JOAN’S POV
The next morning, I was cuddled in the warmth of my blankets, half-asleep, when I heard a knock on my door. I groaned, pulling the covers over my face, willing the world away for just a few more moments.
“It’s Sarah. Sir Derrick wishes to see you in his office,” her voice sounded through the door.
At the mention of his name, my body betrayed me. My heart quickened and a faint thrill coursed through my veins as I forced myself to sit up. Derrick. Of course, it had to be him.
“Do you know why?” I asked, trying to mask the curiosity in my voice.
“I’m not sure, but I think it has something to do with the wedding preparations. None of my business, anyway.”
Wedding preparations.
The words felt cold as they settled into my mind. I quickly threw off the covers, getting out of ned I glanced at myself in the mirror with a flood of thoughts racing through my head.
I looked like a mess. I wanted to look good for him, though I’d never admit that to anyone, least of all myself.
After having a shower, I chose a blue dress from the closet, one that hugged my curves in just the right way. I didn’t overdo it, but I took a few moments to do my hair and makeup.
My hands trembled slightly, betraying the nervous energy swirling inside me.
Why am I like this around him? He didn’t even care about me and I shouldn’t. God, I knew I shouldn’t care either but I just couldn’t help it.
I took a deep breath before heading out the door and making my way to his office. When I arrived, I knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Sir Derrick’s deep voice called from the other side.
I stepped in, immediately spotting Sir Derrick at his desk. And then my eyes fell on her. A lady I hadn’t seen before. She was leaning against his table, far too close for my liking. Her cleavage was practically spilling out of her blouse. She was showing him pictures on her iPad.
My blood simmered as an unfamiliar feeling sparked inside me.
Who the hell is she? Why is she standing so close to him? And seriously, who dresses like that in broad daylight?
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Attention seeker.
I reminded myself of the reality – Derrick was cold, not the kind of man I should let my emotions get tangled up with. He’d made it clear that our engagement was just a transaction. Yet, here I was, getting irrationally jealous of the woman draped over his desk.
Derrick’s gaze shifted and his eyes met mine as soon as I entered. There was something there, a flicker of emotion.
Was it regret? Longing? No, you’re imagining things, Joan. Derrick doesn’t know the meaning of those words.
“Good morning,” I greeted.
“Morning,” he replied.
I looked everywhere else but him. I couldn’t look at him too long, not when his gaze made my heart race. Instead, I focused on the other details of the room – anything to avoid the pull of his presence.
The lady stood up, adjusting her already too-tight clothes. “Hello, ma’am,” she greeted with a practiced, sugary smile.
“Hi,” I responded.
“This is Jade,” Derrick introduced “She’s a wedding planner. She’ll be handling all the arrangements, so just tell her whatever you need.”
Wedding planner. Of course. I studied her. I felt a bit annoyed at how perfectly put together she was – pale porcelain skin, perfectly manicured nails, and a button-up shirt that barely contained her assets. She wore the shortest skirt I’d ever seen paired with absurdly high heels. Who even wears heels like that?
“I’m at your service, ma’am,” she said in a cheerful tone.
I didn’t believe her for a second. She wasn’t at my service – she had her own motives, clearly written in the way she flirted with Derrick.
“Alright,” I said “Where do we begin?”
The next hour passed in a haze of catalogues, documentation, and endless details. Jade and I sat at a table near Derrick’s desk, while Derrick was busy with his PR team. David was briefing him on something about our upcoming public appearances. I barely paid attention, too lost in my own thoughts.
“So, what’s your dream wedding location?” Jade asked with a bright smile.
I felt a sudden lump form in my throat.
Dream wedding. If someone had asked me that question years ago, I would have described a small, intimate garden wedding – one filled with classical music and flowers, surrounded by loved ones. I had pictured myself walking down the aisle as delicate flower petals were sprinkled before me with soft music playing in the background.
But that was before everything fell apart. Before Kevin, before the mess I’d made of my life. Now, I was planning a wedding for all the wrong reasons. A marriage that felt more like a business arrangement than the fairy tale I had once imagined.
The thought of it made my chest tighten. This was my fate. Perhaps, I wasn’t destined for a happy ending.
“Ma’am?” Jade’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She was looking at me with concern.
I realized, too late, that tears had slipped down my cheeks. I quickly wiped them away, laughing awkwardly. “I’m fine. Just emotional. It’s all a bit overwhelming, you know?”
She nodded though I could see she didn’t understand. “I get it. A beautiful love story always brings out the emotions.”
You have no idea.
She showed me pictures of various wedding themes, from beach weddings to grand church ceremonies. They were all beautiful but I didn’t know how to feel. I felt detached from all of it.
“What about a garden wedding?” she suggested brightly.
“Hmm. I’m not a fan of garden weddings.”
“Right. How about a church wedding, then? We could make it grand, with soft lights, flowers everywhere. Your gown will sparkle and it’ll catch everyone’s attention as you walk down the aisle.”
I nodded, forcing a smile. “That could work.”
Jade perked up again, beaming as she looked over at Derrick. “Sir Stonewood, what do you think about a church wedding?”
Derrick’s eyes flicked up from his work. “Whatever Joan wants is fine by me.”
Jade giggled, twirling a strand of her hair. “She’s fine with it. I came up with the idea.”
I almost laughed at how desperate she sounded. But as much as her act annoyed me, part of me wondered if Derrick was into her type.
Could he be attracted to someone like her? The thought made my stomach twist.
We spent the rest of the day ironing out the details – food, drinks, decorations, the dress code for the rehearsal dinner.
I wanted it simple, nothing extravagant. Just a small gathering of family and close friends. I could feel the weight of everything mounting and the fact that this was going to happen finally dawned on me.
By the time we finished, it was late. I stood, stretching. My muscles felt sore from sitting for so long. I caught Derrick watching me with a unreadable expression.
The way he stared at me intensely made my heart skip a bit. Quickly, I averted my gaze.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
I hesitated, surprised by the concern in his tone. He had never asked me that before.
Does he care about me?
“Yeah” I murmured “I’m fine.”
With that, I turned and left his office.