Chapter 272 - Cose to You

Christina and the stylist laughed at Andrea's reaction, jealous over the beautiful Cinderella-style wedding gown. They both tried to avoid the question the best way they could. 

"Andy, you are so lovely. Don't worry, I'm sure my son won't disappoint you with your wedding dress," said Christina. 

"Why don't we try the gown on now, Mrs. Lu so we know it will fit you well," Shi Hu added. 

Andrea came closer to study the wedding dress. She wasn't really into showing herself wearing glamorous gowns, but the one that stood before her in a mannequin was just too beautiful to ignore. Any woman would be extremely delighted to be caught in one, even for a minute. 

Thinking about how to give justice to the masterpiece, she turned to her mother-in-law and said, "Mom, I can't do this. How can I possibly walk in this? I've never modeled in my life before. Let me ask Hanxi if he knew someone who can help us with this."

"Why did Hanxi have to stay behind when he is supposed to be my buddy," she mumbled as she took out her phone. She then turned to face Christina and Shi Hu before saying, "Hanxi used to be in show business and can easily recommend a good model."

Panic struck Christina she was thinking of ways to convince Andrea but Arti came to the rescue, coming from behind him, she said, "Wow! Mrs. Lu, this is really beautiful. I bet wearing that, you could convince Mr. Lu to come home as soon as possible and maybe even fast forward to your wedding!"

Her phone was already ringing Hanxi when she heard her assistant make the comment. She suddenly smirked and as her eyes thinned, she replied, "You are right Arti. Good thinking."

"Haha! Andy, I'm sure Lu Fang will do his best to come home to you sooner, but definitely seeing you in that lovely gown will be an added motivation," Christina said while nodding her head towards Arti and Shi Hu. 

"Andy, you don't have to worry," Christina came up to her and held both of her hands before adding, "You are so beautiful. The gown is more likely to be worn by you."

She smiled completely at her words agreed before saying, "Okay, mom. I'm sorry. To think we are already here and I had that very lengthy spa treatment. It's certainly too late to back out."

"Phew! You had me panicking there for a second, Mrs. Lu," said Shi Hu. "I was like, where are we going to find another model at night!"

The trio eventually helped Andrea fit on the gown and seeing that it fit her perfectly, they gave words of praises as their eyes twinkled. 

"Wow! Mrs. Lu, you are indeed a Cinderella beauty!"

"So beautiful, Andy! Let me take a picture and send it to my son! Haha! He will love this!"

"And… you are not yet even in makeup!"

Andrea looked herself up in the mirror while wearing the wedding dress and could not help but recognize how it fit her incredibly well. It was as it was truly meant for her. 

She began to wonder if the possibility that it was hers. However, all the pampering and the said showcase did not add up to a simply pretend gown fitting. She decided to let it go and made a comment, "Mom. If Lu Fang was not miles away, headed for France. I would assume he is your client for tomorrow."

"That is nice wishful thinking my dearest daughter-in-law."

Andrea was told they would begin to prepare by three in the morning and thus, she needed to get some sleep. Arti stayed with her in the same suite but merely occupied the huge sofa in the living room. 

Christina booked a separate room for herself and for Shi Hu. 

Before taking a slumber, she called the caregiver to check on the twins. She wanted to see them on the camera, but strangely, Xing Mi said that her phone was not working that night and she needed to get it fixed. 

She ended up calling Lu Wei who merely assured Andrea that the Chevre and Brie were doing fine. It seemed to her that she was rushed to get off the phone. She did not get a chance to see her babies before going to sleep and although she was not yet planning on resting the ambiance inside her room, making it easy for her to close her eyes. 

At two in the morning, Andrea woke up and immediately called her husband. He was easily reachable through his roaming service and as soon as he answered the call; she was instantly at ease.

"Good morning, babe," she greeted him in a sleepy voice. 

"It's evening here in France, babe. Why are you awake at this time?" She heard her husband ask. 

Andrea bit her lip, disappointed to learn her mother-in-law had not yet oriented the man. "Babe, didn't mom tell you she asked me to model for a wedding gown?"

She explained to her husband how his mother had brought her to the Peninsula Hotel for a showcase and that she merely wanted to help. 

After this, she could only hear silence from the other line and it made her worry. 'I knew it! He would get angry. I'm dead,' she told herself in silence. 

However, instead of anger, she heard her husband say, "That's good that you are keeping yourself busy, babe. Feel free to help mom out."

The man's response made Andrea doubt. Out of the blue, she thought that perhaps her husband wanted to surprise her with the wedding dress and that it may just well be her own! She kept staring at the gown as she thought of this. 

Her eyes narrowed at that thought of being tricked by her man and eventually, she thought of a way to make him admit that he was still in Beijing. 

She called her foster father immediately and upon his answer, she asked, "Dad, are you with Lu Fang?"

"Good evening to you too, my daughter."

"Dad, answer me, please. Are you with my husband?" She could not believe it. She could tell that Alfred was covering for the man. 

"Yes, Andy. Lu Fang told you we will meet in France, right?"

"Can I speak to him?" she asked. 

"Sure, Andy. You can call him on his mobile," suggested Alfred. 

"Dad, no. I want to speak to him using your phone."'Finally', she thought, 'you are going to get busted!'

Alfred paused for a moment and Andrea figured her dad would tell on her husband. This was what she had expected. However, her dad's response dismayed her. 

"Let me go get him for you, Andy."

She heard Alfred's footsteps, and a door opened then finally, on the other line with her dad's phone, she heard her husband's voice, "Babe, you were asking for me?"

Learning that her suspicions were incorrect, she merely replied saying, "Nothing, babe. I just wished you were close to me."

"Babe, I'm closer to you, more than you ever think," Lu Fang said.