Chapter 103: Chapter 103
Tristan's POV
The whole day, Stefan and I had been busy with work. A new emergency had cropped up as one of our employees was caught red-handed leaking the tender information of a new construction project of ours to our rival company. Stefan was furious and didn't know how to handle the issue all on his own. It was serious and we had to involve dad to guide us. The entire day passed by and I didn't even get the opportunity to message Amelia that I wouldn't be able to make it to her place tonight. I felt a little guilty that I was letting her down after the promise I made to her.
It was late when we finally wrapped up the case. We stayed over at our penthouse in our hotel, too tired to return home. Before dozing off to sleep, I just thought of messaging her. I explained why I couldn't go and see her. Waiting for a few minutes, I realized that she might have gone to sleep without me! Did she not want to sleep with me? Even if I were busy, couldn't she have messaged me? Was I forcing myself upon her?
Well, I would if that would make her mine! I remembered the challenge she gave me. Tomorrow was the bridal shower party. 'Try to beat me, baby doll! I never step back from a challenge!' I swore with a determined smile on my face. I knew what I would do.
Amelia's POV
I woke up to the SMS alert on my phone. Checking the time, I saw that it was already 6:30 am. Three messages from Tristan caught my eye,
Really caught up. Sleeping at the hotel with dad and bro :-( - J
Missing you, baby doll - J
I smiled at the messages. He wrote them at 11 o'clock last night. I had already gone to sleep by then. If only I had stayed awake fifteen minutes more, we could have chatted together. Anything was better than nothing!
Good morning. Don't forget your promise. - J
This last message was sent at 5 o'clock in the morning today and it had me all worked up. What promise? I tried to remember but I didn't remember any promise. I checked my emails and suddenly realized that it was Monday today. Anna's bridal shower party is scheduled for today! How could I forget it?
Then it suddenly struck me that I had promised Tristan that if he attended Anna's bridal shower, without being thrown out by Audrey, he would get anything he asked from me. Did I really make such a promise? I smiled at the message, he didn't forget the promise, but I had nothing to worry about. Audrey was too strict and Tristan didn't stand a chance. Or did he? Knowing Tristan now I started having my doubts. He could really go out of the way to get what he wanted. I was excited to see what he would be up to.
I started my day with coffee and breakfast and after calling Cadence and making arrangements at the shop, I completed a few pending designs till 10 o'clock in the morning and then took a luxurious shower and started getting ready for the event.
I chose a simple blush red, knee-length, A-Line crepe dress with a midi silhouette and sweetheart neckline. It had a flutter layered hem and a popover top giving the dress a flirty romantic look. I've never worn red to any bridal shower party, so Claire's request to wear red seemed a little weird. I personally preferred pastel shades. I tied my waist-length hair up in a French twist and wore diamond stud earrings. A light foundation, eyeliner, and a matching lipstick completed my makeup. Wearing my nude 3-inch stilettos and a dash of my signature perfume, I was ready.
I looked at myself in the mirror. Seeing my reflection, I was stunned. Was that beautiful woman really me? I grinned seeing the transformation. It was a shame that Tristan wouldn't be there to see how I looked today. Sighing, I picked up a nude clutch and headed for the venue. I didn't want to carry a bikini and I decided to nicely avoid wearing it, and make up any excuse if Claire enquired.
Thankfully, I reached the hotel by 11:55, five minutes before my scheduled time. I saw Claire and Cassandra waiting with many more women, all clad in different shades of red. I smiled at the scene, it sure was going to be a different type of bridal shower with so many red roses attending it. Cassandra squealed seeing me, "You look ravishing in red, Amy," she said grinning and giving me a bear hug.
"You too, Cass," I asked looking for Anna.
"Aren't we all looking like beautiful roses?" asked Cassandra with a giggle.
"Yeah, but why red of all the colors?" I asked curiously. Cassandra was wearing an off-shoulder straight red silk dress that reached her mid-thigh, with a nude belt and matching nude pumps. She looked gorgeous and stylish.
"We wanted to stand out but mostly because it's Anna's favorite color," said Claire.
"Where's the bride?" I asked with a smile.
"She's on her way with mom and gran," Claire said, eyeing me approvingly. She was wearing a cherry red dress with a cinched waist and flared hem reaching till her mid-thighs. A pair of silver stilettos and matching silver bracelets and earrings completed her look. She looked beautiful and didn't look like she had given birth recently. I smiled at her and hugged her too.
I was never this excited to attend a pre-wedding party since I never attended one. Some of my clients do invite me every now and then but I hate those parties as I hardly know anyone there. However, this one was different. The Hendersons were so warm and friendly, it was as if I was a part of their family. In fact, I felt more at ease in their company than with my own family.