Chapter 2

"Do you remember that one time we snuck into your father's library because our ball got stuck in there?" Jessie began to laugh and Taylor joined. 

"Father was so mad at us. He banned us from playing with that ball. He banned us from doing anything that involved guys and told us to act like a lady instead." 

"You know what made me laugh the most? It was when he brought a teacher home to teach us how to behave like a lady." Jessie began to laugh again. 

"Lilly ruined the lady's dress and father got so angry at my sister for that." 

"He gave up. He was tired that we wouldn't be able to behave like one." Jessie exhaled. "That was a really great time. I wish we could go back to the time when things were easy for us and when we could have whatever it is we want." She shook the bottle and when nothing poured from it, she dropped the bottle on the table. "That was good champagne." 

"Yes. There will be a party in Las Vegas and I will be in charge of the drinks there. This sample will be showcased. I want you to be there. This is my first big gig Jess." 

Jessie sighed. 

"I know that look," Taylor said.

"What look?" Jessie asked. 

"You are backing out. I can not believe this is happening. I thought we talked about making him understand that you are a woman who wants her dreams to come true. What is all this now Jessie?" 

"Calm down. Hear me out. I am not backing out. It is on a Friday right?" 

Taylor rolled her eyes. "Obviously." 

"I will be having a gig then too. That was why I had that look. And besides, this isn't your first big gig. Every gig has always been your first big gig every time you tell me you have a gig."

"But I am serious right now. It is my first large huge gig and you have to come to show your support. I need you, friend." 

Jessie sighed. "All right." she nodded. "I will see what I can do about that day." 

"You are the best of the best of the best." Taylor moved closer to her as she continued to kiss Jessie's cheeks. "I know I could always count on you for doing this for me." 

Her phone beeped when she went back to her normal position. She picked it up and glanced at Jessie. "Oops. It is the management. I'm sorry babe. I have to go. I don't think I will be able to stay here any longer." She jumped down from the stool and so did Jessie. Taylor held her hand. "Good luck with your date tonight. I know you can do it. You have always been that type of woman who gets what she wants and this is what you want. I don't want you to have any regrets and I support you with whatever it is your decision is. Don't forget that you are a classy woman and beautiful too." Taylor took Jessie's hand up and made her turn around. "A short red dress would look great on you tonight. Have fun and don't forget to tell me in detail. Ciao." Both of them did their secret handshake that almost took a minute before Jessie saw Taylor at the door. 

Taylor kissed her cheeks one more time before heading out of the house. 

Jessie shook her head when she walked back to the kitchen. She couldn't stop smiling. Her friend was silly and she would never change. 

Red dress huh? She cleared the empty glasses of wine and kept the bottle. It was a gift from her friend and also memories that her friend made with her. Disposing of it would only be a waste. 

When Jessie was done in the kitchen, she found her way to the room. When the wedding is over, she and Mark would be moving to a bigger place where they would raise their kids together. Never in her wildest dream had she ever thought she would be getting the things she had always wanted. A man that loves her and wants to build a family with her. She couldn't stop smiling as she opened her closet. 

She picked the red dress she bought for her next two weeks' Friday gig and looked in the mirror to see if it fit the mood and it did. She dropped the dress on her bed and checked which hairstyle would go with the dress. A ponytail or drop. She looked younger in her ponytail so she went with it. 

Jessie searched for matching stiletto heels. She used silver earrings and chains that had the same design. 

After she was done in the shower, she dried herself up and dressed up. A perfect woman she had always been. The woman that was never who she was but another person who only had her face and body and name but not her heart. She forced a smile on her face again. It was everything she wanted; To be with him and the life he gave to her. The comfort he provided. 

She packed her hair in a ponytail and used her identity as she always does. Smokey eyes when she was done applying her eye shadow. Red lipstick was a form of confidence to her. Jessie slid into her red heels and stood up to look at her image in the full mirror. 

Perfect was all she could see. No flaws were shown and even if anyone was to approach her, they would have thought she had it all together which was all a lie.

The night was hers and she would have to make sure she gets what she wants. 

Jessie Walker got to the Marcellus restaurant around 8:00 pm. She was welcome by the waiter as she was taken to the seat she had reserved. Jessie was this type of woman who loved beautiful views and things. She had picked a table near the window on the top floor. It was beautiful to watch the streets at night from the review she read about the restaurant. 

She couldn't stop smiling. Imagining different types of scenarios in her head about how Mark would react when she tells him what she wants. She had hoped he would accept her for who she was and agree to support her dreams too. "Never be afraid to lose a man." those words of Taylor's kept ringing in her head. 

She felt suffocated. What if Mark changed his mind about marrying her if she spilled those words out? She couldn't back down now. She has to be her own woman just the way Taylor was. She opened her purse and picked out her red lipstick. Removed a small mirror and flipped it open to reapply her lipstick. She jammed her lips together slowly as she looked in the mirror to check if it was perfect. Then placed both the elegant kit inside her purse. 

Jessie adjusted in the chair and presented herself politely as she saw Mark walking toward her. She worked up a smile that showed all her white teeth. 

"Sorry, I'm late. I was caught up with work." Mark took his seat.

"It's all right," Jessie said. Still smiling. 

Mark noticed she looked different from other days. "Is that a new dress? I have never seen you wear those before." 

Jessie nodded slowly. "It was meant for my singing on Friday." 

"You look beautiful tonight. No... Don't get me wrong. You have always looked Beautiful but tonight, you look Perfect." Just the word Jessie was waiting for him to say and he did. 

"Thank you, Hun. Should I order for you?" Jessie looked at the Menu in front of her. 

Mark picked up his Menu and looked at the food that was exhibited there. 

Jessie watched as he traced his hand on them. She couldn't spoil the dinner. It was meant to be a happy day for both of them. She would have to pop the question up when they are done eating. What she had learned about being perfect is to stay perfect and that included eating. No talking while you eat. That was one of "THE PERFECT." rules. Eat elegantly so people would notice the way you do your things. Walk elegantly without slouching so bigger people would approach you and lastly, never show your flaws. Always make them stay hidden because that is where they belong when you are perfect! 

Mark waved to the waiter standing two feet behind them. "I will take this and this." He pointed.

"That is all?" The waiter asked and he nodded. Jessie placed her order too and watched the waiter walk away from them. Mark adjusted his tie and sat elegantly on the chair. He used his eyes to search around the room. "You picked a nice place," he said. 

"I saw in the review that this place is the best place to sit. I know you don't like the height thing. That is why I picked this chair. Near the window. Isn't it perfect?" she asked as she showed her teeth again. Mark nodded.