Chapter 4: The preparation
1315 Words
Emilia didn’t wait a second after leaving Damian’s study. She headed straight for the living room where Sara was flipping through a magazine she clearly wasn’t reading. The moment Emilia entered, Sara sensed the shift.
“What did he say?” Sara asked, arching a brow.
Emilia grinned. “We have errands.”
“Errands?” Sara echoed.
“Yes. Clothes, hair, rings and a wedding appointment”
Sara blinked. “A what?”
“A wedding,” Emilia repeated cheerfully. “Tomorrow morning. Ten o’clock. Congratulations, Mrs. Cole.”
Sara stared at her, stunned. “You are joking right”
Sara stared at her, stunned. She thought: Mrs. Cole… that sounds unreal. How am I even supposed to be ready for this? She forced a smile, trying to mask her nerves.
“Oh, sweetheart,” Emilia laughed, “the Coles don’t joke.
Sara sat back, taking a slow breath. “A wedding. Tomorrow.”
“Civil. Quick. Painless,” Emilia assured. “But we have a lot to do before then.”
She motioned with a tilt of her head. “Come on. Dress shopping comes first.”
THE BOUTIQUE
The boutique Emilia chose wasn’t simply luxurious it was exclusive. The kind of place where names weren’t asked faces were recognized. When the manager saw Emilia walk in with Sara, she immediately straightened, her smile.
“Miss Cole, welcome. We have the private suite ready for you.”
Sara leaned closer and whispered, “Is this normal for you?”
Emilia beamed. “Perks of being a Cole”
They were led into a lavish fitting suite draped with velvet curtains and golden fixtures. Rows of dresses classic, modern, regal lined the room.
Sara let out an exhale. “wow, okay this is intimidating, I feel like I’m dreaming”
Sara let out an exhale. Sara thought: I can’t believe I’m here. This is nothing like my life at the cafe, she tried to steady her racing heart.
Emilia clapped her hands. “Try the navy sheath first.”
Sara attempted to look at the price tag, the price she saw almost made her scream out, she whispered to Emilia “all my life savings isn’t even up to the price of this dress, just one dress”
“Nonsense darling, you are about to be Cole, and the Coles don’t do small” Emilia replied with a wink
Three dresses later, Sara stepped out wearing a soft ivory dress fitted, elegant, and effortlessly dignified. Emilia’s eyes widened.
“There,” she whispered. “That’s the one, perfect for tomorrow”
Sara caught her reflection in the mirror and blinked. I barely recognize myself. Is this really me? Her hands fidgeted slightly with the dress fabric, the unfamiliar elegance both thrilling and terrifying.
“Not bad” She finally admitted softly.
“Not bad?” Emilia scoffed. “Damian is going to implode.”
Sara rolled her eyes, but behind the sarcasm was a faint blush she didn’t quite hide in time.
THE JEWELER
From the boutique, Emilia took her straight to a high-end jeweler known for designing rings for society’s elite. The jeweler personally greeted them.
“Miss Cole. I was told you needed something urgent”
“Yes” Emilia said. “A custom wedding set. Elegant, high end, timeless and ready before ten tomorrow morning”
He blinked. “Tomorrow?”
Sara shook her head, her mind filed with thoughts “They move fast in this world… I have to keep up or I’ll fall behind”
“Is that a problem?” Emilia asked
“Not at all. I’ll get my team on the overnight schedule immediately. Do you have specifications?”
“Yes” Emilia glanced at Sara. “Simple band for him, platinum. For her platinum as well, oval stone, nothing flashy but expensive”
Sara shook her head in disbelief. “I still feel like i’m being pushed down a slide with no chance to stop.”
Emilia shrugged. “Welcome to the world of the Coles.”
The jeweler sketched the designs quickly. “We can engrave initials or a date.”
“Do it,” Emilia said.
Sara cleared her throat. “What date?”
Emilia smiled. “Tomorrow’s”
Sara’s heart thudded unexpectedly hard.
Sara’s heart thudded. “Tomorrow I sign my name to this life to him. Strange and foreign, but I can do this”
THE MAKEOVER
Their last stop was an elite salon where stylists rushed forward the moment they entered.
“We need a transformation” Emilia said firmly. “Soft elegance. Nothing too bold, nothing too dramatic but make her unrecognizable”
The head stylist circled Sara like a professional predator.
“We’ll soften her curls, add volume, give her a cleaner structure” he announced. “Natural makeup, defined but gentle. Something that says she belongs on a magazine cover”
Sara groaned. “I’m a waitress, not a….”
“Not anymore” Emilia cut in, smirking.
Sara sat through the makeover quietly while Emilia texted Damian updates. He responded with his usual one word replies but Emilia noticed the subtle change in tone:
“Fine.”
“Approved.”
“Send photos.”
“No. Never mind”
She almost laughed. Damian didn’t want to see Sara beforehand he wanted the reveal in person.
When the makeover was finished, Sara stared at her reflection with wide eyes.
Her hair was styled into soft waves that framed her face perfectly. Her makeup was subtle but polished, accentuating her eyes, sharpening her features without erasing her natural beauty.
She looked like someone who belonged beside a CEO.
Emilia placed a hand on her shoulder. “You look like you were born for this”
Sara whispered, “I barely recognize myself”
“Good,” Emilia said. “That’s the whole idea”
RETURN TO THE PENTHOUSE
It was past eight when they returned. The penthouse was quiet, lights dimmed except for the warm golden glow spilling from Damian’s study. Emilia nudged Sara gently.
“Go to your room. I’ll handle him”
But Damian stepped out before Sara could move. He froze when he saw them specifically when he saw her.
Her hair.
Her poise.
Her presence.
He wasn’t expecting this, but he was impressed.
“How was the day?” he asked, voice slightly strained.
“Productive” Emilia answered smoothly. “We got the dress and other dresses. The ring is being made. Everything is set for tomorrow morning”
Damian’s gaze didn’t leave Sara.
“Good” he said quietly, “We need everything to look perfect”
Emilia looked between them and grinned. “Well, I’ll leave you two to talk”
She vanished down the hall.
THE CONVERSATION
Damian walked closer. “You look..”
Sara raised a brow. “Different?”
He swallowed. “Presentable”
Her smirk returned. “You’re welcome”
He exhaled sharply through his nose. “We have a long day tomorrow. The wedding, the press conference, then the board meeting. Everything has to be seamless.”
Sara looked at him, her expression unreadable. “I’ll do my part.”
Damian hesitated. “And stay close to me tomorrow. People will watch how we interact.”
“Understood,” she said.
He studied her, almost too intently, but his expression didn’t change.
Finally, Damian forced himself to step back.
“Goodnight, Sara”
“Goodnight”
Damian remained in his study long after Sara went to her room. He tried reading through financial projections, contract clauses, and strategy notes but none of the numbers stayed in his head.
Suddenly, tomorrow’s wedding felt… too real.
He stood, restless, and poured himself a glass of water Tomorrow, he would marry this woman.
Tomorrow, she would become legally tied to him.
And he still didn’t know who she truly was.
- Writer
