Precious bride [WattAwards2019]

Gowns and Garlic

1872 words

Floarea looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing a red velvet gown with a laced collar and a ruffled skirt.

"This is the latest fashion!" Said the store owner, Sofia Vulpes ". All the ladies in Bucharest are wearing it"

"It's perfect!" Cecilia declared.

Floarea massaged her side. "It's a bit tight".

"Well" Sofia said in thought, "I could expand the waistline-"

"Don't be silly!" Cecilia chimed."it makes you look slimmer. When Lord Cristian Goldis sees you this Friday evening, why I wouldn't be surprised if he proposed to you then and there!"

"What about Count Valentin Roman?" Floarea asked.

Her aunt waved her hand. "It never hurts to have a backup plan. Don't worry if they both end proposing. I'll make the decision for you". She turned to the dress maker. "We'll take it. Just sew some sequins on the hem of the dress!"

"Can do" Sofia proudly said as she got out a pin cushion from the sewing basket. "I just need to make the position for the sequins. Hold still, dear! I don't want to prick you!"

That wasn't why Floarea was so stiff. The thought of her aunt choosing between two suitors was overwhelming her. What if she liked one better and her aunt picked the other? Didn't she get a say in this at all?

Sofia turned away. When the door to the shop opened. "Be right back, dominisoară! Don't move!"

Floarea couldn't see the customer in the mirror, so she turned her head slightly towards the door. It was a lady in a light blue dress, her hair tucked in a white headscarf. She seemed hesitate to leave the doorway, even though Sofia was greeting her with open arms.

"Lavina, come in!" Lavina finally stepped inside and they kissed each other's cheeks. "What brings you here today? More fabric, I wager?"

"Yes" Lavina replied. "Something violet. But not quite violet, something darker..."

"I'll see what I can find in the back. One moment!"

Sofia disappeared into the back room. As she waited, Lavina eyes began to wander. Then she finally took notice of Floarea and gasped in horror.

"Good heavens!" She cried, racing up to her. "You're not going to buy that are you?"

"Of course, we are" Cecilia said in annoyance. "What of it?"

Lavina put a hand to her mouth. "Oh no, dominisoară! This simply won't do!"

Cecilia jaw dropped. "Excuse me, but who do you think you-?"

"Don't get me wrong. It's a lovely dress, but it doesn't go with your complexion! And it's obviously too tight for you. What are these?" She touched the velvet skirts. "Ruffles? No! You need something freer, more elegant! Straight but flowing like your hair."

Floarea ran her fingers through her hair. "You really think-?"

"Aha!" Lavinia cried as she brought out a long teal dress off the rack. "I believe this is more your style! Simple, but elegant".

She described it correctly. This dress had a smooth skirt with loosely puffed, mid - length sleeves. It was blue and green, her favourite colours.
Floarea reached out to the dress.
"It's quite-"

"Thank you dominisoară" Cecilia said between her teeth, standing between her niece and the gown, "but we don't require your..."

"Now what's all this about?" Sofia called as she returned with several rolls of purple fabric in her hands.