Page 1 of Risking it All

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Zenia (Zen-ee-ya) Morgan

“No,” I blurted before I could stop myself.

The bride-to-be blinked slowly in the mirror, frowning before she responded to my outburst. “Excuse me?”

I shook my head, bringing myself back to the moment. The last thing I wanted to do was ruin her big day.

“I mean, no, this isn’t quite right. I think the sleeves could be taken up a little bit. It’ll make you look leaner.”

Kimberly was actually stunning in the lacy snow-white gown. The sheer sleeves were decorated with lacy flowers giving her the dainty but elegant look she was going for. The dress was almost perfect.

“I was actually thinking that too. They should hit a little lower.”

“We’ll get that ready for you in a day or two.”

“I can’t believe this is really happening,” she said, patting her tear ducts with her fingertips as tears gathered in her eyes.

“Oh, my goodness, my baby is finally getting married,” her mom said, walking up to stand beside us.

“Don’t say finally like I’m an old maid, Mama.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. You know what I mean, don’t you, Zenia?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I quickly nodded.

The last thing I needed was another despondent bride. My heart was heavy enough just thinking about my pending nuptials. I didn’t need that rubbing off on my clients. It was my job to make sure the bride felt beautiful on her wedding day. There was no room for sad tears.

“Thank you so much, Zenia. You are absolutely amazing,” Kimberly said, turning to face me.

“Thank you. You’re going to be a beautiful bride,” I said, forcing a smile.

There was no reason for me not to smile, other than my heavy heart. Kimberly was and would be beautiful on her wedding day. Once Kimberly and her family were gone, I was finally able to have a much-needed moment of quiet. I stood there for a while staring at the empty pedestal where she had been standing. Every bride stood on that pedestal anxiously awaiting their wedding day. Each one of them was ready to live out a dream come true. For me, it only represented a nightmare.

“Zenny!”

“Yeah?” I turned around to find Emerson standing behind me with her hands on her hips.

“What’s wrong?” she quizzed, walking deeper into the room with a frown etched on her face.

“Nothing, I was just thinking.”

“I’ve been calling your name for a whole minute. You had me scared for a second,” she said with a nervous smile.

“I’m fine. I swear,” I assured her, tearing my eyes away from my reflection in the mirror and letting them drift over to my boss.

“You sure you good, girl?” she pressed, walking over to stand in front of me.

“I am, but can I try my dress on before we go?”

“Sure.” She agreed, but she stood there studying my face for a full beat before blinking away whatever unreadable expression covered her face. It only lasted for a fraction of a second, but I caught it.

“Thank you. I’ll be out in a second,” I said when she finally turned and left the dressing room.

I could still picture my own dress fitting, which had been two months ago. Now I was rapidly approaching my wedding day, and I had yet to try the dress on again to check the alterations.

When I was in my wedding dress, I almost felt like a real bride. For a moment, I forgot that I was being forced to marry the backup husband my dad allowed to buy me after my originally assigned groom decided that he no longer wanted to marry me.