Denise sat in the garden chair, swinging herself to and fro, as she helped herself with a glass of juice that sat lazily on the table beside her. She had her favorite magazine opened up on her laps. She glanced through each page of the magazine, wondering to herself how all those beautiful girls in the magazine look so thin when she, looks a bit plump. She is a very curvy woman, the type of body every woman would die for, yet she was jealous of all those slim models she saw in the magazines.
She was so engrossed in her reading that, she did not notice Elena standing right in front of her, with her arms crossed.
"Elena! How long have you been standing there for? You startled me," she held her chest when she finally noticed her best friend.
"I have been here for a while now, watching you go through that magazine as if you are in your own small world. Why didn't you tell me that you and Ransford had broken up?"
"Oh, that. I did not think it was that important. It's no big deal," Denise replied with a little frown, and went back to reading her magazine.
"Denise, I am the one who introduced you to the guy. Couldn't you at least tell me when you guys broke up? I had the right to know," Elena said.
Denise looked up at her friend. "Well, why don't you sit down beside me, then, instead of standing there like that. It's irritating, you know?"
Elena sighed and sat on the chair, by her friend. "Now, are you going to tell me what happened?"
Denise slowly put the magazine down on the table and turned to her friend.
"Ransford cheated on me."
"What! When? How did you find out?"
"I wanted to pay him a surprise visit. So I went to his house. While there, I had the feeling to go up to his room, and I got the shock of my life. I caught him having sex with another woman, on his bed."
"My God! Why didn't you tell me anything? I would have told him my mind."
"I did not want to bother you, and besides, I knew you would feel bad about it, that's why I kept it from you. That man made me feel like an absolute fool. I fell for him and he hurt me so much." The pain in Denise's face was evident and Elena noticed it too.
"I am sorry. I should have known he is another player like the rest. I thought he was different. He is my brother's friend so I thought he would be better. I am so sorry," Elena apologised.
"Don't worry about it, Elena. By the way, I hear you are holding a fashion show. When were you also going to tell about it?" Denise quickly changed the subject.
"Come on, girl. That is the main reason why I came. I wanted to personally invite you. You are going to be my guest of honor."
"Really? Thanks so much girl. It's really beautiful," Denise said, when Elena handed her the shiny beautiful, yellow card.
"Thank you. It will happen on the 25th, which is next Saturday."
Denise gasped. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Now, I have just a few days to get the perfect dress. You should have told me earlier."
"I would have if you had not avoided me for weeks. I have been busy with the organising and the outfits so I haven't even had the time to come see you till now. I thought I was loosing my best friend. I am really sorry about Ransford. I did not think he was such a jerk," Elena said.
"He is a handsome jerk. I'm over him though." They both laughed.
"So, what are you going to do now?"
"I don't know. I guess I will have to wait for the right man to come my way instead of running to find him. Maybe that way, I will be able to get a man who will love me for real."
"The right man will come, I am sure of it. And when that man comes, you are going to end up with all the happiness in the world."
Denise was so touched by Elena's words and hugged her. "Thank you so much for being my friend. Thank you for looking out for me."
"By the way, what's this news I hear about your mother wanting to be the new member of parliament for our constituency?"
"Well you heard right. My mother is going unopposed in the upcoming parliamentary primaries. It turns out, her friends from the ruling government found a way to get her to the top. I am really happy for her. My father always wanted to run the race but he never had the time till his death."
"Yeah, I am also happy for her. Very soon, you will become the daughter of the MP. That would be so cool. I really hope your mother wins. She is well known in this area and she loves to help our community in any way she can. And, I know the people will love her too."
"I know, Elena. I know."
Finally, the day for the fashion show was here. Denise had bought different dresses for the occasion, but none seemed to make her happy. She kept trying on different dresses, but none made sense to her. She sat down on her bed, looking dejected. Her mother walked into her room and saw the different dresses she had laid on the bed.
"Denise, why are you not dressed up yet? You will be late for the show. And as the guest of honor, you need to be there early." Her mother said and sat down on the bed. Denise sighed sadly, with a serious look on her face.
"What's wrong baby girl? Is everything okay?"
"I don't think I can attend this function anymore. I can't get the perfect dress to wear."
"There are so many dresses in your closet, you can choose from any of them." her mother pointed out.
"That is the problem. I can't make a choice. This is hopeless. Its official, I am not going," she fell back in bed, dramatically.
"Baby girl. Come on. Just pick any of them. They all look nice and fabulous. You will look good in any of them." her mother tried to convince her.
"You know what, I think I know the best person who can help me choose. Can you please get Harry for me, mother?" She smiled at her mother.