Chapter One Hundred and forty one

Ariana's POV;

"This is really nice. I can't wait for the opening." I let out a content sigh as I looked around the restaurant. I just came out of my office and saw that it was well furnished, just like the rest of the place.

Now, I had to start hiring. Lots of applications had come in but I needed to thoroughly screen them, I was going to require Damien's help.

"Ready to head home ma'am?"

"Yes I am." I said, picking up my handbag.

"One Marissa is asking to speak to you." She handed me my phone.

"Hi Marissa." I chirped.

"Hello Ariana. I just called to remind you of the dress appointment. It's tomorrow at noon sharp, please don't be late."

"I'm never late." I said in my defense.

"The ladies in your husband's family aren't like you so better tell them it's ten in the morning or something." She said.

I laughed.

"Yes ma'am."

They all wanted to come along for dress picking. Aparrently, it was going to be a girl's day out cause all of us being together meant a shopping spree.

"I think our opening would have to wait until after the vow renewal." I said to Natalie.

"Oh? That's until next month maybe?"

"Yeah, next month. In the meantime, we're going to be hiring."

"Okay? Who's handling the interviews?"

"I trust your judgement so you'll handle it while Damien and I make the final decision."

"Yes ma'am." She nodded and turned back to the people installing the counter.

***

"Babe, can I ask for a favor?"

I read somewhere that the second best time to get your man to do something for you is while you're giving him a head massage with his head on your thighs.

"A favor? What is it?" He asked, opening his eyes to stare up at me.

"First promise me you'll say yes." I said.

"Whatever it is you want, consider it done babe." He took my one of my hands and kissed it.

"Remember how you promised to help me when it's time to hire workers?"

"Yeah I didn't forget."

"And uhm, you remember one of our bridesmaids from the wedding? Lucy?"

"I can't exactly recall but what about her?"

"She reached out to me yesterday, she wants to move to LA with her man and she needs a job."

"So you want to give her a job at the restaurant." He completed effortlessly.

I nodded wordlessly.

"That isn't such a bad idea. As long as she's efficient in her duties." He said.

"Is that it?" He asked.

"No." I softly said.

"What else?"

"I need a chef and her boyfriend is one." I gradually put it out there.

"Can they work together? You know being a couple and all?"

"I'll make sure they have a work balance." I assured him. He nodded.

"Uhm babe, don't get mad at what I'm about to tell you." I intertwined my fingers just as my teeth clung to a side of my upper lip.

He gave me a skeptic cursory glance.

"Her boyfriend is Nolan." I dropped the bombshell, shutting one eye.

I winced as he sat up to give me one of those very intense glares that could make anyone want to pee in their pants.

"Ariana." His deep stern voice called out.

Not babe? Okay, I'm in trouble.

"My love please-"

He lifted a finger and my mouth clamped shut automatically.

"Don't try to cajole me, woman." He scowled. "What is it with that dude not wanting to leave our lives alone?!"

"Babe it's just a job." I tried to pacify him.

"Ariana what happened to him working at Lucio?"

He called me Ariana again? Oh dear!

"Sabrina fired him?" I wasn't so sure so my words came out sounding like a question.

"I'm calling Sabrina right away." He said.

"Damien wait." I stopped him.

"He's dating someone else now and he cannot even be a threat to our relationship if otherwise." I knelt on the bed and clasped my hands together.

"Please just let him work there. He's Spanish and he's a great chef. We're not even friends anymore."

I tried everything in the book to convince him but my husband was not having it.

I followed him around like a lost puppy until I got dizzy and sat down.

"Babe you promised you would do anything I asked for but why are you saying no now?" I reminded him.

"Well because I didn't think you were going to ask me to allow you bring back someone who has been, and is probably still head over heels for you." He scowled deeper.

"He's moved on." I stated, fully convinced.

"You said you'll change but you're still so possessive and controlling." I sobbed. I figured that the waterworks and emotional blackmail were my only option and if they didn't work, it was game over.

"No don't cry, you know I can't stand seeing you cry. Please don't." He crouched in front of me and wiped my eyes.

"But you're being unfair. Business is business, sentiments aside. You know he'll be a great asset to the restaurant." I dropped my points, still crying in between.

He groaned before sighing resignedly.

"It's fine." He gave in. I squealed, bouncing up and down in my sitting position, clapping in glee.

"But if he tries anything funny, I'm booting him out of LA for good." He warned sternly.

I nodded eagerly before kissing him.

"Thank you babe. You're the best husband in the whole wide world!" I said in a child-like voice, spreading my palms raised up the air to form an imaginary rainbow.

"You're way too cute for your own good." He laughed.

***

"No, this one suits her better."

"She wore a ball gown for the wedding last year, you don't want critics saying something about her not changing style."

"Who cares what critics think? This ball gown is the dress." Fiona insisted.

"This A-shaped gown is so simple and majestic." Tracy had hearts for eyes as she stared at that one.

"I'm voting for simplicity. Not too much." That was Amy.

"Just do anything that makes you happy hon." Mom said.

The main argument was between Tracy and Fiona whilst mom and Amy weren't taking sides.

"You guys are not helping." I sighed, sitting in the middle of all four of them.

"Oh you two, now you're stressing her out." Mom said, fanning me with her manicured hands.

"Should we try other stores?" She asked me.

"Surely you can find something just for you here madam. Would you like for me to take you to the VIP floor?" The attendant piped up just then.

I glanced around the showroom and the women around me.

"What do you guys think?"

"That sounds expensive but your hubby gave you the black card for a reason." Fiona gave me the worst wink there is. The hilarity of it did not go unnoticed as we laughed.

"To the VIP floor, I suppose." I dragged myself up to follow the attendant who ushered me through the store filled with snobby rich ladies who stared at me like an alien. It wasn't hard to know someone who was married to a man who flooded timelines on several accounts.

"Remember, simplicity is key." Amy bellowed after me.

"Got it." I said, hoping I was loud enough for her to hear.

They weren't coming with me cause the floor wasn't suitable for crowds. That's how the name was coined.

My mouth fell open at the plethora of luxurious dresses that filled the room. They ranged from different sizes, to colours, flashiness and all what not.

"Wow." I sighed out as we walked further through the aisle of dresses.

There were very few people up here, trying on dresses that screamed expensive.

"Knock yourself out ma'am." The attendant said. I gave a polite nod before taking a step ahead.

I walked past several mannequins dressed up in the most exquisite bridal dresses. My eyes skimmed over lots of dresses that did not seem to appeal to me. Well that was until I saw the dress situated at a corner.

So simple and elegant, I could hear it calling my name.

I tried it on in front of one of the several mirrors.

"This is it." I said in a breathless whisper rubbing my hands over the fabric.

The attendant guided me down to where the ladies were seated.

They were up on their feet by the time they saw me approach.

"Ladies we've found the dress." I twirled around for them to see.

"Why are you guys crying?"

My smile dropped when I turned back and saw Mom and Tracy shedding tears while Amy and Fiona looked like they were trying to hold back theirs.

"You look so beautiful. Angelic even." Mom cried, blowing her nose.

Tears dropped before I could even open my mouth to speak.

"Stop it you guys, you're going to make me cry." I spread my arms out and we all locked ourselves in a group hug whilst sniffing and sobbing.

I love this new family that I have and I'd never them for granted for loving me as their own.