chapter ⅩⅪ

Giselle's POV

The cold New York wind brushed against my face as I walked down Fifth Avenue with Solange and Aaliyah by my side. The city was alive — lights shimmering in every window, people rushing down the streets with shopping bags and coffee cups in hand.

It felt good to be away from Los Angeles — away from everything that had been weighing me down these past months.

Michael was right...

I needed this little escape.

---

"Alright, Miss Bride-to-Be," Solange smirked, nudging me with her elbow. "Let's find you a dress."

I rolled my eyes playfully.

"We're just looking... I haven't even set a date yet."

Aaliyah smiled softly beside me, clutching her coat tight around her body. She was still healing — still fragile — but I could see the light slowly coming back in her eyes.

"I say we start at Saks," Solange grinned. "You know Michael got that bankroll. Might as well spend it"

---

I giggled, shaking my head.

Michael had already told me to get whatever I wanted for the wedding... but I didn't want anything too flashy or over-the-top.

I just wanted something simple... something me.

---

We spent the whole morning hopping from store to store — flipping through racks of white silk, lace, and tulle.

Every time I'd try something on, Solange would get all dramatic — wiping fake tears like she was at the damn wedding already.

"This is the one, Gigi!" she gasped for the third time that day, making me laugh from inside the fitting room.

---

But none of the dresses felt right.

I kept picturing myself walking down the aisle...

Michael standing at the altar in one of his sharp tailored suits — those deep brown eyes locked on me like I was the only woman in the world.

I wanted something that would make him speechless.

Something that would make him remember the moment forever.

---

By late afternoon, we ended up at a little boutique tucked away on the Upper East Side.

The place was small — quiet — with racks of vintage gowns lining the walls.

I ran my fingers along the fabrics, my heart fluttering with every touch.

This was the kind of place Michael would've picked for me...

Intimate. Classic. Timeless.

A young woman with a thick French accent walked up to us, smiling politely.

"Can I help you ladies find something?"

I hesitated, biting my lip.

"I'm looking for a wedding dress..."

The woman's eyes lit up.

"Ah, bien sûr. Follow me."

She led us to the back of the store where the most beautiful gowns hung behind glass cases — delicate lace, shimmering beads, soft ivory silks.

Aaliyah squeezed my hand.

"They're perfect gigi"

One dress caught my eye immediately.

It was simple — no heavy embellishments or flashy details — just soft satin with an off-the-shoulder neckline and a long, flowing train.

I reached out to touch it, my heart skipping a beat.

"This one," I whispered.

"You want to try it on?" the woman asked softly.

I nodded, suddenly feeling nervous.

When I stepped out of the fitting room, both Solange and Aaliyah went silent.

Solange's eyes got wide, and Aaliyah covered her mouth like she was about to cry.

I turned to face the mirror...

And for the first time, I actually saw myself as a bride.

The dress hugged my curves perfectly — simple, elegant, with just the right amount of shimmer when the light hit the fabric.

I smoothed my hands down the front, blinking back tears.

"You look like a princess, Gigi," Aaliyah whispered.

I smiled softly, my heart swelling in my chest.

For a moment, I could almost forget everything...

The danger... the violence...

It was just me, my girls, and the promise of a better future waiting ahead.

"I'll take it," I said, my voice steady.

Solange squealed, wrapping me in a tight hug.

"Michael's gonna lose his damn mind when he sees you in this."

I laughed, wiping my eyes.

I could already picture the way he'd look at me — how he'd smile that slow, crooked smile...

How his eyes would go dark with that heat he always got when he looked at me like I was the only woman in the world.

---

Aaliyah squeezed my hand, her voice soft.

"You deserve this happiness, Gigi."

I squeezed her back, feeling my heart ache a little.

"We all do."

---

After we paid for the dress, we walked out into the cold evening air, arms linked together.

For the first time in what felt like forever...

I actually felt hopeful.

---

We stopped by a little café near Central Park to warm up with coffee and hot chocolate. Solange was already talking about bachelorette parties and matching bridesmaid dresses.

Aaliyah just listened quietly, smiling every now and then...

But I caught the way her eyes would drift off sometimes — like her mind was still trapped in those dark nights back in Compton.

I leaned close to her, squeezing her knee under the table.

"We're gonna get through this," I whispered.

Her eyes flicked to mine, filling with tears.

"Promise?"

I nodded, blinking back my own.

"Promise."

---

That night, as I lay in the hotel bed wrapped in Michael's favorite sweater, I picked up the phone and dialed his number.

He answered on the first ring.

"Hey, baby," he murmured, his voice low and tired.

i closed my eyes, letting the sound of his voice wrap around me like a warm blanket.

"I miss you."

A little smile crept into his voice.

"I miss you more."

I bit my lip, my heart aching with how much I wanted him right there beside me.

"Guess what?"

"What?"

"I found my dress today."

There was a long pause on the other end — like he was trying to picture it in his mind.

"You gonna tell me what it looks like?"

"Nope."

He chuckled softly.

"You're gonna kill me, woman."

I smiled, curling deeper under the covers.

"You like surprises, don't you?"

Another pause...

Then his voice dropped lower.

"Only when they're you."

I closed my eyes, letting his voice wash over me.

Even from miles away, he could still make me feel like the most loved woman in the world.

"I can't wait to marry you, Michael."

"You already mine, baby," he whispered. "I'm just waiting on the paperwork."

I fell asleep that night with the phone pressed to my ear...

Dreaming of white dresses and wedding bells.

Dreaming of a future where the only thing standing between us...

Was forever.