When my father walked into the room to pick me up, his jaw dropped.
‘My dear,’ he said. ‘You look incredible! Wow!’
‘Thank you, Dad,’ I said. ‘I know it’s not what we all imagined for the wedding, but it was the best surprise. I feel like a bride.’
‘That’s all that matters, honey,’ he said.
Soon the music for my introduction came on, and goosebumps ran all over my body as a classic version of a Lana Del Rey song played in the hall.
Heads turned.
I could feel people looking at me and admiring me as I entered the auditorium. I knew my dress was a hit.
As I stepped closer to Michael, his eyes widened and a smile appeared on his face. It was then that I realised that the man I was about to marry had fallen in love with me all over again.
But before I took the seat next to Michael, I turned to Sarah, wanting to see the look on her face first.
Her face was priceless: she was pale and shocked. I knew she expected to see me in tears, humiliated by her sabotage and in that awful dress she had made up.
Instead, I was radiant and smiling from ear to ear.
The ceremony went off without a hitch, Michael’s vows left me in tears, and my heart was full of love for the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with.
But here came the reception.
Michael and I were chatting with the guests when Sarah cornered me.
‘Jess, what happened to the dress? Where’s my original design? Why did you change it?’ – She asked, trying to hide her confusion.
I grinned.
‘Oh, I thought I was going to take your design and make it better! Remember, you weren’t even sure you could do anything with it. And I was pulling out of it because it was at least two sizes smaller.’
‘So that’s it, then? You just threw away my hard work?’ – She sighed. ‘That’s low!’
‘No, Sarah, your work is the foundation of this dress. It’s just a hundred times better because the woman who fixed it wanted me to look and feel beautiful on my wedding day.’
Her mouth opened, but no words came out. Around us, the guests kept complimenting my dress, calling it unique and stunning.
Sarah had no choice but to stand there and listen.
‘Come on, love,’ Michael called out to me. ‘Let’s have our first dance so I can really dive into the buffet afterwards! The roast beef is unparalleled!’
‘Coming,’ I smiled, finally satisfied.
What would you do?