Chapter 4

"Jared," I paused as I turned and smiled at my wedding planner, "meet, my boss, Mr Miller."

I could see the change in Jared's facial expression. The surprise was clear on his face and to be honest, I was just as surprised at Mr Miller's request but I didn't- couldn't say anything. I had to make the situation feel normal by reasoning with myself that he only wanted to come with me to go dress shopping?  And there's nothing wrong with that. Jared quickly composed himself and smiled widely, "it's lovely to meet you, Mr Miller," Jared even went as far as winking at Mr Miller and my eyebrows raised in surprise at the gesture, but to be honest, it's not the first time anyone's ever flirted with Mr Miller.

Mr Miller is an extremely good looking man and everyone falls victim to his good looks.

"Can we get started?" I asked Jared because I didn't want to waste Mr Miller's time. I was here during his time and I don’t want him cutting my pay check in half at the end of the month because I needed every penny for what my wedding. 

"Oh, you look fabulous darling," Jared complimented with a grin as he took my hand and spun me around slowly, "you look stylish, as you always do."

"Thank you, Jared," I thanked him, until I realized I hadn't introduced Mr Miller to Jared, "Mr Miller, this is Jared, my wedding planner."

"Let's get going," Jared said, pulling my hand as we started walking through the elegant store with plenty of jaw dropping dresses. We were getting my dress custom made by a famous local designer, and when we had briefed him about the kind of dress I wanted he had offered to make three since I was all over the place about the kind of design I wanted my engagement dress to be.

The designer, Nathan stepped out from behind a curtain and then smiled at us, "the future Mrs Smith," he sang when he set his eyes on me but gasped when he set his eyes on Mr Miller, "Mr Miller," Nathan breathed out in a surprised whisper before he ran his hands through his hair and cocked his hip, "oh my, aren’t you just a refreshing sight for sore eyes, Mr Miller," Nathan purred flirtatiously.

"Uh yes," Mr Miller responded, completely used to how everyone reacts to meeting him, "wonderful. What about her gowns?" he brought the attention back to me and Nathan let out an awkward laugh, apologizing for his reaction.

"Come see, my darling," Nathan said with a proud smile as he extended his arm for me to accept, "the dresses are everything that you wanted but you will have to pick your most favourite for your night," he told me as we stepped on the final stair that led us to the top floor of his store and we were immediately met with the three dresses draped on three mannequins.

"Oh my," I gasped when I saw them, "are these mine, Nathan?" I asked in shock.

"Oh shit..." I breathed out as I walked towards the dresses, running my fingers over the first dress which was a short white dress with a plunging back and silk ruffled front.

"Whichever dress you decide to wear, my darling, I promise you, their eyes will be on you the entire evening," he told me and I was sure they would be because these pieces were the most beautiful dresses I've ever set my eyes on.

"Put them on," Jared urged excitedly. 

~~~

Jared let out a wolf whistle when I stepped out from the dressing room, wearing the white dress. The dress looked better on me than it did on the mannequin and Nathan had done an excellent job. The dress reached until my midthigh and it wasn’t too short that it would be inappropriate for the engagement party where we’ll have a lot of family over to celebrate. The straps were thin and only made the plunge seem far more dramatic. I wasn’t someone who had big breasts so the dress seemed very tasteful from the front because there was no serious cleavage, you could only see my collarbones and the sides of my breasts peeked out a little.

The dress fell over my body like water and didn’t cling onto any curve but it made me feel very comfortable and sexy. I did a sultry walk towards Jared and Mr Miller because I was enjoying how the dress moved as I walked. 

"This is sexy," I said as I looked at myself in the full length mirror, smiling excitedly at Nathan and he nodded in agreement.

"You look phenomenal," he told me as he eyed me up and down with a satisfied look.

"While the dress looks absolutely amazing on you, I can’t help but feel like it’s a little revealing and risky," When Jared pointed that out, I did feel a bit deflated but I understood what he meant. While it was a little bit covered, it would not be acceptable to wear on that night, especially since my Pastor will be attending. I don’t want anyone to be struck by lightning. I nodded my head but my eyes met Mr Miller’s. He was sitting the chairs that sat facing the little run way, just moving his wrist to swirl the whiskey in his glass as his eyes just watched me.

I didn’t want to make him feel excluded and it felt weird to put on clothes and model for a man who was sitting in a chair and drinking whiskey, so I thought to ask for his opinion. 

"Mr Miller..." I hinted as I smiled at him, "do you agree with Jared? I do get his point as well."

He cleared his throat, "spin," he said as he made a motion with his hand that I turn around.

I didn't think too much about it, so I spun and then faced him again, "well?"

"It shouldn’t be a problem and it wouldn’t be for myself, but you are more conservative. So it would be best to go for a dress that’s more modest," his husky manly voice overpowering the two gay males in the room.

~~~

"That’s a lot better," Jared nodded his head with thoughtful eyes as I stepped out of the dressing room for the second time. I did agree with him as I looked at myself in the mirror, pleased with the length of the dress. I realised how much more appropriate this dress was than the previous white dress and this dress seemed to capture more attention than the other. It was a red, completely bedazzled red dress and it was covered in rhinestones and diamonds. It caught the reflection of the light and it’s red colour completed my mocha skin. It had a sweetheart neckline and a corseted back that made my body fill out the top parts effortlessly before the dress fell in beautiful waves to the floor, dragging behind me, and I felt like I was about to walk the red carpet.

"I really like this dress…" Jared said with a huge smile, "nobody can miss you in that."

I smiled at my reflection in the mirror "I agree, it’s a lot better than the white dress. This one is the one to beat," I spoke aloud, glad that I had Jared who would give me his honest opinion. I locked eyes with Mr Miller in the mirror to make him feel included, "better than the previous one?" He gave a simple nod and I smiled in response before I let Nathan help me off the podium and back into the dressing room to change into the final dress.

I knew that the third dress was the one, the second I slipped into it. I suddenly had butterflies and a huge smile on my face even though I hadn’t seen my reflection just yet. The way that the dress fit my body already gave me the confidence that this would be the dress that I would walk out of the store with. When I stepped onto the run way and the two men in the room could see me, you could hear a pin drop in the silence that ensued. 

I wanted to run towards the mirror to see myself but I took my time in finally revealing the surprise that was me. When I did finally look into the mirror, I was also taken aback and knocked out of breath at how the dress looked on me. 

The dress was a midnight blue and it had boning on the outside of the corset that was hugging my figure. It was strapless and had my shoulders and collarbone exposed, while the long sleeves started right at the top of my bicep. Where the corset ended at my waist, the bottom part of the dress began and it was a velvet midnight blue that accentuated my hips and hugged my figure tightly before it exploded into tulle at the bottom of the dress. There were no diamonds and rhinestones, and honestly, there was no need for it. 

"That's it," Jared finally spoke, "that's the dress..."

"Mr Miller?" I asked him, wanting o hear his approval for some reason.

"Mr Smith is one lucky man."

~~~