Speak To Me
Chapter 34 –

(Gabriella)

I watched as the door opened, letting in multiple people pushing racks of white dresses through the door, making my jaw drop...there were so many.

Jamie wanted to stay and help me pick out the dress, but I told him it would be bad luck. He can't see me in my wedding gown before the big day! Everyone knows that..everyone but Jamie apparently..I literally had to push him out the door.

But my dad came instead. I felt a little melancholy, knowing this would have been a time when my mother would've played a huge role in my life..but I never had that..I was happy enough just to have Daddy here though.

"Miss Kensington, we brought many different types of styles for you to try on. Your fiancé insisted that you pick whichever ones you like." The woman dressed in a neat black skirt and white button-up shirt explained.

I glanced toward my dad who was sitting on the sofa and he nodded towards me before smiling.

"Well sweetheart, have a look." He encouraged, making me beam with excitement as I walked towards the racks of dresses."Stop! This book belongs to obniẞ.M. If you're seeing it on another site, it's not the original. Visit us at obniẞ.m for the real deal and authentic chapters."The woman who stayed behind walked up beside me, making small talk and grabbing whichever dress I seemed to linger on as my dad just sat there, looking at me somberly.

He seemed to be stuck in his own head too and for a moment I wondered if he was thinking about Mom as well.

I gazed at all the beautiful white and cream-colored gowns when my eyes were drawn to one in particular.

It had long white sleeves with a straight across neckline and a diamond cut out in the back. It reminded me a lot of the first dress I met Jamie in but way more elegant.

The shape was a mermaid style and I noticed the woman next to me smiling brightly before reaching for it.

"Excellent choice Miss Kensington, this is actually a one of a kind piece made by an up and coming designer." She explained as I nodded thoughtfully before touching the smooth texture again.

"Would you like to try this one on first?" She asked, making me nod once again as I glanced towards Daddy.

"I will be waiting right out here Bunny." He stated, reassuring me that he wasn't going anywhere.

I led the woman towards Jamie and my room and stripped down to my bra and panties while she turned away.

"It's funny, when Mr. Sinclair was telling me about you, this is the first dress that popped into my mind." The woman who I learned was named Laura explained, making my eyes dart towards her.

"You probably want to know what he said don't you?" She asked with a sly smile as I nodded eagerly.

After helping me into the dress, she went to the back before buttoning it for me.

"Well, he said you were beautiful and sweet..that you have a natural elegance about you and are the kindest woman he has ever met. He also expressed to me that you can make him laugh without even speaking a single word and that you have the most beautiful smile he has ever seen." She whispered sweetly, making me smile brightly as I felt tears filling my eyes..he really said all of that?

"And from what I can see, he was absolutely right..now let's have a look in the mirror." She whispered before coming around the front and taking my hand.

I walked over to the floor-length mirror, my eyes widening with shock as I let out a gasp before slapping my hands over my mouth.

I looked at the woman, unsure if what I was seeing was real as she nodded and went around to the back.

"You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen..and this rarely happens on the first try Miss Kensington..but I think this might be the one." She whispered as I nodded in agreement.. This dress...it looked like it was made for me..

I strode out into the hall, taking a deep breath as I saw the back of my dad's head before circling the couch to face him.

I watched as his eyes landed on my feet before gliding up as he looked at me with shock.

"Bunny, you..you looked beautiful." He breathed before standing and taking a tentative step forward.

"Do you like it?" I signed, making him nod as I watched tears fill his eyes.

"It's perfect. Your mother..she would be so proud of you." He choked out, making me lose it now as I ran to my dad and crashed into him, giving him a tight hug.

"I'm so proud of you..you have grown into such a beautiful and kind woman. Jamie is a lucky man." He stated as I tried not to get tears onto my dress as Daddy continued to hold me tight.

"I know I asked you this before sweetie..are you sure this is what you want..he treats you well right?" Dad suddenly asked worriedly.

"Of course Daddy, Jamie has been nothing but kind and respectful." I reassured while moving my hands smoothly.

"Good, I just want you to be happy..you are the most important thing to me Gabriella." My dad stated, making my heart ache as I saw the worry and guilt he still had.

"I love you, daddy, are you going to be able to walk me down the aisle? Or will we both be crying too much?" I signed playfully making my dad laugh before reaching up and cupping my face.

"I think I should be okay, but I can't make any promises." He teased before kissing me on the forehead and hugging me to his chest again.

"Gabriella, I spoke to Jamie. He doesn't want your sisters or stepmother to be there..did you know this?" Daddy asked, making me pull back and shake my head no in confusion.

A part of me wondered how it would go if they were there..but I didn't realize Jamie asked my dad not to invite them.

"Is that what you would like sweetheart?" He asked me now as I bit my lip anxiously before looking down at my hands.

"There will be many people there, I know it isn't exactly appropriate but Robert has invited a lot of his friends and a few investors..considering it is still a contract marriage, it's also a celebration of our companies coming together and it doesn't seem right not to have your family there..." Daddy explained.

I know he didn't mean for this to happen..but hearing him bring up the contract made my stomach twist..I guess to me, it isn't about that anymore.

Tomorrow night I am meeting Jamie's mom for the first time and I have gotten along with his friends so far..I just feel like we are a real couple now..but I know this is important to Daddy and Mr. Sinclair even.

"Okay, I understand." I signed, making my dad sigh before stepping back.

"I will make sure they are on their best behavior okay? I promise bunny..I won't let anything ruin your big day no matter what..and maybe after the marriage is final, maybe we can all come together again. I know Cecelia is bitter, but she will get over it eventually." "Yes, Daddy."

I signed back to him.

Yes, they could come to the wedding..but I won't have anything to do with them..and if they try to ruin this for me, I won't just lay back and take it like before.

I'm done being their punching bag and hopefully, Cecelia realizes that now after yesterday.

"Come on sweetheart, why don't you change out of this and we can go get some lunch." My dad offered and I nodded in agreement, looking down at my dress once again as I took a shuddering breath.

I know this started as a contract and was meant to bring the companies together..but this is much more than that to me..this is my dream come true and I can't wait to marry my prince charming.