Chapter 5

"Darling that dress is horrible, it makes you look pale"

Lili was ready to pull her hair out if she had to try on one more god-damned dress she would explode.

After successfully forgetting her mishap with Calvin the night before, she'd immediately informed her mother that Callum was anxious to get married soon, and they would spend time getting to know each other.

A very authentic lie if she did say so herself, her mother had found it sweet and thoughtful of the soon-to-be couples getting to slowly know each other and falling in love.

She then proceeded to drag Lillian to various shops.

In the past week, Lili had realized that wedding planning was not for the faint of heart and this wedding wasn't something she was so invested in, not when her groom couldn't care less about her existence.

Because of that, Lili had crafted a story that she fed her mother every day. On some days she took imaginary calls from her doting fiance, on other days they went on dates, sometimes she took meals to him instead. The plan was to get married in a small ceremony and then see if they could fit in a honeymoon, Lili was quite sure that Callum would rather be caught dead than abandon his precious company acquisition because while wedding preparation was on the way, the companies were also sorting out business with whatever it took to hand over a company

" Lili dearly pay attention, take that dress off and get the other one " her mother ordered, then turned to speak with the sales rep groaning, she dragged the mass of frills that seemed to make the dress into the dressing room

" Your mother is very enthusiastic about this" the girl helping her to change muttered

" You'd think she was the one getting married" Lillian grimaced.

" Of course, she is, You are her daughter, she likely wants this day to be the most special for you"

" I know, I'm just sick of the dresses, too much frill" she muttered

" Well I can help you with that, pull this off" she offered helping her

" What's your name"

" I'm Carly"

" I'm Liliana" she replied climbing out of the dress

" Here let's try this on," Carly said holding out a dress to her, Lili paused in pleasant surprise, it was a simple lace-covered dress with tiny little beads sewn into the top half

" It's beautiful" she whispered

They were extremely careful in getting the dress on, Carly helped her zip it on leading her to a mirror

" It looks gorgeous" she murmured, her throat closing, she blinked twice forcing back the tears that threatened to fall

" Now let's show your mom" Carly grinned helping her across the room, she climbed the pedestal smiling at her mother who was gesturing animatedly to the same sales rep

" Mom" she called

" Oh honey are you–" her mother gasped

"Oh darling, you look. That's so beautiful" she echoed.

For a second, she wished it was her fiance complimenting her, with eyes full of approval and desire but the case was far from that.

" Thanks"

" Can we take this? " her mother asked and the sales rep nodded

" Of course Mrs. Covey we'll wrap it up and have it delivered"

Her mother nodded looking pleased

" Lili dear," she said

"Yes Mom"

" I think we've managed to settle a wedding preparation in two weeks"

" I believe we have"

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Lili wasn't sure why but she was nervous, her palms were sweaty and her stomach felt like a circus was performing there. She was extra grateful she hadn't eaten or she'd been in a very difficult position right now. The dress sat perfectly on her and with the subtle makeup she had on, she didn't look any different than most days

" Ok dear, your father will meet you at the entrance and walk you down," her mother said softly and she nodded

" Yeah" Swallowing she turned to her mother

" I'm not sure I can do this" she stuttered

" I know"

"; You can't say no. I know it seems too late but I'd stand by you" she encouraged and Lilian smiled

" Thank you"

" What for, I'm your mother and of course, I'll always support you"

" Well I think I can do this, so no need to call the rescue band," she said grinning

" I'll be in the audience"

" And I'll be on the stage" she summed up

Nodding her confidence, she watched her mom walk out the door, taking a deep breath she picked up the bouquet and walked towards the door

Her father, met her by the door and smiled

" You look beautiful, just like your mother said " he mumbled

" Thank you," she replied. Her father was not necessarily a bad man. He was set in his ways and maybe grumpy but she knew he cared for her in his way

" I know this is not what you would have liked, but I can promise you that it won't be all that bad. I made provisions for you" he said softly, she frowned about asking what he meant when the band started the march. Taking a deep breath she held onto his arm as they walked, it was a slow march, Lili had never realized how slowly brides walked down the aisle, it was excruciating.

She glanced at the stage where Callum stood with the wedding official, he was grim-faced as usual and turned to stare at her his eyes cold and emotionless. She would have looked away but if it felt like a weakling thing to do, instead she stared right back and smiled at him, he frowned, confused.

She joined him, nodding slightly as they turned to the officiant who then began the ceremony.

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Her entire life as a single woman was over in under an hour, Callum stood beside her trying not to scowl and failing

" I thought you would make this a small wedding"

" This is a small wedding, my mother was scandalized at the thought of anything less than this" she bit out

" I see" he answered and she almost rolled her eyes "

" I think I see some of my friends" she offered tightly and hurried away weaving through the crowd.

She was safely away when a hand reached out of the curtains and grabbed at her, she squeaked in fright but her sounds of alarm were immediately muffled