By the time the sun began its descent, the world outside the tinted glass was awash in shades of amber. Five o'clock. Hours had slipped past in a blur of planners' presentations, swatches, mood boards, laughter, and endless decisions. We had chosen a planner. Picked a venue. Even the officiant had been secured. Elise had somehow managed to make the process feel less like a chore and more like the most indulgent adventure of my life.
Now, the car hummed softly beneath us as it carried me back home. My stomach was pleasantly heavy, stretched by meals of flavors I'd never imagined, fruits whose names I couldn't even pronounce, and desserts that melted like silk on my tongue. The car boot and the other four car's that had guards and attendants were filled with glossy bags—silks, shoes, little luxuries Elise had pressed into my hands with a wave of nonsense, it suits you, darling. I'd never been this full, never been this… spoiled.
