He approached me with an air of superiority, clearly unimpressed by my presence. "I hope you understand, Calista, that this marriage is purely a business arrangement," he said coldly. "Do not expect me to treat you with any sort of affection or kind...
We pulled up to a luxurious boutique, the windows adorned with stunning gowns and dresses. I felt my heart race as we stepped inside, the soft music and elegant decor making me feel like I was in a dream.
A saleswoman approached us, her smile warm and welcoming. "Good evening, sir. May I help you find something special today?"
"We're looking for a dress for my wife," Alister said, his voice deep and smooth. "Something elegant and understated."
The saleswoman nodded, leading us to a section filled with beautiful dresses. She held up a few for me to see, but none of them quite caught my eye. Then, she brought out a simple satin bodycon ruched side dress. I stared at it for a beat too long, earning a poke in the side from Alister.
"That one?" Alister asked.
"This one," I breathed, running my fingers over the fabric. "It's perfect."
He nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on me. There was a newfound softness in his eyes that I couldn't quite decipher. "It is indeed. Shall we?"
We made our way to the dressing room, the saleswoman bringing me a variety of sizes to try on. As I slipped out of my swimsuit and into the new dress, I felt a rush of excitement and anticipation. When I emerged from the dressing room, Alister's jaw dropped.
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"Wow," he whispered, taking a step closer. "You look...stunning."
I blushed, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. "Really? You think so?"
"I know so," he replied, his voice low and confident. "You make me look good, Calista."
I laughed softly, shaking my head. "You're biased."
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch sent a shiver down my spine. "I may be, but I'm not wrong."
The boutique was silent as we just stared at each other, our breathing the only sound in the room. Suddenly, I felt his lips on mine, soft and tender. I melted into him, feeling his warmth envelop me. His hands ran down my back, pulling me closer to him. This was what I had always wanted from him.
We pulled away slowly, our eyes still locked on each other. "I think it's time to go," he whispered, his voice husky with emotion. "We'll take this dress!"
The saleswoman nodded, not bothering to ask me to take the dress off. It wouldn't matter if she lied about the price. It's not like Alister didn't have any money. I was just in the moment, and I didn't want it to pass.
We stood there for a moment, lost in our own thoughts. Then, Alister snapped out of it, clearing his throat. "Well, shall we? Your parents might feel some type of way if we're late."
Unfortunately true.
➿➿➿➿➿➿
My parents have always been a bit much, even for me. But tonight, as they strolled through the door of Alister's home, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for him. He had been in such a good mood all day, and would surely have it shattered within moments of their arrival. And per usual, I would be left to clean up the mess they left behind.
