The Royal Contract

"Do I still have any pending meetings scheduled today?" She asked Jacky, wanting to clear all her obligations before she left for her next meeting.

In a way, she was also looking for a reason to delay leaving her office. She was not looking forward to her date with Katherine and her mom, especially when the purpose of it was to talk about her wedding.

Although she and Alex already agreed that they would allow their parents to plan the wedding, she was still uncomfortable about it. She was not used to lying to her mom.

"I think you are all cleared." Jacky checked her calendar and could not find anything else she had to do for the day. "Stop stalling." She said, noticing that her friend was avoiding her next appointment.

"I am not. I had been so busy with other things. I don't want to miss anything because of neglect." She reasoned, but she knew that Jacky never bought any of her words. Jacky knew her too well.

"If you say so. But honestly, you have to work on your poker face. I can easily read you like a book." Jacky jeered at her as she left her office to go back to her work.

It was almost time to leave, and she had no more choice but to go and meet their mothers.

"Jacky, do you think my parents would hate me if ever they found out about my participation in this?" She was thinking of her mother, who was very excited about this wedding, even Katherine.

Knowing that the marriage was a farce made her feel bad about agreeing with Alex. She felt that leading their parents on and letting them continued with the preparations were wrong.

But like before, Alex was able to convince her that it was a necessary evil that both of them have to do unless she changed her mind and wished to proceed with the wedding. But she knew he was only joking about it.

"Hey, what is wrong? Don't tell me that you want to back out from this?" Jacky asked as concern etched on her face. "But if you do, remember that I am always here to support you."

Jacky wondered where this agreement would lead her friend, seeing that Dani was getting deeper into her relationship with Alex. In truth, she wanted the marriage to progress. She believed that Alex would be perfect for her friend.

But she could not force her friend if she was not ready. She could only support her for whatever decision she would make. She only hoped that she made the right choice.

"No, I don't plan to back out. I can't do that to Alex. We have a deal, and I have to honor it." She explained to her friend. "But I can't help but feel guilty that our parents believe that it is all true."

She could only wish that she was not in this situation. But wishing was for fools. She had to face her reality and accept the consequence of her actions, whether it be good or bad.

"I would not know how to answer you. But all I can say is that from the time I met you until now, all you have done is make the right decision by following your heart. So, I guess to continue to do so."

On her drive to the address sent to her by her mother, she realized that someday, she would have to make certain decisions in her life that she might not like for the betterment of the many. 

Would she be able to sacrifice everything that she had fought for, for someone else? Or would she pick her wants first and disregard the need of others?

"I'm glad that you are finally here." Her mother greeted her when she entered the bridal shop where they were meeting today. 

Katherine also stood from her seat when she heard that she had arrived and gave her a warm welcome.

"So, we already talked to Ms. Laverne, and he is more than willing to do your gown and the rest of the entourage. She wanted to meet with you so he could discuss what you wanted for the design." Her mother told her excitedly.

"Oh, that is great." She expressed in a cheerful expression, but inside, she was dreading every minute of this.

She had no idea that by agreeing to be his fiancé. She would have to undergo this process. But in fairness to him, he seemed to have no clue as well. 

Both of them believed they would never have to deal with the wedding. Alex would already have a solution to the problem. But now, they realized that they were gravely mistaken.

"Wait until you see her suggestions. Her creations are well-sought after, but since she is a niece of a friend, she agreed to do your gown even in the short notice that we gave her." Laura kept telling her.

"Then, we are indeed fortunate to get her services." She could only agree with her mother. There was nothing else she could do anyway.

Laura and Katherine, one by one, showed her some samples of Ms. Laverne's works. If she was honest, she loved the designs she had done with her other clients.

She might get excited just like their mothers if she was getting married for real. But as she had reiterated in her brain. Nothing about this marriage was authentic.

"Oh, here she is, my daughter," Laura said as a young woman entered the private room where they were waiting. "Daniella, this is Ms. Laverne."

"Just call me, Dani." She offered her hand.

"Well, call me, Abby." Taking her hand before ushering them back to their seats.

She was all business as she started asking her about her wedding. "What was your childhood wedding dream?" Abby asked in front of her mother and Alex's mom.

"I never had one." She outright told her. Well, she did have a dream wedding once, but it was all shattered now.

She could see from her peripheral vision that her mom looked at her sympathetically. She was probably thinking of the same thing.

It was supposed to be her dream wedding. But it was gone just like that, in a puff of smoke.