Chapter 5

Since it is pre-rush hour, the roads are still not very busy. Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the underground parking of the shopping complex.

Bayside Shopping Center is the best shopping mall located in the suburbs of Laverna. It's large and newly built. It has 3 floors and a big underground parking. There is usually a great rush of shoppers there. Even people from distant towns are coming to visit the place.

The layout of the mall is very impressive. It is spacious and well lighted up. On the third floor is a big leisure complex where restaurants are located.

Mary loves pasta so they head straight to The Olive Garden. It is the most exquisite place to eat and is truly the finest Italian restaurant in town.

Gwyneth glance around and see the dining tables are strategically set as if the queen were to be expected. White flowers with silver sparkles adorn the tables to add a final touch.

The windows that surround the tables present an open feeling, almost as if eating outside. Gwyneth gasped at the view. There is the magnificent sight of the early sunset beaming over the horizon. The orange sky is dotted with fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily in the gentle breeze. The afternoon sun bathed the buildings in its warm light. She looked at Mary to express her approval. "It's perfect."

Mary only gave her a satisfied look. She reached out for the menu and asked, " Is there anything you fancy?" "I'm going to the powder room. I'll leave it to you." Gwen smiled and then excused herself.

She dialed Nick's number expectantly. But to her dismay, a female mechanical voice emerged "The number you have dialed is either unattended or out of coverage area. Please try your call later."

Gwyneth tried to calm herself down. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and suppressed the irritation that is building up in her heart. "What have you been doing all day?" she mumbled to herself. She had a foreboding that she tried so hard to dismiss yet failed. Feeling frustrated, she washed her face. Then she reached out for the tissue on the side to dry her face. She re-applied her lipstick before stepping out.

The dishes that Mary ordered were already served when Gwyneth return to her seat. Mary complained "What took you so long?" Gwyneth just shrugged her shoulder. When she breath in the aroma of the Italian food, she was reminded of how hungry she is. "Let's dig in." she urged Mary.

"Where do you want to go next?" Shopping? Movie?" Mary asked cheekily. Gwyneth giggled at her eagerness. "We can do both."

"Okay, it's settled then."

They went to the second floor after the meal. You can find shops and boutiques of famous brands there. They took their turns in the fitting room trying to check some clothes. Gwyneth was able to find two dresses while Mary had five. Gwyneth rolled her eyes on Mary but the latter just laughed.

"Hey, how about we go buy a coffee before we go home?" Mary suggested and they turned on a corner where not a lot of people are walking.

Gwyneth had to stop from her track once her eyes landed on a familiar figure not far away. Nick is smiling at some girl, their hands intertwined. "So he's on a date all this time?" Her heart stopped beating for a second. It felt like her lungs stopped functioning and she can't breathe.

Mary looked at her friend worriedly. Meanwhile, Nick's gaze landed on them, the shock looked evident on his face. Gwen looked at Mary and smiled at her. "Let's go?" She pulled her by the arms as they move forward.

They have almost passed the cheating couple when Gwyneth felt Nick grabbed her arm and she had to stop for a moment.

"Gwen, let me explain." he whispered. She stared at him, her eyes are not showing any emotion. Then she released his hands on her arm "You must be mistaken, mister." And then she walked forward, away from them. Away from her heart breaking into pieces.

A tear escaped Gwyneth's eyes as she walks forward, not even minding the continuous attempt of Mary to get her attention, forgetting everything behind.