"How did it go?"
M had been working in her study when she heard themotion outside. She hurried to open the door, only for Adrian to barrel straight into her arms. "Mom, he bullied me! He wouldn''t even let me see you!"
She hugged her son, then lifted her gaze to Forrest standing behind him, eyes full of questions. Forrest just gave a small, reassuring smile and mouthed, "It''s okay now."
She understood, more or less.
Ruffling Adrian''s hair, she whispered, "Was he really that bad? Well, how about this-tonight I''ll take you out for some fun, and we won''t invite Mr. Whitmore, alright?"
Adrian''s eyes sparkled. "Okay!"
Forrest couldn''t help but chuckle. "You little rascal." But there was no real irritation on his face.
"Hmph!" Adrian buried himself in his mother''s arms, then craned his neck to stick his tongue out at Forrest. He was determined—he was the most important person to his mom. If Forrest ever dared to make him unhappy again, he''d make sure his mom ignored him!
Serves him right for making him mad!
M hadn''t expected Forrest to actually talk Adrian around so quickly. In just a short time, Adrian was still sulking, but he wasn''t outright rejecting the engagement anymore.
Still, he was clearly upset.
After seeing Forrest off and getting the full story over her phone, M took Adrian out for the evening. They yed andughed until that lingering grudge in Adrian''s little heart finally melted away.
At least, for now, her son was calm again.
***
The next morning, the doorbell rang bright and early. M opened the door to find Forrest waiting outside.
"Ready?"
Today, they were going to pick out their engagement outfits.
There wasn''t much time left-the party was only a couple of days away. There was no way to get custom-tailored outfits done on such short notice, so they''d have to choose from the newest ready-to-wear collection.
Jade had told them to head straight to Splendid.
They went to Splendid''s gship store in Kingsford. Because it had been reserved
just for them, the grand hall felt strangely empty. The owner, who had been waiting for their arrival, greeted them warmly. "Ms. Suthend, Mr. Whitmore— right this way, please."
M, as a senior executive at Splendid''s London headquarters, was addressed by her professional title.
Inside, the owner gestured to the dazzling rows of outfits, glittering under the lights. "These are ourtest formalwear designs, all in your sizes. Once you find something you like, we''ll make any final adjustments."
There were suits and gowns, each one more dazzling than thest. Crystals and gemstones sewn into the fabric caught the light, casting rainbows across the room.
It was almost overwhelming.
Forrest nced at the sea of luxurious formalwear and turned to M. "Why don''t you pick something for me?"
"Trying to take the easy way out?" M teased, but she knew he didn''t mean it that way. "No way. You pick for me, and I''ll pick for you."
Mutual indecision was only fair.
But M soon regretted her own proposal.
She had high standards when it came to fashion, but when it came to dressing herself, she was always decisive. Choosing for someone else, though, was a whole different story.
Nothing seemed quite right.
"How about this one, Ms. Suthend?" the owner suggested, lifting a ck suit embroidered with gold.
M shook her head. "No, that''s too severe. Doesn''t suit him. He prefers lighter colors."
"What about this?" The owner revealed a fitted white suit with elegant silver embroidery, the shoulders adorned with intricate golden patterns and sparkling crystals.
M hesitated, then shook her head again. "No, it doesn''t fit his style." The owner fell silent.
They went through outfit after outfit, and M rejected them all. By the time her feet started to ache, she finally settled on one she thought would do. To her surprise, Forrest was even more indecisive than she was.
He still wasn''t done.
But they''d agreed to choose for each other, so M waited patiently outside, nibbling on pastries and sipping half a cup of tea before Forrest finally emerged from the fitting rooms, empty-handed.
"Where''s the suit?" M asked, half-dreading he still hadn''t chosen.
"I found one Like. It''s in the changing room," Forrest said, leaning down so she could pop a pastry in his mouth. After chewing, he added, "I want you to see it for yourself. It''ll be a surprise. What about yours?"
She grinned. "It''s in the changing room too."
***
When they finally stepped out in their chosen outfits, both stopped short, unable
to hold back matching smiles.
122418480
Under the lights, M wore a strapless blush pink gown scattered with embroidered flowers. The skirt flowed in soft,yered tulle, blooming like a flower at her knees and trailing behind her in a cloud of pink. The bodice was covered with delicate blossoms in shades of pink, white, andvender, tiny crystals scattered across the gown like stars. When she moved, it was as if she walked wrapped in a river of
starlight, the scent of spring blooms trailing in her wake.
To Forrest, she looked like a fairy princess-an ethereal vision blooming in a
garden of stars. He couldn''t hide the wonder in his eyes.
M''s cheeks, flushed at the intensity
of his gaze. She hesitated, then gathered her skirt and spun toward him, the gown swirling like a cascade of petals, the bare her back glowing pale pink
lights.
Pof
under the
She lowered her eyes, her voice soft. "What do you think?" Forrest swallowed hard, his voice rough, "You''re stunning, Mimi. I could give you my soul and my life, and it would still never be enough."
There he went again, saying outrageous things with everyone watching.
The owner and staff, who had also been spellbound by the scene, covered their mouths to stifle theirughter. M''s cheeks burned even hotter as she rushed over to inspect Forrest''s suit, taking his arm in hers.