“Wow!” Daniella says, “30 looks so good on me.” She smiles into the fitting room mirror, showing off her dimples. She turns this way and that as her hazel eyes admire how the red dress hugs her figure and shows off her assets. Bella Boutique’s always had excellent stuff, but this is amazing.
She continues twirling around in front of the mirror, smiling from ear to ear, when beep-beep, her golden iPhone 13 interrupts her.
She picks it up, delighted to see it is a text message from Chris.
Chris: Hi Dee, can we meet at Barcelos for lunch? Let’s make it 1:30 PM. There is something I have to tell you before we go to the work party tonight.
Anxiety pools in Daniella’s belly as she writes her reply.
Daniella restlessly sits at the dining table at Barcelos, staring at the door to see if Chris is appearing. She checks the time on her cell phone; it is 1:45 PM. Chris is fifteen minutes late. She swipes the phone, preparing to call him, when she sees him entering the restaurant.
He marches straight to her, grabbing a chair. “Hi Dee, sorry I’m late. Traffic.”
“Sure,” she replies with a shrug. “What is it that you wanted to tell me before we go to the party?”
“Uhm… you see.” He scratches his head. “The thing is….”
“What is wrong? Please tell me.”
“I can’t go with you to the party because I am going with my girlfriend,” he blurts out.
“Are you kidding me right now!” She doesn’t even try to mask the irritation in her voice. “I have an appointment to get to at the salon, so please stop messing with me.”
“I am not kidding, Dee,” he says, looking straight at her. “I am serious.”
Her mouth drops. For a moment, no words come out.
“Wow!” She raises her hands in the air.
“I know it is a lot to take in,” he says in a low voice. “I am sorry; she was out of town and just returned this morning. She really wants to go with me to the party.”
“How long have you two been together?” For a moment, she hopes he won’t answer.
“Three months.” The guilt is thick in his voice.
“Three months! Really! How could you?” She stands up, grabbing her car keys, cell phone, and handbag. “I don’t believe you!”
All eyes in the restaurant are pinned on her. But she’s not giving them more of a show and strides out of the restaurant.
Chris’s jaw drops in shock. He knew it was a surprise, but he had never expected such hostility. Maybe she was upset because they were supposed to go to the party together and now he has dropped her at the last hour to ride solo, or was it more than that?