Chapter 63: Chapter 63

Annabelle's POV

For the next few days, I was very busy. Along with my wedding preparations went on the task of setting up my dance institute. Mom and I visited a number of commercial buildings but we didn't like any of them. After much speculation, we settled for a commercial space a block away from home. It was opposite a popular school and the location endeared the place to me more. Marketing would be a piece of cake here. So we contacted Stefan's lawyer and bought the place. I used my inheritance money although mom and dad offered to pay for it.

The deal was through and I finally heaved a sigh of relief. The only work left was to set it up. Stefan took an active interest in it and so did mom. I didn't know what I would have done without their help. I didn't want any partner, I wanted to figure it out on my own, so I didn't call Harry.

With the wedding just a fortnight away, Claire came over with baby Alexander. She too helped me set up my institute. We printed posters and distributed them to the students at the school opposite. I advertised for employees and recruited the basic minimum. A few inquiries started pouring in. With only a week to the wedding, mom and Claire planned my bridal shower party.

It was the most enjoyable event after the hectic schedule we had. It made me feel cherished and relaxed me a lot.

"Stop worrying Anna. You'll get stress lines on your face on your wedding day," said Claire. It was true. I had been so worried about getting students that it was all I could think about. After the huge amount of money I invested in this, I didn't want it to all go to waste. I was eager to make it a success. Although there had been a lot of inquiries, there had been no admissions in the whole of last week. It made me worried.

"I think you need to give a free dance workshop to give a sneak preview of what you'd be teaching them," suggested gran. It made me ponder over her suggestion. She was right. With so many fake setups coming up, I needed to prove that I would indeed teach the students and that they would definitely get more for the amount that they would pay me.

"Yes, you should also place pictures of you dancing all over your institute, frame your credentials and awards to inform the parents who come to enquire that you're no novice in this field," said mom. All this made me rethink my marketing strategies. They were right, maybe that was the reason why I wasn't getting any students.

"I think you can put up pictures of your institute at Princeton too," said gran.

"Yeah, I have lots of pictures, I'll have them framed and placed strategically everywhere," I said.

"You need to work on your banner too. Just the name, Annabelle's Dance Studio, won't help. You need to give your credentials there as well, on the hoarding," suggested mom. I nodded. He was right.

"Yes, I'll work on that immediately," I told her. We enjoyed the rest of the time together with everyone, dancing, singing, and playing games. They all showered gifts upon me.

For the next two days, I worked on the changes that everyone suggested. My right hand, Betty Gordon-Levitt assured me that she would handle it all in my absence. With only five days left until our wedding, Stefan asked me to pack.

"Why do I need to pack?" I asked him. I knew that I had been too busy lately and we didn't spend much time with one another. I was neck-deep in work from the moment Arielle went to school till dinnertime. I wanted to have the academy up and running within a month. But Stefan was so understanding that he didn't complain about my hectic schedule. He supported me in ways I had never imagined he would. I was overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness.

"Tomorrow morning we'll all go to the venue," he said with a smile. My jaws dropped to the floor.

"Venue? Aren't we getting married in one of your hotels around here?" I asked him curiously.

"Yes, but we'll go and stay there for the next four days. All of us together," said Stefan. I nodded.

"Okay, I'll pack up," I told him. Martha helped me pack up my stuff. Jenny had also rejoined work and helped pack for gran and Arielle. There was excitement in the air although we were only going to a hotel. The whole day, gran didn't allow me to take much stress.

"Let Betty handle it. Why don't you relax a little dear? You don't get married every day," said gran. I nodded. She was right. So the whole day, I went to the salon to get pampered, played with Arielle, and baked cookies with her. Stefan too returned from work early and after putting Arielle to bed, we spent our time cuddling with each other.

The next day, we loaded everything into Stefan's car and drove off to our venue. On the way, I received a call from Betty. She informed me that there had been three admissions yesterday! I just couldn't believe my ears. Just when I had stopped fretting and worrying about it, I got what I'd been wanting for weeks.

"Just take a deep breath and relax. This is what you love doing so believe in yourself, in your capabilities. I'm sure you'll be successful," said Stefan.

"Yes, mommy is the best," said Arielle. I kissed her forehead and Stefan gave me a look.

"Where's my kiss?" he demanded. I giggled and so did Arielle.

"It's due," I told him.

"There are many more things that are due. Three nights, remember?" He reminded me, making me blush. Did he keep a count? I knew that we hadn't made love for three nights in between when I was too exhausted. I had no idea that he would remember.

"You remember?" I asked with surprise.

"I told you that I want you every night," he whispered so that Arielle sitting in the back seat couldn't hear us.

"Okay, I'll make it up to you," I promised with a smile. I looked around and saw that we were leaving downtown New York. Where were we going?