CHAPTER FOUR: THE DINNER
1265 Words
By late afternoon, the sun had begun to soften over the city.
The shopping bags were finally packed away, and after what felt like an entire day of being dragged from one store to another, Elena and Cherry stood outside the mall.
Cherry hugged her tightly.
"Don't be late tonight ," Cherry reminded her.
"I won't."
"And don't suddenly decide not to come."
"I already promised."
Cherry smiled knowingly.
"I'll believe it when I see you."
Elena shook her head with a small smile before getting into her ride home.
As the car pulled away, she caught one last glimpse of Cherry standing outside the mall, waving enthusiastically.
Elena waved back before settling into her seat.
For the first time that day, she allowed herself to relax.
Her mind returned briefly to the morning.
The interview.
Mr. Peter's words.
You're capable.
She stared out of the window.
She wasn't sure whether the interview had gone exactly as she wanted.
But she had answered honestly.
That was enough.
By the time she reached home, the sun was already beginning to disappear behind the buildings.
The apartment was quiet when Elena stepped inside.
She placed her handbag on the table and carried the shopping bags into her bedroom.
The new dress was carefully removed from its bag.
She hung it inside her wardrobe, making sure it wouldn't wrinkle.
She stepped back.
It looked even better than she remembered.
Elena glanced at the clock.
There was still enough time.
She had been awake since early morning, and the day's exhaustion was beginning to settle heavily over her.
She sat on the edge of her bed.
"I'm only closing my eyes for thirty minutes," she murmured.
The moment her head touched the pillow, sleep claimed her.
...
Elena opened her eyes.
For a few seconds, she didn't move.
Then she stretched and reached for her phone.
Her eyes widened slightly at the time.
She sat up.
The nap had been longer than planned.
Elena got out of bed and headed straight for the bathroom.
A quick shower washed away the tiredness from the day.
She returned to her room and opened the wardrobe.
The black evening gown waited exactly where she had left it.
She slipped into the black evening gown she had bought only hours earlier.
Standing before the mirror, she kept everything simple.
No makeup.
Just a touch of lip gloss.
A pair of elegant black heels.
Small silver earrings.
She picked up a small round purse before switching off the lights and locking her apartment.
Outside, the evening air was cooler.
She checked her phone.
A message from Cherry was waiting.
Cherry: We're ready.
Elena smiled.
Before she could reply, headlights swept across the street.
Right on time, a luxury SUV pulled up outside.
Jeff stepped out with his usual warm smile.
"There she is."
"Good evening, Jeff."
"You look elegant."
"Thank you."
Jeff smiled.
"If Cherry sees you before I do, she'll probably claim all the credit."
"She already has."
Both of them laughed before getting into the car.
The SUV moved smoothly through the evening traffic.
During the drive, Jeff talked about work while Elena quietly listened, occasionally responding with a few words.
He spoke about a meeting that had taken most of his afternoon and a business deal that was finally moving forward.
Elena listened attentively.
"You've had a long day too," Jeff said.
"Very."
"Interview?"
"Yes."
"How did it go?"
Elena looked out of the window.
"Fine."
Jeff smiled.
"That's Elena's way of saying it went well."
She glanced at him.
"Maybe."
He laughed.
Nearly thirty minutes later, they arrived at an elegant restaurant overlooking the city.
Warm lights illuminated the entrance, while large glass windows offered a beautiful view of the city below.
The moment Elena stepped inside, she heard a familiar voice.
"There you are!"
Cherry immediately spotted them.
She hurried over, hugged Elena tightly, then took a step back.
Her eyes grew wide.
"Oh..."
"What?"
"You actually wore the dress."
"You bought it."
"I know."
Cherry smiled proudly.
"I have excellent taste."
Jeff chuckled.
"You've been saying that all afternoon."
"I'll keep saying it."
She linked arms with Elena and led her toward their table.
Three men were already seated.
Jeff raised a hand as they approached.
"Everyone," Jeff said, "this is Elena."
Polite greetings were exchanged.
One of Jeff's friends, Nicholas, stood and pulled out a chair for her.
"Please."
"Thank you."
Elena sat down with a polite nod.
Nicholas returned to his seat.
Cherry took the chair beside Elena, already looking far too pleased with herself.
Elena noticed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You have that look."
"What look?"
"The one you get when you're planning something."
Cherry smiled innocently.
"I'm just happy."
Elena gave her a doubtful look.
Dinner began with light conversation.
Jeff and his friends discussed business, travel, and amusing stories.
Cherry occasionally interrupted with embarrassing stories about her husband, making everyone laugh.
Even Elena found herself smiling more than once.
At one point, Cherry began telling a story about Jeff attempting to cook dinner.
"That story is completely exaggerated," Jeff protested.
"You nearly burned the kitchen."
"I didn't burn anything."
"You smoked the kitchen."
The table erupted in laughter.
Elena covered a smile with her hand.
Jeff pointed at her.
"Even Elena knows I'm right."
Elena shook her head.
"I'm staying out of this."
Cherry laughed.
"Smart woman."
The food arrived one course after another.
Warm soup.
Perfectly grilled steak with vegetables.
Freshly baked bread.
Finally, a rich chocolate dessert that Cherry insisted everyone had to try.
"It would be a crime to leave without tasting this," she declared.
Jeff laughed.
"You've said that every time we've come here."
"Because I'm always right."
The evening passed pleasantly.
Nicholas tried a few times to include Elena in conversation, but she answered politely and briefly before returning to listening.
She wasn't rude.
She simply wasn't someone who enjoyed talking much with strangers.
Nicholas seemed to understand.
Instead of forcing conversation, he let her enjoy the evening at her own pace.
Cherry, however, noticed everything.
She leaned closer to Elena.
"You've been quiet."
"I'm always quiet."
"I know."
"Then why ask?"
Cherry smiled.
"Just checking."
Elena shook her head.
The conversation continued around them.
Outside the windows, the city had transformed into a sea of lights.
For a while, Elena forgot about the interview.
Forgot about the traffic.
Forgot about work.
She simply sat there, listening to people laugh.
It was different from the quiet evenings she was used to.
And, surprisingly, she didn't hate it.
As the dinner came to an end, everyone stood and made their way toward the entrance.
"Should I give you a ride home?" Nicholas offered kindly.
Elena smiled politely.
"Thank you, but I've already booked one."
Cherry looked between the two of them before hiding a smile.
Elena noticed.
"Don't."
Cherry's smile widened.
"I didn't say anything."
"You were about to."
"I wasn't."
"You were."
Jeff laughed quietly.
"You two haven't changed."
Within minutes, Elena's ride arrived.
She hugged Cherry goodbye, thanked Jeff for inviting her, wished everyone a pleasant evening, and stepped into the waiting car.
Cherry called after her.
"Text me when you get home!"
Elena turned around.
"I will."
"And don't forget tomorrow!"
Elena smiled.
"I won't."
She got into the car.
As the city lights blurred past the window on the journey home, she rested her head against the seat, already thinking about tomorrow.
She didn't know what it would bring.
But for once, she wasn't worried about it.
Tonight had been unexpectedly pleasant.
And tomorrow was another day.
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