*Thank you, ladies, for all the support!*
*The $88 special is three days out, and we're already fully booked!*
*Restocking overnight, just brought in a whole batch of high-end international cosmetics, and upgraded the photography equipment too.*
*Come on in, we won't let you down!*
Below it was a screenshot of a bank transfer.
With a caption: You can't get a return if you're not willing to invest.
I stared at the screen, the corner of my mouth lifting a little.
I hoped she'd still be smiling in a few days.
Over the next few days, I stayed busy getting the wedding ready.
But every time I passed near the marriage license office, the artist and her family were in a frenzy.
Either hauling equipment into the shop or tearing open deliveries.
Later I heard the neighboring vendors talking. To handle the weekend rush, she'd not only taken out a huge loan to buy equipment, she'd hired several extra makeup artists and photographers on short notice, all so she could rake it in over the weekend.
I just smiled faintly.
She didn't know yet: the more she put in now, the worse she'd lose later.
Three days later, my wedding to Connor went ahead as planned.
But the car was only halfway there when it suddenly stopped.
The driver frowned and looked back. "Miss Fox, the road's blocked up ahead."
I followed his gaze out the window. A truck sat across the road, and the artist was there with her daughter, directing workers hauling boxes of cosmetics and photography gear, jamming the road solid.
The moment she spotted us, she threw back her head and laughed.
"Well, if it isn't the deadbeat bride."
She pitched her voice loud on purpose, and heads turned our way.
"I figured you two went home for instant noodles the second you got your license."
"What, you can actually afford to throw a banquet?"
"Word of advice to everyone here, take a good sniff when they come around for toasts."
"Wouldn't want a bellyful of watered-down liquor and still be expected to chip in a gift envelope."
The more she talked, the more she was enjoying herself.
A few onlookers who had no idea what was going on couldn't help throwing me odd looks.
Almost at the same moment, my phone rang.
My sister's voice was so panicked she was nearly in tears.
"Sis, come quick!"
"Someone just called the hotel saying you two skip out on your bills all over town, and the whole wedding scene knows it!"
"Now the hotel's insisting we settle the full balance first, or they won't let any of our family in."
"Mom and Dad, and the relatives, everyone's stuck at the door!"
I held the phone and slowly lifted my head.
Seeing me look over, the artist jutted her chin at me on purpose, the smugness on her face impossible to hide.
I had a pretty good idea now.
I reassured my sister. "Don't worry, I'm on my way."
"As for who's spreading this, I'll deal with all of it once I get there."
After I hung up, the artist deliberately took her time directing the workers.
Only after the last box of equipment was carried in did she give a lazy wave.
The wedding car finally began to move.
Outside the window, the artist was still cackling at the top of her lungs.
"Two broke nobodies, and they want to take me on?"
"After today, I'm going to be rolling in it!"
I leaned against the window and glanced in the side mirror.
A big crowd of young couples was streaming toward her and her daughter's shop, quick on their feet.
The artist was grinning so wide her mouth wouldn't close. She turned to her daughter, face flushed red with excitement.
"Once we finish this one job, the two of us are going to be rich!"
Connor and I looked at each other and smiled.
I hoped they'd like the big gift I'd sent their way.
