The substitute Bride

Chapter 5

"Why look so gloomy?" I heard Mrs. Brownseed said this as we shopped for a wedding gown. I was interested in all of this, and this wasn't how I planned my day to be. But why is nothing ever going according to plan? Why? Meeting my first mate was horrible! I had hoped for second chance mate stories, but I guess I am not one of the holy goddess favorites.

The dresses were beautiful, but I wasn't happy because of all the situations and circumstances that led up to them. I wasn't even willing to pick a dress; these were the times I wished I had nobody—no parents, no friends, no family—just nobody. I wouldn't have agreed to this arranged marriage. I don't even know who my husband-to-be was, how he looked, or what he was made of. Mrs. Brownseed said it was a surprise to both of us, like a wrapped gift for Christmas, which is always a surprise, only to be opened on Christmas day.

"Will you pick this?" She said she was bringing me out of my gloomy state. It was a straight, crystal-filled gown with a massive puff flare at the knees. That wasn't my dream dress, but what was the essence? I might as well not wear my dream dress to my nightmare wedding, or should I just pick it up? It was staring back at me, but I didn't have the energy, or so I thought, to point it out.

"It's beautiful, and it will bring out your beautiful curves. I'm sure my son will run crazy over you. Don't worry, you will get to see it today," she said, advertising the dress to me, as that was the least of my concerns.

"My daughter has always loved ball gowns, so I think she will be more interested in this," my mom said as she pointed to the initial gown I would have picked if this was my dream wedding. It brought tears to my eyes to know that my mother knows what I like. We don't have a perfect relationship, and we try to be at peace for our own sake. But for some reason best known to the holy goddess, she looks overjoyed that I am getting married to some douchebag family. I can remember her promising to disown me when I walked through the door to sign the arrangement papers. We might not be wealthy like the Brownseeds or like the Smiths, Bridgette's family, but we were okay with what we had.

The door to the bridal department opened to reveal Bridgette and Mary. Mary was just unbelievable, acting like we were friends or something, running around in preparation for the marriage. I was going to use the bridal rental hall that Adams also used last month, which was last week. Crazy! For a split second, I thought he was rejected, so I could have him back.

"Oh, this dress looks so beautiful, and I know you will look elegant in it!" Mary screamed as she shoved Bridgette to sit beside me.

"Are you okay?" I managed to say, I have spoken, but I got up," and that was probably my first statement.

"Of course! I am just consumed by excitement for you," she said, smiling wide. It was weird because the Mary I know won't smile even when she is offered money, so I don't know what she stands to gain. Bridgette was totally fed up with her; they were partners who had to put this wedding together.

"Why don't you try the two dresses, and the one with the majority vote will win?" Mrs. Brownseed said to him as she pulled me up from where I was seated. Yeah, my wedding dress was going to be voted on like it was for the masses.

Reluctantly, I followed the bridal department attendant into the changing room and first tried on the straight gown. It had lovely beading embroidery, but I wasn't interested in it. I went out with it, and the reaction was weird. Why were they crying? I turned to look at Bridgette, and she had the same look as me. I wished Richard had been there to help me with these three musketeers, but he had stopped communicating with me since I signed the contract.

"Oh my goodness! Holy goddess!" Mary cried. I just walked back to the changing room because I was becoming irritated by all this. I changed into the ball gown, and it was how I had always imagined it. A little sad smile broke out on my face.

"It's beautiful and looks perfect on you," the attendant said with a smile. I acknowledged her with a smile before walking out. The scene just got more weird.

"It's this!" Mary yelled.

"Yes, this is the one! If we can all be a little more of this, how much more, my son, Lucas?" Mrs. Brownseed said before covering her mouth. I thought all wealthy mothers acted elegantly and out of the blue, but Mrs. Brownseed was something else.

I walked straight to the table that had been reserved by Mrs. Brownseed; she was seated with two other guys. I wore one of the dinner dresses we got at the bridal department.

"Good evening!" I greeted them all as soon as I got to the table.

"Hey dear, have your seat!" Mrs. Brownseed said," I sat down directly in front of the younger guy.

"Let me introduce everyone. Leia meets Alpha Mark Brownseed and Lucas Brownseed, the heirs to the throne, and guys meet Leia Meyers, Lucas's bride," she said with a smile. I definitely saw disgust on Lucas's face, but that might have been my imagination because I wanted him to. Alpha Mark was nice to me, and Lucas barely greeted me back before walking away.

"I'm sorry, I need to use the restroom," I said after a long while before leaving the table.

"You are getting married; how do you explain that?" I heard.

"You will always be the one! Come here, baby!" I decided to see who, in their right sense, would have someone and still be getting married to someone else.

'Lucas!'