Chapter 286 - The Wedding (3): The Gown

Somi was studying the dresses placed in front of her. She had summoned all the designers from the list Psycho gave her. Upon hearing that the Nation's True Love was looking for a wedding gown, they immediately brought their best collections to her house.

She was carefully scrutinizing the dresses. The designers were nervous as she went from dress to dress, rejecting them. Psycho, who was standing beside her, was visibly shocked as Somi casually flicked the dresses. It was hard to please her.

"This one is too frilly," Somi complained, throwing away a coral colored gown.

"Madam, this one was designed by Aeon Clothing," one of the designers named Cho said. "Our company is the best in wedding gowns."

"As if!" another designer named Seungyoon scoffed. "Madam, our ATZ Fashions is the best-"

"Oh no!" Designer Sammy cut through. "My summer pattern wedding gown is in style!"

"All of your gowns are too loud and flashy!" Somi snapped. "I want a subtle one. This is for my next drama and I want it to be perfect!"

She picked up a light yellow wedding gown with glitters but immediately tossed it aside. So far, she was not even a little bit interested in any of the wedding dresses. She knew Mirae's taste well and none of the gowns were even close to the dress her best friend had always dreamt of.

"I can't believe it!" she cried in frustration. She had merely five hours left and there was no wedding dress! Hyun Jung already booked the church while Eli took care of the honeymoon tickets. And she was still not done choosing a gown!

"Madam, just choose any," Psycho pressed. "We have little time," he added in a whisper.

"This is a wedding," Somi quietly gritted. "It's only going to come once in her life! The wedding dress is the most important thing! I can't just let her wear any random gown!"

Her angry gaze made shut Psycho up. She was scary when she was pissed.

"Madam, these are the finest gowns in our collections!" Cho exclaimed. 

"Yes!" Seungyoon agreed. "All these gowns are in trend!"

"I don't want trendy stuff," Somi replied. "I want the perfect gown." 

She turned to Psycho.

"Is this all?" she demanded. "No other designers?"

"Err…" Psycho checked his list. There was one more designer left but the man did not show up.

"The CEO of TNT Corps isn't here yet," he informed her.

"TNT Corps?" she frowned. "They make wedding gowns now?"

"They've recently launched a wedding collection," he said. 

"Then where is he?" she demanded. "Call him! We have very little time!"

Just then, the doorbell rang. "That must be him," Psycho said. "I'll get it."

He left the room to answer the front door. Within a few seconds, he re-entered the room followed by the most flamboyant man Somi had ever seen. 

The CEO of TNT Corps was wearing a bright yellow suit. His long hair was dyed pink and a bright orange scarf hung around his neck. Behind him was a short, dark haired girl. The girl was carrying a box in her hands and she looked a little stumped upon seeing the Nation's True Love in flesh.

"Madam, this is Hyuk Hyunjae, CEO of TNT Corps," Psycho announced. "And this is his assistant, Ms. Oh Rian."

"Hello!" Hyunjae greeted brightly. He stepped forward to shake her hand. Somi was studying the man or rather specimen in front of her. The guy looked unashamedly confident.

"Oh this newbie is going to show his designs?" Cho scoffed. Hyunjae was in his thirties, much younger than all other designers in the country. He was a novice compared to their traditional art.

"I'm not here to show my design," Hyunjae chirped. "My dress will be chosen since I am the best in everything I do."

Rian groaned. Her over narcissistic CEO was going to anger a lot of people in that room and would probably end up getting beaten up by the angry mob. She inwardly prayed that they break some of his bones so that she would not have to endure his childish tantrums at the workplace for a few months.

"Kid, you have nothing on our experience," Seungyoon sneered.

"Okay boomer," Hyunjae said warily. "Your designs are old fashioned anyway. I mean, frills. Really?"

He openly pointed at the yellow wedding gown. "It was a rage during the nineteenth century probably," he laughed.

"CEO, stop agitating them!" Rian begged as the nerve on Seungyoon's head.

"I'm just pointing out the truth," Hyunjae said, flashing a smile. He was totally oblivious to the murderous glares being thrown at him. "It's not my fault that I was born with a rare talent to create the perfect dresses," he added with a sigh. Being handsome and talented is so hard, he lamented inwardly.

Seungyoon was about to retort but Somi had enough of their banter.

"Where are the dresses?" she asked, feeling annoyed. "I don't see any collections of dresses with you!"

"Well…" Rian hesitated. She had constantly bickered with the CEO to bring a few dresses with them but the idiot brought just one. She had heard about the Nation's True Love's temper and Rian had no intention of being on the receiving end. She would happily throw the CEO under the bus though.

"Dress, Hyunjae corrected. "Just one."

The other designers snickered at his declaration while Hyunjae was unabashed.

"Just one?" Somi repeated.

"Just one," he smirked. "Ms. Oh! Please show it to her."

Rian nodded and placed the box in front of Somi. She opened it to unfold a wedding gown.

It was a full sleeved white gown with tiny blue sapphires on the collar. The upper part was embroidered with transparent stones to form roses while the bottom part phased into a light blue shade with matching glitter lightly sprinkled on it. 

Somi gaped at it in wonder, holding the gown in her hand. It was made of a soft material mixed with cotton and silk. Every thread was done with great care and perfection while keeping comfort of the bride in mind. There was an unique charm to it which would only amplify the happiness of the bride.

"The dress is easily stretchable too," Hyunjae said proudly. "So size isn't an issue."

He spent the entire morning making the gown himself. Rian was worried that someone else would get the job but upon seeing the dress, she could not help but marvel at it. Somi was also admiring it.

"This...this is perfect!" she exclaimed happily. The other designers gawked at the dress. Hyunjae was not throwing baseless claims about his talent. He truly was gifted.

"I know," Hyunjae smirked. "After all, it was made by an amazing designer aka me. Don't be fooled by my handsome looks and devilish charms. My talents are unprecedented."

Somi was about to reply back but Rian hit him on the head. "Stop boasting!" she scolded him. "Or I'll tell Secretary Jo Sung to increase your paperwork!"

Hyunjae rubbed his head and mumbled, "Yes ma'am."

Who is the CEO and who is the assistant? Somi wondered. She turned to the other designers.

"Thank you for your time," she said. "We've chosen the dress I want."

The designers grumbled and left the room one by one, complaining about wastage of time. Somi ignored them and turned to Hyunjae and Rian.

"We'll take it," she stated. "It's a marvelous dress and we appreciate your sincerity."

Hyunjae was about to rant more about himself but Rian grabbed his neck and forced him to bow down. 

"We're glad you loved our dress!" she said with a bow. 

"Of course she would, it was made by me!" 

SMACK!

Rian hit his head again, this time harder. "Go and handle the payment you Narcissistic Demon," she threatened. Hyunjae cowered away under her stern gaze.

"Let's go, Mr. Hyuk," Psycho suggested. The guy is a masochist, he thought inwardly as he led Hyunjae away, leaving Rian alone with Somi.

Rian was fidgeting her fingers, feeling a little scared. Somi noticed her nervousness and asked, "What happened Ms. Oh? Is there something wrong?"

"Umm…" Rian started. She took out a diary from her bag and stretched it out towards Somi. "Can I have an autograph?" she blurted out loud. "I'm a huge fan! I've watched all your dramas and movies. You're so awesome!"

Somi burst into a laugh and said, "Sure! It'll be my honor!"

She signed the diary for Rian who was elated. "I'll take my leave now!" she said. "Lord Narcissist has a meeting at three o'clock and I'll have to make sure that he attends. Otherwise he'll run off to some salon to get his nails done."

What an odd couple, Somi noted as Rian left the room to drag the CEO to his next appointment. 

Somi turned her attention to the dress. Mirae would be thrilled to see it.

"I'm gonna throw you the best wedding, Mir!" she announced.

….

Rian got into the car with Hyunjae, who was beaming.

"I told you she'd like the dress," he boasted to her.

"Yeah, yeah!" she rolled her eyes in annoyance. 

"People like me are hard to find," he went on. "I'm a special creation. With unmatchable beauty and talent, it's so hard to survive."

He sighed as he felt the pressure of being a perfect being. Life is hard, he thought.

Rian clenched her jaw, feeling irritated. 

"Now that I'm done with that," Hyunjae said, straightening up to face her. "Let's talk about something serious."

RIan frowned. His expression was grave and it looked as if he was going to tell her something important.

"What is it, CEO?" she asked in concern.

"Let's change your wardrobe and put some makeup on you," he said, nodding. "Possibly change your hair too. And a nose job wouldn't be bad either. I'll turn you into the most beautiful girl in the country although not as beautiful as me."

Rian stared at him for a few seconds with an impassive face.

WHACK!

"OWWWW!" Hyunjae's screams echoed throughout their ride as Rian tried to rip off his hair.