Chapter 21

PRESENT

We were standing in front of SHAREEN as me, mom, Liam, and Natasha made our way inside. A smell of sophistication lingered inside and I rolled my eyes. I could get married in my pajamas if we're talking about Liam.

" Natasha!  What a pleasant surprise! ", a woman in her mid forties came and greeted us.

" Hey Julia.  I'm here to  get a wedding dress for my to-be-daughter-in-law. ", Natasha said putting her arms around my shoulder.

I smiled weakly as getting attention wasn't really my thing.

"Oh sure. Come right this way. "

We entered into a small room that had chairs and a large mirror with flower pots placed on either side.

Then came in two women who brought us tea and five racks filled with white dresses .

" Come on Ashley, let's go see. ", Natasha said and me and mom got up.

From the corner of my eye I could  see Liam typing away in his phone not sparing a glance towards anything that's happening.

If this is what he wants to do, why is he even here? Waste of space!

*****

Time passed slowly, as if wanting to torture me with every passing minute. I had changed out of ten dresses now, and neither caught my attention. Each one was either of the same design or was a disco light.

Then mom came with another dress in hand and I looked at it longingly. Taking the dress I immediately went inside and changed into it. Standing in front of the mirror , I was dumbfounded.

" This is it. ", I whispered.

I could see my mother teary in her eyes and Natasha looking proudly from their reflection.

However Liam was not inside.

" He has gone to take an important call. ", mom informed me.

I nodded and smiled.

After the purchase, we came out to see Liam still talking on the phone. I rolled my eyes and managed to mind my own business. It's not like I wanted him to see me in the dress. Im sure he would have made some sarcastic comment.

"Liam honey, you missed how Ashley looked in the wedding dress. ", Natasha said.

" I'm sure she looked wonderful. ", he said looking at me.

I looked down and blushed a little. It's crazy how he still has this effect on me. It's been two effing years!

We all got on the car. I took the passenger seat while both our moms took the back seats. I was extremely hungry and wanted to get home as soon as possible.

Suddenly I felt a warm feeling on my knee. Glancing over, I saw Liam's hand. I narrowed my eyes at him as I couldn't yell cause mom was sitting right behind. If I created a scene in front of the Andersons, I'm sure I won't be getting any dinner today.

I plastered a fake smile and warmly took his hands into mine and dropped them down. But soon after, his hands came on my knee and I could clearly see his smirk. This time I slapped them away.

"What's that sound? ", mom asked.

" Oh nothing, just mosquitoes. ", I said followed by a nervous laugh.

********

We reached home and currently I was sitting on the couch binge watching Friends. I remember having countless fights with Katherine on who was a better character in Friends. She would always take sides with Chandler, while I was a hardcore Tribbiani. Joey is fun, okay? And while she always shipped Mondler, I liked the relationship between Joey and Phoebe better.

My phone buzzed from the side table and I lazily searched for it.

"Heyyyyy", I dragged.

"Hiiiiiiiii ", Miranda squeaked in a shrill voice.

" Damn it, Mira. You'll be a perfect match for a crow. "

"Well, I have good news for you. "

" You grew two heads? I can be a werewolf? Trump will resign? "

" Ugh! No. Ashley, get serious. The news is better than this. ", I could feel her smirk.

" What is it? "

" I know a way to stop the wedding"

" WHAT?!", I switched off the TV.

" Don't show any enthusiasm cause this is just a Plan A. I do happen to have Plan B,  but I don't know if it'll work. So -"

" Wait wait wait. I'm confused. There are two plans? And did you become some mystical witch?"

" Ashley Payne, do you or don't you want to know? "

" Sorry sorry. Please continue. ", I said in between laughs.

" So, first plan is to make sure that you and Liam are not a good match. We'll start with the parents, Natasha and Derek. Once the parents are convinced, Liam won't be able to do anything. "

" You sure? "

" Well, duh. I'm the mystical witch remember? "

" But seriously though -"

" There's no harm in trying. "

" What's plan B? "

" On the day of wedding, I'll be outside with a car. I'll have some people to help. "

"Okaaaayyy, aannndd.... ", I dragged not wanting to know what she'll say next.

" You'll run away. "

" Ru-run away? ", I croaked.

" Yes Ashley. I'll be waiting outside with the car and you'll come and we'll go to Las Vegas. Now, I know this is a bit too muc-"

" A BIT?! This is insane. Absolutely insane. My mother will disown me. Oh my god. Plan B is off the list! Are you even serious about the Vegas bit?"

" Umm... well, not the Vegas bit,but okay. Plan B is off. But let's try on Plan A, okay? "

" Kay. Meet me tomorrow. I'm too tired to- Oh no. "

" What? "

" It's just that, today we went to buy the wedding dress and I feel like now it'll all be a waste. "

" You can use the dress Ashley. When you get married for real. "

" Yeah. You're right. ", I smiled.

" Meet you tomorrow. "

" Kay. Bye. "

I dropped down the phone on the table and began thinking.

Well it's not too bad to try out plan A. I  mean, I could easily make Natasha and Derek hate me.

But what if it doesn't work? What if plan A doesn't work? If Liam marries me no matter what, then what? He did make it clear that he's hard struck on making my life miserable.

So do I run away then? Can I really run away from the church?