Counting Days

"WELCOME! Welcome to my humble boutique, miladies!" said the woman in her late forties as she opened the door. This petite woman with short brown curly hair and a pair of old full-rimmed glasses was the one and only owner of the La Belle Boutique. She was Miss Ginger Belle and the greatest seamstress in the town! She greeted Lady Vanessa Collins and her mother as the noble ladies entered her wedding salon. Today, Lady Vanessa would have her last wedding dress fitting before the wedding day.

"Good afternoon, Miss Ginger. I am here for my dress." Lady Vanessa had a generous smile decorated on her face. She could not hide her feelings. She was too excited to see her bridal gown, as she had it redesigned after the victory ceremony.

Miss Ginger nodded eagerly. "Yes. Yes. We just finished altering the gown." By 'we', Miss Ginger meant she and her magic elves. They did not sleep or rest in making the grand wedding gown, as per request. It was a great pressure! Miss Ginger felt like her entire career as a bridal gown designer was at stake just for this single dress.

"Oh, my goodness! Are you alright? Your face is horrid!" Lady Vanessa gasped as she saw Miss Ginger's face.

The seamstress had a skinny appearance. Her skin was pale and dry, wrinkled by the everyday strenuous work. She had dark circles under her eyes, proving she had not slept for a long time. To be exact, she had no proper rest since Lady Vanessa asked for redesigning the dress. And the wedding day was only three days away!

Yes! It was her greatest pleasure and honor to tailor the best wedding gown, especially for the future wife of the House Gregory's sole heir. But the wedding was coming soon, and when the bride wanted another design, Miss Ginger had no other choice but to heed her demands. 'Customer is always right' was her policy. Although her hand was already full as it already is, Miss Ginger forced herself to complete the dress before the wedding day. She had it done in four tiring days.

"Oh! And I have an appointment together with the groom. Is he here already?" Lady Vanessa seemed oblivious of the fact that Miss Ginger gave her all to make this dress. Lady Vanessa was insensible, and she did not even say she was grateful for Miss Ginger's hard work. All Lady Vanessa cared for was her fiancé.

Miss Ginger bit her lower lip. She thought the lady would say thanks at the least, but no. "Young Lord Damien? Oh, no. He is not here yet," said Miss Ginger. 'He will not come.' She wanted to say that, but she could not bring herself to say that the future groom, Lord Damien, only came to the salon once; for the first fitting, and that was it. He never returned, as his secretary or his servant handled everything for the ceremony.

There was disappointment in the eyes of Lady Vanessa as she received that answer. She looked dejected. She was hoping to attend this final fitting with her fiancé.

"Maybe the Lord will come soon, milady." Miss Ginger just gave her a small piece of hope. "So, are you ready to see the dress?" she asked.

Lady Vanessa nodded slowly. Then, the salon assistants assisted Lady Vanessa to the fitting room while her mother waited at the lounge. While waiting for her daughter to put on the dress, the assistants served the Baroness with warm jasmine tea.

In the fitting room, Miss Ginger asked the lady to have a sit first. "Lady Vanessa. I present to you…" she took a quick breather. "–your wedding gown. As you requested before."

Miss Ginger presented her with a white long-sleeved backless dress with an illusion neckline featured semi-sheer fabric. As demanded, the seamstress handsewn and adorned the skirt of the gown with thousands. No! Millions of Swarovski crystals.

It was wonderful to look at!

"Spectacular!" Lady Vanessa was amazed. "Now, this is what I call 'my' wedding dress!" She was very delighted. She made the right decision to ask for a redo for her bridal gown. The previous design was super plain, and the new design was splendidly done. This new dress was flawless!

"Are you ready to try it on?" It was the time for the fitting.

"Yes! Definitely!" Lady Vanessa stood up.

Miss Ginger helped Lady Vanessa to put on the dress. "Oh. I have my wedding-day accessories checklist prepared. I want to wear everything from the veil to the shoes," said Lady Vanessa.

"As you wish, milady." Miss Ginger went out for a moment, and she returned with a jewelry box, veil, and shoes. It did not take a long time because the maid of the Collins Family already prepared the accessories.

"Just let me wear it myself," said Lady Vanessa. She wore a Sapphire handcraft wedding backdrop necklace to give a dramatic effect on her back. She also got a pair of crystal stilettos. For hair accessories, Vanessa donned a super-long cathedral-length vintage veil to match her bridal gown. And she wore a glam sash featured crystal-made flowers to flatter and emphasize her waist.

Her seamstress altered the bridal gown to sculpt her body perfectly. Lady Vanessa was pleased to watch herself through the reflection in the mirror. She was satisfied by the final look. She looked much better than 'that' person. "I want to see my mother." She fled the fitting room.

"How do I look, mother?" Lady Vanessa asked her mother, Baroness Jovita Collins. She twirled to give her mother a better look at herself and her dress.

"Oh, dear." Lady Jovita seemed like she was lost for words. "You look stunning, my daughter! I am so proud!" Her daughter would get married into a ducal house and tie the knot with a hot bachelor. It was like every mother's biggest dream! Of course, she would be proud. And the dress! Oh, dear. That was amazing!

"I cannot wait to show the dress to Lord Damien. Do you think he will love it, mother?" asked Lady Vanessa. She had doubts about herself.

Lady Jovita remarked, "Oh, my baby girl! Of course, he will! He adores you."

Hearing those words from her mother indeed was comforting. Lady Vanessa's eyes were exuding with confidence.

Suddenly, Lady Vanessa heard some uncomfortable talk about herself. There were other customers in the salon other than this mother-daughter pair. Those customers were looking at them while gossiping. "Hey, look. It is Lady Vanessa Collins. I heard her fiancé danced with another woman during the victory ceremony. If I were her, I would not show my face to the public. I will be embarrassed! According to what others said, her future husband already has a mistress."

"Mother." Lady Vanessa felt annoyed and disturbed by those customers. Her confidence was gradually disappeared.

"Do not bother with that nonsense, my dear. Those ladies are envious of you." Lady Jovita tried to soothe her daughter. "Wait here. I will get another veil for you. This one looks too old school." And she left Lady Vanessa alone with the maids.

Lady Vanessa sat in the lounge while waiting for her mother. It felt like forever, especially when she realized other customers were eagerly observing her. It was suffocating to stay there.

Suddenly, she saw her reflection. She admitted she looked beautiful in that dress. But only if she wore the dress. She sighed heavily. Honestly, Lady Vanessa always afraid of the wedding. She was afraid of being used in this marriage. Yes! It thrilled her when the love of her life suddenly proposed to her. But Lady Vanessa wanted love in this marriage. And Lord Damien said no. When she consulted her mother, Lady Jovita said it would be alright. Political marriage was a common thing. There might be no affection now, but once she got married, the love will come soon after. If she had a son with Lord Damien, he would love her eventually. So her mother told her to keep patient and wait. Love would come naturally.

But Lady Vanessa could not wait. The wedding would be in three days, yet she never had a date or such with Lord Damien. When Lady Vanessa saw him danced with another woman, she was mad rather than feeling embarrassed. She was the one that supposedly danced with Damien, not that other woman!

For today's last wedding dress fitting, Lord Damien promised to attend the appointment with her. But disappointingly, he was nowhere to be seen.

Abruptly, Lady Vanessa was feeling hesitant about this marriage. 'What would happen if he divorced her not soon after they got married?' that possibility hit her hard.

When Lady Vanessa felt vulnerable, she suddenly saw a carriage with the crest of Gregory Family on it, waiting outside of the boutique.

"Oh, dear!" Lady Vanessa automatically stood up. Her heart palpitated wildly and then panic-stricken when she thought he had finally arrived!

She ran to the door. But when she wanted to open it, another man opened the door first. "Oh, Lady Vanessa." It was Felix, the secretary that worked for Lord Damien.

Lady Vanessa saw the secretary arrived alone. "Is Lord Damien here?" There was hope in her voice. "Perhaps! Is Lord Damien waiting in the carriage, mister secretary?"

Felix flashed his business smile. "I'm afraid not, milady." He paused. "My Lord is in the estate. He had a conference with the elders. I am here today to collect his tuxedo for the wedding. And I believe we already sent a message that Lord Damien will not be coming today." He spoke in his usual emphatic, animated manner.

"No. I did not get such a message." Lady Vanessa almost stuttered. She felt like they deceived her.

The situation was getting awkward.

"Then, on behalf of my master, I am deeply sorry, Lady Vanessa. You must have been waiting for my master for a long time. And for that, I am sincerely regretful about this miscommunication." Felix bowed. "It will not happen again in the future." He added a promise.

Then Felix saw Lady Vanessa in her wedding dress. "Well, then. If you excuse me, I believe we will meet again. This Monday." He made the conversation short. He was feeling uncomfortable to see the lady in her dress. It was not courteous to see a bride in her wedding dress before the groom did.

Lady Vanessa saw Felix spoke with Miss Ginger before she handed to him a suit bag. Before Felix left the salon, Lady Vanessa stopped him. "Sorry. I just want to ask. Does Lord Damien say anything about me? Did he send regards? Or anything." She looked depressed. And half desperate.

"Hmm…" Felix was speechless for a while. But Lady Vanessa patiently waited for him to give a response. "I hope you have a pleasant day, milady." Felix finally excused himself without replying to that question.

However, Lady Vanessa felt like she already knew the answer.