“This will look wonderful on you, Joan,” Francisca cooed as she pointed to a silver-studded white gown displayed on a mannequin.
Joan faked a smile and excused herself.
“Do you think she’s okay? She doesn’t look happy to be here.” Francisca turned to Flora to state her concern. “Do you think she has cold feet?”
Flora watched her daughter walk in the direction of the restroom till she disappeared behind the door.
“I don’t think so. I noticed her mood changed for some days now.” Flora shrugged and let out a sigh. “I am worried about my baby girl and I remember Gary telling me about how she broke down, stating her disagreement to the wedding.”
Francisca cast her gaze on the floor. “I heard of what happened too, but they made up. It’s a couple’s thing. They disagree but will come back because of their love.”
“Your sin told you he loved her?” Flora inquired.
They both walked to one of the chairs to sit. “Not verbally but I can see how he speaks of her. His eyes lit up and I haven’t seen that since his last heartbreak.”
One of the ladies came, offering wine, which they accepted.
“Joan felt alive too but it’s just these past few days that have been so shady and I hate for my daughter to do something she doesn’t want to do.”
Francisca sighed. “I really want Joan to be my daughter-in-law. I’ll treat her as my daughter, but if she doesn’t want to go ahead with the wedding, then it’s fine. We all gather for the good of our children, right?”
“Thank you, for your understanding.”
"Anytime,” Francisca waved it off.
Joan walked back to them like she was in hurry. She put her bag down and looked at both women.
“What am I starting with?” her smile seemed genuine this time.
Both women exchanged glances, then looked at her again. Flora rose to her feet and held Joan’s hand.
“Dear,” she pulled her away from ear shot, then asked in a low voice. “Are you fine? You haven’t been yourself these past few days.”
“I’m fine, mom,” she tried to convince her with a smile.
Flora didn’t return the smile. She touched Joan’s cheek.
“Couples do have fights, you know?” Joan nods in response. “If there’s anything concerning this wedding that has you worked up, please tell me. I’m your mother and will always be here for you when you need me."
John grinned. “I know, mom, I can always come to you for anything.”
Flora let a small smile play on her lips.
“You’re okay with this union?”
"Yes, mom,” she nods
“Are you sure, Joan?”
Joan wrapped her arms around her mum to assure her completely.
“I want this,” she said, leaning back “You’re right, couples do have back and forth. I and Santiago will sort this out, it’s nothing to have you or anyone worried.”
Flora seemed convinced by her response.
“Okay, let’s get your wedding dress ready. I am so excited about this new stage of your life,” Flora guided her back to where Francisca was sitting, sipping wine from the glass she was holding and looking at a magazine. “Let’s try that dress you suggested.”
Francisca looked up at the ladies, who had bright smiles on their faces. She closed the magazine and placed it beside her.
“We’re a go?”
“Yes, let’s ge-”
The news from the TV interrupted Flora and caught all three women's attention.
“We aren’t sure if he’s the father or not but there’s a possibility looking at his past flings with many ladies. It’s also known that Santiago Fernando will be tying the knot with Joan Anderson in the next week. Many people are talking and asking questions if he’s actually serious with his marriage or just using Joan like he did with the other ladies.”
Francisca and Flora looked at Joan, whose face lacked any emotion, as she listened to what the lady on the TV was saying.
“Joan” Flora held her daughter’s hand.
“Lisa Herman claims to be carrying Santiago’s child and the next heir to his multibillion-dollar empire. Could this be true? Is she trying to get money off him? Is Santiago truly the baby’s father? Tension is arising since he hasn’t claimed or denied anything? What happens to Joan? How will she take this? Let’s fi-”
“Don’t believe what you hear, Joan dear.” Francisca stood to her feet and said, “Lisa is a l-”
A phone rang, interrupting her sentence. She picked it up when she heard her son calling.
“Mum, have you seen the news?”
“Am I the right person you should call?”
“Lisa is bullshitting,” he grunted in annoyance.
“I am not the one you should be explaining this to,” she said, hanging up the phone and walked closer to Joan. “Please, dear… don’t believe what you’re seeing on the news. They all like some juicy story and would carry anything that brings mo-”
“Sorry to interrupt you, but I’ll take the white gown you suggested minutes ago.” She smiled.
“You aren’t bothered about what’s going on?”
Joan shrugged. “I’ll just make some little alternations and we’ll be good.” She picked up her purse and called one of the salesgirls to pack up the gown and come to her place during the week for some alterations to the gown.
“Let’s go, please.”
Francisca and Flora looked at each other, then at Joan, who had a confident and unwavering smile on her lips.
She turned around and walked away while they trailed behind.
“What is on her mind? How is she not bothered about this news?”
“Most times, it feels like I don’t know my own daughter,” Flora shrugged.
“Do you think she’s pissed off?” Francisca asked.
Flora shrugged and waved ‘bye’ at the receptionist.
“I wonder what she has up her sleeves.”