Shelby slumped down on the couch.
"To-night?!" mother and daughter exclaimed but for different reasons.
"Of course! They would be here for Shelby very soon."
"James! How could you withhold such important information from me? This dress is not adequate for a wedding! Why would you do this to me!" Clara whined!
She was clearly more upset about her attire than that of the prospective bride.
Shelby breathed a deep gulp of air as she felt her whole being shake.
"I got you a new dress just for this occasion, honey!"
"Really? Honey! You are the best!"
James walked over and helped his wife up without sparing a glance at Shelby.
"But what of Rocky? He is only due back home next weekend. He is going to miss his sister's wedding! Can't we move this back?"
Clara asked in her whiny voice, and James smiled broadly. "I'm sorry, honey. They just informed me this afternoon. Rocky can just go visit his sister when he comes back. Those two are very close, so, he would understand."
"Oh… it can't be helped then."
Shelby looked at her parents and tried to musk what she was feeling on the inside to no avail.
'I did not even have time to prepare myself for this. I was only told of this a few minutes ago, and I have to get married today? and In a few hours too? What am I going to do? I can't – I mean… do I even have a choice?'
She intoned, contemplating from different angles because it made no sense no matter how she looked at the situation. But that was expected of James, though.
Her unseeing eyes fell on the opened catalogue that featured her. 'I look so beautiful and happy here. When did I even take this picture?' she wondered as she tuned out her parent's lovey-dovey remarks.
'I don't even own a dress like that, so how-'
She smiled. A sad smile that made the two maids in the room with them look away. What was the use of all those riches if one had to go through such things? It tugged their heartstrings but they were in no position to help Shelby.
'Why is Miss Shelby always trying her best to keep her mother happy?" one whispered and was pinched by the other, "Shhhh!"
'Figures! James is the best in editing software for pictures and videos. Why didn't I think of that!' Shelby thought as she stared at the beautiful picture of herself. She could even pass as a celebrity. She could imagine the envious gazes of some of her friends if they saw it. Some words from a few of her acquaintances now made sense. It's a pity that none of them were forthcoming with their info. Maybe she could have left this hom-
'Who am I kidding? For Mum and Rocky's sake, I wouldn't have gone anywhere,' she thought as she continued examining the picture.
'I would fall in love with myself if I saw this picture. It is beautifully done!'
It was just that Shelby had never in her life put that much exquisite makeup on, nor had she ever dressed like the model-like figure that covered the whole page of the bride catalogue.
The catalogue featured about twenty girls in each edition, and the name described it perfectly. It was an ad for brides. But only a certain class of women qualified for it.
Shelby had never paid much attention to it, so she had never seen herself featured in it.
Another lone tear fell off, and she quickly cleaned it lest her mother saw it.
"What is that document there James?"
"Oh, that's just one contract I have to look over."
"Don't tell me you're going to do that today? Of all days? You work too hard!"
"I'm sorry honey. I'll put it away and do that tomorrow,"
"You better do that!" James signalled so that one of the two maids stationed in the room walked over and took the file to his office and out of prying eyes. Shelby kept her head slightly bent as all these went on until she heard her name mentioned.
"What of Shelby?"
"What of her?"
"Her dress! I mean her wedding dress! What are we going to do about it?"
'She finally remembered her daughter's dress?' one maid thought.
"You worry about unnecessary things, honey."
"Unnecessary? James?! It's my only daughter's marriage! I mean… our only daughter! First, you don't even give me time to dress appropriately! And then you tell me that it's unnecessary to worry about her dress!"
"I'm sorry, honey. That came out wrong. Since you are the same body size as her, what of your white dress from Pierre's last season's collection?"
"…last season's collection? That is absolutely unheard of!" Clara started getting hysterical. Shelby still sat on the sofa and watched the two as if the most interesting TV program was going on live.
"Listen, honey…." James bent a little at the waist and held his wife's arms, successfully getting her attention. He let go of one arm and smoothed the worried creases on her face.
"I don't want you worrying about this and getting wrinkles as a result...
"Oh no! Am I getting wrinkles?" she asked in a panic.
"Of course not, honey. You are as perfect as could be!" He leaned in to kiss her forehead as
Clara sighed in relief but then asked, "About Shelby? What do I do? Last year's colle-"
"Shhhhh…. Don't worry about that, my honey. It has come to this. If she doesn't get that, she may have to wear her old clothes-"
"No, no, no, that will never happen! Why would you say such disturbing words! Those dresses are not appropriate. It's the wedding of the only daughter of the Wendover household! Even though she does not carry your last name, she is known to all as your only daughter! It can't be helped; we have to do that dress then…"
Turning to Shelby, her mother asked, "You don't mind wearing an old dress of mine, right?"
Shelby spared a look at her stepfather and the way he was fawning at her mother and thought to herself, 'This is the right thing to do'.
For the last thing Shelby wanted then was for her mother to become hysterical.
"Of course not, Mum. I would love to!" She replied with a bright smile, and Clara relaxed.
"It's settled then. Let's get this done before-"
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Mr and Mrs Wendover. There is a guest from the Thornston's here."
"Already?"
Another wave of panic flashed over Shelby as the reality of her predicament sunk in.
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