The Grand Mistress

Feather was frantic that day. She was about to shop for a wedding dress and as a tradition, Hawk had to be there to see how his bride was. Early in the morning they drove past the city into a glamorous fashion house that specializes in wedding gowns. Feather then was with Hawk, and Ami and Lucas tailed on them as usual. 

When they reached the fashion house, many came to greet them and lead them into a private room that had been prepared for them. Inside that room was a sofa that served as a nesting for the guest but most especially, this was meant for the groom who will be catered there as he awaits his bride to be. In front of the table was a big curtain where the store's staff  members prepared for VIP clients. There the bride will be prepared for her final look and be hidden from his groom until she is ready.

"We are pleased to have you in our presence, President Hawk, Miss Han," The staff bowed to them and carefully prepared a wine for them to drink. Lucas as always didn't want to spend all his day watching the lovers so he went outside and waited at the reception area.

As soon as Hawk sat on the sofa, Feather was then guided to another room where she was to choose the gown she wanted. Ami accompanied her and so Hawk was left all alone in that room waiting so patiently.

In the other room where Feather was brought, she was amazed to see the glamour that awaited her. In front of her and Ami were beautiful wedding gowns all in white and shining crystals and diamonds. For a moment they stood there as if all those shining things paused all their rationality.

"Miss Han, we've chosen ahead a couple of wedding gowns recommended by our stylists," One staff member revealed. "We have a team of best designers and they carefully assessed all these gowns. They wanted to recommended these dresses for you as they thought it will suit you well,"

"Are these the most expensive ones?" Ami raised a brow at it, feeling offended that they had chosen without even asking Feather first if she liked it. 

Truth was the recommendation made by the store was part of their service. As it was one of the best shops that sells wedding gowns, they knew that some of the elites don't have time to choose for themselves so they hired a team of designers to recommend something to the bride. This was only to give her an idea of what she wanted and if she rejects those that had been recommended, at least she had now a basis of what style she would prefer and would work for her.

"All of our gowns are expensive Miss," The staff answered, "I assure of it is the best of quality,"

"No I was asking if this was the most expensive one," Ami pressed further and Feather at her back also looked at the staff in gaze that was rather telling she was annoyed.

"Some of them were the top of the line. It means they had the top prices," The staff who was well trained not to offend clients explained further, "Some were made by the best designers in the city who thinks Miss Han's beauty was already glamorous and recommended a simpler gown,"

Hearing it, Feather was a bit pleased. Her face relaxed at the flattery but wasn't at all convinced that she needed a simple gown.

"Just recommend to me those that are top of the line," Feather instructed. "I will be married to Hawk Monsanto, it will be big offense if I wear something simple on our wedding,"

"Yes Miss," The staff obeyed and cued all the ladies that were in her back to take off the gown that wasn't on the top of the line. Only three gowns remained from the ten that were prepared. Feather then scrutinized  which one she liked. 

"Let me try them all," Feather said and immediately all the staff helped her dress up. A makeup artist also came and redo her makeup to match up the gowns, as well as a hairstylist.

"Urg, this is heavy. Let me try the other,"

"This doesn have much of diamonds!"

"I don't like this, it's too conservative. I want something that is a bit sexy," 

When the three gowns didn't suit her tastes, the staff  members pulled more gowns for her pleasure.

"I don't like the lace in this one,"

"God! Don't you have anything that's nice?"

As the time advanced, Feather grew more impatient with the dresses she tried on. She can't really decide what she wanted and since she refused the earlier recommendations of the designers, the staff didn't recommend anymore. They just let her have what she wanted, anyways, the longer the couple will stay in the store, the more their pay will be.

***

Hawk waited for hours but there seemed to be no improvement. He wondered then if Feather had chosen already or it was just the preparation that had caused more delay. The worst thing was that Lucas refused to accompany him and so he was already boring himself out. He wanted to leave and take a stroll but he didn't want to miss Feather when she's done.

"Do you need something,  President Hawk?" One staff member went to check on him and got worried because apart from all their VIP clients that day, it was him who had been waiting for a long time.

"How's Feather?" He asked, curious and almost wanting to ask how many hours it will take more.

"Miss Han is taking a long time to prepare, President. She wanted to be perfect for you today," The staff member put a good word for Feather as they always do. However deep inside she was utterly cursing the ballerina for giving her colleagues a hard time then. She didn't know why but that Feather seemed to be so obsessed with all shining things she even demanded a makeup that glitters. What does she think of herself, a Christmas tree?

"Don't worry President, she is well taken care of," The woman assured him and poured him another glass of his wine before she went off to see how everything was going with the ballerina.

As soon as she entered the room where Feather was, she almost laughed. Good thing she was trained enough that she was able to control it. She looked at her colleagues who only gave her a meaningful look, almost rolling their eyes. 

"My hair should have a diamond tiara," Feather demanded. She was not even finished choosing a dress yet she was already thinking about other things. "Also my ears, I want an earring full of diamonds,"

"Right Miss Han, I think that really looks good on you," Ami cheered on her and immediately turned to the staff. "You have all that she needed right? Bring her right away the things she demanded,"

"Yes miss," One staff member obeyed and left the room with thorough joy. Alas! She can finally have her break. She'll come back later, probably when they are close to the finish line. 

"I looked so skinny in this dress, my God!" Feather almost screamed. However despite her tantrums, the staff remained calm and professional as they were all accustomed to such an attitude. However they had to admit, Feather was the worst. It was rather ironic how she looked innocent and gentle whenever she danced because her attitude was very far from what the stage and the media portrayed her.

"Miss Han, how about you choose a dress close to the thing you like," The staff who just recently entered approached and suggested. "We can start on that then we can have the designers alter to your dream wedding dress,"

"Is that possible?" Feather raised a brow, unaware that there was such a thing.

"Yes, anything for you Miss Han," She replied politely. "However, since we can't alter the wedding gown right away, I'm afraid whatever you choose right now will be the dress we are going to show President Hawk. But don't worry as soon as we finish with the dress you like, then we'll schedule another appointment for you here,"

"I think I'm good with that," Feather herself was exhausted so she just settled with what the bright staff recommended. She then turned to a previous dress she liked because it accentuates her curves very well, "I want that. However I want the designers to fill it with expensive crystals, something that will looked it more expensive,"

"Yes Miss, I'll take it that request," She answered and turned to her colleagues with a satisfied smile, "Go and prepare Miss Han with that dress, President Hawk will see her in few minutes,"

***

Finally after hours and  hours of waiting, someone informed Hawk that her bride will be there in a few minutes. He straightened himself up and prepared for her and soon enough, he could already tell that someone was moving from behind the curtain in front of him.

"President Hawk, thank you for patiently waiting," Someone announced from behind the curtain. "Let me give a glimpse of what your wife will look like on your wedding day,"

Right when it was announced, the curtain flew open and Hawk's was transfixed on the spot. Breathless.