The engagement day was rapidly approaching, and now its eve came. Endless clothes fitting quite exhausting Candy, but there was a reward after this torture – she had a ride with Mrs. Legan, or she went to the Neil's office or to the Legan's mansion, where they all had dinner and talked together.
Several times Miss White saw Elisa, who at the first such almost family meeting announced that she had also been offered, and she would soon be married too.
During few dinners with the future Mrs. Rochester Candy was just listening about how gorgeous Elisa's engagement and wedding dresses are, and that she will invite only famous people to her party, not «motley horde».
Neil sent grumpy glances to his sister and slipped cutting remarks, and Candy laughed under her breath. Of course, Elisa, as usual, tried to make her envy and feel her own imperfection, but she did not care at all. She was happy and the fact that the dress of the future sister-in-law would be more expensive could not affect this beautiful and blissful state anyway.
Soon, she and Neal will completely belong to each other, and all the other little things and paraphernalia are just scenery for their main action.
Minutes and hours lasted so long and so painfully, and the girl even started a special calendar, where she marked the tomorrow day and the day of the wedding with a circle.
Very soon!
Does it really make any difference what earrings will be in her ears? What necklace will be on her neck? Is this the main thing?
Candy put her hand down and Neil squeezed her palm. She felt the electric charges running down her body, and her heart was pounding. They were sitting at the table, holding hands, like all lovers, naively imagining that no one saw their little caresses.
Elisa was talking about something again, and Miss White looked at her watch. The evening is approaching, and in the morning Legan's carriage will arrive in her rented apartment and pick her up. Not forever yet, but in two months she will move and will always be with her husband …
Is it really happening?
… The sun set, the shadows fell. Candy was lying on the bed, imagining the next day.
The feeling of happiness rolled like sea waves on the shore, it became difficult for her to breathe, then, on the contrary, it seemed to be easy, she wanted to laugh, jump, dance. Neil held her in his arms at parting, not letting go, and whispered in her ear, "I love, love ...", probably a million times. What a wonderful life! What a beautiful world!
Is it possible that already tomorrow, they will become closer to each other? They will be able to spend more time together. The feeling that her life will soon change completely, and she yearns for this, has covered Miss White. .. Soon they will build their life together.
Like every bride, Candy felt pleasant and simultaneously frightening excitement at the crossroads of her life – life of a free girl and future wife. What they will experience together? If they will be happy?
She wanted to hug Neil and feel his warmth, her body and soul yearned for her beloved.
Despite the fact that Mrs. Legan urged her to get a good night's sleep, the girl knew that she could not fall asleep.
Why the time passes so long!
There was a knock at the door.
Candy jumped on the bed. Neil! Probably, he forgot to tell her something. The girl started to flounce around the room convulsively. It's good that she did not undress! Well! Hair … Hair look nice. But it would be good to bandage the hair with a ribbon. Oh… The dress has crumpled … What to do!
The knock was repeated.
'Candy, it's me!' there was a quiet Annie's voice.
'Annie?... Wait, wait,' Miss White breathed freely – her beloved did not see her in a crumpled dress, but at the same time her sigh was full of regret – she wanted to see him so much and was already looking forward to another unexpected meeting.
The friend came into the flat and immediately embraced Candy.
Miss Brighton felt that if she did not do it at once, then she would not be able to. She came, because it was necessary, she still decided to make peace with her friend before the engagement and come to the party.
A good, kind and wonderful girl would do the same. Moreover, Patty will not understand her, if she does not make up with Candy. And Archie is going to be there.
She felt lonely without Candy. It didn't matter what she thought. No matter that she felt jealous about Archi, she had strong affection towards her childhood friend. The days when they did not talk to each other seemed to be an eternity to her.
In the depth of her soul she didn't have desire to apologize, so what? Sometimes you have to force yourself.
Miss Brighton felt Candy crying and starts to cry to. She said almost sincerely:
'I wish you only happiness, Candy. Forgive me, I'm sorry.'
'Come on, Annie,' the happy bride whispered. 'I'm sorry. I just did not say anything, and then I'm waiting for you to understand everything... And I'm very, very happy.'
'You will be the most beautiful tomorrow.'
'Annie, I'm so glad, I'm so happy that you have come!'
Candy offered a cup of tea and a chat, but Annie hurried home.
'You should sleep well,' she said severely. 'You should be the most charming bride tomorrow!'
The friend left so quickly that Miss White did not even have time to ask her about Archie? And is he going to come?...
… Archibald Cornwell was sitting on the bed and blindly looking out of the dark window. Tomorrow. Tomorrow Candy will be engaged to ... Neil. Archie did not waste time and made inquiries, and the information was very surprising to him – apparently, Legan really gave up all his whores.
Maybe one of the "butterflies" remained out of the Cornwell's sight, but this doesn't make difference, all looks as if this type is really going to get married.
These girls told him "confidentially" that Neil threatened them with terrible punishments, if they suddenly, at least in some innocent way, let the young wife to know about themselves and that he is mad about her.
It was strange. This means that the cousin is quite serious, even though his mother goes to the fittings with Candy, and Elisa, although she boasts about her fiancé, but obviously does not harm Candy.
It's incomprehensible. Of course, maybe Neil has some poor feelings for Candy that he has taken as love. Lust has devoured him, and he can get what he wants only after the wedding, but why should he change his life so much?
Maybe he really fell in love. It's impossible not to love Candy! But why she has chosen him? Yes, let it be, he has a nice appearance (although Archie does not think so), but Candy knows how vile and evil he is! After all, that bigheaded Granchester at least was not a scoundrel …
The man took his head in his hands. What can he do?... Okay. He still has two months to find out. He will come tomorrow. Look at them together. And if he sees at least some falsehood – he will save Miss White, whether she wants this or not. Hurry would have come Mr. Albert!
He wondered if Annie would come. He still has not seen her. Did she find someone? She always appears well-dressed as for a party. What's wrong with the life, what happens?!
And what was the most difficult, young Cornwell could not understand what he felt. Does he love Annie or still Candy? Does he really feel jealous about Annie?
But he is jealous many times stronger about Candy and Neil…