My Rugby Stud (complete)

8 - Bridezilla

Last night was crazy fun, when we left the shop the four of us went out to celebrate, we went to the bistro along the road for dinner. It was amazing, we talked about the business and came up with some new names for the shop. After a lot of back and forth we agreed on AS BRIDAL WEAR using our initials, simple yet effective.

Stuart and Matt were so happy for us, I still can’t quite believe it though. It has been a dream of mine for a while to start up myself, but I was always scared to do it. When I was with Martin he would always give the negatives of owning a business, he was never really that supportive.

Once we got back home, Sophie and I sat in the kitchen writing lists, again, of things well need to get done this week on top of our normal work. First off is changing the business registration to the new name and insurance. Second getting a business account at the bank, not looking forward to that experience. Sophie going to get in touch with Matt’s friend who does sign writing to get the sign changed on the shop and I’m going to contact the college about getting some students to help out for experience.

It’s all coming together nicely, our mood is great, and I can’t wait for the future and to build our little empire. That is until I see the diary for tomorrow. I totally forgot that Sammy is booked in for 1030am. The first appointment of the day. I really hope she doesn’t chose one of my designs, I would happily let Sophie deal with her.   Heading to bed with a slight worry of what tomorrow will bring.

Getting to the shop at 9am, we settled down to chat about the day’s work ahead. As Sandra had us working her way, we decided last night to change some of the ways we do things, organise it a little better to suit us. Just as we are finishing up our little meeting, Sandra comes in with her daughter. We all help bag up the dresses she is taking with her, which leaves the shop looking really empty.

Before our 1030 appointment arrives, we shift some of the furniture around to create our own mark on the shop. We move the couch across the back wall, we bring out a two dresses that have been completed but the clients never collected them for whatever reason. They’ve sat bagged up for months, a bridal one that Sophie designed and a bridesmaid one I designed, we put them on the mannequins we found out back and made a few changes to the front window display.

It looks amazing and totally different. Just as the bell goes on the door signalling Sammy and her bridal party arriving, I slip through the back, Sophie already agreed to deal with them to see what designs they pick.  I quickly call the college to see who I need to speak to, the lady giving me an email address for our old professor. I note it down just as Sophie calls me through to the front.

Taking a few deep breaths, I carry through the tray with a pot of tea and coffee with several cups, placing it on the table in front of the clients. I introduce myself to them all, looking up to see Sammy smiling at me excitedly. Not sure if she has recognised me at all. The girl really is stupid.  Turns out Sammy has picked one of Sophie’s designs, thank god. The two bridesmaid picking one of my designs. Simple yet stunning and they both have really nice figures so the dress will compliment them on the day. As Sophie was discussing with Sammy her dress taking measurements, I bring through the fabric samples for the bridesmaid dresses so they can chose a colour.

Now this is where it gets interesting, as we are all chatting away, the mother of the bride asks if either of us are married. Sophie telling them she is not but has a long term boyfriend of about four years, but they have never really talked about marriage.  When it comes to me, well the look on Sammy’s face was priceless.

“I was engaged to a guy, been with him for over four years, engaged for 2 years but I walked in on him having s*x with another woman in my bed.” Hearing gasps from the mother and one of the bridesmaid.  “I had a lucky escape really. I’ve met an amazing guy who treats me so much better, in so many different ways. We both had bad break ups, but it doesn’t affect our ideas of what relationship should be.” I say as I take the last measurement of the second bridesmaid.

The mother of the bride goes on to ask if I still see the guy that cheated on me or the girl that he was with.  I burst out laughing as Sammy told her mum to “stop"

“I have seen him a few times, once at a meeting I had at the bank he is the manager there. I have seen the girl a few times, once when I was shopping in Ikea and today.” I say as I look right into Sammy’s eyes, she hangs her head flushed with embarrassment.  I think her mum is now understanding what I’m talking about.

“Sammy?” her mother asks, but she doesn’t raise her head once.

“Yes it is Sammy that I caught in my bed with my fiancée” I say as I gather the cups and pots and head through the back.  I can hear loud chatter, but I totally zone out as I fill the dishwasher up.  A few minutes later I hear the bell on the door, and I sigh in relief.  I go back to check on Sophie and she is in hysterics on the couch as she tidied up the colour samples.

“Well I wouldn’t be ordering material just yet for this wedding. Her mum was furious. Sammy didn’t say a word and the other two girls told her they won’t be coming to the wedding" she tells me as I join her on the couch.

“Ouch. I was in two minds about saying anything, but the mother was quite persuasive.” I say as I chuckle.

The day goes by quickly, Matt’s friend came out to measure up the sign and showed us some designs and colours. We still need to pick them, so he is giving us time to choose. Sophie called the business registry, got that sorted. We need to go in and sign a few documents tomorrow morning, she also called the bank to get an account set up. We have a meeting with them tomorrow morning also.  I had sent the email to our old college tutor and she is coming in for a meeting on Thursday morning as we don’t have many clients coming in for fittings, just a few collecting the gowns.

It’s all coming along nicely, the next few days all busy with new business.  Not forgetting I collect the keys to my new place on Thursday after work, it’s all just hectic now.

Just as we were getting ready to shut up shop, Sammy and her mother come back in. I leave Sophie to deal with them as I take out tomorrow’s dresses, leaving them bagged up ready to be worked on tomorrow.  Once Sammy and her mother leave, we quickly clean up front and hoover the show room.   On the drive home Sophie tells me

“Just the bride’s gown, bridesmaid are not needed. Her mother scolded her majorly and it was quite funny.” We have a little laugh at that. I don’t feel bad in the slightest, call me bitchy or cruel, she has done worse to me.

Tuesday morning is packed with business meetings. We’ve just finished at the registry for the new business name. Signing our names was a but daunting but felt amazing knowing it’s all ours now. Heading along to the bank for our meeting, I am feeling surprisingly calm about it.  Sammy isn’t on the front desk, but I can see her speaking with other female colleagues at the other counter.  We sit and wait for the business account manager to meet us when my ears pick up my name being mentioned.  As I glance over my shoulder I see Sammy still talking to the same females

“You should have seen her face, all jealous because I managed to steal her man from her. I mean she is nothing to compared to me. She is so ugly, I really don’t see what Martin was doing with her. But omg my dress is so stunning, I chose the other girls design because I didn’t want Alice to touch me when doing my fittings. Her designs are so trashy anyway, but my mum had to go and ruin it” I tuned after a while when Sophie tapped my shoulder and we are called through to the back office.

As I walk past Sammy, her face drops, and she looks so stunned to see me. She knows I heard her talking s**t about me and my work. I know for a fact they are not trashy, not to be big headed or anything but they have been the best sellers in the shop for the last two years.  I know my gowns and the dress she chose is one of Sophie’s best designs and there is no way in hell Sammy will carry it off.

Sophie leans over and whispers in my ear,

“She is the worst bride to be we have ever had in the shop. A proper bridezilla" I burst out laughing, causing the whole place to stop and stare at me. I just shake my head, giving a polite apology nod and head through to the office.

Back at the shop a few hours later Sandra drops by to say a proper goodbye. We have managed to catch up on all the work for the day, especially considering we were out most if the morning.  We chat about the changes we are making and the college coming to see us.

“Girls, you do not need my approval for anything. This place is all yours. Once you get your logo sorted I will happily share it with all my contacts here ok. The other shop is empty now and this is the closest one for miles. You are going to be busy busy.” she gives us hugs before she leaves she tells us.  “send me your business bank details. I’ve got the money there for the deposits from the dresses ordered. Technically it’s not my money anymore.” We weren’t expecting for her to give us that money, but we didn’t  argue with her.

The next few days are busy, we picked our logo last night and the guy is coming this afternoon to put it up. He has worked on it all night as a special favour to us, which we are so thankful for. He sent the design to us so we can get some posters, flyers and business cards made up all to match. We gave it Stuart as he has a friend who does them and he gave us a really good deal. We had decided to do a grand opening next week so we are advertising it just now so we can get more time to organise it.

Our old college tutor has arrived and is so surprised that we have got our dream jobs and our own business now.  She has agreed to get a few students to come along on Monday as that is the quietest day for us will give us time to show them what we do, and we can organise schedules with them, so they don’t clash with their studies.

Today is also the day I collect my keys for my new house. I got a phone call from the solicitor saying everything has went through with no issues and they are ready anytime I am.  Sophie happily pushes me out the door just as the clock says 4pm. The sign is up and is looking amazing. The estate agents is just a block away from the shop, so I just walk along to get my keys.

Just as I’m crossing the street my name gets called from behind me.  I turn around dreading who it will be but soon relax seeing a sexy as hell, blonde haired muscle ripped stud walking my way.

“Hey babe, you left the shop early?” Stuart says as he kisses my lips wrapping his arms around me.

“Yeah Sophie was desperate to get rid of me" I tell him as we start walking again.  He comes with me to collect my keys.  After signing a few forms and shaking hands with the agent. I’m now a proud owner of my own house. A proper grown up.

I head back to the shop to collect my car, seeing it all locked up with our amazing new sign above the door. A pink and violet combination with black writing and a sketch of a bride and groom, it really stands out and brightens the whole place up. The old sign was dull and boring, but this is just bright and fresh. I snap a few pictures and send them to my brother to show my parents.

I head to Sophie’s place seeing Stuart already there, he had went back to the gym to pick up my bags that we stored there from my shopping trip.  When I get into the house Sophie is talking loudly as I head into the lounge.  Her arms flapping around as she talks and paces in front if the TV. Matt and Stuart sitting stunned on the sofa watching her.

“What’s going on?” I ask as I look at the scene in front of me.

“That f*****g bridezilla, came in 5 minutes after you left wanting to change the whole design of the dress. She says it’s not revealing enough and doesn’t have enough details on it. I mean she doesn’t even have anything to show with her man chest, flat as a f*****g punctured tyre. Then she says that the bridesmaid dresses will be getting ordered but not your designs.  Aarrgghh" she slumps down on the sofa in between the guys.

“Wow" Stuart says as he gets up looking petrified.

“Sophie, calm down babe. She isn’t worth it” Matt says as he cuddles her.

“Who is this bridezilla she is talking about?” Stuart asks me as Sophie starts her rant again

“Sammy" I tell him as I shrug my shoulders.  He give the ‘O' look as we listen to Sophie go on again about Sammy.

“Right enough. We will deal with her when she comes back in next week. I have a house to see, now move your asses" I tell them as we get organised to leave.

I grab the already packed cases from my room leaving just enough for tonight and tomorrow, I don’t have a bed so can’t stay there tonight. We all head down the road to my new house.

Standing on the drive with my boyfriend and best friends, I just stare at my house. An amazing feeling washing over me.  Bridezilla soon forgotten as I look at my future right in front of me.