"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.
"Perfect indeed soon to be Mrs. Anderson." Jessie blushed when he said those words. Mrs. Anderson sounded right in her ears. Imagine people calling her that. A girl that grew up in a slum finally has to be treated like someone that mattered. "Thank you, Mr. Anderson." She blushed again as she looked at him. He smiled back and both of them could feel the spark that went around them. It was unavoidable.Silence. Mark cleared his throat as the waiter gently dropped his food on the table. Jessie thanked the waiter and watched him walk away. She adjusted the napkin on her lap and smiled at Mark again. She glared at his food. He had ordered a Tuna poke bowl and Balsamic chicken with a spinach salad. While she ordered a sausage and shrimp gumbo, creamy chard, and mushroom stroganoff. She wanted to talk when she saw the tuna on his plate but kept quiet instead. She has to be perfect while she eats. Mark doesn't like tuna. He had never liked tuna but what changed today? He was eating them.
Jessie picked up her purse instantly and searched for her phone. When she found it, she wasn't thinking straight. She dialled Taylor's number and in one ring, Taylor's voice was heard over the phone. With concern, she asked. "What is wrong, Jessie?" Jessie's trembling voice spoke. "He left Taylor. He left just like that." She continued to cry over the phone. Taylor had taken the hint that the date didn't go well. "Calm down Jessica. Wait for me there. I am on my way." She hung up the phone and laid it on the table. She felt numb. Her eyes were inactive. They were fixed on the floor. The perfect woman was gone. All that was left was a pitiful person who was trying to take in what just happened. "Jessica!" She heard Taylor's voice as Taylor ran to her. Jessie felt as if she was going to die when she looked at her friend running to her. "Taylor," She called with her shaky voice as the tears continued to climb down her face. Taylor ran her arms around her. "You are fine. I am here.
Din was a timid child but had always pretended to be strong. For his sister at least, he had to pretend to be the hero so she wouldn't have to be scared of anything.His mother had pleaded he should get out. The side of her door wasn't opening too. She had no choice but to push him out of the car and watched him stumble to the ground.Din fell into the snowy floor. He wasn't seriously injured but he was bruised and his head was bleeding too. He couldn't stand up. His left leg was stuck in between the trees he rolled upon. He struggled to pull his leg out but it was too late for them. Din watched the entire thing happen. Their car had hit a gallop and rolled into a huge tree and immediately, fire came out from that direction.Before he knew it, he couldn't hear anything anymore. No sound of help, no sound of cars, just black light, and the moment he opened his eyes, the first thing he said was a small plastic tube injected into his vein. He was at the hospital but his question was... Wh
It's been a week and a few days since the dinner breakup between Jessie and Mark. Jessie hasn't gone back to the house yet to get her things. She was still heartbroken, locked herself up in Taylor's room, and cried the whole week.Eight years of her life with him were gone.A knock was heeded on the door and Taylor's voice was reaching out to Jessie who was under the blanket crying and munching on a box of chocolates.The sound from the TV filled the entire room. Jessie sighed repeatedly as she focused on what she was watching.Taylor slammed on the door again and called out to Jessie but no reply from her. Taylor got scared. She hasn't been home in a week and anytime she called Jessie, Jessie always said she was okay.After that night she had gone to pick Jessie up at the restaurant, Jessie had refused to go back home to get her things. She said she couldn't face Mark or speak to him. She felt guilty for whatever had happened between them which made Taylor more worried about her. She
Taylor came out of the bathroom. She complimented Jessie when she saw how nice the dress looked on her. She took her dress from the bed, dried her body, and wore the black gown.Jessie had picked the five inches heels and since Taylor was working tonight, she picked two inches. Jessie helped her with her makeup and hair but the entire time, Taylor was worried about her friend.Jessie's expression couldn't be hidden no matter how she hid it from her friend. Taylor could always read them. "Your life might change tomorrow after you attend this party. No one knows." Taylor broke their silence.Jessie laughed. "When did you become the dreamer? I am always the dreamer.""I am just saying. What if your life changes tomorrow when you attend this party? what would you do then?" Taylor implored."By changing. What do you mean? Oh, like I get more gigs that pay ten times the one I always earn? That would be sick!""Not that. Maybe that, but what if you meet a man and he turns out to be the one y
Beth kept her smile on her face, but she was perplexed. She was concerned that her partner would lose interest in her and begin to adore the other woman. She doesn't want this to happen, but if the other woman moves in with him, they'll have to appear to be happy for the sake of his grandfather, and they'll eventually fall in love.Din inquired, "Are you all right?""Uh?"He said, "Your mind wasn't here anymore."Beth gave a shaky laugh. "You ought to marry her. That is something I am not opposed to. I won't be concerned about anything as long as you agree to keep visiting me after you get married."Din put his hand on her cheek and kissed her. "Sure, why not? I adore you. Even when I marry her, I'll continue to visit.""Have you had the opportunity to meet her?" Beth was the one who initiated the conversation.With a shake of his head, Din expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of "No, I haven't," he said."You haven't seen her?""I wasn't able to accomplish that. My gr
"Marriage? Do you mean he wants you to get married?" Will asked as he opened a brand new bottle of wine that had been placed on the shelf. With two glass cups in his other hand, he approached Din."Before the end of the month," Din finished as he watched his pal approach him.Will threw the cups down and filled them. He handed one to his buddy. "That's fantastic news. Right? Beth is someone you've always wanted to marry. I'm surprised your grandfather has finally accepted her."With a shake of his head, Din expressed his discontent with the situation. "That's the issue. He wants me to marry someone else, not Beth." He took the cup of wine in his hand and downed it all at once."If not Beth, who else?" Do you have any ideas or Are you in love with someone else right now?" Din's cup was refilled by Will.Din shook his head. Disagreeing with his friend. "I told you earlier that two people would get on my nerves. Right?" Will smiled and nodded. "One of them is my granddad.""I'm aware of
"How much did my grandfather pay you?"Din inquired. "I will double the payment if you back out of this marriage."Jessie made a sneering remark. "You're a lunatic." She walked right by him and into the bedroom. "This is my personal space. This place's key was given to me by the receptionist. Perhaps there was a blunder somewhere.""Mistake?" Din approached her. He has his hands in his pockets. "You're attempting to play games with me, that's all I see. I'm afraid I won't be able to marry you. I am in love with someone."Jessie shouted, "Stop talking about marriage! We must have landed up in the same room due to a mix-up someplace. I have no idea who you are. I have no recollection of ever meeting you." She walked over to the table and took her purse. "I'll go over to reception and express my dissatisfaction. You are welcome to use the room.""I am not going to take this room. You've already visited this location. I'll just have to complain and ask for a different room. One that is larg