CHAPTER 7: LUCIA
The next two months go by in a flash. Like literally. One moment we were having dinner and then the next I'm going wedding gown shopping with my girls. I know the groom isn't really supposed to be around when shopping for a wedding gown, but isn't he supposed to be present for the cake tasting and the other things?
I honestly didn't even know what to expect since all Olga told me was that everything concerning the marriage preparations were already being planned out and that all I had to do was to show up looking pretty. I didn't know if I was to be flattered or not on hearing that.
Olga's been doing all she can to make up for Ivan's absence over the past two months. She came with me for the cake tasting, and for the first gown shopping; I told her she could just let me and the girls pick out something the next day since we couldn't come to an agreement that day because she kept suggesting archaic looking gowns. I don't know why they would even still have gowns like that in this modern time.
She said Ivan's been so busy but that he would be back in New York a few days before the wedding.
Awww, how nice of him.
I don't know why it hurts since I don't even like the guy like that, but it really does, no matter how much I try to deny it. After what I saw in the restaurant those two months ago, it just left me wondering what our marriage would be like.
Will he continue seeing his girlfriend even after we're married, disregarding me every single time? We're going to have to talk about that sooner or later.
I always thought my marriage would be to someone I actually loved and not a complete stranger. Which now has me wondering why I didn't put up much of a fight when dad told me I'd be marrying Ivan. I just agreed to it like the good little daughter I am.
Letting out a sigh, I shake my head to the hideous gown brought in front of me. The bridal stylist gives me a 'what the hell' look and walks away to bring another option. Would she wear that if she was the one getting married?
Well, since this is pretty much the wedding I'll be getting, I might as well be happy that I'll even be having one. I know a few people in college who had just court marriages. That would make me cry. Not like there's anything wrong with it if that's what they wanted to begin with.
"That's the one!" Andrea shrieks, pulling me out of my thoughts. The bridal stylist is holding the most beautiful wedding dress I've ever seen. It must cost a fortune but the money isn't a problem. I stand up to head to the dressing room to fit the dress.
After I'm done with that, the stylist tells me that a few adjustments would be made and the dress will look a little different than it looks today because it's actually a work in progress.
I'm cool with whatever the dress will look like when it's finally done. Looking at that dress and its perfect fitting on my curves, my mind wanders to Ivan and what he might think of it. There's no doubt he'll love it. Even Sophie loved it and we all know how difficult it usually is to get her to approve of something.
The wedding is just around the corner; about three weeks away, and the girl's have made it their mission to spoil me rotten since I'll be the first one in the group to be getting married. I honestly don't think I would've been this calm with the idea of marriage if it wasn't for them. They've been with me all these months since I broke the news to them.
Kim keeps on assuring me that Ivan might not be as bad as I imagine him to be but I keep telling her that she doesn't know that because I've personally experienced how much of an asshole he is though I didn't tell any of them about meeting his girlfriend over dinner the other day. That was just too much of an insult to spill.
"Shit. I can't believe you'll be getting married to the head of the Russian mafia. " Andrea says just as we pull out of Starbucks.
"Not to forget that her dad's the head of the Italian mafia." Sophie chips in.
"Lucky bitch." Kim sighs which makes us all laugh. "With all the men around you, no one's gonna be able to fuck with you. What's the worst part in all of these?" She asks, turning to face me since we're both seated at the back.
I sigh, "Apart from getting married to a complete stranger? Being followed 24/7."
Andrea turns to look at me from behind the steering wheel, reeling in laughter. "Are you for real? No one is following us right now, though."
I turn in my seat to look out the back window just in time to see the black SUV make a turn, two cars behind Andrea's car. What's insane is that I don't know who the person tailing me this time works for; my dad, Antonio or Ivan? They change every two weeks that I stopped counting or addressing them.
Kim looks in the same direction that I'm looking and giggles, "Would you look at that."
"Look girl, if you ever need some time to yourself, just holla me. I know a guy." Andrea says as she pulls up to my apartment building. I have no doubt that she really does know a guy which just makes me laugh. As I exit the car, I send up a short prayer to God for blessing me with such good friends in my life.