An Inevitable Fate?

Rachel felt suffocated when she heard her mom. Yes, it was just two months for her marriage with her ex-husband's childhood friend, Darren.

She didn't know if she should feel happy or sad about her marriage. She had believed that her life had ended when Eric left her, but now, she was ready to marry another person. How was she supposed to feel this? She didn't know! But she knew one thing, she didn't have any say in this. Or maybe, she did, but she had chosen not to.

From the day she moved to this house, all she received was nothing but happiness. When Colin and Gabriel found out her liking towards Eric, they were the happiest people on earth. They did all sorts of things to help her, for her happiness. But in the last, sadness was the only thing that welcomed them. Now that they were happy about her marriage, how could she let them down? Now it was her time to return their kindness and love to make them happy again. Her happiness didn't matter anymore.

"Hello!" Crysta waved her hand in front of Rachel who looked like she was dreaming.

Rachel came back to her senses and saw that everyone was looking in her direction. God!

"Yeah? Yeah, let's go?" She stood up awkwardly to cover up her embarrassment.

"You sure? Do you want some more time for day-dreaming?" Sarcasm was filled in Crysta's voice.

Rachel glared her friend threateningly which looked funny actually.

"Let's go." She walked front leaving her annoying friend behind but there was a faint smile on her face. That's the power her friend had on her.

As they started to walk, they saw Darren following them.

Crysta raised her eyebrow, already guessing it.

"I don't mind accompanying you girls for shopping and, I'm free too." Though he meant his words for everyone, his eyes were fixed on Rachel.

"Sure." Before anyone could say anything, Rachel accepted for him.

They all got into Darren's Audi for going. Crysta and Jane hopped into back seats which left Rachel without an option. She went and sat in the passenger seat.

All the while, it was Jane, Crysta, and Darren who spoke. Once in awhile, Rachel would comment with a few words.

After half an hour, they reached a boutique called Laurence's best fit. It was famous for tailor-made dresses. They would take only a handful of orders in a year. They were behind the quality rather than quantity.

As soon as these four entered, a man came to receive them. He went directly towards Rachel and engulfed her in a hug. She responded with the same passion.

"I missed you so much!" He exclaimed.

"What to do? I don't think I have missed you at all!" Rachel pouted.

The man smacked her forehead playfully and stepped back, putting his hands in the pant pockets.

"This is Nichole, the owner of this shop." Rachel introduced the man to others who were wondering what was going on.

"Owner?" Crysta was the first one to speak this time. She scanned him from top to bottom curiously.

Nichole just smiled at them. This was not the first time he was seeing this reaction. He was just a 22-year old guy but he had established a boutique three years back, that cost many millions now. Though he was the owner of the famous boutique, he was a simple person. Now also, he was in plain washed out jeans and a simple white t-shirt. A pair of white sneakers complimented his looks. All in all, he was a tall and handsome guy with a casual look.

"Really? You look like a next-door guy!" Crysta still couldn't believe it.

"Thanks for the compliment. Let's go." He winked at her and took them upstairs which was meant for the VIPs'.

"Trust me, he wasn't like this before!" Rachel whispered to Crysta who still had are-you-kidding-me look.

"Fill me about this later. A beer and a gossip!"

"Deal!"

They entered an empty private room. Except for wooden sofas, nothing else was there.

"Rachel had already informed me about the banquet. I have a few sets of hand-picked dresses that you ladies could try. My assistant will take you from here. Is that all right?" Nichole asked in a professional tone.

"Sure, we will be fine."

Once Rachel assured him, he nodded and left the room. After a few seconds, an assistant came with two more women, carrying dresses. They started arranging the dresses in two rows.

When everything was set, one of the women spoke,

"The first row of dresses is our new edition. Ms. Rachel can select any dress from this row. They were specifically picked up by Mr.Nichole for you."

Which meant, others were not allowed to select them. Darren narrowed his eyes at this.

"Talk about the royal treatment!" Crysta teased her. Jane just scoffed and went to select, hopping.