Chapter 4 The Billionaire's Virgin Bride IV

Lauren

A little over a month has passed since the fire broke out. It seems like a long time has passed, despite the fact that everything seems to have passed in a haze. This is because so much has transpired. I'm still trying to make sense of all that took place the previous night. It has been a trying period of time. As soon as the incident occurred, I got in touch with my insurance provider, and they agreed to pay for a portion of the costs associated with the losses and repairs.

Even though it took me a lot of time and work, I was able to accomplish some of the less significant jobs on my own. In particular, the cleaning was something I could do.

Even though the store is still damaged, I was able to get it mostly functioning and start serving clients once more. I need to take a moment to recover my breath, so I stop in this shop. I walk around and take a look at the places that I've delineated off. As a result of the fire, I've had to cut back on both the number of items in my inventory and the customers I can accommodate.

I have a stack of bills to go through, so I make my way to the back of the store and into the new makeshift office there. I look them over and make a mental note of the overall sum for all of them. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to pay them all and still have enough money to keep the lights on for another month.

Right now, nothing can be afforded because everything is so expensive. The fire caused me to suffer not only material but also mental devastation. As a result of having to take on fewer customers, there has been a reduction in profit, which has made the issue even worse. As I put the papers down, I feel a little tremor in my fingers, and the numbers make my eyes start to water.

Since a few days ago, I've had the nagging fear that I might actually end up having to close the store. I am currently scraping by on what amounts to a pittance, and on top of that, I am responsible for paying my own rent and staying alive financially. I come through the front door of the shop and take a seat in one of the chairs that I keep in stock for my clients. My anxieties get the best of me, and I start crying all over again. Because I'm crying so hard, I didn't even notice when my next client walked in the door.

"Laur? How are you doing today? Is there anything that needs to be done?" A voice next to me inquires.

I am surprised and stop crying after taking a step backwards. I make an effort to compose myself while dabbing my eyes with a tissue. As I look up, I see that it's Kirsten. "I'm here early for my last fitting," she explains. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

As I make an effort to bring my feelings under control, I nod in agreement. She does as I ask and places a comforting hand on my shoulder before taking a seat next to me.

She poses the question, "You want to talk about it?"

I have a runny nose and my eyes are fixed on the ground. "It's just that I'm concerned. This blaze has caused me a great deal of suffering. The issue of money is the most significant one. There is a chance that I won't be able to continue running this company. Do you know that my grandmother used to own and run this store? Since it was left up to me to handle, I can't help but feel as though I've let her down.

My friend Kirsten comes up behind me and offers me a quick embrace.

"I'm very sorry, Lauren. But please don't be so hard on yourself; this wasn't because of anything you did.

I am standing up and would like to thank her for the embrace. "Shall we get to work?" I inquire while attempting to maintain a cheery demeanor.

She joins me in standing and turns her gaze to mine. "Have I ever shared with you the story of how I came to be married?" Suddenly, she poses the question.

As I take her by the hand and guide her back to the workroom to seek for her dress, I shake my head in the negative.

It's been a couple years since then. I was in an extremely precarious financial situation. I was introduced to him by a friend we both shared at one of these, um, sex auctions, if that's what you want to call it. She discusses things in a timid manner.

I am shocked as I gaze at her while I hang her dress on a hook that is close. My face brings a chuckle to her lips. "Everything was completely without malice. The guys are willing to place bids on anything a lady is willing to put up for auction, whether it be something as simple as a date or something as lavish as her virginity.

I can only continue to look with my mouth gaping open. "Is that without guilt?" I inquire with complete disbelief.

She explains, "The way I got money was by organizing an auction at my business. They pay a rather high hostess fee." "The auction was held at my business." I'm telling you this because it's an easy way to get money, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. She opens up to me.

I stare at her and then ask in a hesitant tone, "Did you sell your virginity at auction?"

Her laughter may be heard. She freely acknowledges that at first she did not believe it, but that she does now.

I can't help but stare at her in utter disbelief.

She reaches into her purse and pulls out a business card, which she then presents to me.

"Take a look, tomorrow night there will be an auction going on here. Why don't you come on in and have a look for yourself to see how it's done? When that time comes, we'll continue our conversation, and if you're interested in playing host, I'll put you in touch with the appropriate individuals ".

I reluctantly accept the card from her and examine it.

Where can I go to try on my new dress? She inquires.

I'm startled out of my trance, so I set the card down and grab the clothing from the floor.

"You should come this way." I smile broadly as I point her in the direction of the newly improvised changing rooms.

She gives me a friendly grin before bringing her dress inside. I go back out into the store while I wait for her to finish changing, and I stand there staring at the card that is on the counter. Her life experience is somewhat unique to say the least. However, I'm not sure whether I have it in me to do something as risky as attend the auction. I just can't bring myself to do it.

I let out a sigh and glance around my store. When I think about my grandmother again, I have to fight the want to cry in order to keep it together. It has dawned on me that I cannot afford to let this business go. I have no choice but to try every single thing I can think of to try and rescue it. That means I should look for financial opportunities wherever I can.

Kirsten steps out in her dress. "Well, what do you think of me?" She does it with a grin on her face.

"Fantastic. In addition, I've made up my mind that I'll be attending the auction tomorrow." I let her know while turning to face her with a grin on my face.

She displays a radiant grin. "Wonderful!" It is her exclamation.

I assist her in making her way to the mirror. "How does it feel?" I inquire while shifting the conversation's attention back to her outfit and the forthcoming wedding.

She examines her appearance in the mirror from a variety of perspectives.

"Oh, it couldn't be much better! You performed a wonderful job. Your ability to complete it in such a short amount of time astounded me." It is her response.

I let out a small giggle while saying, "It's my work." In response:

As I observe her happy face I am struck anew by the realization that I have found a career that I genuinely enjoy. There is no way that I will let this store get out of my hands. Once more, she gives me a smile.

"This dress is just what you need. I'm relieved that this is the final adjustment, because I can't wait to try it on for real!" She shrieks with glee at the thought.

We roar with laughter at the same time.

She offers me a short hug after she has finished changing and before she pays for the gown. On the reverse side of her card, she jots down the start time of the auction.

"Feel free to get in touch with me at any time if you have any inquiries."

After I've thanked her, she walks out of the store. I make a mental note to hand her wedding outfit over a few days before the big day.