章 9: Nine
Julia was at the bridal shop with their mother, Chairman Kim. Born from poor family, she became a businesswoman in her early 50's after she took over her husband's business after he died two years ago. She married Harold Jung thirty years ago, former chairman of Jung Chain of Companies and a son of one of the most influential families in South Korea. She may be small by stature but she is strict when it comes to business.
Julia was looking through racks filled with wedding gowns. All of them are elegant just like she wanted. She moves from one clothing rack to another and picks the dresses that caught her attention. Some have sequins, some have pearls on their designs, some have horizontal strings at the back. She got different varieties of gowns for her to choose from.
She tries them one gown at a time while she wonders why Harry went to Gaia's flower shop all of the sudden. She thought he was okay while they were inside the car . She felt that it was normal for Harry to be silent most especially when he was drowned by his thoughts. He acted strangely like he wanted to hide something from her. She tried to brush it off and strived to focus on this special moment. Besides, Harry was able to conquer his depression years ago. She thought that there is nothing for her to worry about.
She tried on a mermaid dress. It had an off-shoulder neckline and the fabrics hug her petite body. She loved the white floral pattern at the front with a hint of sequins and diamonds. Julia immediately fell in love with the dress when she looked at herself in the mirror. She knew right at the moment, she has found her dress.
Chairman Kim was sitting on the couch as she watches her daughter admire the dress that Julia chose. She suddenly reminisced the day that she married Julia and Harry's father.
"If your father sees this, he will be in tears right now," the chairman said.
Julia giggled when her mother mentioned their father. Harold Jung was Chairman Kim's first love. Julia's phone rang when the designer started to put the veil on her head to complete the look. She quickly took her out from her purse. She was surprised to see the name appeared on the phone. Gaia was calling. Julia hit the call button and placed the receiver on her ear.
She talked on the phone while Chairman Kim observes her. Worry was painted all over her face. The chairman became concerned about her. The chairman never hesitated to ask as soon Julia hung up the phone.
"What happened?" she asked.
-"It's Gaia," Julia said. "She said that Harry is at her store crying. I told her to let him stay there and we'll pick him up after we're done."
"Who's Gaia?"
-"She's the florist that Harry has been talking about for the past few months. I hired her for the flower decorations for the wedding and she is also a good friend of Harry."
Chairman Kim became curious about Gaia. This was the first time that Harry was able to make a friend. She was not able to take care of him after the accident three years ago. She felt that this is great progress that he has finally overcome his mental issue.
"I would like to meet her later," she said.
Julia nodded and went back to the mirror as the designer put on the veil on her head. She looked up at herself by the mirror. She was in awe yet something has been bothering her. She bit her lip, instead.
"Is there anything wrong, dear?" her mother asked as her brows furrowed.
The bride-to-be shook her head and pretended that nothing happened. The designer tried to get her attention as he asks her if there is anything that she would like to alter. She shook her head and told the designer to cut the tail a bit shorter. The designer nodded and asked her to go back to the dressing room. She removed the dress and put her clothes back on.
She didn't come out from the dressing room for a few minutes. Julia wanted to be alone for a while. She wanted to forgive her fiance for having an affair with Cleo. He confessed to her recently and ended the relationship with Harry's girlfriend. She sat down on the chair inside the room and sobbed for a while. She didn't know what to do. Her fiance didn't want to stop the marriage either. She thought that it will be chaos in the business when they end the marriage. Her groom is the son of the CEO of Park Shipping Lines which their family has been investing in for a long time. He was also Julia's first love and they have been in a relationship since their teenage years. This idea made it difficult for her to end it and she doesn't want to let everything go to waste.
Julia's thoughts were erased when the designer's assistant called her and asked if everything is okay. She immediately wiped her tears and sniffed. She checks her face to make sure her mother wouldn't notice that she cried. She grabbed the dress and opened the curtain. She handed over the dress and followed the assistant behind.
Her mother was still sitting there and was talking to someone on the phone. She realized that it was business matters. She doesn't want to interfere with the family business through her family invested her business in the fashion industry.
Julia sat down beside her mother while the chairman hung up the phone. The chairman faced her and noticed that she was exhausted.
"How was the dress?" the chairman said.
-"It was beautiful, mom. I just wanted to do some little adjustments."
Chairman Kim nodded. Julia returned to texting Gaia on her phone informing her that they will be in the shop soon. The chairman waited for the designer to return the altered dress. A few minutes later, the designer came back with the dress. They paid for the dress and left the bridal shop.
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