Lily’s POV.
As I relax, I get breakfast menu and as I didn’t had any breakfast I decide to order something. I decide to have continental breakfast of toast and eggs, croissant, some fruits, cheese, one honey cinnamon muffin and orange juice.
I eat it while I look at the itinerary that Mia’s maid of honour, Dani mailed me and I took out a print. We have bridal shower this afternoon then at night we bridesmaid will have spa and dinner session together so we can understand our duties. For next three day, I can see the city along with doing my duty as bridesmaid if needed.
Then on Friday we will have rehearsal dinner and lastly on Saturday it would bride’s day. We will take Mia out to relax with spa and bachelorette party at night.
The wedding would be on Sunday late afternoon, so it would be give time for us get over our hangover. The ceremony would be at 4 then an hour later, reception which will go on for three to four hours.
For bridal shower everyone has to buy particular gifts. Dani is buying lingerie for them and I have been given duty to buy champagne glasses for gifts. I also bought two personalised coffee mugs for them as a wedding gifts.
After my breakfast, I look out of the window to see beautiful clouds and fall asleep while watching it as I woke too early in the morning. I wake up with a start when a hostess tells me that soon we are going to lend.
I nod at her and use the bathroom first then fasten my seatbelt. I check again everything and get ready to depart when plane lands. I had my backpack and sling bag on my shoulders while I carry duffle bag in one hand.
I wait for my two bags and when it comes, I put them all in a trolley. I haul a taxi and the driver helps me put all the stuff in the trunk then I sit in the back. I think about calling Ryan when I reach my room.
It takes us fifteen minutes ride to reach the resort. The bell boy takes my bag and I show them my confirmed booking of a room. The manager takes a key and guides me to my room which instead of being on third is on tenth floor.
“I think there is a mistake my floor is third one.” I say.
“But our system says that you later changed your room from earlier one to royal suite. This way, Mam.” The manager says.
I go to protest but then I remember about my flight upgrade. Now I know why Ryan wanted to know about where am I staying and which flight I am taking. I have to tell him to stop spoiling me like this.
The manager opens the door and gives me the key card. The bell boy puts my bag near couch and they both leave after wishing me to have good stay and giving me some instructions about room services whose bills are already cleared for me.
After they leave I call Ryan and he picks up at fifth ring, “Hi! So you reached there. How did you liked your surprise?”
“It is great but you didn’t had to do it, Ryan.” I say.
“Well you did let me paid the hotel we stayed in, so what is difference about this one?” He asks.
“Well for one we were staying in together in that room so that was different. But this room is for me alone and I should pay for my own needs. Didn’t you stopped sleeping with Jess just because she took favours from you?” I ask as I try to make him understanding.
“Where are going with this?” He asks.
“I just want to say that I don’t want to get used to all of these. I would have been okay to have simple room instead of this luxury. I mean what would I do with all these.” I say.
“Well I already paid for it. So do whatever you want to do. Stay or leave I don’t care.” Ryan says with irritation in his voice.
“Why are talking like this?” I ask.
“Maybe because you never appreciate my care that is why.” He says and hangs up.
I look at the phone in shock and think about the conversation again. Am I really being jerk here? I mean how would a boyfriend will show his care? He would definitely would want best for his girlfriend. I try to call him again but he cut it and I get text from him saying he is busy.
I rub my forehead and look around the room. I can’t leave now that I am here and I can’t even let his money go to waste. But I have to thank him for being so thoughtful and concerned about me. I didn’t mean to fight with him just after six hours of leaving him.
The room has a sitting area with fireplace on the right side of room and on it’s mantle is TV. Beside it is a door to ensuite bathroom which has bathtub near window which looks over to the sea.
On the left side has a round canopy bed of white and brown color with side tables. The closet is beside the main door and I take my bags inside it. After arranging everything, I come out.
Opposite of the door is balcony with swimming pool and jacuzzi and long chair with cushions. I removes my hairband and feel the sea breeze in my hairs.
Ryan is a rich man and I should have known his gifts for me would never be small or simple. He would always want to give me best as his girlfriend and it is not wrong. It is not like I was not rich once.
Our family was from upper middle class and we always used to get whatever we asked for. But after the tragedy all we could think about was saving for ourselves and maye our kids.
The funds our parents saved for us is still there and we haven’t touched as we didn’t have need of it. But in case our kids need it, it would always be there for them. Lucas and I made sure of it.
I should not take Ryan’s gestures for granted. Wouldn’t I have done the same things if I was in his place? I text him that I am staying in the room he choose for me and also say thank you. Maybe he will call me later.
I call Dani and she asks me to meet her in the lobby in an hour and to wear white dress as per the dress code. I take a quick shower and wear white bohemian maxi dress with lace work. I keep my hairs open and go down after taking my sling bag, gifts and put key card in it.
“Hi. You must be Lily.” I hear someone say and turn around to see a sandy blonde hair girl with beautiful tan.
“Hi. Yes I am and you would be Dani the maid of honour.” I ask. and she nods.
“Come we have to see some preparations.” She says.
“How did you know I was Lily?” I ask as we walk inside a garden which is decorated beautifully and has a small pool too.
“Well Mia told me that my second hand would be a beautiful red head and she was right.” She says in compliment.
“Well thanks for the compliment and yes you will get done whatever you want to get done. You are my boss for next seven days.” I say.
“Thanks for your help in advance. I am maid of honour and including you there are three bridesmaid. The other are over there. Betty, Ella come here please. Meet the third bridesmaid, Lily.” Dani says and we get to know each other for few minutes.
We start working on last minute preparation for bridal shower and check everything. Then after all is done, we sit and chat some more. At around one, we have lunch at resort restaurant together.
In early evening, we arrange snacks together and welcome Mia with flowers showering over her. I hug her and kiss her cheeks. I don’t think I have ever seen her glow like this before.
“How are you?” Mia asks me as she sits down on head chair which has crown on it while we sit around her.
“I am fine. But how is the bride of the week?” I ask as I take a seat beside her.
“Excited and nervous but so ready to enjoy this shower and dinner with you guys.” She says.
We shower her with gifts and play some card games like poker and black jack. I can’t believe Ryan’s trick is coming to my aid. He taught me how to play it and I won everytime but intentionally loose it to bride to be.
We have dinner and I make sure not to eat any seafood. We pop the champagne and have dinner. I order pasta for me with garlic bread and soup. In dessert we all have cheese cake.
To relax Mia more, we change the plans and are going on trips around Charleston for three days. I get back to my room tired and see that I only have one text from Ryan saying welcome and he would not be available for two days as he is going on a business trip.
He also told me that he will call me when he gets back. I don’t like being in odds with him while we are away. I text him to ask if everything is okay between us and tell him to call me as soon as possible but I don’t get any immediate response.
The next three days, we roam around the city and see all the tourist spots. Mia seems very happy and enjoys the tours. We visit museums and art galleries. Dani, me and other bridesmaid pitch in some money to buy a painting that Mia liked for her new home and tell them to gift wrap it for her and give them time and place to send it.
We also go to opera theaters and get classy treatment. We watch movies at night and also swim in the swimming pool of my room. I was happy spending time with them all and to know them too.
But somewhere in my heart I was feeling a bit lonely. I did got text from Ryan saying that everything is just fine but he is stressed about some work and as he would be on island the signal would be too weak to call. They are setting up a strong signal for that soon.
I just hope I can talk to him soon. Tonight is the Friday which means rehearsal dinner. I wear black and white polka dots mesh dress with ruffles and tight neck. I wear black heels and tie my hair in elegant bun with little strands framing my face.
I join the hall where rehearsal dinner would happen and help Dani look at the preparation again. We double check everything and out of nowhere she tells me to give a speech during the rehearsal dinner.
“Me? But wasn’t Ella going to do that?” I ask in shock.
“Ella got nervous and also a bit drunk too. She is resting in her room. Please handle this situation for me, Lily. Please.” Dani pleads to me and I nod.
“I will try, okay?” I say as I think about what to say.
“That’s would be enough for me. Thank you. I will go see if Betty got Mia ready and you watch here, okay?” She says and I nod.
After Dani leaves, Mia’s parents enter the hall and I greet and welcome them. I introduce myself and they hug me after they realise I am the reason for this happening. Next Mia comes and gets happy to see her parents.
Soon Kylie, her parents, close relatives and friends come. I get to know that Kylie has many brothers, so she made his brother her best man and rest of her three cousins groomsmen. It also includes Davis.
We have hearty dinner and then the time for my speech comes. I get up and look around nervously but when my eyes stop at beautiful couple I know somehow what I have to say.
“Hello everyone, myself Lily Scott and I am friend of Mia. Mia and I became friends on the first day of our college and we were roommates too. I still remember how we met, I just entered my dorm and saw a girl with glasses making my side of the room look pretty for me, so we could become friends sooner. Well that’s Mia for you always caring and considerate to others. And also very kind.” I say and Mia blushes.
“Then let’s come to our other bride Kylie. Well I don’t know much about Kylie other than one things that she is a total badass. She always stands up for people who matters to her and always fights for right thing. And also had a little crush on our kind girl Mia.” I say and look at Kylie who looks around proudly.
“I may never been in love but I know one when I see one. And I have seen Mia crushing hard on Kylie and talking about her non stop to me during late night study sessions. I used to think why the hell they are not together. So I decided to play cupid and sneaked in Mia’s love letter to Kylie farewell speech. And the rest is history. The only bad outcome was for me as Kylie took away Mia with her to the new college. But the good thing was my friend was happy and so happy that she is finally tying knot with love of her life. So please raise toast to this lovely couple who makes you believe in love and I know who will always compliment each other. To Mia and Kylie.” I say as I raise toast and everyone does the same.
We all have dinner and then slowly everybody starts to leave. Dani tells me that we will be having party tomorrow in resort’s club and gives me two dress for which I paid. One is for bachelorette party and second is for wedding day and reception. As I go towards lift, I am stopped my Davis.
“Hi.” He says with his signature smile.
“Hi.” I say as I wait for the lift.
“Nice speech.” He says.
“Thanks.” I say.
“So I wanted to tell you that this is a secret but Kylie is thinking about crashing Mia bachelorette party and surprise. Kylie told Mia that we are going for bar but it was ruse, we are just going to surprise her later. And I have already talked Dani but I want you to distract Mia while that happens.” Davis says seriously.
“Okay. I will do that.” I say.
“Great. Well while we are still talking I was thinking maybe we could be friends again like old times?” He asks me sincerely.
“Sure.” I say and we shake hands on it.
“So how is it going on with your boyfriend?” Davis asks.
“Good.” I say with sigh.
“Well that doesn’t sounds good. Tell me what happened? Maybe I could help.” He says.
“Well he likes to buy gifts for me and I get uncomfortable as they are expensive.” I say.
“That’s it?” Davis asks looking at incredlously
“Yes?” I say in confusion.
“Don’t make this issue ruin your relationship. Think it like this if it would be his birthday wouldn’t you want to buy best gift for him?” He asks.
“Yes.” I say.
“Same goes for men. We sometime see a thing and think about the girl we are dating and if we think it would look beautiful on her or maybe make her happy, we buy it. They are just gifts, take it like that only.” Davis says and I nod.
“Thanks for the advice by the way. See you tomorrow. Good Night.” I say when the lift comes.
“Good Night.” He says and waves at me as the lift closes.
Well the benefits of having guy friends.