Chapter 10 — Weddings Without Brides

The phone screen lights up. Luc Tram Chu sent a photo of her wedding dress.

"I ordered the main wedding dress for you again, the price is double the old one. Tomorrow, after the final meeting, you can try it on, don't be angry anymore."

Immediately followed by a transfer transaction of 100,000 yuan. The notes read: “Compensating for Kieu Kieu.” I transfer for a full refund. He immediately called.

“Why don't you accept it?”

“No need.”

"Are you still angry about the wedding dress? You didn't handle the matter at the store well, but To Tinh already wore that outfit, and I don't feel comfortable wearing it again. Changing a new outfit is good for everyone."

“Good for whom?”

“Kieu Kieu.” His voice dropped. "I know you're already feeling frustrated. Once the process is finalized tomorrow, I'll push all the work and spend the whole day with you. At the afternoon ceremony, you can fix whatever you want."

I browsed the edit history on the system.

“What time does it start in the afternoon?”

“6 hours.”

“What time do you pick up guests?”

“Four and a half.”

“When do fresh flowers change their scenery?”

He stopped. “Phung Diem will arrange those details.”

“When will the names on the main stage change?”

“Electronic content can be changed at any time.”

“What about Braille?”

“Kieu Kieu, you are the bride, you don't need to worry about execution.”

In the past, he always praised my clarity in my work. When the wedding plan was revised for the third time, he even sent the progress chart I made to his friends, boasting that having a wife to be a project manager would make life less worrying. Now, my clarity has become "trouble". Because as long as I keep asking, his lies won't be able to be hidden anymore.

“Tomorrow, bring the full procedure sheet.”

“Of course.”

“Don't make any further changes.”

“Okay.”

He agreed very quickly, mixed with a bit of relief from being relieved of his burden.

“You know it right away, I won't give up on our wedding.”

I looked at the stack of signed contract termination notices on the table.

“See you tomorrow.”

I hung up the phone and drove back to the apartment. Luc Tram Chu is still at the hotel with To Tinh, there is no one in the house. The corner of the living room was filled with cardboard boxes ready to be delivered to the venue, on top of which was a red lacquer box - the box containing the marriage certificate that my grandmother left me. Before she passed away, she put her and my grandfather's wedding photos, two handwritten letters and a pair of old silver locks in there, telling me to remember to bring them to my new home on the wedding day. I once found this box too old and not suitable for a modern wedding. But Luc Tram Chu said that no matter how old something is, it is still the blessing of the elders and must be placed in the most visible position on the welcome table. The paper labeled "Hei" on the carton was torn in half. The new sticker reads: "Miss To's personal keepsakes, please do not touch them." I opened the box, the old photo and silver lock were still there, but next to it appeared another photo of To Tinh's mother's hospital room. Even the blessing my grandmother left me, they used as a stepping stone for To Tinh's wedding. I took out the photo of the hospital room and threw it on the table, hugged the red lacquer box and my pile of identification papers and walked straight. Before leaving, Luc Tram Chu texted good night.

“After signing tomorrow, everything will return to its original position.”

I closed the apartment door. There are things that, once replaced, will never be the same again old anymore. Chapter 8 The next morning at ten o'clock, the joint closing meeting with suppliers started on time. The hotel manager, the wedding organizer, the wedding dress shop owner, the person in charge of fresh flowers, the makeup artist and the livestream company were all present. Luc Tram Chu sat in the center of the meeting table, To Tinh and Luc's mother sat on both sides. My seat was filled with the final protocol and a ballpoint pen. Seeing me walk in, Luc's mother immediately pushed the pen towards me.