CHAPTER 42
As the wedding reception came to a close, Rachel found herself with some time to herself, as she watched her family and friends say their goodbyes and make their way home.
As the day grew darker, she felt a sense of exhaustion wash over her. She had been running on adrenaline for the past few hours, and she was ready for some rest and relaxation.
She made her way back to her room, her ivory coloured wedding gown rustling as she walked. She opened the door and stepped inside, taking a deep breath and savoring the moment of peace and quiet.
She walked over to her wardrobe and opened the doors, her eyes scanning the contents inside. She had brought several different outfits for her wedding day, but now she was looking for something comfortable and easy to wear.
She reached for an ivory coloured maxi dress, it was made of lightweight and flowy fabric that would be perfect for a relaxing evening. She carefully removed her wedding gown, hanging it up in her wardrobe, and slipped into the dress. The fabric felt cool and soft against her skin, and she couldn’t help but smile as she looked at herself in the mirror.
She felt a sense of relief as she changed into something more comfortable. She felt like she could finally breathe, and she was ready to enjoy the rest of her special day with her husband, Leo.
Rachel stared at herself in the mirror, taking in her appearance in the new dress. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease as she thought about how her life was about to change. She had always been a career-driven woman, focused on climbing the corporate ladder, and now she had just married one of the most successful business tycoons in the country.
She thought about how her colleagues and boss would react to the news of her marriage to Leo. She knew that they would be surprised and maybe even envious, but she also knew that some of them would see her differently. They would see her as a woman who had married for money and status, rather than for love.
She knew that he had only wanted the best for her, but she couldn’t help but feel like she had been forced into a decision that she wasn’t ready for.
She thought about how her life would change now that she was married to Leo. She would be expected to attend high-society events and be a part of the elite crowd. She would be expected to give up her job and become a wife and hostess, and she wasn’t sure if that was what she wanted.
As she stood there, staring at herself in the mirror, she realized that she had a lot of decisions to make and a lot of things to figure out. She knew that her life would never be the same, and she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. All she knew was that she loved Leo, and she would do whatever it takes to make their marriage work.
As Rachel stood lost in thought, she heard a knock on the door. She turned around to see her mother standing there, a gentle smile on her face. “Can I come in?” her mother asked, her voice soft and gentle.
Rachel nodded and her mother walked into the room, closing the door behind her. She walked over to Rachel and gave her a hug, “How are you feeling, dear?”
Rachel hugged her mother back, tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed,” she said, her voice choked with emotion.
Her mother pulled away and looked at her with a concerned expression. “What’s wrong, Rachel? You can talk to me, you know that,” she said, her voice filled with understanding.
Rachel shook her head, “It’s just… I don’t know. I’m not sure if I’m ready for all of this. I don’t know if I’m ready to be a wife and give up my job and my independence,” she said, her voice filled with uncertainty.
Her mother smiled, “I understand how you feel, dear. But remember that marriage is a partnership, and you and Leo will work through everything together. And as for your job, you can always find a way to balance it with your new role as a wife. You’re a strong and capable woman, and you can do anything you set your mind to.”
Rachel nodded, feeling a bit reassuerd from her mother’s words. “Thanks, mom,” she said, giving her mother a hug.
As they hugged, her mother started a conversation about the “wedding night” but Rachel was not ready to hear a word from her mother, she ran out of the room, not wanting to hear a word from her mother.
The reception hall was decorated elegantly, with white roses and baby’s breath adorning the tables, and soft lighting casting a warm glow over the room. The guests were few in number, but the atmosphere was lively, with laughter and conversation filling the air.
Rachel couldn’t help but feel a sense of discomfort and embarrassment. She pulled away from her mother, not wanting to hear another word.
“I can’t talk about that with you, mom,” Rachel said, her voice filled with embarrassment.
Her mother nodded, understanding her daughter’s discomfort.
“I understand, dear. But just know that I’m always here for you, no matter what,” her mother said, her voice filled with love and support.
Rachel smiled, feeling grateful for her mother’s understanding and support. She walked over to the door, opened it and headed back to the reception hall. As she walked through the empty halls, she could see that the reception was coming to a close.
Only a few guests were left, most of them were cleaning up, preparing to leave. She saw Leo standing at the entrance, waiting for her. Rachel made her way to her husband.
“You look beautiful,” he said as he pulled out her chair for her.
“Thank you,” she replied with a smile.