"Are you sure this is all worth it?" Lucky asked as she helped her zip up the sixth dress. All that happened to be picked out by Tonya and Sonya.
"What do you mean?" Cherokee questioned as she brushed down the invisible wrinkles on the wedding gown. This one in particular was quite tight around the bosom and covered in beads.
"They are clearly racist, and you're just putting up with it," Lucky said as she looked at her best friend through the mirror. "Is this all worth it?"
"Not here, I don't want them to hear," Cherokee whispered as she opened the curtain leading to the showroom. "We'll talk about this later," She plastered a smile on her face as she headed through the last curtain to the two women waiting on the sofa.
"No, I thought I liked it, but turns out I don't," Tonya uttered as she squinted her eyes.
"No, I'm in agreeance, it doesn't suit you. But don't worry, we will find you the right one," Sonya muttered as she lifted her glass to be refilled.
"Hello, all!" Came a voice from the door. "I have gotten several calls. It seems you've been here for a very long time and just can't seem to find the perfect dress. I'm Sarahfran. Where's the bride-to-be?" Her long legs were the first thing that drew your attention. Her bleach-blonde hair bounced with every step she took, she took off her overly rounded sunglasses revealing bright blue eyes.
"This is the bride..." Lucky began but was quickly cut off.
"You can't be Sarahfran. I met her years ago, she started this company thirty years ago. If you were her she would be in her fifties." Tonya scoffed as she continued to sip her champagne.
"You would be correct if you weren't so wrong," Sarahfran announced as she stood in front of the twins. "This company was started by my Aunt Sarah, who named the company after me. Sarahfran, I was named after my aunt and mother, Francine. So, yes, this is my company, has been since birth." She quickly turned on her heels to face the opposite direction. "The bride, ahh yes. What is your name? Why is there a man here?"
"Oh, me?" Becket inquired as he put his hand on his chest. "I'm Becket Petersen, the groom-to-be."
"Why are you here then? It's bad luck to see the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding." Sarahfran voiced out as she moved closer to Beck who was still sitting on the chair.
"My fiance doesn't believe in that and neither do I," Beck remarked as he started to cross his legs.
"Hmm..." Sarahfran pivoted around and walked toward Lucky and Cherokee who was still in the tight-fitting gown. "Now the bride,"
"This is the bride, Cherokee Rains," Lucky announced as she pointed to her best friend.
"Oh no, oh no, this is not you. Did you pick this out?" Sarahfran quizzed as she walked completely around Cherokee.
"No, I didn't," Cherokee spoke in a hushed tone.
"Well, go change into the silk robe, and let's get you picking your perfect dress," Sarahfran clapped her hands together as she watched Marcel come back in to pour more champagne for the women.
"No, no, we've been picking out the dresses for her. She doesn't really have a good sense of style. So, we've been helping out." Sonya stated as she waited for her glass to be refilled once again.
"Clearly, if Ms. Rains has been here for well over an hour with the gowns you have picked and she has come up with an empty hand. Then maybe you don't have the style you think you have, now I'm going to take her to pick her own dress," Sarahfran snapped as she motioned for Cherokee and Lucky to head into another room.
"Oh, Cherry look at this one," Lucky holds out an ivory dress with a ton of lace.
"That's nice. I like this one," Cherokee grabbed a gown as she watched Sarahfran hand her another and ushered her into the nearest dressing room.
"Can we talk about it now?" Lucky asked as she unzipped the first gown for Cherokee to step into. "Can this all be worth it?"
"I've given Beck my word. I've already signed," Cherokee mumbled as she got close to Lucky's ear. "It'll only be for eighteen months, then I'll never have to see them again. Besides, it's nothing I'm not used to or you either."
The curtains fly open. "Yes, that looks nice. Let's make our way to the mirror so you can be the judge. We will do it in here, we won't include the ones out there until you're ready for your perfect gown," Sarahfran held Cherokee's arm as they walked back into the smaller showroom. Cherokee stared at herself in the mirror as her eyes darted side to side. "No, clearly this isn't the one. Come, let's go try on another."
"Here, put on the one you chose," Lucky commented as she held up the pearl-colored dress. Cherokee nodded her head, as she slipped off the other dress and stepped into the one she picked out. The gown hugged her every curve as it showcased her breasts that were perfectly put on display. It gracefully flowed out from her hips down to the floor. The lace bodice had small pearls sewn into it that seemed to capture the lighting. That was when she knew it was her perfect dress, this was her first choice and the one that was for her. "Oh, my Cherry, you look wonderful,"
"Yes, I have to agree, this is a wonderful fit for you," Sarahfran remarked as she helped Cherokee into the showroom. "Come," She declared after a few minutes letting Cherokee marvel at her own beauty. "Let's put on the veil and show everyone else in the main showroom."
"Cherry," Becket noted as he stood up from the chair as Cherokee walked in.
"Yes, I suppose that'll do," Sonya vocalized as she turned toward her sleeping sister. "Come, on Tonya she has picked her dress, it's time to go," She shook her twin awake as Marcel and Beck helped them both to the limo outside.
"Yes, Lucky, Beck left for work this morning," Cherokee stated as she threw the covers off of herself. "So, he just left?" Lucky asked as she switched her cell phone to the other ear. "After everything that happened yesterday?" "Yeah, I mean I'm fine." Cherokee lied as she tossed her silk pink robe Becket had picked out at the boutique earlier that week. "I know that he has work. Besides, I'll get some much-needed time to explore this enormous house." "You haven't seen the house yet?" Lucky questioned as she pulled up a pair of tight jeans over her hips, struggling as she buttoned them up. "Ugh, I think I'm gaining weight," "No, I haven't. His mom came over the day I moved in. She was drunk and sort of kept us up before she passed out on the sofa." Cherokee opened the bedroom door and made her way to the kitchen where the maid was making breakfast. "What do you mean, you're gaining weight? Lucky, you're super skinny!" "Good morning, Ms. Rains," Mrs. Sands announced as she plopped
"So, Lucky, how long do you plan to grace us with your presence?" Becket asked his fiance's best friend as he studied the interaction between the women seated on the sofa. It had been three days since Lucky showed up in his house without an invitation. He didn't get many guests, but for those he did have, he required them to ask beforehand. There were the occasional run-ins with his drunk friends or his meddlesome parents, but even his brother and cousins had the decency to give him a heads-up. He watched Cherokee push herself sideways so she could look at him and her friend gave him the awful expression, as if he dared to ask her that question. "Is it a bother for her to be here?" Cherokee snapped. Something Beck did not expect to happen. The times that he had been around his new fiance, she was sweet. Full of hope, kind, and not at all like the display of raw emotion he just witnessed. "No. Not at all. I was just inquiring." Becket brought his attention back to his phone and tried
"Cherokee!" Lucky shouted as she ran up to the long raven-haired girl standing barefoot under a tree. "Lucky!" Cherokee smiled as her best friend came running up to her. "Is something wrong?" She asked hugging her tightly. Her mahogany hair blew freely in the wind and Cherokee's butter scotch-colored skin seemed to always kiss the sun the way it showed in the day. "Girl, did you forget?" Lucky punched her shoulder playfully as she interlocked their arms. "We're going to Owen's Bar in the city tonight." She dragged out in hopes her friend of twenty-two years would get the slightest clue the slower she spoke. "Oh, no, I forgot, sorry," Cherokee apologized as she rested her head on Lucky's shoulder as they continued back into the reservation where they lived. "We still have time, come on!" She pulled her down the dirt-covered road to the third trailer on the right. The Rez as it was commonly called by those who lived there, those who are registered Native Americans to be exact. "This
"So, sorry I didn't come last night, the guy at the bar was just too cute, I couldn't pass on that opportunity." Lucky laughed as she walked through the front door of their shared trailer. "It's okay, the guy you left me with was kind of rude," Cherokee stated as she put her empty cereal bowl in the sink. "Who, Becket?" Lucky asked as she picked up Cherokee's bowl and filled it with cereal making her way to the plastic round table. "Yeah, he's like that, his brother, Kaleb is so much nicer, but Beck wins in the looks department. So, I got a text from Nick and he wants us to come back tonight." "Oh, I don't know, I was planning on just relaxing at home." Cherokee turned on the television while sitting back on the older brown sofa. "Cherry you do that every day, it's Saturday, it's time to let your hair down yeah." Lucky grabbed the bowl and headed to the sofa where she plopped next to her best friend. "Come on, the only person that won't be there is Kaleb, he's got some modeling gig
"What are you talking about?" Lucky asked as she drew closer to Cherokee rounding the small kitchen table. "I don't want to go," Cherokee plopped down on the worn-out sofa. "We have been going every night, and you always leave with some guy. Not shaming, just saying, and Beck has to give me a ride every time." "And, you like Beck, I've seen it with my own beautiful brown eyes." Lucky giggled as she sat on the sofa next to her. "Why do you think I've been asking him?" "It doesn't matter that I think he's beautiful, intelligent, or his blue eyes sparkle," She gazed away before clearing her throat. "He barely says one word to me, at the bar or on the way home." "You don't see what I see," Lucky wiggled her eyebrows. "Every time I glance toward him he is always passing looks at you." "Yeah looks of embarrassment maybe." Cherokee sighed as she began looking for the remote. "Hey, don't think that way, you are a strong gorgeous native, we are dine and we are fire." Lucky spoke out as sh
"Hello, son," Todrick spoke out as he opened the door to his son's office. "Father, I wasn't expecting you," Becket replied as he rose from his chair, and nodded toward the honey-blonde woman leaning on his desk. "Uh, thank you, Ms. Carver," "Still at it, I see," Todrick retorted as he made his way to the brown leather chair in front of the large oak desk. "Son, need I remind you that you are still under a probationary period, this is still my company to take back as I see fit." He grabbed a handful of cashews in the marble bowl in front of him and he brought them to his mouth. Becket and Todrick were the spitting images of each other, it was as if someone copied Todrick and gave him a different name. "What are you talking about, Father?" Beck asked as he sat back down in his chair across from Todrick. "Ms. Carver was just bringing me the Connecticut file," "Yes, among other things, last time I walked in here, she was laid out on top of your desk, sprawled out like some animal." To
"Where did you go last night, Beck?" Nick asked as he barged into his cousin's office. "Yes, you came in, said your hellos, and then were gone, you sneaky fox," Mark said as he walked behind his younger brother. "I umm... left," Was the brief reply Beck spoke out as he took yet another call. "Boys, I don't have time to play today, Philippa, Uh, Ms. Carver is not doing her job properly this morning, so I'm a bit swamped at this moment." "So, fire her," Nick relayed as he sat on the sofa next to his brother. "Ahh, he won't do that, dear brother, no I caught him with her skirt hiked up, sitting on our handsome cousin's desk." Mark retorted as he grabbed a handful of pecans getting ready to crack. "Shut up Marcus Dean," Beck raised his voice as he leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. "Hey Becket Levi, let's not resort to name-calling here," Mark whined as he popped a pecan into his mouth. "Yes, let's be civilized boys," Nick laughed as he rose from the sofa and walke
"Cherry, I think Beck sent his car for us again tonight," Lucky screeched as she bent down the blinds from the living room window. "He definitely has a thing for you, maybe I should up my game with the Adams brothers," "I'm telling you, Lucky, I don't think he likes me," Cherokee rolled her eyes as she grabbed her purse and pulled down her cream-colored dress. "I'm going to find out why he's sending us the car then, it's the second time." Lucky made her way into the black limo, as she slid to the other side. "Since you say he doesn't like you, we'll see..." "You don't see the looks he gives me," Cherokee retorted as she followed Lucky into the limo. "Here, look I know Beck, uhh, Mr. Petersen doesn't tell you much but has he by chance said anything pertaining to me or Lucky?" She questioned the driver as she looked into his eyes through the rearview mirror. "No, ma'am, Mr. Petersen doesn't tell me anything, only where to go," Was his only reply as he rolled up the back window to se
"So, Lucky, how long do you plan to grace us with your presence?" Becket asked his fiance's best friend as he studied the interaction between the women seated on the sofa. It had been three days since Lucky showed up in his house without an invitation. He didn't get many guests, but for those he did have, he required them to ask beforehand. There were the occasional run-ins with his drunk friends or his meddlesome parents, but even his brother and cousins had the decency to give him a heads-up. He watched Cherokee push herself sideways so she could look at him and her friend gave him the awful expression, as if he dared to ask her that question. "Is it a bother for her to be here?" Cherokee snapped. Something Beck did not expect to happen. The times that he had been around his new fiance, she was sweet. Full of hope, kind, and not at all like the display of raw emotion he just witnessed. "No. Not at all. I was just inquiring." Becket brought his attention back to his phone and tried
"Yes, Lucky, Beck left for work this morning," Cherokee stated as she threw the covers off of herself. "So, he just left?" Lucky asked as she switched her cell phone to the other ear. "After everything that happened yesterday?" "Yeah, I mean I'm fine." Cherokee lied as she tossed her silk pink robe Becket had picked out at the boutique earlier that week. "I know that he has work. Besides, I'll get some much-needed time to explore this enormous house." "You haven't seen the house yet?" Lucky questioned as she pulled up a pair of tight jeans over her hips, struggling as she buttoned them up. "Ugh, I think I'm gaining weight," "No, I haven't. His mom came over the day I moved in. She was drunk and sort of kept us up before she passed out on the sofa." Cherokee opened the bedroom door and made her way to the kitchen where the maid was making breakfast. "What do you mean, you're gaining weight? Lucky, you're super skinny!" "Good morning, Ms. Rains," Mrs. Sands announced as she plopped
"Are you sure this is all worth it?" Lucky asked as she helped her zip up the sixth dress. All that happened to be picked out by Tonya and Sonya. "What do you mean?" Cherokee questioned as she brushed down the invisible wrinkles on the wedding gown. This one in particular was quite tight around the bosom and covered in beads."They are clearly racist, and you're just putting up with it," Lucky said as she looked at her best friend through the mirror. "Is this all worth it?""Not here, I don't want them to hear," Cherokee whispered as she opened the curtain leading to the showroom. "We'll talk about this later," She plastered a smile on her face as she headed through the last curtain to the two women waiting on the sofa."No, I thought I liked it, but turns out I don't," Tonya uttered as she squinted her eyes."No, I'm in agreeance, it doesn't suit you. But don't worry, we will find you the right one," Sonya muttered as she lifted her glass to be refilled."Hello, all!" Came a voice f
"Ahh Cherry you're awake," Becket began as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "I do apologize once again for my mother's behavior." "You apologized enough last night, she isn't a bother," Cherokee said as she took a cup from the cabinet and poured herself coffee. "Are you off to work this morning?" She asked as she looked down at his shorts and dark blue robe. "No, with Mother sleeping here, I'm not sure when she'll go home and I don't want her asking too many questions." Beck pulled out the wooden stool as he reached for the newspaper sitting down. "What do you have planned?" "We are going on a little girls' shopping trip!" Sonya spoke loudly as she barged into the kitchen. "Becket do fix mommy a cup of coffee," She recited as she walked over to the kitchen table to have a seat. "You're not going on a shopping trip, Mother," Becket uttered as he closed his robe and moved toward the cabinet to fix his mother a cup. "Oh no?" Sonya muttered as she raised her thin eyebrow in his dir
"I apologize for my mother," Beck stated as he opened the door to his house. "No, she was lovely," Cherokee retorted as she walked in behind him. "Right," Beck rolled his eyes as he loosened his tie and began to take off his black dress shoes. "Well, as I told you earlier, I would give you a room but my mother loves to come here without warning and snoop," "Good evening, Mr. Petersen, Chef Baldone has offered baked chicken for dinner," An older woman said as she walked into the living room. "Ahh yes, Mrs. Sands, thank you that's fine," Beck uttered as he took off his suit jacket and handed it to his head maid. "Oh, and this is my fiance Cherokee Rains," "Yes of course, good to meet you, Ms. Rains," Mrs. Sands stated as she nodded her head toward Cherokee. "You can call me Cherry," Cherokee smiled at the older woman as she slipped off her floral dress jacket. "Come, Cherry, let's get you settled," Beck uttered as he walked toward his room. "I've had some things removed and made r
"But I don't understand, why does he want you to move in?" Lucky blurted out as she threw a pair of socks into my suitcase. "He wants me to," Cherokee said as she folded a shirt throwing it on the bed. "He wants you to, so you go?" Lucky whined as she plopped on the bed. "It's... it's a little more than that," Cherokee replied as she sat on the bed next to her best friend since childhood. "A little more?" Lucky furrowed her black eyebrows together as she rolled up a sweatshirt and hugged it to her chest. "Yes, I have kept something from you, and you know me, it's so hard for me to keep things from you," Cherokee folded up another shirt and put it into her suitcase. "If I tell you, you have to promise that you will not tell a soul, I know how you get when you've had too much to drink," "True, but I promise, now tell me what have you been keeping from me?!" Lucky shrieked as she slapped Cherokee's arm. "I signed a contract, a marriage contract with Beck, he's giving me money, and
"So, tell me," Lucky started as she pulled off her jacket and sat on the sofa. "I saw you with Beck last night, holding hands. Where did you guys run off to? All I know is you two were together and pretty cozy, I would've investigated more but you know Nicolas and Marcus." "Um, yeah, Beck asked me to a more private area, to ask if I wanted to start a relationship with him," Cherokee began as she walked over to the sofa and sat next to her childhood best friend. "That's it, that's all I get?" Lucky asked as she shifted in her seat and put her head on Cherokee's shoulder. "He took you to another V.I.P. room and all he did was ask you out? Wow, the guy's even more boring than I thought," "Is that someone in the driveway?" Cherokee questioned as she pouted her bottom lip to Lucky. "Cherry, I'm pretty sure Beck sent a car for you because Reggie is outside leaning up against the vehicle," Lucky said as she peeked out of the living room blinds. "Oh, I didn't think he meant this early," C
"Cherry, I think Beck sent his car for us again tonight," Lucky screeched as she bent down the blinds from the living room window. "He definitely has a thing for you, maybe I should up my game with the Adams brothers," "I'm telling you, Lucky, I don't think he likes me," Cherokee rolled her eyes as she grabbed her purse and pulled down her cream-colored dress. "I'm going to find out why he's sending us the car then, it's the second time." Lucky made her way into the black limo, as she slid to the other side. "Since you say he doesn't like you, we'll see..." "You don't see the looks he gives me," Cherokee retorted as she followed Lucky into the limo. "Here, look I know Beck, uhh, Mr. Petersen doesn't tell you much but has he by chance said anything pertaining to me or Lucky?" She questioned the driver as she looked into his eyes through the rearview mirror. "No, ma'am, Mr. Petersen doesn't tell me anything, only where to go," Was his only reply as he rolled up the back window to se
"Where did you go last night, Beck?" Nick asked as he barged into his cousin's office. "Yes, you came in, said your hellos, and then were gone, you sneaky fox," Mark said as he walked behind his younger brother. "I umm... left," Was the brief reply Beck spoke out as he took yet another call. "Boys, I don't have time to play today, Philippa, Uh, Ms. Carver is not doing her job properly this morning, so I'm a bit swamped at this moment." "So, fire her," Nick relayed as he sat on the sofa next to his brother. "Ahh, he won't do that, dear brother, no I caught him with her skirt hiked up, sitting on our handsome cousin's desk." Mark retorted as he grabbed a handful of pecans getting ready to crack. "Shut up Marcus Dean," Beck raised his voice as he leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. "Hey Becket Levi, let's not resort to name-calling here," Mark whined as he popped a pecan into his mouth. "Yes, let's be civilized boys," Nick laughed as he rose from the sofa and walke