AMELIA POV 
As I walked into the store, the familiar smell of new fabric and the sight of gorgeous clothes made me smile. "Oh, look who's here! The queen herself!" I said with a laugh, my voice was filling the room. "You never came to see me after we finished school, did you? Too busy with your business?" I joked, teasing him. His expression went from surprised to a big smile as he realized it was me.
"Oh, Amelia? Is that really you? You look even prettier now!" He said, rushing over to give me a tight hug. "I'm sorry for not keeping in touch after we graduated. My dad wanted me to learn about the family business, so I've been managing the shop to get some experience. Maybe one day I won't just be dealing with clothes, but with business reports," he explained, sounding a bit sad. He's Miguel, my closest friend. Even though he's gay, his family doesn't know. People used to think we were dating back in school, but they didn't know Miguel's secret. His family is famous for their clothing company here in the Philippines. The outfit I'm wearing now is from their collection because their clothes are just so exquisite and fashionable.
"So how about you, Amelia? Did you really come all this way just to visit little old me?" he teased, a mischievous glint in his eye as he carefully adjusted one of the elegant gowns he had created.
I laughed at his joking tone, shaking my head playfully. "No way, Miguel," I answered, keeping up with his playful mood. "I'm here for something much more important than just seeing you."
His eyebrows went up in exaggerated surprise. "Oh? And why is that?" he asked, pretending to be curious as he focused on the gown again.
I smiled, enjoying our playful conversation. "Well, I'm getting married, believe it or not," I said, unable to hold back a laugh at the surprised look on Miguel's face.
"Married? You? Hahaha! That's hilarious!" he exclaimed, trying to catch his breath. "I haven't heard anything about you having a boyfriend, and now you're saying you're getting married? Who's the lucky fool that fell for you?" His laughter filled the room, and I couldn't help but laugh along, playfully hitting his arm.
"Yeah, it was actually an arranged marriage," I admitted with a shrug. "My family decided on it, and because I'm a good daughter, I agreed." Even though I presented it nonchalantly, a mixture of emotions still swirled within me. Miguel raised his eyebrows curiously, with a bit of worry in his eyes. "Arranged marriages can be complicated. Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked gently.
I hesitated for a moment, thinking about the question in his words. "Well," I started, my voice unsure, "He's handsome though, but his attitude sucks," I confessed. I was surprised by what I said. Did I just say he's good-looking? Amelia, what are you saying? Forget it! Forget it! He's not good-looking, he's mean! He's not attractive!
Miguel raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on his lips. "Ah, the typical arranged marriage situation. Well, at least you have someone nice to look at, even if there's no love involved. But don't stress, sweetheart, I'll make sure your dress is so beautiful that he won't be able to look away from you.
Miguel's laughter faded as he looked at me with worry. "Amelia, are you certain about this? Marriage is a huge commitment, and it should be built on love, not just convenience. Don't accept less than you deserve," he suggested, his voice filled with genuine concern.
I chuckled, grateful for Miguel's support and lightheartedness. "That's what I love about you, Miguel. You always know how to make me feel better."
He winked, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, my dear, that's what friends are for. Now, let's find you the most beautiful wedding dress that will leave everyone speechless."
I walked with Miguel among the racks of beautiful dresses in his shop. The air smelled like new clothes, and there was soft music playing in the background, making the atmosphere feel magical. Miguel's shop was a paradise for people who loved fashion, and I felt lucky to be there, surrounded by his amazing designs.
As we looked at the different designs, Miguel described his ideas for each dress, talking about the small details and where he got the inspiration. It was clear that he put a lot of effort into his work, making dresses that were not only beautiful but also had a meaning behind them.
The first dress I saw was beautiful, with soft lace designs. It felt light as air when I lifted it, and the patterns sparkled in the light. Miguel grinned, happy he'd found a dress that suited me so well.
"This dress is named 'Whispering Elegance'," he said. "It's inspired by the soft breeze in trees, giving it an ethereal beauty. The lace shows the delicate parts of love, and the flowing shape represents the happiness of finding your soulmate."
I couldn't help but be drawn in by Miguel's words. He made each gown feel like a masterpiece with his meaningful explanations. Even though I adored the first dress, I wanted to check out other choices before deciding for sure.
Miguel knew I wanted to look around, so he took me to another part of the store, where there were stylish and up-to-date dresses. The materials were soft and fancy, fitting perfectly. I touched the fabric, feeling confident and strong.
"This collection is named 'Modern Romance'," Miguel explained, excitement gleaming in his eyes. "It's for brides who want to stand out and redefine classic beauty. These dresses represent strength, elegance, and a hint of rebellion."
As I put on one of the dresses, I felt really confident. The dress showed off my curves and made me feel like a princess of today. Miguel looked really happy when he saw me in the dress, and I knew he understood me perfectly once again.
We kept looking at different styles and shapes. Miguel told stories with each dress, making it even more special. It felt like each gown had its own story.
Finally, after trying on many dresses, I stood in front of a mirror wearing a gown that amazed me. The dress was a perfect mix of timeless style and contemporary flair. The detailed beadwork sparkled in the light, and the shape hugged my body perfectly. It made me feel incredibly beautiful.
Miguel stood next to me, looking proud. "This dress is named 'Timeless Beauty'," he said gently. "It shows how love lasts forever and beauty that never fades. When you walk down the aisle in this dress, you'll feel confident, graceful, and filled with love that lasts forever."
Miguel's eyes gleamed with joy as he looked at the dress. "Amelia, you look stunning. This dress suits you perfectly."
I smiled, feeling thankful. "Thanks, Miguel. Your skill and help made this experience really memorable."
After I finished choosing everything for the gown and dressing and outfit for the guests, this supposedly great guy finally arrived. It must have been a very important call for him to be this late.
"Are you finished already?" he asked, breathing heavily as if he had just come from a battlefield. He simply sat down and glanced at the gowns as if he comprehended them.
"Yup, I would've finished earlier if you had come earlier! Where were you, and why do you look like you've been in a fight? Your clothes are all wrinkled," I asked irritably, pretending to be concerned.
He waved away my questions with a dismissive sound. "Stop questioning me! Are you done yet? Let's go, I have an important meeting," he said, getting up from his seat and getting ready to leave. Luckily, Miguel stepped in before he could leave.
"Hey, wait a minute," Miguel interrupted, his tone calm but firm. "We're not finished yet, haven't I measured you yet?" Miguel said, holding the measuring tape.
"Hurry up!" he snapped, his impatience clear as he reluctantly agreed to be measured, crossing his arms with a hint of irritation.
Once we were done, he quickly left, heading to the parking lot to get his car. "Sorry, Miguel, I gotta go. I'll talk to you later," I said, giving Miguel a quick kiss on the cheek before rushing off.
He grumbled with annoyance, his forehead wrinkling in frustration. "Seriously, is that how your future partner behaves? It's like they're always on their period! Grumpy," he complained, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.
I looked at him, surprised by his sudden outburst. "Well, people have their time," I replied defensively, trying to ease the tension.
He scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Moments? It's more like always! Who wants to deal with someone like that?" he replied, his tone filled with disdain.
As I moved away, I leaned in closer to Miguel, my voice barely above a whisper. "You see what I mean? His attitude is just unbearable," I murmured, shaking my head in frustration as I walked away from the shop, waving my hand at him.