''What do you think?'' Sam asked after a moment of scrutiny.
Arianne wore a look of uncertainty.
''You want to try out another option?''
''Certainly, Sam. What do you think babe?'' The bride turned for approval from her soon- to-be husband.
''Even if you wore a sack, my baby would be the prettiest bride ever existing''
''Aw, thank you baby''
She blushed and walked over to him and leaned in to share a brief kiss, while seated on his laps.
Samantha smiled softly at the love birds as well as the designers and other staff members in the room.
''Let's look at other options, Sam''
''Sure, Kelsey please....'' Sam motioned towards her assistant.
''This way, Miss Grenade'' Kelsey led the bride into the changing room.
Pulling out her phone Sam dialed a number with the ID 'Jess'.
''Miss, Samantha'' the voice came through once the call went through.
''Jess, how's everything going with the catering service? Have you finally been able to convince them?''
''Yes, miss. We've planned out everything with them and they're going to get some sample cakes ready for the couple to do the tasting''
''Sure. Don't forget to send me the address''
''You got it''
*call ends*
''Simon, come over here please''
A blonde short, feminine guy run up to her ''Miss?''
''You brought back absolutely no news about the invitation cards. Why's that?''
''I'm sorry, miss. But trust me, its done''
''Of course it is done, Simon! But how well? I mean the design could be beautiful. But have you crosschecked for any grammatical error or something? Why don't I have no sample at what it looks like in hardcopy?''
''I'll have it brought to your office immediately we get back, Miss''
''As should be and tell Amy to get me my coffee! I'm stressed out''
''On it, miss''
''Everyone, here comes the bride!'' Kelsey announced with so much drama sending the vibe in the room, lively.
Immediately Arianne stepped into the room, there was a loud silence.
''This is the dress'' Sam whispered incoherently.
''Oh...that's my wife?'' The groom looked speechlessly at the gorgeous woman before everyone.
''Yes, Mr Grenade'' The bride answered with tears brimming in her eyes.
He run to envelope her in a hug, disrupting the busy assistant designers whi were busy straightening and trying to deWny fault, should there be any.
''Love is beautiful''
Sam turned at the sound of that, to meet Kelsey wiping tears out of her eyes, before putting back on her glasses.
''It is, Kelsey. It is'' she muttered.
''Miss, Sam. We love this''
''Glad you do, Arianne. Good choice too, this is a Mary Luo design, after all. Kelsey, do the necessary''
''Sure miss''
''Next stop, Bakrielle!''
''Miss, your coffee''
'' Ah, thanks Amy'' Sam grabbed it and picked her bag, immediately walking out of the premises.
Her phone rang.
It was Racheal.
''Hey Rachel''
''Oh no! What's wrong boo? You sound stressed!''
'' Because I am''
''Ugh, take a break Sam. Its needed sometimes''
''What's up with you?''
''What's up with me? We're moving to Paris soon! To start everything. I'm so excited''
''Of course you are''
''Everybody is too. And I was wondering if you're going to be able to travel with us to Paris''
''Uhm..after making me drop the Queen's birthday party, I've only got the Grenade's wedding to plan, which we're almost done with by the way''.
''Oh, so that means, you'll be available on the 24th?''
''Probably''
''Good because that is when we're travelling. I can't wait!''
''Me too''
''I'll see you soon''
''Sure''
Call ends
Sam looked outside the car's window, expectantly awaiting her team to be in theirs while ordering her driver to start the car.
The driver paid heed and off they sped to Bakrielle for the tasting.
*
*
*
AT BAKRIELLE
Sam stepped out elegantly out of the car and sashayed her way into the grand building, commanding the attention of people all around. She pretended not to notice the stares all on her, the hands pointing at her and even the phones held up in her direction.
Of course, that was the famous events planner, Samantha Thompson, famous for her top notch wedding planning skills. Sam walked straight towards the receptionist.
''Excuse me...''
''Hi, Miss Samantha''
She turned to the direction of the voice.
''Hi?''
''I'm Arielle, CEO, Bakrielle''
''Oh, I believe my assistant has you filled in on everything''
''Yes please, come this way''
*
*
*
Sam followed Arielle into a large area with exquisitely designed glass tables in different areas, with chairs for four fixated by them. One chair faced three others and the setting had the cakes or other pastries the customers wanted arranged on them , upon arrival.
There were people in there,quietly tasting all sorts of baked goods and other cooked foods while subtle music played in the background.
''I must say, you've got a really nice place!'' Sam commented.
''That coming from you is huge!'' Arielle replied and the two let out a soft laugh.
''Please, take a seat''
''Thank you''
''What would you like? Water, smoothie...'' She hands her a cute menu containing a list of free drinks.
''Coke will do me some good''
''Sure. Kayla!''
A young girl ran to attend to her boss.
''A glass of chilled coke please''
''Only that, ma'am?''
''Anything else, Miss Sam?''
''No, thank you very much''
The girl ran right back.
''And please address me as Sam or Samantha''
''Going to be hard but, okay...miss S...''
Sam side-eyed her playfully.
''Okay Sam''
The two shared another soft laugh and spent time discussing business matters to while away time while awaiting the team to come over. After a while, Kelsey spotted Sam and rushed over to her with the bride and groom following suit with two of their guards.
''Kelsey!'' Sam gave her a stare.
''Sorry Miss, we had a few things to do'' she apologized.
''Arielle, meet our couples. Arianne and Josh''
''Hi''
Arielle shook hands with the two and the couple took a seat by each other, with locked up hands, looking so much dazed in love.
Immediately, the requested sample cakes were brought over.
''Here, are five beautiful cakes. You can read the stamps in front of them to know the type you're tasting.''
''You go first, love'' Josh said to his bride with so much love in his eyes.
''Sure babe''
Arianne took a first bite of the vanilla cake, then her groom. They liked it and went ahead to try the chocolate flavoured one which they absolutely loved. The next one was a caramel flavoured cake.
The bride grabbed the dessert fork and took out a bit of the soft and delicious goodness.
''Mm!''
''Its good?''
''Babe, this is amazing! Have a bite''
Josh took a bit of the cake too and was very impressed with the caramel cake.
''This one's good'' He said, like he'd tasted the remaining two already but decided.
''Here, share my own'' Josh fed his soon-to-be wife the remaining cake on his fork. He gently cleaned the stain at the corners of her lips.
Sam felt happy and tired of them showcasing their love at the slightest things.
''This is it! We love this one''
''Sure, I'm glad you do. So we'll talk details with the planner''
''Of course, Sam is the absolute best and I know she'll dazzle us again. Just remember I want a four layered cake, Sam''
''You've got it, Miss Arianne''
''We'll leave now. Right love?'' The groom asked on his feet, holding out a hand to his queen.
''Yes, babe. Thank you everyone. See you next two days for our special day'' The bride said and kissed her groom for the hundredth time that day, if Sam was counting right!
''See you love birds''
''Bye''
''Safe ride to you two''
They rushed out hand in hand, with their guards following suit.
*
*
*
Evening
The gate opened and the car drove in smoothly into the garage of the beautiful mansion.
Sigh. Sam came out after the chauffeur opened her door as she was too tired to even raise her brows. She walked into her home feeling ready to hug her bed tight. She was travelling to the Caribbeans soon afterall.
''Good evening, Sam''
''Hi,Betty''
''Welcome back. Dinner is served''
''Yes, thank you. I'll just go freshen up, and come back down''
''Sure, child''
*
*
*
Sam came downstairs in a bit and headed off to the dinning area.
No sooner had her cook begin serving her, when a voice squealed through out the building.
''Where is that workaholic at? Where is you at?''
''Rachel?''
Sam took out her phone and texted her,her location in the house. She was too tired to go back down or shout to grab her attention.
''Hi baby!'' Rachel came trooping in after a second.
''What's up?''
''Love's been up. How about you?''
Rachel threw her heels into a corner and ran to take a seat. She placed down a box.
''The wine?'' Sam guessed.
''Yup, we're still drinking to my engagement!''
''Yeah, yeah. I saw the Vale's dinner on social media. They posted it on their insta stories''
''Yes girl! I'm done working for those classy, emotionally abusive individuals. More reason to celebrate huh?''
''Really, Rachel? We both know how that's been a prayer point for you''
''Well....oh thank you miss Betty'' Rachel said after the woman served her too.
''You know what? Let's dig in and drink tonight''
The two chatted deep into the night while ravaging their foods with Rachel been the pressure pump of the conversation. Constantly causing her best friend to burst with laughter. Rachel always had lots to say!They packed up the dishes and cleaned up after they were all done.
Rachel led the conversation up into Sam's room and changed into one of her best friend's night wears, she was going to spend the night there and the next day as well since it was a free day for them both. Samantha had the Grenade's wedding to attend the day after the next day.
Rachel unboxed the bottle and set to opening it.
''Its alcoholic?'' Sam asked with her eyes on the box in her hands.
''Yup, why?!''
''I don't do lots of alcohol''
''But you do alcohol''
''No, I don't do alcohol?!''
''Ugh...you're not allergic Sam!!'' Rachel said after an eye roll.
''....''
''Its just a shared bottle, tonight. Please'' Rachel pouted.
''Can I say no to you?''
''Never!''
Sam rolled her eyes playfully and the two shared a laugh.
Rachel handed the first glass to her friend and poured out a second for herself.
''Here's to a successful trip and wedding'' Rachel said and raised her glass.
''Toast''
''And to a successful married life, my dear friend''
''Aww, toast to that''
''Also, to you finding a life partner in Paris, like you almost did in Rome''
''Uhh...''
''Toast to that!'' Rachel drank to it regardless her friend's hesitation and teased her friend for her rigidity towards love.