The days leading up to Delphine's mother's dinner party seemed to pass very fast.
It was a rare and significant occasion that held great importance for her mother, and that brought a sense of joy to Delphine's heart.
True, the dinner was based on the food that she disliked the most, but she recognized that there was little she could do about it.
She stopped thinking about it and chose to focus on the happiness her mother would experience on this special day.
She did everything to ensure that everything went smoothly and that her mother would be happy.
When she wasn't busy in her studies, Delphine assisted her mother in organising every aspect of her special dinner.
She also had to look for the perfect birthday gift for her mother.
During one of those days, she decided to catch the following bus before going back home from school, giving herself a few extra minutes to explore the city center.
She wandered along the streets, peering the vibrant displays in various shops and looking for inspiration for the ideal present.
Delphine was trying to find something her mother would truly appreciate and use or wear, but she found herself confronted with the challenge of not knowing her mother's exact preferences.
Exploring the different stores and boutiques, she paid close attention to the items on display, considering their potential to capture her mother's interests and passions.
She meticulously examined jewelry, clothing, home decor and various other options.
The key to finding the ideal gift layed not only in the physical item but also in the sentimental value it would hold.
While she was peering the collection at one of the downtown jewelers, Delphine's attention was captivated by some stunning sets of matching necklaces.
Though her mother was not typically inclined to wear jewelry, Delphine felt a strong desire to gift her something meaningful, something that would also resonate on a sentimental level.
The store clerk presented a range of delicate charms for the necklaces and Delphine pondered the options, knowing that purchasing both would require a significant portion, if not all, of her savings.
Delphine's eyes were drawn to two beautiful necklaces adorned with distinctive symbols—the sun and the moon.
The symbolism resonated deeply with the unique relationship she shared with her mother.
With conviction, Delphine made her decision.
The necklace with the sun symbol was the gift for her mother, as she was undeniably the radiant center of Delphine's life.
The sun necklace represented the warmth, love, and guiding light her mother provided, illuminating Delphine's path.
She opted for the same necklace, but with the moon symbol, for herself.
This choice held personal significance, as she had a deep connection to the moon.
She had always felt a strong affinity for the moon's ethereal beauty and its gentle, soothing presence in the night sky.
The moon also represents the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life.
Its phases mirror the ebbs and flows of Delphine's own journey, reminding her that life is a series of changes and transitions.
Just as the moon waxes and wanes, Delphine embraces the notion of growth, transformation, and the ever-changing nature of her experiences.
Delphine was satisfied of her choice.
It was a reflection of the unspoken bond she shared with her mother—a connection that extended beyond the realm of words.
Delphine made the purchase and the excitement to see her mother's reaction coursed through her veins.
When she arrived home, she discreetly hid the present in a secret location, carefully chosen to ensure that no one would inadvertently stumble upon them.
The day of the highly anticipated party quickly approached, filling the atmosphere with a sense of excitement.
Helena, Delphine's mother, had been busy taking care of the smallest details for her party since the morning.
When Delphine returned from school, she found her checking everything again to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything.
"Delphine, please open the door!" Delphine's mom's voice resounded from another room as Delphine meticulously arranged the table.
Considering it was still early for the party, Delphine assumed that it could be her father at the door.
Instinctively, she swung the door open, revealing the unexpected figure of Dorian standing before her.
"Hey, you are already here! Thank you for coming" she greeted him warmly, a smile playing on her lips.
Caught off guard by Delphine's radiant appearance, Dorian couldn't help but be taken aback.
Delphine took great care in selecting her attire for the party, wanting to make a memorable impression.
She opted for an elegant, knee-length navy blue dress.
It gave her a sophisticated look and at the same time it exalted her body shape.
To complement her attire, Delphine decided to opt for a natural makeup look.
She chose a light foundation to enhance her complexion.
Soft earthy tones adorned her eyelids, subtly highlighting her eyes, while a touch of mascara added a gentle flutter to her lashes.
Delphine applied a hint of blush to her cheeks, giving her a soft and rosy glow.
Finally, she completed her makeup with a swipe of a nude lip color, allowing her radiant smile to take center stage.
As for her hair, Delphine styled it in loose, cascading waves that effortlessly framed her face.
Her locks were perfectly styled, gently tousled to create an air of elegance and femininity.
"Wow… well, yeah, where's Helena?" he inquired, peering through the doorway.
"Come in, what are you waiting for?" Delphine chuckled, stepping aside to allow Dorian entry.
In his hands, Dorian held a magnificent bouquet of flowers, a grand gesture for Delphine's mother.
Alongside the beautiful blooms, he brought a bottle of exceptionally fine wine, destined to accompany the delectable fish.
"Thank you so much, honey. You didn't have to!" Delphine's mother exclaimed gratefully, planting affectionate kisses on both of Dorian's cheeks, while he wished her a happy birthday and thanked her for the invitation.
Within a span of less than an hour, all the expected guests arrived.
Dorian had arrived there first, followed shortly by Delphine's father, who also carried with him a gift for his wife she didn't want to open in front of everyone.
Soon after, Delphine's mother's closest friends, accompanied by their husbands and youngest children who resided in the city nearby, graced the occasion with their presence.
Later, a small group of Delphine's mother's colleagues from the hospital joined the gathering.
Though the number of guests in attendance was not overwhelmingly large, it was precisely this intimate setting that made the evening so special and meaningful.
After the greetings and brief chats of circumstance, it was time for dinner.
Delphine's mother had carefully curated a menu that accommodated Delphine's preferences.
The antipasto was presented and short after the risotto.
Of course, there was no fish in Delphine's dishes.
As the evening progressed, the atmosphere was filled with joy and laughter.
Conversations intertwined, toasts were raised, glasses clinked and everyone was having fun, enjoying that delicious cuisine and other people's company.
In the midst of the dinner, something unexpected occurred.
Delphine, in the midst of laughter, accidentally spilled some wine on herself.
Swiftly, she excused herself and made her way to the bathroom, trying to rectify the situation.
Flinging open the bathroom door, Delphine hastened to the tap, wetting a napkin to remove the wine stain on her dress.
As she focused on her task, a voice called out from outside the door.
"Do you need any help?" Dorian's voice reverberated.
"You can come in. Don't worry, it's barely visible, I'm glad I wore this dark dress" Delphine responded swiftly, her words flowing seamlessly.
Dorian, ever attentive, swifty joined Delphine in the bathroom and took another napkin to help her.
With grace and precision and his gentle movements, he worked alongside her.
Dorian's touch was tender and deliberate.
Delphine couldn't help but appreciate his care and precision; the gentle swaying of their hands, their shared focus, and the intimate atmosphere enveloping them intensified the connection between them.
"Okay, done" Dorian sighed, his napkin gliding over the dress's fabric again to make sure that he did everything he could.
Delphine, her gaze fixed on Dorian, couldn't help but smile at him, appreciating his efforts.
"I told you that it would be fine. Well, besides this little accident" Dorian giggled.
"You were right, as usual" Delphine replied and giggled too.
"Did you really say that? Are you tipsy? You never say that I'm right!" Dorian commented, pretending to be surprised.
"You're right, I exaggerated, only this time you were right" Delphine specified, with a little of irony in her voice.
"So... do you have an answer?" he asked in reference to the school party, changing the topic.
"Yes, I will go" Delphine replied, her voice filled with a touch of excitement. "However, I think that I won't wear this dress anymore" she added playfully, gesturing to her hips with her hands.
Dorian was momentarily captivated by her look, his gaze lingering on her.
Then they both stepped out of the bathroom and joined the dinner again.