Exploited Arrangements

Chapter 3

"How about this dress?"

I take a sip of my take-away strawberry milkshake. 

"No not for me."

"Come on! It is so cute! It has been two hours and we still have to get heels and decide on our jewellery, make-up and hair. We can't do it if we don't have our dresses," Zara groans.

"The dress must be perfect. Come on, you know since Daniel died I was stuck in a hole. I want to make the experience perfect. It's my way of getting out of the hole. "

"Okay fine, but hurry up!"

A few dresses later...

"You know what. I'm going to go buy us doughnuts. I'll leave you to it. I expect you to have decided on one once I'm back!" Zara is fed up with me.

"That would be great. I love you too!!"

She rolls her eyes and leaves me and what feels like another 500 dresses to go through.

As I walk alone done the rows a particular rail of dresses draws me closer.

I go through each dress but not a single one satisfies me completely.

I place my hands on my hips and stare at the ceiling. Why is this so difficult?

"Are you having trouble deciding?"

I snap out of my daydream and turn in the direction of the voice.

"Hey there."

Oh my goodness. Standing in front of me is an incredibly handsome guy. He has a dreamy face, olive-like eyes and gorgeously tanned skin.

"Hey" I repeat without realizing I'm staring.

"Hello, no need to drool," he waves his hand in front of my eyes.

"Umm, sorry yes. I am attending a business gala Friday night. Would you like to go with me?"

Wow, seriously Gemma? What are you doing and why are you doing it so fast. You've only seen the guy for like 5 seconds.

"That was fast, yeah. I'd like to, but my grandmother's 80th birthday party is Friday. But I would like to help you decide on a dress," he smiles timidly.

"No, it's fine." I just stand there and smile. This is so embarrassing. Thank goodness Zara went to buy doughnuts.

"So shall we begin?" He suggests after a few awkward seconds.

"Huh, umm... yes!" 

Really! He caught me staring again.

We go through another 20 dresses and no I haven't found the perfect one yet.

"You know what," he says taking a few steps back. He looks up and down my body, calculating my measurements in his head.

"I think I know the perfect dress for you. I've seen it down this way."

I follow him down one of the rows I already went through.

"Here it is!" He pulls out a dress from behind a few others.

"It's perfect. I hope it fits." I shriek.

"Oh, I'm sure it will." He gives me the dress and follows me to the fitting room.

I quickly fit it on and twirl in front of the mirror. It fits perfectly. I LOVE IT!!

I walk out of the fitting room and the moment he sees me - I come to the horrible realization that I don't even know his name- a handsome smile appears on his face.

We stare at each other for a few seconds before Zara decides to show up.

"OMG girl! That dress is fabulous!" I snap out of my reverie when I hear the familiar voice.

I turn tomato red. "Um, thanks."

Zara is the one who breaks the awkward silence. "Okay cuties, I'm going to wait outside. Go pay up chop, chop."

Once she leaves we just smile at each other and I walk to the counter to pay. He follows me without a single word.

As I enter the pin he gives me a piece of paper with his name and number on it.

I'd like to talk to you again.

#@$%

-Aiden

"My name is Gemma," I look up and smile at him.

Before walking out of the shop we exchange one last glance and say our greetings. He winks and opens the shop door for me.

Outside the shop, Zara is standing with a brown takeaway box container and a humongous smirk on her face.

"What happened to the 'loyal to Daniel' thing?" she asks curiously. You can read a 'I knew it was about time' on her facial expressions.

"What? I told you I have decided I want to get out of my hole. I think letting another person in might just give me a booster. I think you should ask Liam to go with you to the gala."

"Wow there, did you ask this guy - what's his name - to the gala?"

"Yes, and his name is Aiden, but he can't come with me because his grandmother is turning 80. And yeah it was to fast for my comfort also but okay. Look he gave me his number." I take the piece of paper out of my pocket and unfold it.

"Wow, I didn't expect you to have a change in mind so quickly."

"So you should ask him. How about right now." I spin her around and there she sees Liam talking to a group of guys in the parking lot.

I take the doughnuts from her, take one out, give it to her and push her forward. "You go girl! Now's your chance!"

"I hate you."

"I love you too!"

...

"And?"

"He said yes! Can you believe it!"

"My girl is hitting a lot of home runs lately. She gets an allowance to a business gala, she finds a gorgeous dress and her long-time crush agrees to go with her." I give her a teddy bear hug.

"We should get going, give me those." She takes the now half takeaway container. "We still need to find shoes and a matching tie."

"You even agreed on weary matching colours? Awww, so cute!"