I Lost My V-Card to a Stranger

Chapter 2: Getting Ready for Battle

Saphira's POV

"Are you sure you want me to wear this dress?" I asked.

"Of course, I think it fits you better," she said, smiling.

I looked at myself in the mirror and looked at the dress that she ordered that she intended to make me wear for tonight's reunion.

Even if I don't have a strong interest in fashion, I can nevertheless appreciate this dress's exquisite appeal and probably its costly price tag.

Based on the exquisite feel of the dress—which was as silky as honey—I could tell that this one was exquisitely made, which is what made Lorraine wait so long to get it, so how could I have the heart to wear this dress for which Lorraine patiently waited for two months?

"Sorry, but I can't wear this," I said while trying to return the dress to her.

"Why not?" She asked, her left eyebrow raised.

"Cause! You ordered this dress for yourself, and I know you really want it considering that you were willing to wait for two months."

She didn't say anything, and I noticed how she took a deep breath. When she looked at me again, I saw the unwavering determination in her gaze.

"I would be lying if I said I didn't want this dress for myself. You were right, I was willing to wait for freaking two months just to have that dress, but seeing how much it suited you, I would be happy if you wore it to the reunion," she replied calmly.

"Since you want this and you're the one who ordered it, then it would be right for you to wear this dress to the reunion; I could just look for another dress," I said.

I was about to start looking for another dress when what she said next made me stop doing so.

"Do you really think there is a more beautiful dress in this shop than the one you were holding?" she asked with a challenging look on her face.

It was as if I swallowed my tongue, unable to answer her question. Nevertheless, I decided to look around the store to be sure, and sure enough, as she had stated, nothing could compare to the outfit she wanted me to wear.

"But... how..." I tried to still refuse, but I felt Lorraine's hands on top of both my shoulders, and I had no choice but to look into her eyes.

"You have to trust me, Ira. I understand that you were still reluctant to attend the reunion, and since I was the one forcing you to go, then it would be sensible to make sure that you are ready, and wearing this dress is one of the steps to do that," she said, determination in her eyes.

Her words and her sincerity gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, and I finally decided to accept her kind offer.

"Thank you," I said.

"You're welcome, but we're not done yet; we still need to do something about your hair," she said.

"What's wrong with my hair?"

"Nothing, actually; I kind of like it on normal occasions," she said, looking at my below-the-waist long raven black hair.

"Then what are you planning to do with my hair?"

"Like I said, I like your hair on normal occasions, but this time we need to make some minor changes. I'm thinking of cutting it a little and maybe adding a few curls," she said.

I looked at her with a suspicious look, but then decided to agree, since there was no point in refusing her help, and she was doing all of this to help me.

After getting the gown packed and choosing a pair of heels that complimented the dress, she brought me to her favorite salon, where I experienced first-class pampering.

Aside from cutting my hair, they also exfoliate my skin and do other things I don't know exactly, and on a normal day, I would dare to try these procedures.

"Wow," was the only word that escaped my lips when I finally saw my reflection in the mirror.

"Told you," I heard Lorraine say, which I chose to ignore.

I was expecting to have my make-up, but she told me that it could wait until later.

After I finished all the procedures Lorraine asked me to do, we were finally ready to have our meal.

"Finally!" I couldn't help but mutter when I heard her say it, which she just ignored.

By the time we stepped out of the salon, it was already past noon, so we decided to skip breakfast and order a heavy lunch instead.

I was really feeling hungry, so as soon as the food was served on our table, I immediately devoured it with so much gusto.

"What?!" I asked in a snarling tone when I noticed the way Lorraine looked at me with amusement in her eyes.

"Nothing; I was just surprised that you were eating a lot, even though you told me that you were watching your weight," she answered nonchalantly, but the amusement in her eyes still remained.

"Let's just say I am just preparing myself for later, and besides, I will make sure to extend my time in the gym," I answered.

She was right, of course; I told her that I planned to watch my weight. But amid my feelings of anxiety, stress eating felt unavoidable. Still, there wasn't much to worry about because I usually go to the gym three times a week.

I had already decided to make up for my indulgence by going to the gym tomorrow, even though it wasn't my scheduled visit yet.

"That's why I'm so impressed with you, Ira. I'm impressed with your dedication, not just with your work but also with your health," she said with genuine admiration.

I just replied with a smile and decided not to comment on it. The main reason why I was trying not to gain weight was that I didn't want to be the point of ridicule again, just like in school before, and now that I'm finally meeting them again, I couldn't help but feel worried, even though, just as Lorraine said, I did change a lot, not just physically but also in my social status.

Still, even though I knew those things, I still couldn't help but dread the time that I would finally be meeting the people who tormented me and made me insecure about myself, but then again, maybe this was the right time to redeem myself and for me to finally be free from those traumas.

She didn't say anything after that and started eating as well, and just like what I was doing, she was eating without any care in the world, compared to me, who needed to make sure to frequent the gym to make sure not to gain weight. Lorraine is one of those despised ladies who don't gain weight no matter how much they eat, and I envy her.

Who wouldn't be jealous, after all? Everyone wishes they had Lorraine's metabolism, which lets them eat anything they want without worrying about gaining weight.

Sometimes, I felt like life was really unfair. Just look at Lorraine; she has an angelic look, a perfect body without any effort, and she also came from a wealthy family; she almost has everything, but then again, I'm still happy with my life since I have a friend like her, and aside from her, I also have my grandmother, who loves me so much, and I love her as well.

We managed to finish everything that we ordered, and I thought that I was going to have my makeup, but Lorraine told me that it could wait until later since it was still early.

After we were done paying our bills, we decided to look for Lorraine's dress for later, and again, I couldn't help but feel guilty for taking her dress. It was as if Lorraine could read my mind when she reprimanded me to stop feeling guilty.

We visited five different stores, but I didn't complain—it's the least I can do about her kindness. At the sixth one, she finally found a dress she truly liked, and she also chose stilettos to go with her black dress.

"You look so beautiful," I said with so much admiration.

Even with little effort and whatever dress she wore, Lorraine didn't fail to stand out, and there was no doubt that she would be the most beautiful lady later.

"Thank you, Ira. Actually, we are both beautiful and, for sure, we will be the prettiest women at the reunion later," she said confidently.

Once more, I chose to ignore it and simply smile. I knew she would end up being the most gorgeous person in our group, and as for me, I believe everything will work out; at least, I'm no longer the loser they knew.

Instead of going home, she decided that we should check in at a nearby hotel, where we would be waiting for the time of the reunion.

"It would be a waste of time just to go home and then go to a salon for our makeup and then drive to the venue, which is just ten minutes away from a hotel near here," she explained.

She picked a five-star hotel, and I tried to offer to pay the bill, but Lorraine refused and said that she had the means. She was the one who suggested that we check in at a hotel, and as much as I tried to convince her, she didn't badge, so I had no choice but to agree to it and just thank her.

With everything she has done for me, I wish there would be a time when I could repay her kindness.

The room she booked has two adjacent rooms that have a shared bathroom. Seeing the bed in my room made me want to jump to it and take a nap.

"You can take a rest, and I will just wake you up once the stylist arrives later," she said.

She had already booked two stylists for us who should arrive three hours before the reunion, giving us enough time to get ready, and once more, she insisted on paying for those as well.

"Okay."

She was about to turn around and walk to the adjacent room when I called her name.

"Lorraine..."

She looked back at me, silently waiting for me to say something more, which I finally did.

I took a deep breath first before speaking. "I just want to say thank you for everything."

"You're welcome; you're my best friend, and besides, you're always there for me whenever I need you, and for that, I am fortunate to have you as my closest friend," she replied with a warm smile on her lips.

After our little talk, she finally went to her room and took a rest. We decided to just stay in our room until the stylist arrived, and we decided not to have anything to eat either.

I felt so tired after shopping and walking aimlessly in the mall earlier, but I admit I had so much happen, especially since I was with my best friend.

I really thought that once I hit my bed, slumber would soon follow considering the exhaustion I was feeling, but that didn't happen even after I shut my eyes for five minutes.

My body felt tired, but my mind was still working nonstop, thinking about different scenarios and different outcomes of me attending the reunion for the first time.

I tried to block the negative possibilities that might happen later and tried to remind myself that I am not the same Saphira that they enjoyed bullying way back in high school.

I worked hard to be where I am right now and worked even harder to look presentable, and with that in mind, I finally felt the pull of sleep, and a few minutes later, I finally enjoyed the peacefulness of slumber.