She had tried out different wedding gowns but none of them satiated Luciana, she always found a flaw in each gown she picked. Charlene had reached the verge of her patience, she wouldn't try another gown because she knew they'd definitely say something awful about it. She retired to a chair in the closet and took out her phone. She didn't bother to talk to her mother, Kathleen wouldn't listen to her, whatever Luciana said it was the final. Knowingly she knew that Richard took after her mother, he was nothing like Bryant.
Luciana cleared her throat to attract her attention. Charlene switched her gaze from her phone to Luciana, she lifted a brow at her questioningly.
“We'll check out another closet. They don't have what we want here.” She declared unconvincingly.
Charlene was literally bored, they had spent forty minutes in the closet yet she couldn't pick a gown. There was a gown she loved but Luciana found a flaw in it. “I need a break.” She didn't care what would be her response, even if it was Kathleen she'd say exactly the first sentence that came to her mind.
Luciana nodded once, she sat down beside her heavily and looked at her inimically. “Do you know his idea of a woman? My son doesn't like a woman that isn't classic, you have to be an exemplar or he will not look at you twice. Poor you, I'm only doing this because of my family's reputation. You should look your best tomorrow, your wedding gown has to be perfect. Do you understand? We're going to check another closet.” She rasped imperatively.
Charlene didn't react to what she said, she was waiting for her mother to step out so they'd leave together.
“Luciana, look at what I found.” Kathleen showed off the white sleeveless gown in her hands. Charlene looked up and scanned the gown, she admired the gown but she couldn't say it out.
“Will that not be too long for her?” Luciana enquired irksomely.
“There's only one way to find out–”
Charlene rose, she walked up to her mother and collected the gown from her. She gazed at Luciana who wasn't looking friendly at all but then she shrugged it off. “I'm going to check it out and if both of you don't like it then let's call it a day. I'll wear a casual dress.” She enunciated then went into the changing room.
She undressed and changed into the wedding gown, a lady that was inside with her adjusted it for her. She looked at Charlene admiringly and nodded as an approval that the gown suited her perfectly. “This is perfect.”
Charlene stepped out of the room, she moved to their sights and stood in front of her mother. “How do I look mom?”
Kathleen smiled brightly, she was completely satisfied with what she was seeing. “Absolutely gorgeous, my dear. This fits you perfectly. You're taking this— Luciana, got something to say this time?”
She focused her gaze on Charlene, nearly speechless not because of the gown but because of what Kathleen said. She shook her head vigorously and forced a smile on her lips. “This isn't bad. After all this closet isn't unless.” She said disgustingly and took her purse on the chair.
“All right. Charlene, do you like it?” She nodded several times. “Obviously, I know you do.”
Charlene went back to the room and changed into her outfit. She exited and joined her mother, they already paid for the accessories and other jewelry. Eventually they prepared to leave the mall, their drivers were waiting patiently for them. Luciana hopped in a separate car and his driver drove out of the premises. As Charlene was about to hop into the car another car drove in and parked beside their car. Someone alighted from the car, he was cladded in a black suit, he walked casually to Charlene and bowed respectfully. “Are you ready ma'am?”
Charlene exchanged looks with her mother. She was completely muddled because she wasn't expecting any driver. “I don't get you.”
“I'll be driving you to the studio. It's already time to leave ma.”
“Richard sent you?” He nodded. “Mom, am I supposed to go with him? I'm starving right now, can you come back later?” Charlene framed a lie, she'd do anything to avoid going to the studio alone with Richard. Charles had told her a lot about what she would have to do as his bride. They'd take some shots for the magazines, although the invitations were distributed and only a few numbers of people were invited, that was what Richard wanted. No one quarrel him, Charlene couldn't complain because her parents supported it. She couldn't make her choice or decision when it came to Richard, whatever he said was final.
“If you need to eat, I'll take you to a restaurant. You have to come with me right now.”
“Go ahead. You're not going to spend the entire day at the studio. It's just for today.”
She shrugged before nodding. “All right.” She murmured and followed the driver, he opened the car door for her and she hopped in. He closed back the door and hopped in the driver seat.
“Do you still want me to drive you to a restaurant, ma'am?” He requested graciously.
“No. Just drive to the studio, I don't have all the time.” She answered and closed her eyes while relaxing.
It was when the driver informed her they had reached their destination she noticed the car had stopped moving. She slowly opened her eyes and looked out from the car. The driver had opened the car for her to alight. She alighted from the car leisurely and he shutted the door. “This way.” He led the way in while she followed from behind.
The studio was one of the best in Sydney, massive and top-rank. She admired every interior decoration she saw on the way. By the time they arrived, the driver asked for Richard and one of his bodyguards informed him he left ten minutes ago but he left a message for Charlene to wait, he wouldn't take long. Charlene waited in the waiting room. Some models never stopped murmuring to themselves, some of them were admiring her and some were eyeing her surly. Charlene knew she'd be used to it very soon, it wasn't the first time she'd been in an awkward situation, it was becoming her fate.
Henrietta finished her photograph in no time, she was eagerly waiting for a chance to get close to Charlene, she had rounded up for the day. Before she could get closer, a lady trudged over and took Charlene away. She cursed underneath and looked around ferociously.
“Henrietta, have you heard about the news?” Maggie spoke from behind, making Henrietta pivot around.
“What news?” She pretended not to know what she was about to say. Judging by the dirty smirk on her face she knew she was going to threaten her or mock her.
“Your ex husband is getting married tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Her eyes popped up bewilderingly. She literally was surprised as she knew about the marriage but she never expected it to be the next day.
“Poor child, that's a heartache dear. Soon, your son is going to have a new mother. Isn't that what you wanted when you signed the divorce contract with him? There's a lot you need your ex husband for, you can't do anything by yourself. It has always been him who has been doing everything for you. There's a huge contract coming up very soon and if you don't work hard I'm going to steal it from you.” She said imminently and smirked mischievously.
“I love that sound. Do you mean work hard? You should work super hard for the contract if you don't want to lose it to me. And for Richard, he belongs to me alone.” She smiled sneeringly.
“For how long are you going to keep deceiving yourself? It's obvious that he's moving on without you. What you have with him was all in the past, nothing good enough to be bragged about. Leave it or take it darling, that lady going in is twice as hot. Damn you, you're not a match. She has already stolen his heart.” She pouted her lips mockingly and winked at her.
Henrietta scoffed softly, she was pissed up. She clenched her fists ferociously while stifling the desire to ruin her face. She couldn't create a scene since everyone was present.
“Let's hope you won't take back your words. I can't wait to see you begin to be a subordinate.” She winked at her then walked away. She heard Maggie grunting but she never turned around.
She headed to the VIP department, although mere models, even top models, were restricted from going in without permission. She lied about being invited by Richard Sullivan, since everyone respected her to be his ex wife they permitted her to go in.
She sauntered causally, heading to the room she probably knew Richard would be. Fortuitously she found the room Charlene was in, when she entered Richard wasn't inside.
“Welcome ma'am.” A lady who was standing so close to the door greeted her. She ignored her totally and flipped her fake blonde back pompously.
The cosmetician was almost done transforming Charlene into another beautiful creature. Henrietta couldn't help but stare at her enviously.
“All done ma'am.” The cosmetician announced and handed over her equipment to her helpmate. Charlene opened her eyes and stared at her reflection in the mirror. She admired the transformation, although it only added little to her beauty because naturally she was a ravishing beauty.
“Everyone should leave the room.” She commanded imperatively, making Charlene look back. None of them hesitated before leaving the room. The fear and respect they had for her when she was his wife was burning in their hearts. Henrietta walked majestically to her and stood in front of her. Charlene didn't know who she was, she only stared back without moving her lips. “Didn't he tell you he has a wife?”
The question was enough to convince her that the lady standing in front of her was Richard's ex wife. Charlene mustered courage to talk. “Only heard of his ex wife, he once had a wife and that was a past.”
She shrugged apathetically. “Fortunately I'm still the only one he loves.”
“Maybe?”
“Tell me, did he pay you to pretend to be his wife? I know Richard would do anything to have me back, just tell me the truth darling. I promise I'm not going to tell a soul.”
Charlene stifled the urge to laugh. She noticed that Henrietta was trying not to break down but her voice was about to fail her. “Pay me? That's ludicrous.”
“Then why in hell would he think I'm going to lay low after hearing that he's getting married. Gosh, why did he love driving me crazy yet still keep me sane?” She said rebarbatively. She looked at her eyes squarely. “I want my family back and I'm never going to give up on us. You have now to decide your fate.”
“Is that a threat?” A voice came from behind. Richard walked inside, although he didn't hear the whole conversation but her last statement.
“Richard,” Henrietta called out his name.
Richard walked up to them, he looked at Charlene admiringly then his eyes went cold again while checking her out. He whipped his gaze on her to Henrietta and smirked. “Are you here to congratulate her?”
“Why are you doing this? Didn't you say you'll never give up on us?”
“I only said that only when we were making out, I never meant it. Fuck, you believe that?”
“What!”
“I dropped an invitation for you. You must attend the wedding, Miguel will be having a mother soon.” He moved a hand to her face and stroked her hair back. He moved his mouth to her ear not minding that Charlene was in the room with them. “I want to see if you're going to survive tomorrow.”
Henrietta gritted her teeth, she looked at him surly while trying to conceal her rising choler. “I never take back my words.”
“Good luck.” He pulled back away from her and faced Charlene. “Let's go. We'll be taking a few shots today, it won't be long.”
Charlene didn't utter a word, she rose and made to walk ahead but he took her right hand. She abruptly looked at his face when she felt an indecipherable sensation, he didn't let go of her hand. He smiled at her and gestured to her to walk with him.
“Richard,” Henrietta seethed.
“Save that for tomorrow. Let's go darling.” Both of them exited the room, leaving Henrietta behind. Immediately they reached outside the room before going into another room for the photograph, he let go of her hand and walked ahead of her. Charlene shrugged it off and followed; he was only being nice to her because his ex wife was around, that was what she believed.