Wendy helped me get dressed. I came out of the room and looked at myself in the mirror.

"You look... amazing Rea," Jackie said.

I was shocked to see myself in a wedding dress. I twirled around and closed my mouth - unable to process the thought of wearing a wedding dress.

"I love it," I said.

Soon we heard footsteps come in. Jackie took my hand and pulled me back into the dressing room.

"How is it going, Jackie and Wendy?"

It was Antonio. He was back. My heart began to pound even quicker. I looked at Jackie.

"Don't worry," she whispered, "You will blow Antonio's mind away with your dress."

With a small smile, I said, "Thanks, Jackie."

She returned a smile and went out of the room.

"Good day sir," she said, "She is ready."

I looked at the curtains of the dressing room and tried calming my breathing down.

"It's okay Rea," I said to myself, whispering, "You got this. You are fearless."

"Let her come out," I heard Antonio say.

"You can come out now Rea," Jackie called out.

After taking one deep breath, I came out of the dressing room and faced Antonio. He was wide-eyed and although his pride didn't want to admit it, he looked impressed with my selection.

"Can you give us some privacy please?" he asked.

Jackie and Wendy gave me a thumbs-up before leaving. I smiled and wished to tell them to keep me company.

But they were long gone.

Antonio sat up straight. "Turn around."

I felt like refusing but I did it anyway.

"You chose the most expensive one I see," Antonio said, with a smirk.

"Of course, besides, I had to wear something I would be proud of - your words," I replied, with a smirk.

He nodded, then stood up as if to fetch something. After a few seconds, he brought a pendant. He gestured for me to turn around so that he could help me wear it. Without hesitation, I complied. I could feel his breath as he helped me with the pendant. There was a huge silence that made my ears ring. But I didn't mind it - in fact, I appreciated it.

I looked at the pendant, now on my neck. It looked original and judging according to where it was kept, I could tell it was special.

"Thank you," I said.

He nodded.

"Why did you choose this accessory for me?" I asked.

He kept silent for a while before speaking.

"It's a special accessory."

Then, his eyes met mine.

"Know that."