Chapter 3

Junior Smith is my soulmate. He treats me like the queen that I am, he's kind, funny, handsome and he treats me with great respect. He's the perfect man for me and I can't say how excited I am to be taking this next step with him.

At times I sit back and just admire him, because how the hell did I ever get so lucky?

He was sitting next to me with his hand holding mine and tracing circles on it as we sat in his apartment, speaking to our wedding planner, who was a man named Jared. Jared was one of the most famous party planners in our city and Junior and I only wanted the best for our wedding.

"Alright," Jared said as he sat across from us, "as you know, I booked The Palace," he told us which was a beautiful old castle that looked like a dream, "I gave you the only invite we had made so far," Jared pointed at me and I nodded and Junior looked at me confused.

"Wait, I thought we said we're giving out invites a month before the wedding," he pointed out truthfully and I placed my hand on his bicep.

"We are," I agreed, "but I had to give Mr Miller that one invite way ahead of time because I know he's really busy."

"Oh," Junior nodded and then looked at Jared.

"Alright, we're only having 50 people at the wedding?" Jared asked as he ticked something on his page and we agreed.

"What is the budget? Now that we've paid for The Palace," Jared paused and we both looked at Junior as he looked at me.

"Well, I want to give Zara her dream wedding," I smiled at that, unable to stop it because that meant the budget was going to be a number I would like to hear, "I know she wants a carriage with white horses and all kinds of fancy things," Junior leaned toward and kissed me on my lips and I returned the kiss, "so, excluding the budget for the dress, $40,000 for the wedding."

I saw Jared's eyes widen in excitement, "$40,000? Oh yes, this wedding is going to be one for the books."

I couldn't stop my excited little dance, "what's my budget for my wedding dress?" I asked him.

"$12,000 at most," he said sternly but that was more than enough for me, I thought he was going to give me a max budget of $4,000 but this was beyond anything.

"Junior," I said happily as I threw my arms around his neck, "thank you! Thank you!" I turned to Jared, "let's start planning!" I said excitedly.

"Alright," Jared said excitedly, "so we're having the engagement party next weekend?" Jared said more than asked.

"That budget of $40,000 includes the engagement party, the bridesmaids dresses, the groomsmen suits and my suit," Junior said pointedly but it was more than enough. I wasn't going to spend more than a few hundred’s for my bridesmaids dresses.

Besides, I only had two bridesmaids and Junior also had two groomsmen so we wouldn't go too wild.

"We have to go shopping for you engagement dress," Jared said pointedly and I sighed. We were supposed to have went a whole week ago but I've been so busy with work and Mr Miller. It seems like he's piling on the work and I don't understand why.

"I'm sorry," I sighed as I looked down at the Rolex watch that Junior had bought for me as a birthday present last year, "but I have to go to the office soon," I said as I looked at Junior, "I have work to do. I'll try to make it tomorrow, but I don't know..."

"Listen, just ask your boss for a few hours off. We just have to get a dress and that's that. We'll come back before your break is over. Just speak to him," Jared suggested and I nodded, until my phone suddenly rang.

I held the iPhone to my ear, "hello?"

"Zara, I need you at the office," was all he said before he abruptly cut the call and I sighed.

"I have to go," I said as I stood up and bent down to kiss Junior, "I love you," I told him truthfully.

"I love you too," he said as he caressed my face before I stepped back and kissed Jared on the cheek.

"You two can discuss while I'm gone. Jared, just video call me later on to tell me what you discussed. Baby, I'll call you when I get home from work. I love you, keep safe," I said in a rush as I rushed out of Junior's cool loft apartment.

~~~

I knocked on his office door, waiting for him to tell me that I could enter. I ran my hands over the ruffles on my dress that excited the little girl in me.

"Come in," I heard him say and I pushed open the door, closing it behind me, "Zara, what is it?" he asked me as he paged through a thick folder on his table, not looking up at me.

"I finished all of my work and checked up on meetings, and everything's good. So, I'm going home now," I told him and he didn't answer me, just carried on with whatever he was doing, "... Sir...?"

He looked up from his work and at me, tilting his head, "yes?"

"I, uh," I got nervous, "I was wondering if I could have tomorrow off? Or maybe just a few hours? " I asked him, waiting for him to give me an answer.

"Why?"

"I have to," I hoped he wouldn't say no once he heard this, "I have to go shopping for a dress with my wedding planner."

"Wedding dress shopping?"

"No, a dress for my engagement party," I said softly, praying he wouldn't disregard me now that he knew I needed to do some shopping, "I would've gone shopping during my free time but I don't really have any free time."

He was silent, watching me, "alright, you can go," he paused, "on one condition."

"Of course, sir, anything."

"I get to go with you."