Saturday. We decided to grace the mall with our presence, but if it were just me, I would rather stay home, cleaned the house, and watched a movie. Gemma insisted that it would be good for us.
"First activity, shopping," Gemma shouted as we entered the huge establishment. Shopping was Gemma's cup of tea. She dragged me from one store to another, convincing me to buy some new clothes and other essential things. If it were up to her, I would have bought more than necessary.
We went to one of these upscale clothing shops. The dresses on the displays were quite exquisite. I would never see this kind at a thrift shop. The price was truly extravagant. I slowly scanned the dress on the racks and discreetly peeked at the tags. No matter how much I liked them, I knew I could never afford even the cheapest one.
"What about this?" She shoved three pieces of clothes in my arms. "I think you should try it on."
"Gemma, I can't afford this." Pushing the clothes back to her.
"Put it on. I just want to see it on you. You don't have to buy it." She insisted as she grabbed the sets that she had chosen for herself. She pulled me inside a big dressing room and forced me inside one of the changing cubicles.
As I tried one dress after another, I could not help but admire the beautiful piece of clothing in my body. It would be so nice to own one. A girl could dream, right. I was wearing a red sleeveless turtleneck dress, elegantly tailored to highlight my slender neck and my lean shoulders and arms.
I was admiring it in front of the mirror when Gemma went out of her cubicle wearing a beautiful ensemble herself. Looking at Gemma and me at the huge mirror in front of us, I smiled. Happy that even for a short while I felt normal. Trying clothes with my friend. Admiring each other. This is how it was supposed to be.
"Why don't you get that one?" She said, looking at me in front of the mirror, wearing the red dress.
I loved the dress. Who would not want to own this dress? "I can't afford it."
"I could buy it for you. It would be no problem. You looked great in that dress." She kept insisting.
However, I would never allow her to spend her money on me, especially on extravagant like this. I could survive wearing my clothes. After all, they might not be expensive designer clothes, but they were good quality and decent. Despite her protest, I never consented to her buying me that dress. At the end of it, I returned the dress and I was back to my shabby clothes. My life.
We decided to eat out for dinner. She took me to a fine restaurant that James had introduced to her. She wanted to celebrate our first bonding moment as bestfriends. Well, she was like that. Always thoughtful.
On our dessert, I noticed a couple was walking towards a vacant table, a few meters away from ours. I had direct sight of them, and I easily recognized the man assisting his date on a chair. He was quite working his charm on this one. I thought as I observed them on their table.
Luckily, he had not looked in my direction. Maybe Gemma and I could make our getaway without him noticing us. We were almost finished so that should not be a problem. He was busy with his date after all. Then again, I may be overthinking this. He probably did not remember me. Thinking of the scene at the diner.
After Gemma paid for the meal, she asked if she could go to the restroom first before we leave. I wanted to say no, but that would only make her think that something was off with me. Although, I still wanted to leave soon. I was not comfortable with this situation. Why?
I was quite anxious. I could not stop it. There was no reason for me to be. There was no sign that he saw me since he was busy with his gorgeous companion, so there should not be a problem. I tried to relax as I wait for Gemma to return.
Trying to avoid looking in his direction, I did not sense the man standing beside my table, not until he spoke up. "Out on a date."
I did recognize that voice, I wished I did not. "What?" I asked as I turned to him. Confused by his question. He was looking at me while pointing to the empty chair in front of me, giving me that playful smile on his lips.
"Oh! No. I'm out with my friend." I answered. Why was he here anyway? Why was I explaining myself to him? "What about you? Shouldn't you be entertaining your date?" It was out of my mouth before I could censor myself.
"So you have been watching me. Do I sense jealousy in your voice?" He took the vacant seat and made himself comfortable.
"I had seen you entered with her that was it. Why should I be jealous?" I eyed him with aversion. He was a pompous ass. What did he think of himself? That all women would simply fall at his feet. Think again mister, I was not most women.
He leaned a little closer and said in his most sexy voice. "Because you felt like it was a mistake that you walked away from me. I could have given you the best night of your life."
"I think you better leave. Your date is sending me deathly glares. Focused your attention on her maybe she could give you the best night of your life." I answered him sarcastically emphasizing the last part.
Finally, he stood up. "You've just made this more interesting." His parting words before he walked backed to his date. As Gemma suddenly appeared on our table.
I grabbed my things and told Gemma that it was time to leave. I could not stand to look at him. His words were echoing in my mind like a time bomb about to explode. What did I do to make him think that I was into his games? Did he take my rejection as a challenge?
Ok. Given that, I indulged myself the other night. I was drunk. I had no control over what I was doing, but it did not mean that I condoned such activities. That was why I stopped it. I just had to be careful next time, if there would ever be the next time. I had to avoid him at all cost.