Blurred Lines 1: CHASE
Chapter 91

-Sofia-

Five floor-to-ceiling mirrors surrounded the circular platform where I stood. Swaying side to side, I admired every angle of the white fabric hugging my curves. Then it hit like someone splashed a bucket of ice-cold water on my face. Chills coated my entire body, from the soles of my feet right to my fingertips.

This is definitely happening. I'm getting married.

I nearly hyperventilated; I had to readjust the bodice cuddling my chest.

An ever growing lump lodged in my throat as I took in my reflection.

Harper, Todd's designer friend, transformed my idea into a reality. While we were cleaning our old house, I saw Mom's wedding dress stashed safely in the attic, along with their wedding photo and memorabilia of the day she got married to dad. Studying the woman in a white looking back at me, I was reminded of my conversation with Mom when I was seven. I told her I'd wear her wedding dress when I got married.

Harper removed the original puff sleeves and replaced them with lace straps. She turned the round neckline to a plunging V neckline with a V back to match. She added pearls to the lace motif and altered the bodice to fit my figure, and as I moved, the A-line skirt fell in soft waves of sparkling tulle.

This feels like a dream. It is a dream.

Mom would be so happy to see this dress, to see me wear her wedding dress. My eyes filled, a loud gasp. tugged me back to reality.

"Oh, my od," Clara stood at the entry of the salon's fitting room, a storm of emotion traipsing over her features. Surprise at first, then recognition, happiness, and a pinch of sadness, too.

Throughout this entire preparation, Clara took Mom's place. Her excitement, being a stickler for perfection, had gotten under my skin in more ways than one, but I'm truly grateful that she's here.

As Mom's maid of honor, she clearly recognized the dress.

Blinking away the tears gathering at the seams of my eyes, I made a twirl so she could get a full view of the dress. "What do you think?" My voice was thick with emotions.

Clara swallowed hard, keeping her feelings intact. "You look gorgeous, Sofia." Her lower lip quivered. "Luisa would be so proud of you." Like a broken dam, her tears overflowed, streaming down her cheeks.

I gathered the tulle of my dress and stepped down the circular platform, wrapping my arms around her.

Her body quivered, so did mine. We both miss Mom, and I would give anything for her to see me walk down the aisle in her dress.

"I'm sorry... I miss her," Clara murmured against my hair.

"Me too..." I sniffed. "I wish she was here."

"What did we miss?" Todd's cheerful voice broke the wistful tension inside the fitting room. Clara and I pulled apart, patting our eyes dry.

Todd, wearing a sharp purple suit, held Elise's hand, Harper and her assistant walking behind them. "Oh darling, you look stunning!" he gasped, placing a hand over his chest.

"Mommy, you look so pretty," Elise's eyes danced with delight, throwing herself on me, her arms going around. my waist.

"Thanks, honey," I said, sliding my hand down her cheeks. "Look at you," I gasped, eyeing her pink gown. "You are the prettiest flower girl in the world."

Elise giggled and made a little twirl, ending with a bow. Her dress was the small version of mine, a romantic lace motif with a scoop neckline. Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on FindNovel.net. Visit FindNovel.net to read the complete chapters for free. The A-line skirt is comprised of textured tulle. The front part of the skirt was shorter than the back. Elise requested that while we were designing her dress. She wanted to show off her cowgirl boots. And Julian, our ring bearer, would wear a cowboy hat and boots to match her attire.

I'm actually surprised the cousins would wear a dress and a suit and not dress up like Jessie and Woody.

"Do you need adjustment on the waist?" Harper inquired, Inspecting her already perfect work with sharp green eyes. Harper and Todd were perfectionists and added Clara to the mix; this wedding has little room for error

"Should I wear a strapless bra?" I cupped my breast with both hands.

"You don't need a bra!" Harper exclaimed. If I didn't know her better, I'd say my question offended her. "We don't need your bra strap or bra line showing on your wedding day." She looked mortified. "I'll sew a cup into your dress, so you don't need to worry about that."

"Oh, okay." My eyes slid to the silver clock on the wall. We had almost an hour to be at the Honey Glazed Cakes for the cake tasting. "Chase isn't here yet?" I asked Todd. He held my phone while I was fitting.

Todd pulled out my phone from his pants pocket, shaking his head. "No message or call from him."

"I'll call him."

Clara gushed, complimented Harper's work while I called Chase. He answered on the second ring; horns and traffic commotion filled the line. He was supposed to be in the office, on his way here by now. "Hey, are you on your way?" "Sit," he cursed. "Cake tasting... What time is it again?"

"You have thirty minutes."

"Fck. I won't make it, Sofia. Something came up." Though there was discord in his background, his stress and tension were loud and clear. "Sorry. I need to go, baby. I'll explain later." The line went dead before I could respond.

I frowned at my phone..

"Everything okay?" Todd asked, his perfectly plucked brows furrowed.

"He won't make it," I sighed. "Something came up in the office."

"Oh, so it's just gonna be us then," Todd nodded in understanding.

Elise enjoyed the cake tasting very much. In fact, she made choosing the cake flavor and the pastries so much easier. She clearly got her sweet tooth from me. And after cake tasting, Clara took Elise with her for a sleepover. Clara has her once every two weeks. My daughter has her own room in their place.

The moment Clara learned I was pregnant with Elise, she urged Diego to move to the US to be closer to their only granddaughter. I wanted Elise to have a close relationship with her grandparents, and a night off with Chase was most welcomed. We planned to have dinner out, but he canceled that as well.

This isn't like him. Whatever happened in the office must be something huge.

'Out with Rafa. I'll be home late. Sorry, baby. I'll make it up to you.' His message came when I got home.

Our five-bedroom mansion was too quiet without Elise and Chase. I wasn't entirely alone. Our driver, Jose, resides at the pool house, but he wasn't exactly the kind of company I could watch a movie or have a night out with.

I ended up sending a message to my group chat with Georgia and Jessica. 'Home alone. Want to come over for movie and wine?"

The three little dots wobbled. Jessica and Georgia were typing.

I'm still at the office. I'll be there as soon as I'm done, Jessica's message came in first.

'Out with the 'devil's spawn,' [:rolling eyes: emoji].' Georgia's message popped in next.

I frowned, Chase said he was with Rafa.

'OMG! 'Are you two back together? [face with hand over mouth emoji]' 'I want gists!' Jessica sent three messages consecutively.

'Nope. He appeared at my doorstep and won't take no for an answer. [:rolling eyes: :unamused:] I'll get rid of him. Please tell me I can raid your wine closet later, Soph [:smiling face with tear:]'

'Of course slight_smile:]" I replied, even though I wasn't in the mood to drink anymore.

Why would Chase lie to me?