An hour and a half later they were in an upmarket shop, which stored only popular designers' creations. Nothing was below twenty thousand dollars. The Manager of the shop was more than ecstatic to receive the most popular couple of the town. She took them to the most exquisite corner of the shop where only chosen clients were taken. Daryn was made to sit while they tried various gowns on Dawn. Gowns featured floral appliqué, had romantic silhouettes, were sophisticated, had delicate embroidery and dramatic dress trains.

Daryn was spoilt for choice after Dawn had worn five different gowns. He was confused as hell as to which one to choose because she looked lovely in all. It was more than an hour and he couldn't come to a decision.

​​

"I like this one," she said pointing to the one that she wore, as she puffed a strand of hair that had fallen over her green eyes in frustration when suddenly she heard a familiar voice.

"Then buy it darling!" said Daryn. He would go with whatever his wife wanted.

"What do you mean we can't enter?" I need to help my friend to buy a wedding gown," Cecilia said, pointing to her friend who looked meek.

"But I can't afford it here," her friend protested in a low, embarrassed voice. "This place doesn't fit my budget. I told you." She rubbed her neck.

"Be quiet, Gigi! You always whine!"

"Madam, do you have an appointment?" asked the sales girl.

"I am Cecilia McDow, daughter of David McDow who is the CEO of The Starfish Refineries. How dare you mess with me? And I don't need appointments for a shop as small as your!" she yelled at them.

"Madam, please lower your voice. There's a client sitting inside."

"Oh shut up!" she said and forcefully opened the door of the back room with a loud bang after pushing the sales girl aside. She stepped inside and her gaze met with Dawn's. The first thing she blurted was, "Oh my Gawd! Dawn you are here." Her eyes fell on her wedding gown and she turned green with envy. She had actually seen them entering this shop and had to follow them. Her friend Gigi had come to shop a wedding gown for herself and she goaded her to enter this shop to see the collection. In reality, she just wanted to check out on what the couple was doing.

Dawn raised her eyebrow.

"And you are choosing your wedding gown!" she squealed. "Can I help you sister?" She rushed to Dawn, leaving Gigi aside.

Gigi stared at her with her mouth open. She was so embarrassed that her face flushed red. She looked abashedly towards the Manager.

The Manager was stunned at this sudden arrival and she shot a look at the salesgirl who was as bewildered as the rest were. Had it been any other person, she would have asked them to leave, but when the girl who came rushing in mentioned the word 'Sister', she closed her mouth.

Cecilia paced to Dawn's side and then waved a hello to Daryn. He looked away from her, growing uncomfortable.

Dawn was wearing a wedding gown, which had a beautiful veil that gave the feel of an ancient Roman bride. The bust was filled with intricate embroidery.

Cecilia scrunched up her nose and said, "This is so medieval, Dawn. Wait till I get you one."

"It's fine Cecilia," Dawn said. "I can figure out which one I would like to wear. You can carry on helping Gigi."

But Cecilia didn't listen to her. Instead she went to the rack where the gowns were hanging, checked through it and picked out a white silk gown with deep plunging neckline and a long dress train. The veil was small in order to not cover the front. She pulled it excitedly and said, "Wait Dawn. I am going to try this one out and then you can decide, which gown is better—the one you are wearing or the one I am."

Dawn gaped at her. Gigi wanted to dig a hole for herself and bury and Daryn—he tapped his fingers on the sofa as his eyes narrowed.

It took her fifteen minutes to adjust in that gown with the help of a salesgirl. When Cecilia came out, she sashayed her way to Dawn and stood right next to her with a huge smile.

With a huge grin on her face she placed her hand on her hip and looked at where Daryn was sitting and her face blanched. Daryn wasn't only there. She blinked a number of times and then darted her gaze around to find him, but he was nowhere.

"Are you looking for something?" Dawn asked, gathering the tulle dress train in her hand, as the Manager helped her remove the gown.

Cecilia stuttered, "Wh— where's Daryn?" She wanted to stand with Dawn and compare herself in front of him.

The Manager helped her remove the last pin and said, "We have already taken your measurements Ms. Dawn. The Monique Lhuillier gown that you have just bought is one of the finest in our collection."

"Thanks," Dawn said with her trademark dimpled smile.

"This way, Ms. Dawn. Mr. Silver is paying for it as we talk." The Manager pointed her to the cashier.

Cecilia's face darkened.

Before leaving, Dawn beamed a smile at Cecilia and said, "Thanks but no thanks for your help. Also, next time don't try so hard. It makes your drool too obvious. Even if you were the last woman on this earth, Daryn wouldn't be interested in you. So stop with your foolish attempts because, girl, there's actually no vaccine for stupidity!" The salesgirl tittered, helped her step out of the gown and with her office dress.

Cecilia's face twisted with anger. Her fist curled into tight balls. "You are so mean!" she hissed. "All I wanted was to help you and you have proven how unsophisticated you are. You wench!"

Dawn laughed. "You know, you should drop this 'helping' act. Your mouth is scaring the shit of the public toilets." She collected her purse and walked to the door. Before leaving, she stopped in front of Gigi. "Gigi, if you really want to buy the wedding dress your friend is wearing, consider it as a gift from my side. Though it is seriously hideous."

"I am sorry…" said Gigi. She opened the door and left the room, stopping the tears from falling.

"How much was that gown for?" Cecilia asked.

"Seventy thousand dollars," came the Manager's cold reply and Cecilia's mouth dropped.

Dawn walked to Daryn who had paid the bill and was waiting for her. "I heard all that you said to her. It was badass!"

Dawn shrugged. They walked out of the shop.

"Cole wants me to have dinner with him tonight, alone," she informed him as they sat in the car.

---

By 7PM the article was published in the paper.

[Scandal Hits Starfish Refineries – Investors Stay Away From It

According to one of our reporters, The Starfish Refineries has indulged in the act of bribing, rigging government bids and manipulating audit reports. They…]

The half-page three-columns article went on to expose how they laid off over fifty workers and officers. Details about the bribery, bids etcetera were brief.

The paper's news became nation-wide news on the live TV channels within an hour.

David McDow didn't know how this flared after so many measures to contain it.

Lily and Helena's faces were pale.