The Contract

We walked into the dining and everyone looked up at us. "There they are"

"The two love birds, what took you both so long?" Aunt Maria asked as we took our seats for breakfast. "We just slept in for too long"

"From all the busy activities last night, I'm guessing" Aunt Giovanni added and I and Travis exchanged looks and I chuckled.

Trent walked in and they began asking him questions too. He sat opposite us, beside Raquel. He looked up at me and shot me a smile, I looked back at my meal.

"Pearl, when will your family be flying down here?" Rosa asked and I looked up. "It depends on-"

"The date of the wedding has been set, it's the 30th of this month" she informed and my eyes shot open. "The 30th?"

"That's too soon?" Travis asked and I was relieved he did. "Too soon?" She asked in disbelief.

"Il posto non può restare vacante a lungo" she replied and Travis's jaw harden before turning to me. "What do you think?"

Is he seriously asking me like I have a choice in this situation?

"It's fine, I'll inform my family" I replied and returned back to my meal.

Moments later.

I helped cleared the table, taking the last dishes to the kitchen, I was completely lost in thoughts that I bumped into Trent again.

"Whoah, second time. Is this fate?" He asked and I shot him a flinty look. "I'm certain we didn't end at bad terms the last time we talked, Pearl"

"Why?"

"You've barely said a word to me, considering I'm soon gonna be your brother in law"

"Yeah" I answered. "So, you and Travis..."

"Tesoro"

I glanced back as I heard that name, Travis walked in, hands in his pants pocket. I pushed out a smile. "I'll just go drop this" I moved away and headed to the sink.

I slipped out of there.

________________________________________

I turned to the other side as Hillary took my measurements for the dress. "You didn't tell me you had a branch here" I said.

"Why do you think I flew down to Italy. For your wedding?" She asked and I shot her a look, she began laughing. "I'm just kidding. I've gotten the measurements" I sighed and went back to my seat.

"Renae!" She called out and the blonde chick ran back in. "Take this and prep it for the dress" she handed her the clipboard and she took it before walking out.

I twirled the straw in the glass and stared down at the city. "So, have you finally decided how you want the dress?" She asked and I let out another sigh.

"No, you can just do what ever you want"

"Really? You trust my judgement over theirs?" She asked. "I've seen your designs, why don't you have a branch in LA?" I asked

"LA, city of stars. I do have a branch in Paris" she pointed out. "Wow! You really have a lot going on for you"

"Some may say I use work as an excuse so not to settle down " she said. "I totally understand"

"Like my mom calls me a workaholic and all, they don't understand. When I work I feel at peace, I don't feel pressure from people. But do you have a hot brother I could throw myself at at this wedding?" She asked and I laughed.

"Unfortunately no, I have a sister. She got married last month" I informed. "It must be such joy, since you'll be getting married soon too"

"You have no idea"

"So tell me. How did you meet Travis?" She asked, turning to me fully. Here we go again.

"Well, Travis and I have been friends for ages"

"Really?"

"Yeah, we went to highschool together, college too" I added. "Wow, what then happened in the last 3 years, Travis have been here" She inquired.

"Oh uh...we were kinda off then but then we got back together last year. Travis could be a tad bit of a workaholic" I replied.

"I hear you, I could marry my job" she said and I laughed. My phone began ringing, I looked down to see my mom calling. "Excuse me, I gotta take this" I got out to answer.

I leaned by the balcony. "Pearl, I missed your call. What's going on over there?" She asked. "Well, it's time for you guys to fly down here. The wedding is on the 30th"

"The date has been set already and you didn't tell me?" She asked. "It also came as a surprise to me this morning. They really want everything to happen as soon as possible, I tried to-"

"No, it's okay. The date is perfect, the sooner the better" she switched immediately and it didn't surprise me.

"So..."

"We will be there next week"

"Great, I'll-"

"No need for that, we have a vacation house in Italy" she beat me to it. That's true, we once took a summer trip here when I was younger. "Okay"

"And Pearl" she paused. "Yeah"

"Be your most agreeable" of course.

"Yes mother" the call ended after that and I sighed. "Was that your mom?" I turned back to Hillary. "Yeah, they'll be here next week"

"Okay, I hope you have a hot cousin I could throw-"

"No!"

______________________________________

"I'm booking my flight tonight!" Bethany yelled while Kourtney chuckled. "Relax, there's not happening here"

"Maybe it's the fact you are stuck in that castle. We are gonna throw the biggest bachelorette party!" Kourtney declared.

As expected.

I didn't know I was grinning from ear to ear as I stared at them. I miss them. "How's paradise?"

"Everything is going well, we'll begin planning the Simpsons event from next week" Kourtney informed. "They finally decided to go on with the wedding?"

"Something about the speech you gave them "

"Enough about work, how's Travis?" Bethany asked. "He's good"

"You guys must be getting down "

"Bethany, don't even start. The wedding planning is already hectic " I replied. "It's your job"

"Whatever " the door got pushed open and Travis walked in. "I gotta go"

"Is that him?" She asked in excitement. "Bye" I shot the laptop and looked up at him. He loosened his tie and took off his watch. I placed it on the side table and pulled my hair in a messy bun.

"You talked about my dad the other day" he said and I looked up at me. "He died peacefully...in my arms"

I didn't know why he just supplied me with that information. "Don't feel bad for me" he added before heading to the other door.