Same Day, Silk Moth Kingdom Approved Suit and Dress Shop

*

Grew-Ella and her mother stood under a massive sign. Conform to beauty standards and unleash your silk moth. Doctored posters of Ida covered the windows.

Grew-Ella located a muted green cocktail dress.

"Oh no, we're going to the wedding and prom section, and I'm buying. Sadly, we have to buy off the rack, and your dress can't be altered." Karen hung the boring dress as she guided her daughter through the men's section. Fine suits and colorful shirts filled the racks. Near the left wall, they knocked on a door with a security guard standing by. He examined Grew-Ella's nuptial bracelet and let both women through.

Unmovable plastic mannequins displayed wedding and prom dresses that were remainders from other planets.

Grew-Ella examined a tight, rainbow-colored fishtail dress. "I adore the colors, but it's not right for my shape."

Junior and Madd-Ox hid behind robotic mannequins, and they listened in. "Yoleta will prevent Chase from showing," Madd-Ox whispered.

Junior said something back.

"Did you hear whispering?" Grew-Ella asked.

"I don't think so," Karen said.

A dress shop salesman grabbed Grew-Ella and twirled her around. "Darling, you would look best in white with a pop of color. I suggest a scoop neckline with a semi-corseted bodice because it fits better." He checked her ID. "I ordered the perfect dress for you." He pointed at a mannequin.

"When?" she asked.

"I don't remember." He located a short wedding dress in a bargain bin.

"You sound like Ida's friend, Flint," Grew-Ella said.

"I am, but we have cut the listening devices, and our people are in the store. Speak freely, and you don't need to talk in Esperanto or another rare language." He vanished in rainbow light.

Karen spoke to her daughter. "The bag is in the car if you plan to run. I adore Quig and want him to be my son-in-law." She took a deep breath. "But you shouldn't be forced into marriage, regardless of how adorable he is. This is the whole Chase fiasco, only this time you're marrying without a choice, but at least Quig isn't a terrible person I'd love to poke in the eye."

Grew-Ella stood next to the mannequin and felt the dress. "He attained broken status, and marrying him saves me."

"Yes, but what about him?"

"Mom, Quig isn't being left at the altar twice. If that happens, he'll dip further into the system and be financially devastated or killed," she said. "Don't inform Zill when the real wedding date is. Mom, I never told Quig anything due to the NDA."

"Was she involved?" Karen asked.

"Mom, my sister isn't a disgusting person at all. She hasn't tried to spike my drinks and doesn't cheat with most of my boyfriends. You know what happened to me when I confided in you last time. Stop asking. Even if I could tell you the truth, Dad and Yoleta don't want the real answer."

"Alright, I won't ask." Karen undressed the mannequin. "Trust Quig with the truth." She handed the dress to her daughter. "This is the only time you can buy white or bright colors. I'll purchase dresses for you to prance around the apartment."

"Mom, I'll inform him when I'm allowed to. Laws don't matter to Sean-Mack and Vex unless they can profit from them."

She clutched Grew-Ella's arm. "Chase was a sick freak to force you to add a passage that you couldn't confess love to any man but him."

Grew-Ella entered the changing room. "The dress Yoleta chose for me is breathtaking. Mom, I'll surprise you."

"I was hoping you'd be jealous when I offered to set him and your sister up, but I'm not skilled at manipulation."

"Mom, I knew what you were doing, and my self-image is fine, but I'm being realistic, and I'm not violating the contract." She came out a few minutes later.

"The fact you can't let yourself fall in love because an illegal document rules your life is a sign that you're not okay," Karen said.

Grew-Ella nodded, 'yes.' "While Quig is honorable and won't date for the full two years, he'll divorce me to find his one."

"Baby, you're his one. Don't hurt Quig," Karen said.

"Mom, I've already destroyed him." Grew-Ella picked three dresses from a bin.

The door rattled, and a familiar form entered. Ann's elf ears peaked underneath her rainbow-colored hair. Her engagement bracelet sparkled on her wrist. She was older than Grew-Ella's mother by fourteen years, but her almost youthful face hid her bubbling emotions behind a mask of surgeries and chemicals. "Rodrick said you might be here."

"Vex isn't with you, is he?" Grew-Ella squirmed, and her foot tapped nervously.

Ann glanced around the room. "I'm not delaying you, am I?"

"No, I'm waiting for Quig's sister. Dot is driving me to the hospital for blood tests because Mom has to pick up our grocery order."

"Dot is another person I should apologize to." Ann took a deep breath. "Quig was settling for me."

"Really?" Grew-Ella asked.

"We started going out because you were already engaged. He didn't mean to make me a placeholder for you, and I didn't mean to be vengeful because he was always faithful. But I knew he'd find out about all the awful things I did to my children." Ann sighed and looked Grew-Ella in the eyes. "You were better for him than me. I went to visit Quig in the hospital to ask if he'd take me back. You were in the chair, focused on him, holding his hands."

Grew-Ella didn't speak.

"I failed him, and he wouldn't have almost died if you were me. At least I recognize that Trent and I are monsters. Chase is evil, too. Never go back to him."

"No, Grew-Ella recognizes it, even though she doesn't say anything publicly. Her ex longs for both Grew-Ella and my stepdaughter. I only want him gone, but he never leaves," Karen said.

"He isn't a man; he's an infestation," Ann shouted.

"Why were you with Trent?" Karen asked.

"At first, it was because he told me I was pretty, and I missed the man he used to be. I didn't know what he planned to do until I saw him with the mask."

"You tried to stop him," Grew-Ella said.

Kindness Rebels disguised as brides busted into the room and tossed pamphlets in the air. Security guards chased them from the restricted shop area.

Ann picked up a pamphlet. "Karen, you and I'll never be friends again, but I love you." She gulped, and her foot thumped nervously.

A security officer glanced at Dot's florist badge and let her through.

Ann lowered her head. "I regret what I did to your brother."

"I know you feel bad." Dot tapped her foot. "Sorry to cut this short, but Ruby says that she'll give instant blood tests before she clocks out."

Grew-Ella turned to Ann. "Thank you for telling me."

"But you still don't believe he finds you beautiful." A sad groan left Ann's lips. "My life is terrible. Trent was married, and I was engaged to a saint. I traded my limo for a ship, and I'm fleeing to the Ivy Kingdom."

"He shouldn't have the right to kill you, and I'll text the media that you're heading south," Dot said.

Ann's arms fell to her side. "But you hate me."

"That doesn't mean I'll allow the government to slaughter you," Dot said.

"I wish I could confide in you all; how big of a mistake it was." Ann headed toward the door to the main showroom.

Karen hugged her. "I hid a getaway bag in my trunk. You're worth saving."

Ann clutched her former friend's arm. "Please protect Junior. I know we're not related, and I destroyed my chance at becoming his stepmom."

"What about his sister?" Grew-Ella asked.

"Don't talk about it."