Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Rosemary was humming when we were inside the car. "Did you have anything in mind for your wedding dress?" she asked me."

I shook my head when in reality, I have already thought about how my wedding would be like-simple and intimate. I only want a few people, the only people who mean so much to me and my groom, to come and witness it. We'll eat, celebrate and play at the reception. No elegant dresses. No expensive gifts. Just me, my groom, our family, and friends.

I smiled weakly and wondered if Rosemary would consider my opinion.

She smiled and held my hand, "I know this is all so quick to you and I'm sorry that I hadn't given you the room to breathe and process all of these in your system. But I'm sure that my son will treat you well," she told me. "He may look strong and authoritative but he's a sweet boy.

I bit my lip and nodded. I know that Jeff is a sweet boy. I've seen him since the day he helped me. Something must have changed in the way I look at him now because of the situation that he put me in, but I still think and I am grateful for what he did for me.

"I know, Ma'am," I told her.

She gave me a look and I suddenly realized why. "You should practice calling me mother or mom. You'll be married to my son soon," she reminded me but her eyes looked so serious.

I nodded and chuckled nervously. "Yes, I will," I replied

I heard her sighing hard. "We're going to meet with the wedding planner in a café downtown. Her name is Samantha and she's good," she began. "She is usually booked but I managed to get her for you and Jeff."

I nodded. I knew that she's already had it all planned. She's got everything under control and I only need to follow her. I guess I don't need to think about the hassle now. I'm just going to blindly follow her and entrust the fate of the wedding in her hands.

It wasn't long until we arrived at the cafe and saw Samantha, Contrary to what I have imagined, Samantha looked boyish. Sporting bob-cut hair, she's sitting on a table with a glass of hot Americano in front of her. She's wearing a plaid blue shirt and a pair of jeans.

Rosemary smiled at me. "Let's go." She pulled me towards Samantha's table. "Good day, Sam! Have you been waiting for long?"

Samantha looked up and smiled at Roselyn. "Not, Madam," she replied before her eyes turned to me. I saw how she paused for a few moments before flashing a wide smile. " Nice to meet you," she beamed as she stood up and extended her hand. "My name is Sam."

"Andrea." I smiled weakly and reluctantly took her hand in. I don't know why her smile seemed to send me signals, making me extremely uncomfortable.

She squeezed my hand and held it a bit longer than it should be. She wouldn't even let it go if I hadn't let it go. "Great! Now you know each other, we shall start with the planning."

Rosemary beamed as she pulled a chair and sat. She encouraged me to take a seat, too but I was hesitant because the seat was too close to Sam, "Sit down, Andrea." Rosemary was the one who pulled a seat for me and I had no choice but to sit down.

Sam was silently giving me glances. "Are you okay?" She must have noticed that I was feeling uncomfortable right now. I nodded and looked at Rosemary who was staring at me with narrowed eyes. "Is there anything wrong?" she asked me.

I shook my head and smiled weakly. "Yeah," I replied. I wish Jeff is here." I don't know why I said that but his mother grinned like crazy.

"Do you want me to call him?" she asked. My eyes widened and I immediately shook my head." He's busy!" I was already panicking because I know that she will do it no matter what.

And I was right. Right before I could even stop her, she was already talking to Jeff on the phone. "Oh, don't. What are you doing now?" she asked before winking at me. "Your fiancée wants you here! Yes, she does! So come here after that stupid meeting, alright? Just call Andrea.

I pursed my lips, unable to retaliate and complain because she's already ended the call. She smiled and me before looking at Sam who suddenly grew quiet.

Rosemary began telling her the plans she has for the wedding. "The flower field is good," she continued. "I have mobilized men to cultivate the flowers and trim the field so it would look picturesque.

Sam nodded. "Flower garden wedding," she said before looking. That's good."

I gulped and nodded before looking away. "We'll have the reception at a hotel," she suggested. "What do you think?"

Sam nodded. "Hotel receptions are always convenient because we can just ask the hotel staff to help us prepare. she replied, seemingly approving the idea. "Do you have a specific hotel in mind?"

Rosemary began enumerating the hotels that she is considering. Sam approved every single one of them and took a note to visit them for a perfect check.

What do you want the motif to be?" Rosemary asked me.

I blinked at her, surprised that she was asking me something about the wedding. I paused and thought of a color that I like. I smiled and shyly looked at her, "Can we have gold as the motif?" I asked.

Rosemary squealed and nodded. "That's a good choice!" she beamed. "We'll have gold sprinkled in the flower field!" Almost immediately, she thought of ways to accentuate gold on the field, on the dresses, and the reception.

I am impressed at how imaginative Rosemary is. She can expand one thought into different branches. Sam can't even do something. She was just nodding and smiling at her every suggestion.

Rosemary clasped her hands together. "Shall we go to the wedding dress shop next?" she asked. "I have told my good friend, Amanda, that I'll be dropping by today with you," she told me.

Sam nodded and closed her notebook. "I'll see you tomorrow, then?" she told us. "I have to visit the hotels today and discuss the details of the plan with you tomorrow.

I raised my brow and was relieved that she will have to leave. I surely can't stand being in one room like her. Her stares seem to have a hidden meaning, sending chills down my spine.

Rosemary stood up and grabbed her Birkin up from the chair beside her. "Let's go, Andrea, she told me and I didn't even bother looking at Sam and just walked ahead towards the exit.

"Are you okay? Rosemary asked me when we got inside the car.

I looked at her and nodded. "Yes. I think I'm just a little worried about the wedding." I lied. I cannot tell her that the organizer she's been raving about is making me uncomfortable, right?"

Rosemary sighed and took my hand on hers. "Don't be nervous. I have it all under control," she told me. "You won't have any problems with the wedding because I'll make sure that it's going to be perfect."

I just nodded and stopped myself from speaking further. God knows how I always dug my own grave with my mouth. It has been proven and tested. I kept quiet the whole ride and the next thing I know we're already inside a dress boutique run by Rosemary's friend, Amanda.

Even when we were still outside, I can already see the sample designs worn by the mannequins. They all looked like the gowns worn by celebrities in different fashion shows and events, Rosemary and I entered the shop and I was left in awe even more. There are lots of different designs of gowns for the bride and for the entourage which all looked expensive.

Rosemary was babbling about how I would look on every single one of them while I stood there, still unable to believe that I am inside a boutique full of beautiful gowns I haven't been able to see elegantly designed gowns this close because I never really had a chance to wear one in the past. In our pack, only the ones with money can afford to go to parties and wear beautiful gowns. Hence, as a daughter of a mere Omega, I was never allowed to party with the elite members of the path. I either just watch or serve them. I never joined them.

A staff approached us and immediately assisted us in looking for the right dress because Amanda was still on her way to the shop.

"Miss Amanda told us that you will come here today," the staff told us. "My name is Allison and I will assist you for today in choosing the right gown for the bride."

I smiled at her and started to look around the whole shop. I don't even know what to choose because everything looks so elegant and beautiful. It kept me wondering if I would do justice for them if I wore them.

I walked up to one gown and my jaw dropped when I saw how much it costs. A simple red gown with just silk and a few beads is worth over five thousand dollars. One gown is worth five grand?! I even see more beautiful gowns in a thrift shop! Surely, what people are buying from here is the brand value.

"You're gonna look good on this one, Andrea!" Rosemary

chimed. I turned to her and saw her pointing at a dress lined

with white beads and diamonds.

I stared at the dress and realized that it is the best-designed dress inside the shop. It is in the center and I think it's also the most expensive one here. It's a halter A-line dress made of silk and chiffon over it.

I walked closer and touched the texture of the dress.

"We can put a gold crown and that would be the accent of the whole outfit," she suggested. "Let's wait for Amanda and tell her what we want to be modified on the dress. I added. "For now, you can go around and look for the dressed you'd like the entourage to wear."

I did what I was told and walked over to the different designs of dresses. We hadn't even talked about who the entourage would be. But then again, it's probably the members of the pack. Why am I even asking? Maybe she's already assigned them, too.

I gazed through the dresses hanging and chose the simple gold spaghetti-strapped dress. It's simple but the way the ruffles are designed from the hem up to the slit is well-accentuated in the design.

"Do you like that?" Rosemary asked me and I nodded without even thinking, "Hmm...this is rather simple... she trailed. "...but I like it."

We continued to look around the shop until a woman who seemed to be in her mid-forties came inside. She's wearing a white coat with fur over her royal blue bandage dress. Based on the furry coat, I have already guessed that this is Amanda, the designer of all the gowns here.

"Well, if it isn't the most beautiful Rosemary! she beamed and immediately hugged Rosemary.

"Good to see you fashionable as always, Amanda," Rosemary said before extending her arms to my way. "By the way, this is the bride, Andrea.

Amanda looked at me and I smiled awkwardly. "Nice to meet you, Amanda," I greeted her and she walked to me to hug me. "Oh, dear! Ambrose knows how to choose for a bride, huh?"

Rosemary smiled proudly, "Well, the fiancee is beautiful but there's more to her beauty than what you'd think." She winked at me as I just grinned, feeling pressured.

Amanda gave me a knowing look before giggling excitedly. Now, I somehow know why she's good friends with Rosemary. They both get excited easily. "Let's go to my office and talk about your wedding dress," she said and we both followed. Ambrose looked at me with narrowed eyes when we saw each other at home.

He wasn't able to come and join us but that's okay. Sam left early so I didn't feel awkward at all. But tomorrow, we'll be meeting with her again.

I wonder if Jeff will join us tomorrow. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Did something happen?"

I shook my head and smiled. "Everything was good... Well, everything but one. I can't tell him that I don't like the wedding planner, right?

Sam made me uncomfortable but she didn't say anything. Maybe I was only imagining things. Maybe I was just sensitive.

Jeff gave me a probing stare. "Really?" His voice was laced with sarcasm. "Why don't I believe you?"

I frowned and stared into his eyes. "I'm fine," I insisted and started to walk upstairs to our room.

"Is it the wedding organizer?" he asked me and I stopped. I turned to him and saw him looking into my eyes with annoyance. He pressed his lips in a grim line and walked up to me.

"Do you have the power to read minds?" I couldn't help but ask. He always seemed like he could hear my thoughts. I wonder if he was blessed by some deity or something.

He chuckled lowly and held my hand. He crouched down, his face inching closer to mine. "Do I need any power to read what you're thinking? I know that Sam is something else. And I was just guessing," he whispered, "Why? Did she make you uncomfortable?"

I looked away and sighed. "No." I denied it. "Maybe I was just assuming things."

He smirked. "Don't worry. I'll be with you tomorrow when you meet with her." His voice sounded soothing but authoritative at the same time. "Nobody could stare at you as they want you. Not when you're already bound to marry me. They all need to take note of that."

****

Jeff was not kidding when he told me he'll be with us the next day. When I woke up, he was already dressed up to go and meet with Sam. Well, that's better than seeing him with nothing but a small towel hugging his waist. I get flustered even with just thinking about it.

He's reading something by the coffee table as the rays of the sun illuminated his face.

I sat up from the bed and rubbed my eyes. "You're early," I mumbled as I looked at the huge clock on the wall. It's only seven. Sam didn't tell us what time she'll be meeting with us. To be honest, I didn't care about it yesterday because I was itching to leave. Maybe Rosemary knows.

Jeff turned to me and smiled. "Good morning," he said as he leaned his elbow on the table and his chin on top of his palm.

"Are you still sleepy? You can sleep. I'll ask them to bring our breakfast here."

I shook my head immediately. "I'll take a bath and we can eat downstairs." I immediately stood up and fixed the bed before rushing to the closet to get my clothes.

Because I didn't get to shop with Dior for clothes yesterday, I have no choice but to choose among the dresses I have. I eyed a maroon dress and decided to partner it with a thick gold chain necklace.

I took a bath as fast as I could. I didn't want to keep Jeff waiting. I don't even know how early he got up today. I dried my hair and let it down as I put on light makeup. I ask Jeff if I look plain and ugly. I sprayed on perfume before going out.

Jeff was already waiting for me in front of the door. "Done?" he asked.

I nodded and felt him taking my hand to his before leading me downstairs.

He was looking at me, watching me intently as we ate alone in the dining room. Like yesterday, the food was already served and prepared on the table.

"Why are we eating alone inside the packhouse?" I asked him. It's not like I want to eat with the rest but I was only wondering why the other members seem to be always absent.

Last night, we ate with Ryder and Neil. Dior was not around because she was staying in her house in the city. She said she would come today because of the preparations and because we need to go and shop for clothes.

Jeff stared at me. "Everyone is out training," he replied. "The girls are probably in the infirmary, trying to learn something about first aid."

I pursed my lips. "Everyone is always busy?"

He nodded. "We encourage everyone to learn the basic skills in fighting, shifting, and treatment. That way, we can survive on the battlefield even without the pack doctor coming."

I nodded. Well, their doctor, Elisa, is quite old to be able to participate in a fight. I can't believe Jeff was able to think that far. No wonder he's the Alpha.