Obsession

Chapter Thirty - Trenta

We must have tried on a thousand dresses, at least that was how it felt. Mrs Bennet didn't like any of them. Her face scrunches up, and she shakes her head. "Too revealing." 

She was correct; I thought as I adjusted the bust. It was a strapless, low-cut bodice. Every time I walked, the bodice shifted and slowly travel down. I would have to stop every few steps to tug it back up. 

"Here," she shoves another dress in my arms. "This is the last one, so fingers cross it's the one." 

I amble back to the room and slip out of the current dress. The dress Mrs Bennet was a halter style dress, with a low cut back. The waist was slim-fitted but flared out toward the bottom. I twirled around in the full-length mirror in the room, running my hands over the sheen material. The dress flattered every curve I have. 

I pictured my hair in a loose braided bun and a tiara veil. A slight blush to my cheek and nude lips. This was the dress. A fussy feeling formed in my stomach. I married Ales before, so why did this feel any different?

A knock on the bedroom door broke me from my thoughts. "Er, yes?" I stumble. 

The door slowly opens. A smile forms on my face when I see Sofia standing there, smiling. She signs. "You look beautiful." 

I take in her off-white flowy dress. Her dark hair was pinned up with a beaded tiara. "You look like a princess." 

"What's the hold-up?" Mrs Bennet calls out, walking into the room. She stops in her tracks when she looks at me. A smile appears on her face, which takes me by surprise, the whole time we've been here, she has only frowned. I was beginning to think that was her actual face. 

"I guess we did save the best till last." She flicks her wrist and clicks her teeth. "We have thirty minutes to do your makeup and hair." 

Mrs Bennet clicks her fingers and five women rush in and drag me to the seat near the vanity and talked amongst themselves about what they were planning. One of them takes my hand and starts working on my nails. Another stood behind me and started to mess with my hair. She looks in the mirror and cocks her head, giving it a shake, and tries another style. 

I was then taken by surprise when a sponge landed on my face and a woman began dabbing at it, blending in foundation. Sofia sat on the bed giggling away. 

"She's adorable that one." The lady painting my nails says. "So sad she doesn't talk, I bet she would have a beautiful voice." 

I nod in agreement and imagine how Sofia would sound. Her laugh was a sweet angelic sound. You can't help but feel happy when you hear her. I understand why she won't talk. Rico filled me in, as did Ales. Sofia was just a little girl who had her whole world ripped from her.  Ales and Rico do all they can to help her. They learned sign language and got her schooling, though I feel she could do better than being homeschooled. I was that child, and I hated it. 

The tutors my father had for me, never had my best interests. They were only there to get close to my father. I wonder if I could convince Ales to send Staci to an actual school where she can meet people her own age. 

"And... done!" I was twirled around so I could get a good glimpse of myself in the mirror. The hair was how I had envisioned it; soft stands delicately placed to frame my face. My make-up is not too bright, and more on the natural side. My nails too were kept natural; coated in a clear varnish. 

I guess the only thing left to do was say I do. I stood, and one of the ladies fixed my dress. I turned and thanked her. Sofia jumped from the bed and gleefully smiled. Mrs Bennet made herself known and handed Sofia a small bouquet of flowers; white roses. She then picked up a much larger bouquet from the table and carefully made her way over to me. The flowers with similar to Sofia's but one single red rose sat in the very center; making itself known.