The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.

-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Rafe Moretti's POV

A few days later after the agreement, I had with the Spencer heiress. I took a deep breath as I stood at the foyer of the house of Corrine Cordelia Spencer's parents. Even if, we would be marrying for practical reasons, still I want to do this right. In Sicily, it's a custom that the man would ask the hand of his bride-to-be to her parents before he even permitted himself to propose to the woman.

And in this case, I would do it. After so much debate and preparation inside my head, I took a final deep breath and make myself known. A few moments later, Corrine's mother opened the front door with a smile on her face. "Hi, so we meet again. Come inside."

I smiled shyly in her direction, as I stepped inside their home. "I'm sorry if I came without notice."

"That's okay." She replied, closing the door behind her. "My husband told me that one of these days he is sure you will come for a visit. Come, he's on the second floor."

She led me to the second floor of the house. While ascending on the staircase I couldn't help but be amazed at their house. It was far different from the Spencer Manor with the aristocratic ambiance. This one was modern and cozy, it makes you feel welcome.

Corrine's mother knocked at the door at the end of the hallway. "We have visitor, dear." She announced before entering the room.

I silently followed her inside the room. I saw Corrine's father stood from the study table and smiled at me as he gestured to the sofa sets. "This is a surprise. Please make yourself comfortable."

I returned his welcoming smile with my slight force. Okay, I could finally confess that I was nervous as hell. Elijah Spencer was more welcoming than my godfather, Cesare Fiorenza, who was known for being aloof and reclusive but I never felt this kind of nervousness while talking to my godfather now that I stood in front of Elijah.

"I will leave the two of you to talk." Corrine's mother had said, closing the door behind.

"Please, have a seat." Elijah offered the sofa once we were alone. "I'm surprised that my daughter didn't come with you today."

I sat on the sofa a bit tensely. "She doesn't know that I will come for a visit today, sir. In fact, she's in Paris right now."

That information got him arrested. "Is she?" He asked pleasantly with a tilt of his eyebrow. "Then this is not a social visit, is that correct?"

"Yes, sir," I answered casually, though I shifted in my position. "The reason I came here early this morning is to formally ask your daughter's hand in marriage. I know I should have done this before Corrine announced our engagement in the memorial service of your father."

Elijah Spencer held a private smile on his face. "So the two of you were serious back then? I thought she's just bluffing when she announced that the two of you were engaged. I have to be honest with you. I'm surprised to learn about your engagement because I haven't met you before the service."

"I know you must have a reservation with our union," I said after a moment. "I cannot blame you, sir. Your daughter is marrying a complete stranger and you are worried."

He nodded in agreement. "That's correct. Why the rush? Is she pregnant already? That's why you are in a hurry to marry?"

I couldn't help but the heat that spread through my cheeks. "No, sir. I want to be honest with you. She's not pregnant and the reason we are marrying is that..." Dio, how should I explain this to her father?

"Tell me something..." Her father said after a moment. "...do you love my daughter?"

I looked at him straight in the eyes. "I cannot answer you that, sir. I don't want to lie to you so you will permit me to marry your daughter. But I assure you I have honest intention towards your daughter."

I heard him sighed, as he stood from the sofa he'd been sitting across from me. "I think I have some idea why the two of you are marrying. My daughter is impulsive and this haste wedding has something to do with her inheritance, right?"

I was lost for words. "I—I"

"Don't worry," Elijah smiled at me. "I can see that you are a good man. Much better than the men she was associated with before. I know you will take good care of her."

"I may not be the best choice for your daughter," I replied with a serious tone. "But I promise you that I will try to make her happy every day and I will take good care of her. Corrine's happiness is my top priority. I don't want her to regret marrying me."

He nodded. "That's all I want to hear from the man who bravely asks my daughter's hand in marriage." He went to the side table and raised the decanter. "Do you think it's too early to have whiskey, Rafe?"

I shook my head and stood on the sofa. "I'm sorry if I have to refuse your offer this time, sir. I have some important errands to do this morning. Maybe next time, thank you for your time. I will show myself out."

"All right," He said, pouring himself a glass of liquor. "I hope next time you can join me for a drink and I hope you can keep up with my daughter's strong personality." He grinned at me as he raised his glass. "Who knows you might fall for her infamous charm."

Instead of answering, I just smiled at him before taking a leave to their house. Once I was outside I took a deep breath and slid to my car. One more errand for this day, I thought silently as I started my car's engine. I need to buy something.

Forty-five minutes later, I was greeted by a saleslady with a ready smile on her face. "Hi," I said conversationally. "I'm looking for an engagement ring."

AT THE SAME TIME IN PARIS...

Coco Spencer's POV

I never thought the sun could shine this bright in Paris. I've been here countless times but this was the first time that I enjoy the scenery, the air, the architecture, and the people. It's still bizarre for me that the reason I was in Paris right this moment was not for vacation but with the reason that I would hire a fashion designer to create a wedding dress for me.

Finally, that handsome but traditional man had come to his senses and agreed to marry me. This union would benefit the two of us greatly. I prevented myself from giggling again as I walk in the streets of Paris. Every time I remember his very first phone call to me and ask if I can meet him because he was ready to make a choice.

I left everything I was doing at that moment to meet him. With my over-the-top excitement about his phone call, I did a cartwheel in my bedroom which I haven't tried again after my high school years as a member of the cheer squad.

And when he told me about his intention to marry me inside the restaurant with every ounce of self-control I possessed in my body. I prevented myself from doing a series of cartwheels inside the restaurant due to my happiness. I don't want to scare him and back out. So I tame down my excitement.

Just this moment, while listening to a song entitled 'The Best Day of My Life' on my phone I want to dance and sing the song out loud in front of everyone.

Finally, I locate the address of Lucia Salazar's boutique. I pushed the glass door and surprise to see that I was greeted by the fashion designer herself. "Hello, welcome."

I removed my Airpods from my ears and smiled at her. I thought she had a team now working for her that she's starting to get famous in the fashion industry. I was astonished to see that the people inside her boutique consisted of her assistant and her herself. I extended my hand in her direction. "Coco Spencer."

She took the offered hand and shook it briefly. "Lucia Salazar. Pleased to meet you."

"Gosh, you are younger than I thought," I commented, studying her form. She spoke regal and finesses which I proudly admit missing in my personality.

She laughed at me. Goodness, even her laugh sounds so refined in my ears. This was the kind of lady Rafe probably likes to marry if he had a chance. I grimaced, great now I am making myself jealous over this fashion designer. Unaware of my dark thoughts she said. "I will take that as a compliment, ma'am. Welcome to my boutique."

I shoved the wayward thoughts inside my head about my groom-to-be and this woman. "The reason I come to see you, Miss Fashion Designer is because I want you to create a wedding dress for me."

The woman's lovely gold eyes sparkled with delight. "Oh, I'd love that. This way, please. Come, let's talk to my office, ma'am." I followed her inside her small office. "Please have a seat."

She took out something in her drawer, as I sat on one of the chairs in front of her table. I noticed the framed photo of a cute baby on her table. Without her permission, I took the frame to take a good look at the baby.

"He's cute, isn't he?" I heard Lucia Salazar asked with pride in her voice. "That's my nephew, Anton. He just turned one month old this week. I miss him terribly now that I am living far from Spain. According to my sister-in-law, he's growing so fast each day. I want to be there, I don't want to miss a moment while he's growing up. My sister-in-law had promised me that they will visit me here when Anton is good enough to travel despite my brother's protest..." She placed her hand to her mouth and looked at me sheepishly. "Sorry, I'm very talkative sometimes."

I smiled at her, placing back the photo frame on her table. "You seem to be closed to your sister-in-law."

She grinned, her gold eyes filled with laughter. "I am. She's the only person I know that can keep my exasperating brother in toes. She used to be my guinea pig when I was just starting to design clothes. She bravely wore my creation when she accompanied my brother at parties despite my protest."

"You are lucky to have such a sister-in-law."

"I am," She replied, wiping away the tears that threaten to fall in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm such a crybaby. This is the first time for me to be away from them. I miss them terribly." She smiled brightly in my direction. "Do you already have a design in mind?"

"Yes, actually I already have a design in mind," I answered. "How fast can you create a wedding dress?"

She opened her sketchbook. She looked at me and shrugged. "I cannot give you a specific date. It depends on the gown and design. An average gown would take me weeks to create it, Miss Spencer."

I gave her pleading eyes. "Can you make one for me in one week?"

Her gold eyes widened considerably. "I couldn't possibly do that, Miss. I am sure that you want the best wedding gown for your big day."

"I don't want my groom to change his mind or have cold feet."

"W-what?"

I smiled at her stun face. "You see, I told him that I will do anything so you can create a wedding gown for me fast enough even if I have to bully you."

"Oh my goodness..."