..... Saturday.....
The Miller Mansion was calm, but slightly busy. Jane Miller, the lady of the mansion was preparing her house for a party she hosted annually. It was bound to be grand and classy, so she employed the help of celebrity interior designers and five-star chefs, formulating the perfect menu. The best decorating team in the state were also employed.
She walked around admiring the work that was being done when an unexpected but highly welcome individual walked in.
"Mrs. J!" The lady said with the brightest smile on her face.
"Daphne?" Jane replied, recognising the lady's voice.
"Yes ma'am", Daphne replied, happy to still be remembered.
"You look so.... different now. You look beautiful though.... How have you been? How are your parents? Are you in town for long? Would you like to have dinner with us?" Mrs J asked in one breath.
"Ha ha ha ha" Daphne's laugh was polite. "I'm fine, they're fine, yes and yes".
*Clix clix* was the sound heard on the staircase. It was Paleah, Zeke's sister. Her WX pin point shoes were making a statement, matching a short beige long sleeved bodycon dress.
"Leah!" Daphne exclaimed, running to hug her.
"Daphne!" Paleah hugged her with the same intensity.
They had been best of friends from childhood, separated by "growing up", but are finally reunited.
"I missed you so much" Paleah said.
"I missed you too" Daphne said and they hugged for longer.
Jane Miller, on the other side, watched two friends reunite. She smiled and remembered when Daphne had a crush on Zeke. She was like a Tigress, aggressive towards girls who wanted to speak with him.
She called him her boyfriend despite never having an actual conversation with him at the time.
Seeing that Daphne had grown into such a beautiful, successful, respectful, and elegant young lady, Jane couldn't help but wish Zeke and her would fall in love and get married.
She definitely wanted Daphne to be a part of this family.
They all sat down in the lounge outside and ate snacks, talking about various things.
"Have you seen Zeke?" Paleah asked while taking a bite of her muffin.
"I have" Daphne replied.
Both Jane and Paleah stopped what they were doing and looked at her.
"You have? When?" Jane asked.
"I went to his office some time ago" was all Daphne said, not telling them about how he threw her out.
After talking some more, Daphne and Paleah decided to go out for lunch and shopping while Jane stayed home to supervise the work being done there.
.... In Daphne's car....
"Let's go shopping before going to lunch" Paleah suggested and Daphne agreed.
The weather was the best for lunch, warm and sunny.
In no time, they were In the parking lot of the grandest shopping mall in the state, I ENVY YOU a.k.a INVU.
They went up the elevator to the top floor as that was where clothes were sold at ridiculous prices, all Daphne's idea.
Left to Paleah, she would shop at the ground floor before moving to the next.
"You're welcome" the handsome male attendant said with a charming smile.
"Thank you" Daphne replied with an equally charming smile.
Paleah was already exhausted from watching their exchange.
"Dresses and shirts are that way" he said pointing to the left. "And trousers and skirts are in the opposite direction. Shoes are up ahead and accessories are just after that. I'm Haru, call me if you need anything", he said bowing politely and walking to the side.
As they walked, they talked. "That attendant guy is so hot" Daphne said.
"He is, I guess" Paleah replied.
Daphne stopped checking out clothes and she turned to Paleah, "you guess? Come on, he's hot as fuck, but..."
"But he isn't Zeke?" Paleah said.
"Are you here to visit this town for work and rest or are you here for Zeke?" Paleah asked with seriousness.
Daphne sighed, it was not like she could hide it for long. "Yes, I'm here for Zeke".
And Paleah being blunt replied, "you know he doesn't like you right?"
Daphne shot her a sharp look and she rolled her eyes.
"The sooner you understand that, you'll know peace", Paleah said wrapping up that topic.
Daphne's face was saying "I will fucking kill you if you say that ever again", but who cared, not Paleah.
They shopped for clothes for a while before moving to shoes and accessories.
Haru, the attendant, came to their aid a few times, stealing glances at Paleah, and always checking if she needed his help for anything.
He kept alternating between them and other customers.
When he left to attend to others, Daphne grinned so hard, looking at Paleah.
"He likes you.... A LOT" Daphne said and Paleah shrugged.
"Stop acting like that. You also find him attractive, so talk to him or something", Daphne said pushing whatever was on her mind on Paleah.
Paleah stopped checking for shoes and turned to her friend. "I'm not interested, so let's focus on the shopping we came for, please".
Daphne frowned but kept shut. She knew Paleah wasn't the type to push into doing anything. She wouldn't ever be comfortable later, so she just let her be.
They were done and they paid at the counter where Haru was waiting to help them. He took the shopping bags to the car, with the walking before him. His eyes kept wandering to the lady with thick black hair. She was so damned beautiful, but She didn't even spare him a glance.
He sighed and accepted that she wouldn't talk to him.
"Haru" he heard his name in a sweet voice.
"Yes?" He replied charmingly.
"I like the quality of clothes here. "Do you supply customised clothes as well?" The black haired woman asked.
"Yes, we do" he answered with his heart thumping in his chest.
"Good" she pulled a card from her bag and handed it to him "after the hectic time at the mall is over, give me a call".
He took it and said, "of course, miss..."
"Paleah" she said simply
He knew her name would sound as heavenly as she looked.
He nodded, smiled and watched the car drive away.
When the car was out of sight, he jumped in the air, "woo hoo!"
In the car,
Daphne asked, "did you just-"
"Not one word of this again" Paleah replied.
Daphne laughed like a crazy woman, driving to the restaurant where they were supposed to have lunch.
The car pulled up beside HOUZ OF TACOS and they got out.
The restaurant was amazing, they served tacos in different shapes and forms.
They sat at a table and ordered Tacos.
While eating, they praised the chef and talked about all time funny moments they had each experienced.
They were done in no time, paid and gave a generous tip to the waiter.
"You know it's been a while since I was in town, how about we go to Zeke and pull him out for an activity" Daphne suggested.
"You know he won't go" Paleah said.
"But you're legit the only person he listens to, come on."
After thinking for a while, Paleah agreed and they left for Zeke's house.