Page 31 of Velvet Chains

“It's nothing, just thinking about Vincenzo. Ooh, this white dress would make you look like an angel. You should try it on,” I quickly said, trying to change the subject.

"Nah, we're here to get you a dress, not me."

Just when I was beginning to wonder if I should just buy the emerald dress, Sarah came running up to me.

“Izzy! Take a look, isn't this perfect for you?” She asked, holding up a midnight blue dress. The color alone was enough to catch my attention, so I agreed to try it on. I walked into the dressing room and found that the dress was just as comfortable as it looked.

Once I stepped out, I knew that the dress was the right decision. Sarah's jaw dropped when she spotted me, and when I turned to look in the mirror, I understood why.

The dress had short sleeves and a slit up the side, but what really made me like it was that it managed to cling to my figure without being overtly sexy, and the color made my skin look stunning. I almost looked like a different person, like one of the celebrities in magazines.

“That's it! This is the one. You'll knock them dead.” She said after a moment, and I nodded. Just being in the dress made me feel more confident than usual, and I would need that confidence for the event.

“Thanks Sarah.” I said, as we walked up to the cashier to pay for the dress. Matteo, my bodyguard, and our driver were waiting for us once we had paid, they took the bags and followed behind us as we left the store.

“Thanks? Come on, we're friends. If I had a fancy event to go to with Mark, I'm sure you'd go shopping with me. Plus, you were by my side for wedding preparations and I know that I practically turned into a bridezilla at a point, but you stuck by me.” She teased as she playfully bumped into me from the side. I found that my laugh was too loud, and too harsh, I knew it was because of how guilty I felt.

My day with Sarah was going great, but I still felt conflicted about being around her. I felt guilty because of what Mark had said to me on our ‘double date’, and even worse, I felt sick in my stomach about not telling her.

“Oh. Speaking of, how's life as a new bride treating you?” I finally managed to ask. She laughed cheerfully in response.

“Oh, it's great. Mark has been so nice and thoughtful. You know how people say men stop trying after you get married? Well, ever since the wedding, he has been extra attentive.” She said, and the wave of guilt I felt only grew stronger.

I couldn't help but wonder if he was being so nice to her because he felt guilty about what he had said to me. She didn't deserve this, Sarah was the nicest person I knew. Yet, I was hesitant to tell her.

I didn't want to be the one to break her heart, and I was scared of how it would affect our friendship. As much as I hoped it would stay buried forever and I could forget about it, I knew it wasn't the right thing to do.

“Right now, Mark's talking with the moving guys back home. They're picking up the furniture we purchased. Before the wedding, he wanted a horrible green bean bag in our living room, but now he has seen the light. He picked the couch I wanted. I hate to brag, but I really got a good one. What about you? Have you decided on a date for your wedding?” She asked. Her joy and excitement about Mark felt like a stab.

“The engagement was fast but we're going to take our time with the wedding.” I responded, distracted again, glad I had kept the engagement ring on my finger. Sarah seemed so excited for me, I couldn't imagine having to explain my deal with Vincenzo to her.

I wanted to tell her about the fake engagement, but I didn't even know how to broach the subject. There was no way I could explain it without telling her about Vincenzo's business, and I was all too aware of how that would put her in danger. So I decided not to tell her about it, for her own good. No matter how much I felt like a traitor.

I looked at Sarah again and she had a wide smile on her face and was positively glowing.

“I'll get a cab back to the hotel.” She said once we reached the car and I shook my head immediately.

“Don't be ridiculous. You came all the way out here and took time out of your honeymoon for me. The least I can do is drop you off,” I told her, and although she tried to protest, I insisted. She didn't relent until the driver insisted that it was no problem and it wasn't out of our way.

I let out a sigh of relief when she finally got in. The ride back was just as fun as our day shopping was.

"So, can we talk some more about that snooty saleswoman?" She started, reminding me of the first store we went to.

"Oh God, yes. Did you see her face when we walked past with my bags?" I smirked with satisfaction at the thought.

"Yeah, she looked stunned." She giggled.

"She could have fit two whole eggs into her mouth with how wide her jaw dropped." At that, Sarah and I laughed.

We laughed so much that by the time we got to her hotel, my cheeks had begun to hurt from smiling too much.

“Do you want to come in and say hi to Mark? He'll be sad he missed you,” she said, and I immediately said no. Meeting Mark again wasn't high on my to-do list.

"Alright. Goodbye Izzy, text me!"

"I will, Sarah, take care." I watched her go into the hotel before leaving.

However, as Sarah stepped in, I felt my phone buzz. A glance at the screen made my eyes widen. It was a text from Mark.

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