The air smelled like pinewood and musk with a tinge of oranges, the storm outside grew stronger making the windows rattle loudly. The room was illuminated only by the moonlight pouring in through the open windows.
I heard heavy footsteps approaching towards me, with agile movements I turned around to find a shadow of a giant muscular man near the open doorway, which started to inch closer towards the chaise lounge I was currently lying upon.
As it drew near, I held the shawl tightly around me there was no way, I'm going to let this sexy specimen of a man see me like this, vulnerable and might I add in my nightdress.
The wind once more blew loudly making me shriek and causing the man in the shadow to laugh.
Hmph, angry at the lack of his wooing skills, I gave him a disappointed look, doesn't he know he has to comfort me, what a dumbass.
Gathering some courage I moved to close the window, the wind outside was making my hair fly wildly around me, and not to mention all the dirt and sand particles that got stuck in my hair made me look like Hagrid.
I don't need a mirror to identify what I look like, the only difference between us would be his beard that's it.
Which I don't have, the beard I meant. I don't have a bushy curly beard.
"Hagrid isn't half as pretty as you, though," the familiar voice of that shadowy figure said behind me and this time I felt cold not because of the weather but it was his presence entirely.
Did I say that out loud?
Turning around I came face to face with a giant handsome man who had Alex's face, apparently.
Crazy but this look really does suit him.
"Alexander,"
"Hagrid,"
I opened my mouth and took hold of his lips our hands intertwined.
"Kara, this is the last time I'm asking you to wake up, Rachel is on a round and if she finds you sleeping again she'll have you for lunch, wake up,"
Alex the giant was nudging my arm relentlessly which wasn't helping me much to kiss him properly.
Another powerful nudge and I fall back on the chaise lounge.
"Kara !!!!" Matt was whisper screaming.
Matt?
I looked around frantically to find Alex the giant only to find myself sprawled on the floor with my right hand resting on the chair I was apparently sitting on and a few dozen or so eyes of amusers silently laughing at me.
Wait, wait. I'm in the office.
Quickly coming into action I straightened my pants and took hold of my seat again, taking out my compact mirror I checked to see whether I transformed into Hagrid or not.
"Look I'm not Hagrid," I smiled at my reflection assuringly.
"You'd be dead soon like him if you don't get back to work now,"
What has gotten his panties in a twist, he not only rudely awakened me he also is a little sour face from the minute I told him about the engagement party this Friday.
"For your information, Hagrid never dies."
I mean how can he forget this important detail, stupid muggle.
"By the way, you accompanying me to this boutique after work?"
God only knows I need him there, with little to no female friends I need moral support from my best friend.
"What did you say?"
I don't know what he mumbled but it sure wasn't him agreeing.
"I said fine," he barely let out the last word without paying me any more attention he went straight to his work.
Why is he annoyed? Could it be due to the fact that I didn't call him back last night after Alex abruptly cut his call short?
Oops...
He sure has a reason then but in between finalizing the venue, menu, and the dress I was supposed to wear I really didn't had time to relax let alone text or call him back.
I've had my eyes on my mom's wedding dress as soon as I was big enough to grasp the concept of a wedding.
A simple white dress and lots of food and beautiful flowers were what I imagined it to be.
And now the time has finally arrived when I could wear it for real only to get heartbroken by the fact that I could barely get my second arm through it.
It was tight.
I spent the majority of the night crying about not fitting into it, I only calmed down when Alex suggested that I should wear something in olive green on the engagement to match his tie.
White's are for the wedding.
And if he was going to such lengths as to twin with me, which if I remember correctly he never liked. I can stop with this superfluous display of emotions.
However, now I've decided to cut back on food, how much ever heart-wrenching it is, I've to get in shape to fit in that wedding dress.
And if the only way is to eat rabbit food, sign me up please because I'm ready.
"Matt, pst Matt... hey stop ignoring me,"
He not only went on to completely ignore me, he even inclined his chair to the other side.
"Stop acting like Rose,"
Still, no response, annoyed at his childish behavior I tried again.
"You've got 5 minutes to straighten your act or I'll tell Leroy you've gotten a thing for him,"
This did get his attention.
"You won't?"
Leroy was the sweetest, most funny, and friendly homosexual guy you could ever meet.
And not only this he even got a thing for Matt.
When we two first started here everybody, including Leroy, thought that Matt bats for the other team, meaning he is 100 percent homosexual.
Matt's like Chandler from friends but a bit more muscular.
In simple terms a woman repellent.
"Oh, now you're talking to me?"
"Lunch on me after your fittings?"
He made them puppy dog eyes and honestly how can you not melt.
"Buy my gummy bears and we're even, save the lunch for some other day, Raven, mom, and Maya are going to be there as well,"
"And no Mr.bulldozer?"
"No, he has some important work to attend,"
The relief was evident on Matt's face.
I'll need to have a talk with the boys soon, if not friends they need to be civil towards each other, can't lose one because of the other.
Passing him a smile I got back to work. The quicker I'm done with this the sooner I can leave.
Easier said than done.
I just couldn't focus on these excel sheets today at all, there are a million things going around in my head. All leading to the only problem I have, my biggest enemy, my weight.
Sighing I looked down at myself, I don't even know whether they'll have my size at the boutique we're going to, it would be quite embarrassing if they don't sell anything above size 12.
This designer we're going to visit is some friend of Raven, an ace designer from Paris who recently opened her store here, "Gamme de Robes" whatever that means.
I'm getting anxious just by trying to pronounce the name, I don't know what will happen once I reach there.
Glancing down at my screen I checked the time for the umpteenth time, 11:30, just 30 minutes more till lunch and my freedom.
That is like 3 times 10 minutes, I could do it.
Fishing out my phone I quickly google the designer and boutique we're visiting, I like to stay prepared for what is in store for me. Mentally saving the dresses I'd like to try to the available sizes and their prices.
"Woah, woman show some decency,"
Covering his eyes, Matt pointed his hand at my phone screen, by now you all too must've learned that he's got a flair for the drama.
Rolling my eyes, I swatted his hand away before removing the one covering his eyes.
"This is decent okay?" shoving my phone at his face, I grab his arms before he could wail out an outcry again.
"Woman get it out of my face," he kept dodging my phone turning his head left and right.
"This is called lingerie, nothing indecent, this is what we wear to be modest,"
"I don't care just close it,"
I silently started laughing. "Your face Matt,"
Pointing once at his cheeks I bent over my chair, silently clapping my knees I straightened and his red cheeks sent me rolling over again.
"You're.... you're..." It was getting impossible to complete my sentence, I started to cough, water was running down my nose and my eyes had tears in them.
"You're blushing Matt," I somehow managed in between the laughter.
"I'm not, it's just too hot in here,"
"You're behaving as if you've never seen women in lingerie before," I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively at him to which his blush intensified.
"La La La La, I'm not listening to a word you're saying, goodbye I don't know you," stuffing his ears with his fingers he closed his eyes.
I might've teased him a bit more but my phone burped a text from Maya, "We're leaving, meet you at Gamme de Robes 😘✌ Don't be late and bring Matt he'll keep me company 🙈🙈"
"Matt hurry, come we gotta leave," I shut down my laptop grabbed my handbag all the while typing in my reply with one hand.
"Yeah, we're leaving too, see you there," hitting send I closed my phone.
"You sure we'll be back within an hour? Rachel would not let us live if we're late,"
"Yeah, I googled, the store is 3 blocks away from here, and Raven has already selected a dress, so in all, it won't take us long,"
I informed Matt as I turned on the GPS and we started our short walk to the store. Walking was much better right now if we want to avoid the lunch hour rush.
Sometimes being the tall girl has its advantages, like how I don't have to wear heels to work, comfortable flats are my go-to, and like how right now I could easily spot the name "Gamme de Robes" written in cursive big bold letters over an intimidating glass store above the heads of masses.
"Over there," I drag Matt along with me towards the store.
The bell dinged sweetly above our heads announcing our arrival to those already present inside.
"How may I help you?" a salesperson appeared out of thin air.
"Umm, yeah hey, we're here to meet with Raven and her friend,"
I don't know why I didn't sound or feel comfortable right now, it could be because the staff is busy scrutinizing me like I'm the fly inside their expensive Super Venti Flat White.
"Ma'am this isn't a café, it's a boutique, we sell clothes," he said in a tone you would use on a half-witted person and gestured with his hand at the array of clothes artistically presented all around on mannequins and hangers.
"We know what a boutique is, we have an appointment with one of your designers," Matt argued back in a defensive tone before I could take out my phone and contact Maya or Raven.
"Sure Sir, under what name?"
"Check under Kara or what's your financé's last name?" Informing the salesperson Matt said the last part quietly to me."
"Maxfield, check if there is a reservation under the name Raven Maxfield,"
"You're Mrs. Maxfield?"
"No, I'm Kara Knightly I'm with her," there was a sudden drop in his expressions as soon as he realized I'm not the one and only Mrs. Maxfield.
"Obviously,"
"We should look around until they arrive, come," Matt grabbed my hand and draped it around his arm.
I felt heat rise to my face, in complete embarrassment the moment I examined myself in the full-length mirrors placed strategically around the store.
There was sweat under my arms and my boobs which were quite visible through the pale blue shirt I was wearing, and the absence of sunscreen was quite visible on my sunburnt face and neck.
No doubt the staff was looking down on me. There was no way they would believe if I told them that I'm going to be the new Maxfield.
I can't even make myself believe.
Groaning I tried my level best to correct the state I'm in before everybody else arrives.
Thank the lord for Alex's business meetings. I wasn't ready to embarrass myself further in front of him.
"What about the one in red, red is totally your color,"
Matt unaware of the dilemma I'm in was busy overlooking the dresses on display.
"This isn't even my size," I hissed in his ear subtly to ensure the arrogant salesperson following us around doesn't hear me.
"Do you have a size bigger in this?"
I facepalmed myself internally as Matt asked the staff.
But before he could embarrass me further the bell at the front dinged announcing the arrival of new customers.
Craning our necks we looked towards the entrance and I took a breath of relief as Maya and others entered.
But the relief was short-lived because in came Alex busy on his phone after others.
"Sorry honey for the delay," Raven came forward and without another thought embraces me in a hug.
Oh boy, NO !!!