Chapter 3
1571 Words
{VICTORIA}
I AM looking at the screen of my cellphone. Someone messaged me on my page. She wants me to design her wedding gown. It's been almost a week since I created my page where potential clients can contact me.
I spent a few days handing out flyers and putting some of them on poles. This is the way I thought of to earn money while I'm pregnant with Demi.
The two letters of our future daughter's name came from Liam's name. I despise that man. So I don't understand why I'm still considering his name as a basis for our child's name. Or maybe that's just my way of thanking him because he gave me my future princess.
(Hello, Ma'am! I'm interested in your service!)
I smiled. It feels good to have a customer who trusts you to design what she will wear on the most important day of her life.
We agreed to discuss the details here at my house. She will visit me tomorrow.
After exchanging messages in the chat, I focused my attention again on reading a magazine about new trendy fashion in different countries in 2023. Maybe I'll find some inspiration that I can apply to the wedding gowns I'll make for my future clients.
"EAT it."
I looked at Lion's grumpy face, then at the food he cooked for me. It was a delicious dish, my favorite one. But I felt differently. As I stared at it, my stomach seemed to churn.
"Brother, I don't want that! I can't eat it! Maybe you could just buy me an ensaymada. I want one with lots of cheese on top!" I said.
"Such fussiness—"
"Stop! You're so grumpy! How will Samantha answer you like that?" I interrupted him.
He paused at what I said.
"Where did you get that?" he asked, puzzled.
I grinned at him and raised an eyebrow.
"Secret!" I teased.
Anderson also told me about it. Samantha is Anderson's childhood friend who has always avoided Lion because he always scolds her. They have an age gap of almost six years. I never thought that the two of them would develop feelings for each other, and now Lion is courting Samantha.
"Anyway, Brother! Buy me my food!" I added. I forced Lion to leave the house.
I was left alone. I looked at my 7-month baby bump. Since I reached the fifth month of my pregnancy, my two older brothers and even Dad take turns visiting me to take care of me. They rotate every month.
But I continue to accept my clients. Sketching doesn't harm the health of me and baby Demi. As much as possible, I still prioritize my well-being to ensure a healthy delivery. Besides, I don't want to turn down brides who ask me to design their gowns.
"DAD!" I shouted.
Dad quickly came to me. His eyes widened when he saw that stomach water was leaking. Sings that I am now going to give birth to my daughter.
"Anderson, help me support your sister!" Dad called out to my brother. Anderson immediately obeyed, putting aside his cellphone game.
When we reached outside my house, we saw Lion's car ready. They helped me get inside the car. I was almost sobbing because of the intense pain I felt.
"Bro, drive faster! Victoria is suffering," Anderson kept urging Lion.
"Can you please stop pestering me?" Lion replied irritably.
"You have your period every day!" Anderson exclaimed.
Even in situations like this, the two of them still argue. It's because our brother Lion is incredibly grumpy. I don't even know where he got that from.
"One more word, and I'll let you drive," brother Lion threatened.
Anderson fell silent. He's too cautious when it comes to driving on the road, to the point that he drives very slowly.
"HERE is your baby, Mrs." the nurse said with a smile as she carefully handed me my tiny daughter.
"Just call me Miss. I'm not married to anyone," I replied emotionlessly.
I couldn't help it, but I felt irritated when the nurse referred to me as a married woman. It only reminded me of the pain Liam caused me.
"Sorry, Miss Victoria!" the nurse apologized to me.
I tried to smile at her.
"It's okay," I said, and then she left us.
I looked at Demi's face. She had her father's nose and lips. It felt so wonderful to hold my healthy child in my arms. I will love her despite the dark past I had with her father.
I looked up as my Dad and my two brothers entered through the door.
"Even as a baby, my niece is so beautiful!" Anderson happily exclaimed as he peeked at Baby Demi.
"Do you have a name in mind for her, my daughter?" Dad asked me.
I smiled. "I thought of naming her Demi," I replied.
"Tsk, Demi. It sounds too much like her stupid father's name!" Lion coldly remarked, leaning against the doorframe.
"Lion!" Papa scolded him.
"I'm hungry. Let's go eat outside, Bro," Anderson interrupted the silence.
He forcefully pulled Lion away from my room.
"Just understand your brother. He's just being overprotective of you," Dad reassured me.
I nodded. Honestly, I understood him well enough.
"I WILL take care of Demi, Sis. You should rest first, you might get sick," Samantha said with a smile.
Demi is already two years old. Samantha has been living with us in our house for almost a year now. Last year, when she started dating Leo, she insisted on being Demi's temporary nanny to help me out. She finished a course in tourist guiding, so she easily found temporary work here in Italy.
Sometimes, Leo visits us as well. Maybe when Demi turns three, I will send Samantha back home so she can focus on her life with Leo. But for now, I won't refuse Samantha's offered help.
"Demi, behave yourself with your Auntie Samantha, okay?" I reminded my child.
She just gave me a thumbs-up. I kissed her on the left cheek and left the two of them on the balcony to play.
It's still afternoon, but I'm going to bed. I stayed up late last night to finish designing two pending gowns for my clients, which needed to be done this morning. Many people trust me with their clients, so I work really hard and stay up late for them. Money is important for me to support our lives as a mother and daughter, so I put a lot of effort into my work.
"GOODNIGHT, baby!" I said affectionately to Demi.
She fell asleep shortly after. I covered her with a blanket before leaving her in our room.
I went straight to the kitchen to make some coffee. Then I faced my laptop. Today, I'm submitting my application to the Wedding Gown Closet to become one of their wedding dress fashion designers. It's the most prestigious company here in Italy and is well-known in different countries. I guess I'm trying my luck.
Demi is now four years old, so I can start looking for an office job. Moreover, based on my inquiry, they are open to hiring moms who want to work in their company and bring their child occasionally.
As for Demi's upcoming school, Dad offered to take care of his granddaughter. He will live with us for now. Even though Dad is already old, he is still healthy and strong. Plus, I provided a small car, a four-seater, so he won't have trouble bringing and picking up my child.
"HI, Demi!" Laurie greeted her niece cheerfully.
Demi immediately waved back.
"My niece is so beautiful, huh! She takes after her Aunt!" she said to me. I couldn't help but smile.
Laurie is Liam's younger sister. She became like my best friend, and I'm very thankful for having her. She respected my decision not to let Liam know that we have a child. She didn't condone what Liam did to me. Since then, she always checks up on me. She never mentions her brother's name, which I'm grateful for.
"How have you been? Did you get the job?" she asked me.
"That's actually why I called you, to tell you that I'M GOING TO BE A FASHION DESIGNER FOR THE MOST FAMOUS COMPANY HERE IN ITALY!" I exclaimed.
Demi hugged me tightly. "Congrats, Mommy!" she greeted me.
"Thank you, baby!"
"I'm so excited for my wedding. Can you believe that the designer of my wedding gown will be from WGC, and none other than you!" she said, clapping her hands.
Whenever I think about my fate, I can't help but feel that the world has been so unfair to me. I design wedding gowns for couples who are getting married, yet my own marriage was like a plane crash.
"I will make you the most beautiful bride, wearing the most beautiful design of a wedding gown," I said with a smile to Laurie.
After a while, I noticed that her face turned sad. "Are you sure about your decision not to attend my wedding?" she asked me seriously.
"I really want to, Laurie. But you know the situation between my sibling and me. Don't worry, Dad and my two siblings will be attending your wedding," I tried to raise my voice and encourage myself. I also felt a great sense of regret that I wouldn't be able to witness her actual wedding.
- Writer
