Chapter 208

Once the designer had been replaced, each individual fell into their designated roles, propelling the project forward with a newfound smoothness. This allowed Layla to steal some moments for her wedding preparations.

She found herself within the confines of the city's most prestigious wedding planning company.

"Layla, here's the design for the wedding venue," the planner began, spreading out a blueprint before her. "Do you see anything that needs adjusting? Samuel mentioned your fondness for pink roses. Three days before the wedding, we will have ten thousand pink roses flown in from the Netherlands."

Layla was captivated by the design.

The venue was a grand castle, capable of accommodating several hundred guests. Its opulence was unparalleled, dwarfing even a tenth of a royal wedding.

"Ten thousand roses, that's going to cost a fortune, it's too extravagant," Layla murmured, feeling a twinge of guilt at the thought.

The wedding planner offered a reassuring smile. After all, Layla was marrying into immense wealth; was money truly a concern? She was about to become the wife of the town's richest man, a man who could purchase all the rose gardens in the world if he so desired.

"It's not much; as long as you like it, that's what matters," Samuel interjected, his hand gently caressing her head. His gaze was so tender, so full of adoration, that bystanders could feel the depth of his love for her. After all, a man's love for a woman is most clearly seen in his eyes.

The female employees at the event looked on with envy, wondering what good deeds Layla must have done in her past life to deserve such luck.

After a quick mental calculation, Layla estimated that her and Samuel's wedding expenses would exceed a hundred million. It felt wasteful to spend so much on a single day.

"We don't need such a grand ceremony," Layla voiced her concern. "What matters most is the sentiment behind it."

"Of course, the sentiment is there, but my woman deserves the best of everything," Samuel countered.

A smile tugged at Layla's lips as she realized that Samuel's grand gestures were born out of his love for her. Not wanting to dampen his spirits, she nodded in agreement and said with a smile, "I really like it."

On their way back, Samuel broached the subject of the wedding date. "The 28th of this month is an auspicious day."

Layla laughed.

"What's so funny?" Samuel asked, puzzled.

"It's just that I wouldn't have pegged you as someone who believed in these things," she replied.

"I didn't used to, but this is a major event in our lives. Everything has to be perfect," Samuel said with conviction, taking Layla's hand in his and pressing a kiss to it, their fingers intertwining perfectly.

"Okay, then it's set for the 28th."

In the dead of the night, Layla was jolted awake by a nightmare. She sought refuge in Samuel's arms, her body trembling as she clung to him, sobbing, "I had such a terrible nightmare."

"I dreamed that the wedding was going smoothly, but then, all of a sudden, it turned into a graveyard. I was standing on the edge of a cliff and got pushed off. It was horrifying..."

The lingering terror of the dream still had Layla's heart pounding.

Her body was shaking uncontrollably, and she was breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Dreams are often the opposite of reality," Samuel reassured her, holding her close and gently stroking the back of her head.

With her eyes closed and her eyelashes damp, Layla confessed, "I don't know why I would have such a dream. It's like the happier you are, the more afraid you become for fear of losing it all, just like in a dream."

Her voice trembled, choked with emotion.

"Could it mean that something bad is going to happen?" Layla looked up at Samuel, her eyes filled with worry. They say sometimes nightmares are ominous.

"It won't. A dream is just a dream; it can't become a reality. Maybe you're just stressed with all the wedding planning and busy schedules lately. Just relax, okay?"

Hearing Samuel's soothing voice, Layla's anxiety began to ebb away, and she stopped sweating profusely.

She muttered to herself, affirming her thoughts, "Right, I just got scared, that's all."

Everything was progressing smoothly; what was there to worry about? Layla knew she couldn't let her fears get the best of her.

In the solitude of the Eilish Group's break room, Layla found herself alone, a smile playing on her lips in an unusually contented manner.

Suddenly, Alice appeared behind her, playfully smacking her on the back. "Hey, what's got you grinning to yourself?" she asked.

"I'm not," Layla denied, her smile fading.

"Oh, yes, you are. You have that look of someone who's just received good news. Out with it; what's the scoop?" Alice, ever the gossip enthusiast, prodded.

"I had my wedding dress photoshoot today," Layla confessed, her smile returning.

Alice's eyes widened in surprise. "Wedding photos! So, you're getting hitched?" Her exclamation was so loud that Layla quickly shushed her. "Would you keep it down? What are you, a crow?"

"I'm not a crow; I'm a magpie," Alice retorted, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Are you available on the 28th of this month?" Layla asked, changing the subject.

"It depends. If you're footing the bill, I'm free anytime. If it's on me, I'm afraid I'm perpetually busy. I'm a bit strapped for cash these days," Alice quipped.

Ignoring the jest, Layla asked solemnly, "Alice, would you be my bridesmaid?"

Alice was taken aback for a moment, then gripped Layla's hand in excitement. "A bridesmaid? Really? Can I?"

"Of course, you're my best friend," Layla affirmed.

Alice nodded enthusiastically. "And you're my bestie. It's an honor to be your bridesmaid, to witness the happiest moment of your life. Plus, there'll be lots of handsome guys at the wedding, right? Who knows, maybe I'll hit it off with one of the groomsmen?"

Layla laughed and shook her head. "So, is this for me, or to meet groomsmen?"

"Both, of course, and that's fine, right?" Alice grinned cheekily, though deep down, she felt a pang of sadness. Despite her best efforts to act normal, she found herself waking up crying in the middle of the night, her heart feeling tainted and... shattered.

Later that afternoon, after completing an on-site job, Layla made her way to the bridal boutique. She was dressed in a fairytale-like white wedding dress, a three-meter-long veil trailing behind her in a graceful curve. Delicate champagne roses adorned the lace, adding a beautiful detail.

The photographer approached her with compliments. "Layla, you look stunning, truly the most beautiful bride I've ever photographed."

"Thank you," she responded.

"Has Samuel arrived yet?"

"Let me give him a call, just a moment."

Holding the hem of her dress in one hand, Layla walked over to the window, picked up her phone, and dialed. "Samuel, where are you?" she asked, her eyes shining.

"I'm so sorry, a meeting ran long. I'm on my way now; I'll be about twenty minutes," Samuel replied, the sound of car horns audible in the background.

"That's fine, no hurry. I'm already here and will wait for you," Layla said, her smile patient.

"Great," Samuel said before hanging up. He checked his watch. "I need to hurry."

"Boss, I understand how you're feeling, but we really can't go any faster. Any more and we'd be speeding," Mr. Vandella, his driver, said with a chuckle.

Just then, the phone rang again.

Samuel answered, his expression growing darker, his grip tightening on his knee. "I'm on my way," he said curtly.

"Head to the airport, arrange the private jet," Samuel ordered as he hung up, a deep furrow etched between his brows.

Trouble was brewing, and it sounded serious. Mr. Vandella promptly responded, "Yes, boss."

...

Back at the bridal shop, Layla was taking selfies when her phone rang. The screen flashed.

"Samuel, have you arrived?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, I've got an emergency and need to go on a business trip for a few days. I can't make it today," Samuel said, his voice strained.

"What's going on? Are you in some kind of trouble?" Layla asked, her voice filled with worry.

"I'll handle it, don't worry."

"Okay. Then... another day, I guess." Layla tried to hide her disappointment, but the uneasiness from the night before suddenly surged back.