Chapter Five
Valentina opened the shop the next morning. She had a lot of work to do. After making some coffee, she sat down to prepare the designs for Brooklyn's wedding.
The door of the shop opened and she looked up. She froze when she saw Brody. He had come to give his measurements. So foolish of her to invite him to the shop. Well, maybe he knew his measurements and she wouldn't have to touch him.
"Good morning, Valentina," he said with a smirk.
"Yeah, good morning," she answered. She fished out a notebook and a pen and handed them to him.
"Please write down your measurements here," she said, mentally crossing her fingers.
"What measurements? I don't know mine. I thought you would take my measurements," he said feigning innocence.
Valentina closed her eyes. She was dreading this. Her cheeks coloured at the thought of touching him.
"I'm waiting, Valentina. I've got to go to work," he said.
Fidgeting with her fingers nervously, she said,"Alright, come this way," she led him to the fitting room and took out her tape, notebook and pen.
"Stand straight please against the wall for your height measurement," she instructed and Brody did as told. She placed the tape against the wall and noted down his height.
"Stand on the weighing scale, please," she said and he gave his weight.
"We'll take your measurements for the coat. Please raise your arms out to the sides," she said and he did. He was loving it more now. She went closer to him and placing the tape under each arm, measured the fullest part of his chest. Her face was red with embarrassment. She dared not look up, knowing fully well that he was pinning her with his piercing gaze.
Next she took his overarm measurement, followed by the neck and sleeves measurements, the coat drop length. Now it was time for the trousers measurements.
Brody was already on fire. Her soft hands on his body had already aroused him. He wanted to grab her and kiss her and then make love to her over and over again. He had wated patiently for a year and now all he wanted was to make her his.
She didn't know how to go about it. She took his waist measurements, then lowered the tape for the hip measurements, his hard arousal clearly visible to her. Embarrassed beyond words she kept doing her work as he stood there staring at her, his eyes dark with desire, his hands clenched into fists. She took the outseam measurements and then it was time to take the much dreaded inseam measurements.
"Please part your legs," she said, her face flushed. He did as asked. She bent down and placing the tape measured him. His harsh intake of breath didn't help at all. Noting the measurements down, she noted his shoe size and got up.
Turning her back towards him, she tried to be as professional as possible. "That would be all. Once the designs are ready, I'll visit for approval," she said.
She could feel his heavy hot breath on her neck as he stood behind her,"Will you go out to dinner with me, Valentina?" He asked again.
"I have work to complete," she said to avoid him.
"I won't take much of your time," he coaxed.
"No Brody. I have promised dad that I'd make him his favourite steak tonight," she said.
"Then tomorrow?" He asked.
"No, never," she said as she went into the pantry.
Brody sighed and left.
After ten days, the women were summoned to Brittany's warehouse for the first fitting. The men would have their fitting the next day. Everything went fine. The final fitting would be three days later. After three days the final fitting was due. Everyone went except Blade and Brody who were at the project site. Brittany left for home, she had to cook for her children. Valentina waited for them. Blade came and after giving the final trial, he thanked Valentina and left. Brody came ten minutes later.
"Sorry to be late. I was held up at the site," he said with a smile.
"That's ok." she said, handing him his tuxedo. Their fingers brushed and both felt the electric tingles all over. Brody knew he never felt like this with any other woman. He loved her, she was the one for him.
Valentina ignored the tingles that she felt, thinking that they could be from fatigue. She had been overworking herself as Brittany already had her hands full with her pregnancy and two kids to look after.
Brody went to the trial room and wore his tuxedo happily. When he came out to show Valentina, her jaw dropped. He was drop dead gorgeous, swoon worthy actually. The fact that he knew how good he looked and the effect it had upon women made her cringe at her thoughts.
Brody noticed her face cringing at the sight of him. She must hate the sight of him. His face fell at her reaction. "It fits perfectly," he said with a smile. She checked the fit as he stood like a statue and let her do her work. She was just doing her job, she didn't really want to be near him.
"You don't need any alterations. You can change," she told him as professionally as she could. His suddenly subdued behaviour surprised her. Maybe he found another woman to interest him. He nodded and went to change. Coming out from the dressing room, he found Valentina arranging all the dresses and noting down stuff.
"Thanks Valentina," he said. She just nodded without looking up at him. When he didn't move from his spot she looked up. A strange melancholy and sadness was there in his blue eyes as he stood there looking down at her. The moment she looked, he composed himself. "Would you by any chance have time tonight? Just one dinner and I will never ask," he said, nearly pleading.
"No, don't you just get it? I have better work to do. You can find someone else to bug," she said. Brody heaved a deep deep sigh and dragged his feet to the door.
The day of the wedding arrived. All the dresses and tuxedos had already arrived at the house a week ago. Valentina, like all other bridesmaids wore an iris coloured strapless crinkle chiffon dress with the bodice featuring a sweetheart neckline and ruched detail, and a cascade skirt helping in movement. Her hair was fixed in the same updo as the bride with an iris coloured hair pin.
From the ranch house they all walked towards the altar. It was a beautiful white wooden structure decorated with muted vines and pale pink and white roses mixed with a few bluebonnets which looked naturally beautiful against the bluebonnet field backdrop. Pale blue and white tulle was hung on both sides which swayed in the breeze from the brook. The whole place looked so ethereal, calming and romantic that Valentina too wanted to get married.
On either side of the aisle were white chairs and huge barrels having floral arrangements. The officiant was already there at the altar. When Blade and Brody stood with him and the guests were seated, the music played. The bridal procession started with the ring bearer, followed by the flower girl and then Alexia as matron of honour. The bridesmaids walked with the groomsmen. Bronson walked with Valentina and Brody watched them with jealousy. He wanted to walk with her but as best man he had to stand by Blade at the altar.
After the wedding ceremony, they all went to the reception venue which was the renovated barn on the ranch. The newlyweds didn't stay long as Brooklyn wasn't feeling very well. She was pregnant with twins and was nauseous all the time. So after a hasty first dance and a toast and thank you speeches, they cut the cake and left.
"Valentina, will you dance with me?" asked Bronson and Valentina agreed. He was younger to her and she treated him like a younger brother. He confessed that he loved his best friend's fiancée. It was a forbidden love and he was heartbroken. She felt bad for him already.
As they danced, grinning at each other's jokes, Brody watched them from the bar. He sat there drinking, heartbroken and feeling hopeless. When he couldn't take it anymore, he tapped Bronson on the shoulder,"May I?" he asked.
"Sure. All yours bro," he said, handing Valentina to Brody.
Before he could hold her hand and pull her closer for a dance, she excused herself, "Just a minute, dad's calling me," she said, hurrying away towards her dad. Brody just stood there like a statue and watched her walk away.
He was again ignored as if he didn't exist. She could have danced with him for one minute. At least she could have let him hold her hand.
"You cannot force anyone to love you, son. Just give up. Let her miss you. You're a very good boy, a true gentleman, a kind soul, a treasure. If she can't see it, it's no point pursuing such a woman. Love yourself for God's sake," said aunt Olivia. She had seen the way Valentina treated him and she felt bad for him.
Brody nodded,"Yes auntie. I'll try," he said with a smile.
He tried the whole evening to stay away from her. It was better that way. Maybe she wasn't meant for him at all.