Jay's POV]
Day 2 was less about "engineering" and more about absolute, unadulterated luxury. If Day 1 was for the venue, Day 2 was for the "Aesthetic."
The morning started with a fleet of black cars lined up in front of the estate. The mission: The Ultimate Wedding Shopping Spree. Keifer had closed down the most exclusive luxury department store in the city for the entire afternoon. No public, no cameras—just the "Squad" and a lot of high-limit credit cards.
The Luxury Invasion
The energy in the car on the way there was chaotic. I was sandwiched between Freya and Mica, while Rakki and Ella were in the back, scrolling through digital catalogs of diamond-encrusted shoes.
"Jay, you realize that as a Watson bride, your jewelry alone could probably fund a small space program, right?" Mica teased, nudging me.
"I just want to be able to walk without tripping over my own hem," I laughed, though my heart was racing.
When we arrived, the store's staff was lined up like a royal guard. The manager bowed so low I thought he might hit the floor. Keifer, looking every bit the dominant CEO in a charcoal suit, didn't even look at the displays. He just took my hand, his grip possessive and warm.
"Everything in this building is a variable for your comfort, Jay," he whispered in my ear. "If you like it, it's yours. 100%."
The Boys vs. The Suits
While the girls dragged me toward the bridal suite, I could hear the boys in the men's section. Calix, David, and Erdix were already arguing over silk ties, while Ci N was critiquing the thread count of the tuxedos.
"I want the darkest black possible," I heard Keifer tell the head tailor. "I want to be the shadow that makes her 'Glow' look even brighter."
Mayo, Kit, and Felix were apparently more interested in the watch display, trying on timepieces that cost more than a high-end lab setup. The sound of their laughter echoed through the marble halls, making the whole experience feel less like a formal chore and more like a celebration of our family.
The Fitting: A Romantic Glitch
In the private bridal lounge, the girls were in their element. Freya and Ella were tossing silk veils around like confetti, while Rakki was picking out towering heels.
I was standing on the pedestal, trying on a rehearsal dinner dress—a sleek, white silk slip that felt like water against my skin—when the curtain pulled back. It wasn't one of the girls.
It was Keifer.
"Keif! You're not supposed to be in here!" I squeaked, trying to cover my blush.
He didn't move. He stood in the doorway, his eyes darkened as they swept over me. The "Cold Prince" was gone, replaced by a man who looked like he was seeing a miracle. He walked toward me, ignoring the protests of the girls, and stood right in front of the pedestal."Analysis, Keifer?" I whispered, my breath hitching.He reached out, his fingers tracing the line of my collarbone, his touch sending a $100\%$ electric shock through my system. "The data is overwhelming, Jay. You look... transcendent."
He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around my waist while I was still on the pedestal, making us eye-level. "I bought the entire collection," he murmured against my lips. "The white silk, the lace, the diamonds. All of it. I don't want you to choose. I want you to have every version of yourself that makes you happy."
"That's a lot of variables, CEO," I teased, my hands resting on his shoulders.
"You're the only constant I need," he replied, kissing me deeply while the girls cheered and whistled in the background.
The Bridget ShadowAs we left the store, laden with boxes and garment bags, I saw a familiar figure near the exit. Bridget was standing by the car, looking at the piles of luxury bags with a look of pure, agonizing envy. She had been "allowed" to come along to help carry things, a task Mamma Serina had assigned her as "character building."She looked at the $Vacheron$ $Constantin$ watch on Keifer's wrist and the $Tiffany$ bags in my hand, and her eyes welled with tears of rage.
"You're spending millions on her," Bridget hissed as I passed. "For a girl who didn't even know what $Couture$ was a year ago."I stopped and looked at her. I didn't feel angry. I just felt... balanced."It's not about the money, Bridget," I said softly, so only she could hear. "It's about the fact that he'd spend it on me even if it were my last cent. You're looking at the price tags; he's looking at the person. That's why you'll always be in the 'Guest' category."
I stepped into the car, Keifer immediately pulling me into his side. As we drove away, leaving Bridget standing in the exhaust of the Watson fleet, I realized that Day 2 wasn't just about shopping. It was about realizing that I finally fit into this world—not because of the clothes, but because of the man holding me.