"Annie don't you know? Shawn is coming over today. Today's your date Annie!" Danielle almost yelled at her.
Annie rolled her eyes, "C'mon Danielle, I already know that." She smiled.
"C'mon now, let's get you ready." She took her hand and led her inside.
"Sit."
Annie sat down.
Danielle went over to her cupboard. She took out some dresses, she threw them on the bed. Then some jeans, tops, shirts and skirts were flying in the air and landed on the bed.
Annie looked at her, "A simple dress would do?"
"No way Annie. You're supposed to look splendid tonight. You're going on a date, Annie, date."
She chuckled, "Why make a fuss about it?" She arched her brow.
"Well because I know this is gonna lead to something beautiful, Annie."
Annie turned to face the mirror, something beautiful? Memories of Christian and her would make endless promised to each other of having a brighter future.
She sighed and shook her head.
Danielle picked up a navy blue dress, "Nah, blue is the definitely not the color."
She picked up a pink shirt with white dots on it.
"Mmh... Definitely no."
Annie stood up and ernt to the bed. She picked up A sleek, sheath-style gown in a vibrant shade of red It had had clean lines and simple a boat neckline and three-quarter length sleeves. The fabric was a light, fluid silk that draped beautifully. It was simple yet clsssic
"Now your date's gonna be a swell!" Danielle smiled with a girlish excitement in her eyes.
Annie gave a small smile.
"C'mon come sit down dear." She made Annie sit.
"And now for your make up."
She let Annie's hair tangle free, she took a hair brush and began brushing her hair.
"Danielle?"
"Mmh?"
"I'm scared."
Danielle laughed a little amused, "Why are you scared?"
Annie sighed, "I fear Shawn might be like Christian."
Danielle smiled, "Don't worry dear, Shawn is nothing like Christian, I can assure you on that."
"I don't know why but I don't feel right. It's as if I'm making a mistake."
"You're feeling this way because you're still thinking about Christian. You feel every other guy is like him." She said calmly.
"But what if my feelings are right? What if I'm not wrong?" She looked at Danielle.
Danielle dropped the hair brush, "Do you still love Christian?" She asked.
Annie's heart skipped a beat, "What? Why do you ask me that? You know I hate him after all he did to me."
Danielle arched her brows, "Then there's no need to be worried if you hate Christian as you claim."
"I ain't claiming it, I mean it." She sounded firm.
"I know you like Shawn, Annie. Just forget about everything else and keep your focus on your bright future ahead of you." She patted her head.
She packed her hair in a side ponytail with a bit of Volume.
She applied some tinted moisturiser to her face, some blush on her cheeks and s swipe of mascara on her eyes.
******
"It's almost time." Annie said to herself.
Her heart beat accelerated. She suddenly felt nervous. This was surprising as no guy besides Christian had made her feel this way.
There was a knock on the door. Her heart skipped s beat, she breathed in and stood up up get the door.
Shawn stood outside, he smiled when he saw her and he gave her a light hug.
Annie tried smiling.
"You look gorgeous." He winked.
She blushed and looked away.
"Shall we?" He extended his arm.
"Yeah." She entwined her arm in his and they both walked to the car.
He opened the door for her and she got in.
"Thank you." She said a bit flustered.
He walked round the car and got in the driver's seat.
He glanced at her and back at the road.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah sure I'm fine."
"Okay."
He ignited the engine and he drove off.
The drive was not full of chit chat, Shawn would ask Annie questions to which she would answer and everywhere would be quiet again.
Shawn always stole glances whenever he could. She was so clam unlike the other girls he had dated before, this girl was different.
They finally arrived at the restaurant, It was an Italian restaurant. Shawn got down but before he could get to Annie, she had already gotten down.
He smiled at her surprised expression.
"This place looks fancy Shawn." Annie looked around .
"Yeah."
"Whoa Shawn, you sure we'll get a seat here?"
"Let's check it out." He smiled.
He extended his arm, "Shall we?"
"Yeah."
They both went in. A waiter came to meet them at the entrance.
"Welcome sir. This way." He led them to special seat at the corner.
They both sat down.
"Place your orders."
Shawn looked at Annie, "What would you like to have?"
Annie looked dazed, she hadn't been to an Italian restaurant before let alone this fancy one.
"Okay I'll have osso buco alla Milanese while the lady will have Risotto."
Annie arched her brows, she looked at the waiter who nodded and walked away.
Annie looked around, the whole place was filled with people of affluence. She definitely didn't fit in here.
Ladies walked about in fancy gowns and dresses. The guys were dressed in tuxedos while some stuck with casual clothes.
Shawn held her hand, "Are you fine?"
She looked at his hand on hers and back at him, "Yeah, I am." She tried smiling.
"This place" She still looked around, "It's so fancy. How did you manage to get a seat here?"
"Luck maybe." He shrugged.
"I heard, in places like this, you book a seat days, weeks, months even before you come here." She blinked at him.
Shawn chuckled amused, "Well as I said earlier, it's just my good luck."
The waiter came back with their orders. They ate in silence, the soft background music playing in their ears.
Though she had never tasted any of these, she still enjoyed them. Maybe she would try italian cuisine more often.
Memories of Christine came flashing in her head, Christine had always dreamed of going to fancy italian restaurants and trying their sea foods. Her smile disappeared and she dropped her silverware.
Shawn noticed this.
"What's wrong Annie?"
She bent her head.
"What's wrong dear?"
She sniffed, "I miss my daughter." She smiled sadly.
Shawn rolled his eyes, did she seriously want her dead daughter back?
He faked a smile, "It's okay Annie but you know no matter how much we miss someone, we can't bring them back." He gently caressed her hand.
She smiled and looked at him.
"I think I'm done." She stood up.
"That's okay." He stood up also..
He signaled a waiter.
"Uh... Annie wait." He held her hand.
She looked at him.
"Yeah?"
"I wanna show you something." He smiled.
He led her out of the restaurant. He led her to a secluded area.
There was a table with a white tablecloth, lighted candles on it, rose petals were all over the tablecloth. Some people played soft music at the corner.
All these plus the stars twinkling gave the place a very romantic atmosphere.
He pulled out a chair for Annie to sit.
"Wow this is beautiful."
"Yeah it is." He said staring at her.
Annie chuckled and looked at him.
"Annie you've been the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. You know right from the very first day I saw you, I fell in love with you instantly."
Annie blinked in surprise.
"You are just completely different from the others. I can swear that I haven't seen a lady like you. You're caring, kind, patient and beautiful." He winked.
Annie gulped.
He went down on one knee and brought out a diamond ring.
"I love you Annie... will you marry me?"