6

"Hey honey wake up. Come on wake up."  

I was already awake but I didn't want to leave my bed.  

"Clara let me sleep please."  

"Honey today the Grays are coming."  

Shit! I immediately sat up.  

"It's already afternoon. You didn't even have your breakfast. You should freshen up."  

I immediately got up and rushed to the bathroom. After a while, I got out padding my hair dry with the towel. Clara was still sitting on my bed gazing at me. I gave her a questioning look.  

"I want you to try this I got for you."  

She got out a box and placed it on my bed. I sat beside her and opened the box. A beautiful navy blue dress was neatly packed in the box. I unfolded it. It was so smooth to touch. The dress was sleeveless and had not so thick straps. It had a slightly deep V neck cleavage and the same was at the back. The V's tip touched the thick band and from the band, the dress flowed. The dress stopped right above my knees. I folded it back kept it in the box.  

"You didn't have to do this Clara."  

"Oh, I had to buy it for you. It's so simple yet elegant like you. I couldn't buy the shoes because I didn't know your shoe size. I am sorry for that."  

"It's alright I have some black Belle shoes. This dress is really beautiful"  

"I know. The Grays will be coming in 3 to 4 hours. You must get ready." She left the room.  

Shit.  

I quickly slipped into the dress. The dress felt soft against my skin. I had my belle shoes ready. I was confused about what to do with my hair. I finally decide to do to put it into a bun left a few tendrils of hair. I was finally done. I left my room in search of Edward. While coming down the stairs I saw Edward sitting on the huge couch of the main hall reading his newspaper.  

"Hey, Edward."  

Edward looked up shifting his specs above which had dropped. He kept the newspaper aside.  

"You look beautiful, Tessa."  

"Yes, the dress has that effect."  

Edward stared at me for a while. He shook his head and smiled.  

"What happened?"  

"Nothing. Why don't you sit?"  

"No, I had to actually ask you something."  

"Yes go ahead."  

"Well is it okay if I speak to Dylan first? Then I'll meet his parents. I'll be in the library."  

"Oh yes sure you can."  

"Okay, thanks."  

He nodded. And I went towards the library. I walked through the shelves picking out a random book on the way. I started reading the book however the words blurred out as I tried to imagine a conversation in my head. After a long time, the light in the library dimmed suddenly I closed the book and gazed outside. The sun was retreating back behind the faded hills at its own leisure pace. I kept on staring until I blinked when the lights were switched on. I checked my watch it was 4:45 pm.

Anytime now.  

The doors of the library suddenly creaked and then they opened slowly. A man about 6'3" entered but his wide back was turned towards me. He suddenly turned and stared right into me.

He was a well-built man I could say that his navy blue suit fitted him so perfectly that just enhanced it. The coincidence of us choosing the same colors for today. He had a strong jaw which was a little scruffy. Smooth brown hair which glistened slightly due to the light. His hair extended a little behind reaching his back of the neck. His brows were highly angled and thick giving him a devious look. But the most alluring feature was his eyes. They were of alternate shades of green and blue and they blended well giving it a distinct color. They were gradually turning green and I was fascinated by them. All of a sudden He smirked which snapped me out.  

Damn you Tessa for staring at him so shamelessly.  

He cleared his throat and finally spoke.  

"Tessa Reynold?"  

The way he said my name with his delightful rich voice sends shivers down my back. I felt really nervous. The planned conversation dissolved  

"Yes. Please do sit."

I pointed towards the chair on the other side of the table. He finally settled down and opened the buttons of his suit jacket. I noticed the first few buttons of his shirt were open.  

Seriously girl you have to concentrate. 

"Well, I am going to make a-"

But before I could finish he interrupted me.  

"How old are you.?"  

"I am sorry. What?"  

"I asked how old are you?"  

"Well, I am 22."  

"Oh great, they saddled me with a kid." He muttered under his breath but I caught it.  

"I am not a kid. I am legally an adult." I was irritated.  

He placed his hands on the desk and clasped them and bent forward.  "I am nine years older than you. That makes you a kid for me." I imitated his earlier behavior.  

"All this while you have been dating those models who are of my age. What about that?"  

"I see you've done your homework."  

"Sources have warned me."  

"Right but I do not marry them." He smirked. Again!  

I might break my record of punching guys.  

"You won't be married for long Mr. Gray."  

"How do you predict that?"  

"I am saying we could stay married for a year and then divorce. It's better for a year because I don't want to go through with the 6 months extra time they give us to rethink our decision and all."  

"That's genuine." He raised his eyebrows. "But you would change your mind after a year."

"Trust me I know I won't after now."

He looked at me suspiciously.

"You don't have to doubt me. Believe me, I won't. In a year the divorce papers will be there in your hand. And you will be free again."  

"Hmm."  

"You don't even have to fulfill your duties as a husband and me as a wife. We will have separate rooms. Only during family events, we will be together." He was staring at me. It just made me more uncomfortable. He was thinking about something else.  "Are you even listening? "  

"Why are you doing this?"  

"Do what?"  

"Agreeing with the marriage."  

"Edward needs me right now. Both companies will lose all their assets if I wouldn't agree with this. I don't want to be the one who turns their back on people. All these years Edward has taken care of my needs it's about time I repay him."  

He was still staring at me but more hard. As if he's trying to get something. It was a bit intimidating.  

"If you are done with staring at me then we can go down now Mr. Gray."  

"It's okay I will pay if you ask me for money after the divorce. You know the monthly amount I will have to pay." He suddenly blurted out.   

Are you for real?  

"No, I won't need that I'll be working. Did I even mention it? In the end, I just want the damn divorce papers signed nothing else, and your cooperation while attending the family events for this year. If any."  

"I was just saying. You didn't ask."  

"No, I won't. Never. I think we are done here."  

I got up and lead the way and he followed me from behind. We were coming down the stairs and saw the two elderly couples chatting with each other and laughing. Clara looked up and smiled at us. The other three followed her line of view. I saw Lucien he was basically the older version of Dylan with blue eyes. Miley, Lucien's wife was a really beautiful lady. Her hair was reddish-brown with slight streaks of white and had those hazel-green eyes which graced her heart-shaped face. She had that face which one could never forget while in a hurry.  

Good looks were in the gene.  

She was the first one to speak.  

"Oh look at them. They already look like a couple. I didn't know Tessa was would turn out so beautiful."  

Seriously were they paid to compliment today. Or is it the dress?  

Edward spoke. "Both of you decided when will the wedding be?" He was about to speak but I said.  

"Day after tomorrow."  

"What?" They all said it in a unison.  

I glanced at Dylan he was looking at me in an incredulous way. Clara started.

"Honey I understand but a day for preparing is like impossible." 

"I don't mean that. I am saying we will have a simple court marriage. No guests nothing, not even personal acquaintances or anybody. But I just want Ria and Selena and Robbie and you guys. No one else. I don't think we need an extravagant wedding when it's actually just a business deal. I don't believe in extravagant weddings anyway."  

Silence fell in the group. I don't know if I was harsh but it was the truth.  

"What about the wedding dress? Miley broke the ice.  

"It's okay I'll have it. You just have to be present that day. Dylan?"  

"Yes?"  

"Like I am getting Ria do you want to invite somebody to the wedding?"  

"I am inviting Jason."  

"Okay. It's settled then."  

Later in the evening, I was sitting on the bed with a box on my lap. I opened it and saw my mother's dress. It was beautiful just like her.  There was a letter inside sealed I opened it.  

Dear Tessa,  

I am sorry I won't be able to give you this wedding dress by myself as I always imagined, but I have written this letter instead. There is a black velvet box that contains a simple silver chain. Your father gave it to me before the wedding. He thought it was just me when he saw that's what he told me. Now I am giving this dress and the chain to you. No matter what occasion or circumstances arrive wear this dress with pride and know this that your father and I are always by your side. Be strong and brave I will just expect that from you.  

Your mother.  

She gave this box right before passing away and had kissed me on the forehead. I wiped those spare tears and removed the dress. The dress was off' white color and had silhouette flappy sleeves which were beaded in the end. The dress ended also had the same design but it was frilled. The chest had a V shape overlapping neck. From behind it was plain. One of the silhouette flappy sleeves had a little yellow stain. I decided to mend the dress. I got my scissors and sewing kit which I hadn't touched in years. I removed the sleeves and made a belt that had a rose in between. Stiched it to the mid if the dress. Then I stitched up the open sleeves. It was converted into a sleeveless dress.  

I opened the black velvet box and saw a simple silver chain that glimmered. I wore it instantly. I changed into the dress and packed away the old one which Clara gave. I observed myself in the mirror. The dress fitted me perfectly and was beautiful. And the chain just enhanced it. After a while, I changed and packed the dress carefully kept it back. I kept on the chain. It was 2 in the morning. I went back to my bed and slept.