A Bride for a Merger
Chapter 19

I was at work and I had decided to call my Dad just to hear his voice. We haven't spoken to each other in a while and I have missed him so much. However, the minute I called, and we began talking, Dad started assuming and claiming that something was wrong with me.

"I am fine Dad, really I am." I replied over the phone. "I am really good."

"Are you sure dear? If something is wrong you can tell me. Is it Chris? Did he do something? Because if he had then..." Dad started saying before I cut him off.

"Yes I am sure Dad. I am quite alright. And no, Christopher did not do anything. I have just missed you alot." I said to him.

That seemed to have him calmed down.

"Alli, my heart beat. I have really missed you too." Dad sighed. "And I know you probably think I'm a bad Dad who just pawned you off for a business deal and then never visit. But, I promise you Ali, it is not like that. It's just..."

"No, it is okay Dad I get it. Even though you've merged the company and Christopher is now handling most of it, you still have to handle the branch back in Chicago. And I know that since the merger happened, that business is more hectic than usual. So I understand that you have been even more busy. I know." I said to him.

"And no, I don't think that you pawned me off just for some business deal. You saw an opportunity, mentioned it, and I agreed to do this for you, remember? I totally get it and I know you're a great Dad. You always were."

"You don't have any idea how glad I am to hear you say those words. Most daughter would have hate their old man for doing something like this to them." Dad said with a sigh. "I've thought about it afterwards, and I feel guilty for suggesting it in the first place. It was a bit inconsiderate and selfish on my path."

"I love you Dad, I could never hate you. You have always been there for me for as long as I can remember, so it was time that I be there for you." I replied.

"I love you Allison. You're the greatest daughter a father could ever asked for." Dad said to me emotionally. "So how has that Christopher boy been treating you?"

"Christopher has been okay, I mean we've decided to try and be friends since we couldn't get along before. And Saturday night we're going to this business dinner together, so I guess you can say that we are okay." I told him. "Well I'm really glad to hear that. I know neither of you had wanted to be stuck in an arranged or loveless marriage but I'm glad you two are trying to get along." Dad said to me. "I really hope things work out in both of you favor."

"Yeah me too. Anyway I got to go Dad, I love you." I said to him.

"I love you too dear. And I promise that as soon as I get a little break from handling things here, I am going to fly over to visit." Dad replied.

"I'm looking forward to it. Bye Dad." I responded with a smile even though he couldn't see it.

"Bye Alli." Dad replied before I hung up the phone.

"Hey Maureen." I called out to another interior designer that I was working with.

She was a really nice lady and about in her late thirties. I was just helping her out with some design ideas for a home she was going to be decorating. "I'm going to head out a little early today okay?" I informed her.

"Oh, alright Allison. I guess that I will see you tomorrow then?" She smiled at me.

"Yeah, see you." I smiled back at her as I took up my bag and headed out.

I took out my phone from my bag again and dialed Bryan's number.

"Hey Alli, to what do I owe the pleasure of receiving this call?" I heard Bryan answered with a chuckle, after the third ring.

"Well I need a huge huge favour from you. Are you busy right now?" I asked him.

"Nope, not really. I'm not too busy for you Alli." Bryan replied with a laugh.

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"Oh that's great. Can you meet up with me?" I asked happily.

***

"Oh my God, Allison I can not believe that we are doing this, or that I am doing this rather." Bryan groaned beside me.

"No one is going to know Bryan, chill. And in case you are worried, then I won't tell Tori either. Besides, you're the only one I could have asked." I said to him.

"Allison, when you called me to meet up, I thought we were getting lunch or something. I didn't know it was to go dress shopping." Bryan groaned again as I looked through racks of dresses.

"I am sorry Bryan, but I needed someone else's opinion. And I would have usually done this with Tori but since she is miles away, I figured you be the best person to ask. You remember that I haven't got much friends here." told him. "You really need to get some girl friends." Bryan teased. "It's weird that I am your only friend here. Are you a loner?"

"Shut up." I said pushing his shoulder playfully. "I am not a loner. I know how make friends too, I just haven't see much friend materials around here, so there is only you."

"Really? I feel so honoured and special Ali." Bryan laughed.

"Yeah, now please help me. I haven't gone dress shopping in a while. I think I may definitely be needing a second opinion because I will just buy the first thing I see."

"That would not be so good. Well what about this one?" Bryan asked picking up a strapless red short dress.

"Bryan, are you out of your mind?" I asked narrowing my eyes at the dress. "I'd be the centre of attraction in that thing. I would've probably looked like a hooker or gogo dancer. That dress would barely cover anything."

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"See? Wouldn't that be great? That way you could guarantee that Christopher's eyes would be on you and only you, for the entire night." Bryan grinned at me mischievously. "You would have his full attention."

"Yeah you're right. I'd have his eyes and a whole other bunch of male eyes on me. And they would all be thinking that I've gone mad in the head." I frowned at him."Probably even a few women would be looking at me too. This is supposed to be a classy event not a 'dress trashy' event. And who says that I even want to keep Christopher's eyes on me anyway? Nope, I don't want that. Please put that dress back, that is definitely not me."

"Sure you don't." Bryan said sarcastically before putting back the red dress and continued looking through the racks. "I am honestly not sure how this dress shopping thing goes. I mean are you looking for a particular style, brand or colour?" "I just want something that looks really classy, something that is subtle and decent but in a way also a bit sexy." I replied as I looked through another section. "I want to look nice, classy and modest at the same time. I want a decent conservative dress you know, nothing that is too scandalous or revealing. "

"Hmm. I am not sure that I'm much of a help in this department. " Bryan said looking up at me. "They have store attendants here you know, why don't you let them help you? Since they're women and would better understand the style and fashion and all?"

"Bryan, I have lived almost of my life with store attendants or designers helping me pick out my outfits for these types of functions. Sometimes I didn't even get to pick my own clothes. This time I would really just like to try picking out my own outfits for an event with just a friend's help." I said to him.

"I almost forgot, you had things like that because you were probably always getting ready in 'Daddy's little rich girl style'." Bryan teased which caused me to narrow my eyes at him.

"Call me that one more time." I threatened him woth my fist, even though I was just messing with him.

"Well in that case, let me just continue to try helping you to replace the perfect dress." Bryan chuckled. "Thank you. That I would love that." I smiled at him as I scanned a few more dresses.

"Why don't you try on this one." Bryan said passing me a cream coloured dress. "I think this one is classy yet sexy."

"

It was a straight knee length sleeveless dress. It had a slight V-neckline that would show just a little cleavage but still remain modest. The design of the dress showed that it would be figure hugging as well. Overall, this dress was really simple yet really nice.

"Okay." I said taking the dress from him. "Let's see how this one looks on me. I am going to try it on."