Chapter 86: Chapter 86
Amelia's POV
The brunette walked into my showroom and started speaking to Cadence, my head salesgirl.
She looked a few years younger than me. "Hello, I'm Annabelle Carter. I had an appointment with Ms. Amelia McGrath for my wedding gown designs," she said smiling at Cadence. My face fell hearing her words. Her wedding gowns? Was she Tristan's bride?
It was then that reality struck me hard. I had guessed right. Tristan had really moved on, and he had forgotten me. He was getting married to this beautiful brunette. No wonder he looked so happy. No one could blame him though, it has been eight long years since I last saw him on that dreadful day at school. Ours wasn't a love story at all and any normal person would move on from such a teenage crush. Was I not normal then? My whole world crumbled as realization hit me that I had lost him forever. Although he was mine only for a day, I had some hope that maybe I would reunite with him one day but that hope was gone now.
Gathering myself up, I approached her as professionally as I possibly could. "Hello, I am Amelia McGrath, owner of 'Bridal Blush'. Please come to my office. We can discuss the designs there," I said stiffly, trying not to show my true feelings to her. She was just a client for me and not Tristan's bride. I avoided looking into her eyes, lest she saw the pain in mine. The faster I dealt with this, the better it was for my heart. I didn't want to break down in front of her. I led her to my office and handed out the designs that I had prepared recently for exclusive clients.
"Ms. Carter, here are the designs. Hope you like them. By the way, when is your wedding?" I asked her formally.
"Please call me Anna. My wedding is on the 5th of next month, three weeks from now," she answered with a warm smile on her face.
"Alright there would be enough time to get your dress ready," I said dejectedly, looking up at her for the first time. She was the luckiest girl alive. "Didn't your groom accompany you? We have exclusive tuxedos as well as suits," I couldn't help but ask.
"No, he's busy," she answered pointedly, making me even more confused. I was relieved that Tristan wasn't coming here. I knew that I couldn't face him and his bride and see them so happy together and I didn't wish to show my vulnerable side to him.
Just then, the door opened and Tristan barged in and I froze on the spot. I looked at him and then at Anna nervously, hoping that she would not notice my pale face and nervousness. I looked down, concentrating on my designs, not looking up once to avoid Tristan's penetrating gaze. I was at a loss for words after seeing him all of a sudden right in front of me.
Tristan came and sat beside his bride, staring at me like he was in a trance. I was a bundle of nerves, my mind losing its focus. All the memories came rushing back of the day we had confessed our feelings for each other, our one and only kiss, the way we were separated against our wishes for the last eight years, everything. I knew that I was being immature, Tristan had moved on and might have forgotten me. His bride, his happiness was beside him, why would he be bothered with a high school romance which lasted for only a day? While it was the most cherished moment of my life, it might not be the same for him.
"Tris, which one do you like? Help me choose," Anna said, smacking his arm to bring him back to reality. It brought me back to reality too.
"Yeah," he looked at the designs and pointed at a beautiful off-shoulder tulle wedding dress with a corseted satin bodice which Anna liked too.
"Thanks, you're the best," Anna said and looked at me, "I want this one, Amelia," she said, pointing at the dress Tristan chose for her. My heart constricted with jealousy since I had wanted this to happen to me. I wanted Tristan only for myself and facing the truth, seeing them together was taking a toll on me. My throat choked with pent-up frustration and grief and I picked up a bottle and gulped down some water. Cadence sent some freshly made minty drink for them and they helped themselves to it.
"Okay, I'll take your measurements. Do you want me to do it here or will you come with me to the trial area?" I asked her, once they had finished their drinks. I had to get out of the room and escape this torture. Why did I have to meet Tristan under such circumstances? It would have been better had I not met him at all!
"No, not here. Let's go to your trial area," she said and I was thankful as I could escape quickly
"Go ahead, I'm waiting here," Tristan said, swiping at his phone and looking a little annoyed. Maybe he didn't like my whisking his bride away from him. I felt a pang of jealousy stab at my heart at the thought and at that point in time, I could do anything to be in Anna's shoes. I repented my decision not to return to New York sooner. I could have reunited with him before he met Anna and Tristan would have chosen me. I would have been his bride. My voice choked with emotions that I tried hard to control. I was a professional seamstress and couldn't afford to break down in front of a client. I swallowed the lump in my throat and took a deep breath to complete the task at hand reminding myself, again and again, that Tristan and his bride were nothing more than just clients for me. I could do this!