Chapter 2
705 Words
At two o'clock that afternoon, I sat on the couch inside an upscale French couture bridal boutique.
I waited. By five o'clock, the store manager had already brought me my fifth glass of lemonade.
"Ms. Stones, is Mr. Jones still not here? We close at six."
Just then, the door swung open. Edward walked in with Nia trailing behind him in oversized sunglasses.
I stood up and walked over.
"You're three hours late."
Edward loosened his tie, looking completely unconcerned.
"I got held up at a meeting."
He gestured toward Nia behind him. "Nia's attending a red carpet next week. Since you're already here trying on wedding dresses, she might as well pick out a couple of gowns. You've got good taste. Be a little generous and help her choose."
Nia took off her sunglasses and looked around the boutique.
I pointed toward the heavily embroidered French couture wedding gown displayed on the mannequin.
"That's my custom gown. I ordered it six months ago."
One of the assistants quickly wheeled over the matching garment rack.
On it rested the antique veil. It was the only thing my mother had left behind before she passed away. I'd spent months asking the designer to carefully restore it.
Nia's eyes lit up. She walked straight toward the wedding gown.
"Mr. Jones, this one's gorgeous. If I wear this on the red carpet, I'll steal the whole show."
The sales associate hurriedly stepped in front of her.
"Ms. Cooper, I'm sorry, but that's Ms. Stone's wedding gown. It can't be borrowed."
Nia ignored her and reached for the skirt anyway. "What? I can't even try it on?"
Her high heel landed squarely on the snow-white train.
A dirty gray footprint instantly stained the fabric.
I stepped forward. "Take your hands off it."
Not only did she ignore me, she reached for the antique veil.
Rip!
The fragile vintage lace split wide open.
My mother's only keepsake... Ruined.
I slapped her hand away. Nia immediately dropped onto the floor, covering her face as tears streamed down dramatically.
"Eleanor, I just wanted to borrow it for a minute. Why did you hit me?"
I bent down to pick up the torn veil. Loose diamonds scattered across the floor sliced open the back of my hand. Blood dripped from my fingertips.
Edward rushed over. He froze for a second when he saw the blood.
Then Nia cried even louder. "Mr. Jones, I think my ankle's swollen again."
Without hesitation, Edward turned and helped her up, pulling her protectively into his arms before glaring at me.
"Eleanor, how can you be this vicious? Nia just wanted to try on your dress. Did you really have to shove her onto the floor?"
I raised my bleeding hand. "She stepped on my wedding dress and tore apart the veil my mother left me."
Edward's face filled with impatience. "It's just a dress! If it's ruined, buy another one! You hit someone over something this small? You're acting like a complete psycho!"
He pointed at Nia. "Apologize to her. Right now."
I stared straight into his eyes. "I'm not apologizing."
Edward actually laughed. The next second, he kicked over the chair beside him.
"Eleanor, don't push your luck. Who the hell do you think you are? Without me, you'd never even be able to step foot inside a place like this. If you won't apologize, then forget about the wedding."
He wrapped an arm around Nia and headed for the exit.
Leaning against his shoulder, Nia looked back at me with a smug, triumphant smile.
The two of them walked away without a trace of hesitation.
The store manager hid behind the counter, too frightened to say a word.
I quietly pulled out a tissue and wiped the blood from my hand.
"Pack up the damaged dress and the veil."
Just then, Yvette pushed through the door. The moment she saw the mess and the blood on my hand, tears instantly spilled down her face.
"Eleanor... what are you even fighting for anymore?"
She threw her arms around me and burst into tears.
I looked at the deep cut across the back of my hand.
"Yvette. Don't cry. I'm sure Edward didn't mean to do it."
- Writer
