I married a stranger

Chapter five : The right dress

Rose’s POV

I stand in front of the first rack of wedding dresses, running my fingers over the delicate fabrics as the shop assistant moves around me. There are so many dresses that I don’t even know where to begin.

“Do you have a particular style in mind?” she asks, pulling out a beautiful white gown and holding it up for me to see.

I shake my head. “Not really. I’ve never actually thought about what kind of wedding dress I would wear.”

She smiles politely. “Then I think we should start with a few different styles and see what you like.”

She moves through the racks, picking out different dresses while I follow behind her, occasionally stopping when something catches my eye.

I look at another dress hanging in front of me, my fingers brushing against the soft lace.

“You should try it on.” I hear a voice say behind me which startles me. I turn around to see it was Christopher standing there.

“you are late.” I say to him in a mocking tone

He smirks and looks down at his watch. “I’m just two minutes late, you are the one who came early.”

I hum and turn around to face the dresses.

“CJ”

A blonde woman walks toward us, smiling.

“I thought you were right behind me.” He says to the lady.

Her hand settles casually on Christopher’s arm. He does not react.

“Vivian,” he says. “This is Rose.”

She looks over at me. Her smile does not disappear, but something about it changes.

“So you are Rose.”

“Yes”

“I have heard quite a bit about you.”

“Really?”

I turn back to the attendant. “Can you add this too.”

“You have a good sense of style I’m sure this would look lovely on you.” She replies while taking the dress towards the changing room.

“I do not think it would look that nice on you.” Vivian says, staring at me. I feel my anger rising.

“Excuse me.” I say as I look her up and down.

“I mean it’s certainly a beautiful dress, I just do not think it was made for you.” She says it sweetly, but the insult is impossible to miss.

“I’m sorry I do not remember asking for your opinion.” I say to her with a smile.

She looks taken aback not expecting me to strike back at her.

Christopher clears his throat probably also sensing the tension in the air.

I force a smile.

I tell myself her words should not bother me.

But they do.

Maybe because, standing beside her, I suddenly feel very aware of every difference between us.

She looks like she belongs beside Christopher.

I do not know why that thought bothers me.

“People are really going to be shocked when they figure out you are getting married to her and not me.” Vivian says while still smiling.

“I really hate that smile.” I murmur.

“what did you say?” She asks.

“ Nothing…I will go try on the dress.” I say to them and turn towards the changing room.

I try on the dress that I picked first and suddenly I knew it was the one.

“f**k Vivian and opinions.” I say smiling.

I come out of the changing room which was linked to a show room. I see Vivian snuggling close to Christopher while he types furiously on his phone. Is this guy ever less busy. I think as I roll my eyes.

“you look lovely. Even breathtaking I might say, what do you think sir?” The attendant says looking at me dreamily. He finally looks up. He does not say anything.

His eyes slowly move over me, and for the first time since I met him, he looks completely caught off guard.

“Christopher?”

He blinks and looks away, clearing his throat.“It’s fine.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Fine?”

“It suits you.”

I almost smile. “That sounded painful.”

His lips twitch slightly. “I’m not known for giving compliments.”

“Clearly.”He looks at me again, and this time his expression is different.

“That one,” he says, nodding towards the dress. “You should get that one.”

“It’s pretty, but I think something more elegant would suit Rose more better.” Vivian says and Chris unexpectedly shuts her down.

“I did not ask what you thought. I like this one.”

Vivian’s smile falters for a second.

“I was only saying…”

“I like this one.” He says calmly, but there is something firm behind it that makes her stop talking.

I look between them, surprised by his reaction. Vivian’s eyes narrow ever so slightly before she forces her smile back into place.

“Of course, CJ.”

Christopher ignores her.He pulls out his card and hands it to the attendant.

“Christopher, I can pay for my own dress.” I say trying to stop him.

“I know.”

“Then why are you paying for it?” He looks at me as if the answer should be obvious.

“Because you are going to be my wife.” I stare at him, completely caught off guard. My heart skips slightly at the words, and I hate that it does.

“Right.” Why did two simple words affect me like that?

Before I can respond, the attendant takes his card and walks away.I look down at the dress again, trying to process what just happened.

“You really are full of surprises,” I mutter.

“I’ve been told.”he says checking the time on his watch before looking at me.

“You need to be ready for dinner tonight.”

I frown. “Dinner?”

“With my parents.” My eyes widen slightly. “Tonight?”

“Yes.” He says while his expression remains calm, like he has not just dropped another unexpected responsibility on me

“You could have warned me.” I say clearly shocked.

“I just did.” He says like meeting his parents was a norm. I let out a sigh. “And I suppose I don’t get a choice?”

“No.”

I stare at him.He looks completely serious.“Fine,” I mutter.

Vivian suddenly speaks up. “I can come with you both.”

Christopher looks at her.

“No.” he says looking at her with a blank, almost impatient stare.

Her smile falters. “Why not?”

“Because it’s dinner with my parents and my fiancée.” I notice the way Vivian’s expression changes for a brief moment before she forces another smile.

“Right. Of course.” Christopher gives her a brief look before turning back to me.

I look between the two of them, wondering why her reaction bothers me more than it should. Christopher turns back to me.

“The car will be here at seven.”

“I can drive myself.” I say. He looks at me for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“I know.”

“Then why…”

“Rose.”

I stop.

“Seven.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine. Seven.”

He gives me a small nod before walking away. As I watch him walk away, one thought stays with me.

Tonight, I’m going to meet the rest of the Blackwood family.

I have no idea what to expect from his parents.

But judging by the way Christopher keeps certain things to himself, I have a feeling dinner is going to tell me much more about this marriage than Christopher has.

And tonight, I might finally find out what it is.