Chapter Seven

“You are the only straight female in the whole world not affected by this hotness,” Sarah grumbled. “Have you seen how sickeningly hot he looks on the covers of magazines? There should be a law prohibiting him from going anywhere wearing clothes. Not only is he hot, but he’s rich as hell. There’s an article online about the latest vacation home he bought. It’s this sprawling estate in Kensington, London. It cost him thirty-eight million dollars.”

“Good for him.” Amelia deadpanned. “Why are we having this discussion again?”

“Because you're getting married to the man in the forty minutes, and you need to know what properties you're entitled to. Knowing you, this marriage would eventually end in the bottomless valley of divorce. You're only entitled to assets acquired during the marriage. Most people believe that he bought the place for you, though, but you'll need documents to lay claim to it. Others believe it's probably where you'll be spending your honeymoon, but I'm not certain. You need to keep track of everything.”

Amelia cast her a fleeting glance. “Why do I need to do anything, when I have you? Your nose is so far up in my business, that I've decided to leave the handling to you.”

Sarah frowned. “You don't have to be so salty all the goddamn time. I'm just looking out for you.”

“Oh, no.” Amelia turned to face her as soon as a seamstress finished with the final adjustment to her wedding dress. “I'm being serious. I don't care enough to monitor these things, but since you do, you might as well be my eyes and ears. You have to protect my interests.”

“Oh,” Sarah sat up straight, surprised. “Sure. I'll keep you posted.”

“Good.” Amelia turned to a full-length mirror in the room, then whirled left then right, as she eyed her halter form-fitting gown critically. “How do I look?”

“Beautiful!” The seamstress beat Sarah to a reply with a big smile on her face. “I knew the Oscar De La Renta was the one. Plus, I've seen most of your pictures, and lace always looked good on you.”

“I was speaking to my cousin.” she shot her a berating glance. 

“I'm sorry.”

“I agree with Kristin,” Sarah said.

“It's Kristen, Miss Sarah.” the girl corrected with a smile.

“Right, Kristen.” she returned the smile.  “The lace looks mad good, and you are the most beautiful bride, Amelia.”

“Hmm. You're the only other person in this house with a sense of style.” Amelia glanced at her sexy silhouette and open back with a slight smile. 

Laughter broke out from a little door connecting her dressing room to the other one, where the rest of her bridal party giggled, gossiped, and gallivanted around half-clothed.

“Why the hell are they so loud?” she hissed. “One would think they're the ones getting married.”

“I'll shut the door.” Kristen moved to do it.

Sarah glanced at her watch, “We have ten minutes left before our media team arrives for your pictures. I think you should have something to eat.”

“Naa, I'm good.” she glanced at her hair and makeup. 

“I got you earrings.” Sarah got of her position on the bed and moved to where her cousin stood. “It's a wedding gift.”

“Thanks.” Amelia collected the box and assessed the pair of blue diamond earrings it encased. She stared at them with hawk eyes for a while, and Sarah could immediately tell she'd figured they weren't real diamonds. She was so sure the thing would be thrown in her face when Amelia shrugged and began putting them on.  

“Err, are you sure you want to wear that?”

She sent her a tight smile. “What's that traditional wedding rhyme again? Something old, something new, ….something fake?”

Sarah rolled her eyes and moved back to the bed. “Something blue. You don't have to wear it. That's the best my personal income could afford and although fake, it costs like $500.”

“I like the color.” she shrugged. “I bet no one would notice how little you earn from your scribbling, since it looks so much like the real deal.”

“It's not called scribbling, it's writing, and I'm a professional food critic.” Sarah deadpanned. “But what if someone notices?”

“I'm too angry to care. But if that happens, I hope you feel terrible. I know very well that you could've easily purchased the real thing from your weekly allowances.”

“I spent my first salary on you. The least you can be is grateful, you witch.”

Amelia scoffed. “Grateful for peanuts?”

Temper rising, Sarah scrambled off the bed and moved towards her “You know what, take it off!”

“No. Get away from me, Sarah.”

“Give it back!” she began to struggle for it.

“No!”

“Ladies! Ladies!!” a nervous Kristen ran towards where they scuffled. “Please calm down. You'll ruin your dresses!”

“It's my wedding day, Sarah! And certainly not a time for your stupid tantrums.”

“To hell with that, you hate the groom! Give it back!”

“Ladies! You'll ruin the--” the words died in her mouth as a loud ripping sound caused everyone to stiffen in their spots. “Oh my God.” Kristen staggered backward, and a hand flew to her chest.

Eyes wide, Sarah slowly glanced at the damage and rocked back, too. “That wasn't supposed to happen.”

“How bad is it!” Amelia screamed as she ran to the mirror. 

The interconnected door opened again and Amelia's mom called out the bridal party in the other room. “Ten minutes guys!” The announcement caused more laughter and scurrying about as she stepped in and shut the door behind her.

“Here are your flowers, darling. I--” She froze as she took in the damage, dropping a bouquet of white lilies and orchids in her shock. “--what the hell happened?!” she was horrified. 

Amelia turned back to Sarah slowly, anger pulsing through her veins as she pointed a long slender finger at her. “You, bitch!”

“I'm sure I can fix it, madam.” Kristen squeaked. 

“I'll kill you!” she launched at Sarah, who tried but failed to get away in time. Her mother and the seamstress ran to separate them, but not before Amelia pulled out the embossed side flower on Sarah's strapless silk taffeta cocktail dress. 

“That's enough!” Mrs. Rodriguez pulled her up with a strength that caused Amelia's arm to bruise. 

Just then, the main door to the dressing room opened, and her assistant--Camella Thompson--stuck her head through the opening. The sound of music filtered in. “The bridegroom showed up at the church, so I guess there’s going to be a wedding..... W-What happened to your dress?!”

“Argh!!” Amelia stomped on her feet as she screamed at the top of her lungs. Knowing she was at the brink of a major blow-up, her mother and cousin rushed to calm her down quickly.

“Just breathe, beautiful. Breathe baby, breathe. You’ll be fine.”

“I'm sorry!” Sarah stifled back a sob.

“I can fix this, ladies. I really can.” Camella ran to pour Amelia a glass of cold water as Kristen assured everyone of her sewing abilities. “Fifteen minutes! It's serious damage, but I have everything I need here to fix it in Fifteen minutes, ladies.”

“Alright fine!” Amelia got up and struggled out of the dress, shoving off anyone who tried to help her. “Get me my bloody makeup team, Camella! Don't just stand there like you're absolutely useless!”

“Yes, my sweetness.” she handed the water over to Mrs. Rodriguez and scampered towards the door. 

****