The studio smelled like fresh fabric, steam, and ambition.
Sketches were scattered across a long table, mannequins lined the walls, and rolls of lace and silk leaned like silent witnesses to creativity.
Tabitha stood in the middle of it all, flipping through fabric samples while a designer hovered nearby, slightly nervous.
"I don't want something basic," Tabitha said, not even looking up. "If I walk in, people should forget how to breathe for at least five seconds."
Summer, seated on a stool nearby, chuckled.
"Only five? That's modest of you."
Tabitha shot her a look.
"I'm being realistic."
The designer cleared his throat.
"Madam, we already have a wedding gown prepared for the anniversary..."
"I've seen it," Tabitha cut in.
A beat.
"It's safe."
The designer froze.
Safe… was not a compliment.
Tabitha finally looked up.
"I don't want safe."
She tapped the sketch in front of her.
"I want a modified version. Cut here..." she traced along the waistline, "...more structure. And this train? Longer. Dramatic. I want it to follow me like a statement."
The designer blinked.
"That would… change the entire look."
"Exactly."
Summer leaned forward, clearly enjoying this.
"She's not attending her anniversary," Summer added casually. "She's making an entrance."
Tabitha smirked.
"Now you're getting it."
The designer nodded quickly.
"Understood, madam. We'll begin adjustments immediately."
A few hours later...
Luxury stores lined the street, glass windows reflecting sunlight and expensive taste.
Tabitha stepped out of a boutique, holding her phone.
Summer followed, carrying a couple of shopping bags.
"So," Summer said, "you've redesigned your dress. What's next?"
Tabitha stopped walking.
She looked at her phone.
Then at Summer.
"…Louis."
Summer blinked.
"What about him?"
Tabitha turned fully toward her.
"He can't show up looking like… himself."
Summer frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"He dresses like a board meeting," Tabitha said flatly. "This is an anniversary. He needs to match me."
Summer's lips slowly curved into a grin.
"Oh… this I want to see."
Tabitha was already typing on her phone.
"I'm sending his measurements."
"To who?"
"A designer."
Summer leaned closer, trying to peek.
"Since when do you care about what he wears?"
Tabitha didn't even look up.
"I don't."
A pause.
Then...
"But if I'm going to look perfect, he's not going to stand next to me looking like a spreadsheet."
Summer burst out laughing.
"That man is going to suffer."
Tabitha finally looked up, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Good."
Inside a Men's Boutique
Louis stood still.
Completely still.
While a stylist adjusted the sleeve of a custom suit.
His expression?
Unimpressed.
Andre stood nearby, trying very hard not to laugh.
"I don't understand why I'm here," Louis said calmly.
Andre shrugged.
"Madam's orders."
Louis shot him a look.
"I don't take orders."
Andre raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
Louis didn't respond.
The stylist stepped back.
"Sir, this is the third fitting. Madam specifically requested a sharper cut, broader shoulders, and..."
"I heard you the first time."
Just then...
The boutique door opened.
Tabitha walked in.
Summer right behind her.
Louis turned.
And for a second...
He paused.
Tabitha was glowing.
Not even dressed up fully, just simple...but somehow still commanding attention.
She walked straight toward him.
"Turn."
Louis frowned.
"…What?"
"Turn."
He didn't move.
She sighed and walked closer, grabbing his arm lightly and turning him herself.
Andre coughed to hide a laugh.
Tabitha stepped back, analyzing him like a project.
"…Not bad."
Louis raised an eyebrow.
"Not bad?"
"It's an improvement."
Summer whispered to Andre,
"She's being nice."
Andre whispered back,
"I'm scared."
Tabitha stepped closer again, fixing his collar slightly.
"Stand properly."
"I am standing properly."
"No, you're standing like you're about to reject a proposal."
Andre lost it and turned away laughing.
Tabitha adjusted his sleeve, then his tie.
Her fingers paused for just a second longer than necessary.
Both of them noticed.
Neither said anything.
Then she stepped back quickly.
"Better."
Louis looked down at himself.
"…You went through all this trouble for a suit?"
She crossed her arms.
"I went through all this trouble for myself."
A pause.
Then she added,
"You just happen to be part of the picture."
Louis looked at her.
There it was again.
That strange feeling.
He didn't fight it this time.
"Then I suppose I should thank you," he said calmly.
She smirked.
"You should."
Summer clapped her hands.
"Okay! Power couple energy, I love it."
Andre nodded.
"Very dangerous combination."
Tabitha ignored them.
She picked up another jacket and held it against Louis.
"…Try this one too."
Louis sighed.
But this time..
He didn't argue.
And that alone made Summer and Andre exchange a very knowing look.
The Yu Villa had never felt this tense.
Not even during board meetings.
Not even during family confrontations.
Tonight..
It felt… different.
Louis stood downstairs, already dressed in his perfectly tailored suit, his hair done, everything in place.
Yet..
He couldn't sit still.
He adjusted his cufflinks.
Checked his watch.
Walked a few steps.
Stopped.
Sat down.
Stood up again.
Andre and Orlando sat across from him, quietly watching like this was some rare, once-in-a-lifetime event.
Finally, Andre spoke.
"…Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"You've checked your watch five times in the last minute."
Louis frowned slightly.
"I don't want to keep people waiting."
Orlando smirked.
"Right. That's definitely it."
Louis ignored him.
His eyes flicked toward the staircase.
Nothing.
Still no sign of her.
He exhaled sharply.
"How long does it take to get dressed?"
Andre raised an eyebrow.
"You're asking me?"
Louis didn't answer.
Instead..
He turned and walked upstairs.
Tabitha's room was filled with soft chatter, makeup brushes, and fabric.
Tabitha sat in front of the mirror, her hair styled, her makeup halfway done. The gown flowed around her like a work of art waiting to be completed.
Summer stood behind her, adjusting the final touches.
Tamora was already circling her like a proud artist.
"Don't move," Tamora warned. "If you ruin this, I will cry."
Tabitha rolled her eyes slightly.
"I've been sitting here for hours."
"And you'll sit for ten more minutes."
Just then..
The door opened.
Louis stepped in.
And paused.
He hadn't even seen her fully yet.
Just the glimpse..
And something in him… stilled.
Summer noticed first.
"Oh?"
Tamora turned and grinned.
"Well, well."
Tabitha met his eyes through the mirror.
"…What are you doing here?"
Louis cleared his throat slightly.
"You're taking too long."
Summer gasped dramatically.
"He couldn't wait!"
Tamora clapped her hands.
"I knew it! He came to sneak a peek!"
Louis frowned.
"That's not..."
"Out," Summer said, pointing to the door. "Out, out, out."
"You'll see her when she's done."
Tamora added teasingly,
"Patience, husband."
Louis looked at Tabitha one more time.
Just one.
Then turned and walked out.
But his steps were slower this time.
Downstairs
Louis returned.
Sat.
Stood again.
Andre leaned toward Orlando.
"I've never seen him like this."
"Me neither," Orlando whispered back.
Louis suddenly spoke,
"This is unnecessary."
Andre nodded seriously.
"Very."
Louis looked at the stairs again.
"…She's taking too long."
Then..
Footsteps.
Soft.
Slow.
Everyone turned.
Tabitha appeared at the top of the stairs.
And everything..
Stopped.
The room.
The air.
The noise.
Even time itself seemed to pause.
Her dress flowed behind her like a statement, every step graceful, deliberate. The train followed like a whisper of elegance, her veil resting lightly, her presence commanding everything without trying.
She looked..
Untouchable.
Breathtaking.
Louis forgot to breathe.
Actually forgot.
Andre blinked.
Orlando leaned forward slightly.
"…Wow."
Tabitha walked down slowly.
Every eye on her.
But she only looked at one person.
Louis.
She reached him.
Stood in front of him.
And without saying a word..
She adjusted his suit.
Straightened his collar.
Smoothed his lapel.
Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Louis didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't even blink.
Tamora quickly pulled out her phone.
Click.
The photo captured the moment...
From behind Tabitha.
Her veil flowing.
Louis leaning slightly toward her.
It almost looked like they were about to kiss.
Tamora smiled wickedly.
"Oh, this is going up."
Within seconds...
She posted it.
Elsewhere
Vivian sat in the already decorated party hall, elegantly dressed, waiting.
Her phone buzzed.
She glanced at it casually
Then froze.
The photo.
Tabitha.
Louis.
So close.
So intimate.
Her grip tightened around her phone.
Her expression darkened.
"…Enjoy it while it lasts."
She placed her phone down slowly.
"I'll make sure tonight ends differently."
The group sat inside the luxurious limo.
Tabitha struggled slightly with her dress.
"This is too much," she complained. "Why is it so long?"
Louis glanced at her.
"Then why did you pick it?"
"I didn't," she snapped lightly. "Jemima insisted."
She adjusted the fabric again.
"It's like I'm getting married."
Louis looked at her.
"…You look like it too."
She turned sharply.
"Why are you staring at me?"
He leaned back slightly.
"Because your dress is taking up the entire space."
She scoffed.
"You're exaggerating."
"I'm uncomfortable."
"Oh please."
She tried to fix her veil..
But it tangled slightly.
"Ugh."
She struggled.
Louis watched for a second.
Then leaned forward.
"Stay still."
"I am still."
"You're not."
He reached up, gently fixing the veil, adjusting it carefully.
For a moment..
They were close again.
Too close.
Andre, Summer, Orlando, and Tamora all went silent.
Watching.
Smiling.
Tabitha looked away slightly.
"…Thank you."
He nodded once.
She exhaled.
"…I feel nervous."
Everyone turned to her.
"Nervous?" Summer asked.
Tabitha nodded.
"It feels like I'm getting married."
A pause.
Then she quickly added,
"Again."
They all looked at her strangely.
Louis raised an eyebrow.
"Not much of a big deal," he said casually. "You almost ran away with Simon on your first one."
The atmosphere dropped instantly.
Silence.
Tabitha froze slightly.
Tamora immediately clapped her hands.
"ANYWAY!"
She grabbed her phone.
"Our picture is blowing up!"
She turned the screen to them.
"Comments are going crazy already!"
Summer leaned in.
"Oh my God..people think you guys kissed!"
Andre laughed.
"This is going to trend."
The tension eased slightly.
But..
For a brief moment..
Tabitha's expression had changed.
And Louis noticed.