Half a Man at Best (Sequel to VALERIE)

Chapter Ten

~UNEDITED~

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2014

Valerie’s POV

To say that I am so worked up with Bree’s wedding dress would be an understatement. Because the proper words would have been pressured, tensed, and/or stressed out. I can’t believe that I actually am close to finishing it few weeks prior to the agreed deadline – which would be a little convenient for me because that would mean I could have more time for the other dresses, including Daniela’s.

But I am not actually rushing everything up. I am paying close attention to every detail of the dress. I don’t want to disappoint Bree, not just because she’s an important client, but also she’s a dear friend to me and who is also getting married with my best friend. Apart from that, I know everyone – including the media and the public – will be too keen about the wedding day. And the wedding dress will most probably be on the spotlight.

I am busy rummaging through the materials from the drawers when I hear the glass door being opened from the main area. Certainly, I shouldn’t be too subtle about it since we are dealing with various customers in any given day. Anyway, I’m sure that Joanie is already accommodating them and if they specifically ask a certain Gail Epperson, I know she would just appear to this door – like what she did few days ago when Joshen walked in with a big bouquet in his hands.

Truth be told, I am still a little bit freaked out about this ‘some guy’ that he mentioned the flowers were from. I have a hunch that it was Harry – but if it was, then I shouldn’t be probably freaked out, right?

I actually smiled at the flowers once Joshen left the shop that morning. They were actually nice and the thought that I was the one who grew them at the garden made me feel a bit of pride and fulfilment. I know they wouldn’t be that beautiful enough if Harry didn’t take the responsibility to take care of them after I left.

I shrug off the thoughts once I realize that I was actually considering that they were from Harry. But how could he possibly know that I am back when I desperately asked Bree and Niall to keep it from him? Why do I get the feeling that I am not that bothered anymore even in the slightest? Like I almost seem like I wanted to see him again, know how he’s doing, and most of all ask if he is still waiting for my return.

Am I really prepared to see him again? I shake my head because I don’t really know considering the inner battle that’s dominating inside me. A part of me says that I can try to overcome the pain by seeing him, and the other part says I still need time to heal – I couldn’t face him when I am still broken.

“This place is really nice,” I hear a soft voice of a female travel from the shop’s main area and seep through to the narrow cracks of the door of the room where I am. No, it wasn’t Joanie’s. Joanie’s accent is distinct which you could actually grasp that she’s from France.

The voice was familiar to me, yet I refuse to believe that it belongs to the person that I have in my mind. I could just be hallucinating or her voice could just be reverberating into my head from the two many times we’ve spent talking before. I miss her, that’s for sure.

“I’m happy she was able to pursue her dream. She was rambling about this for God knows how long.” Now, those words just seriously made me jump from the spot where I am standing. My heart is hammering against my chest as I fumble the pack of rhinestones in my hands before I finally gain the composure to put it right back to its draw.

My feet, having a mind of their own, find their way to step outside the room and walk to the main area. My eyes are as wide as saucers as I behold a brunette lady’s tall and slim frame whose back is turned to me. She is clad in tight jeans and white flowy shirt and is armed with a shoulder bag. Her head is busy looking around the shop before her eyes dart to the sets of paintings at one side of the room. From where she is standing, I notice how the corner of her eye widens and then she finally turns her head to look at me.