LOVING A MANNEQUIN

Chapter 55: Barbie Went For A Dinner Date

Six in the evening… Melanie's house. 

I was surprised to see Melanie ready to leave in the living room. She was wearing a black backless dress. Looks like she was going to attend a party.

I frowned and examined her from head to toe.

"Barbie, are you okay? Why are you looking at me like that?" She questioned first.

My head tilted and I thought, "Melanie, why are you so dressed? Will you come out too?"

"Yes. I want to breathe for a while. I'm bored."

"But it's dangerous to go out alone. What to do? How about this. Just come with me.”

Melanie rolled her eyes and sat down to adjust her black shoes, "Go with you?" She laughed. "No need. I don't want to be a light bulb on your date."

I sat down next to her and wrapped my arm on her, "Melanie, why did you say that? We are best friends so I want to be with you. I will really worry when you just leave alone. Also, I and Senior Nic are not going for a date. We are just going to have a reunion dinner.”

“Reunion dinner? That sounds silly.” She tapped my legs, “Alright! Don't worry about me. I am not going out alone. A friend of mine will pick me up later here. So, go and have a good catch up with your hot senior.” Melanie put an emphasis on the words catch up. “Hey, Why are you wearing just that?"

"Is there a problem with what I'm wearing?" I examined my attire. A pink peplum and blue jeans paired with leather shoes. "For me, it is fine."

"Come on! You are going to have dinner with your childhood friend whom you did not see for a long time. But you- you only dressed up plainly simple. Are you joking with me? Are you not worried about what he will think of you?" He pulled me up, "Come, I will change your clothes."

I retracted my hand, "Not necessary. I am fine with this. I believe Senior Nic won't mind me wearing like this because since we were young, I also wore like this. Of course, Senior Nic is a type of person who doesn't look at someone's physical appearance. I know him so well. So, it's really not necessary."

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The honk of a car interrupted our conversation.

"Fine. You may leave now. Your escort is already outside picking you up.”

"How about you? Are you not leaving yet? Can you just come with me?"

"I told you, I am not coming with you. I will go somewhere else. Go. Don't make him wait too long."

"Alright! Then you have to be careful. Oh, call me from time to time."

Melanie sofly pushed me and giggled, "Enough with your blabbers. You look like my mother now. Leave."

Even though I was taking steps towards the gate, I still looked back at her. I was just worried that the past unlikable event of ours may happen again. I reminded her again and again, "Remember to call me okay?”

“I got it!” She said and waved at me.

When I got out of the gate, Senior Nic immediately opened the car for me.

"Did you wait for me too long, Senior Nic?" I asked him as I approached.

"I just arrived." He answered with a wide smile. "Little Princess, you are so beautiful today."

"Only today?"

"Of course, from the past, present and still in the future." He brushed his knuckle on the bridge of my nose, "Don't forget your name. How can a barbie doll get old and ugly?"

"Ha-ha-ha, you are really humorous Senior Nic. You never change."

"Of course! I will forever am. Oh, save your words later. We should leave now."

"Okay okay." I was about to squeeze in myself in the car when suddenly someone called my name.

"Barbie." Called by the familiar voice. A voice that even I soaked under the water, I would still recognize the owner.

I turned to him and our eyes met. The way he looked at me has a hint of sadness and disappointment.

"Barbie, who is he?" Senior Nic asked.

"A friend." I replied shortly. "Senior Nic, can you get inside the car first? I will talk to him for a while."

"Okay. Don't stay long."

I just nodded in response.

"Why are you here?" I asked without emotion. "I have not seen and felt your presence all day, why did you think to show up tonight?” I stared at him seriously, "If you are here to pay a visit. Thanks but sorry at the same. It's inconvenient for me to receive a visitor tonight. Senior Nic and I will go out for dinner. You better go back home."

Angelo stared at me darkly and deeply. His eyes were as if a bottomless well. I also felt like he had a lot to say to me but he can't tell.

I was about to turn around when he suddenly grabbed my arm.

"Angelo, let go. What are you doing?" I scuffed.

"Barbie, you can't go with him." He said with pleading eyes.

What was wrong with him? Since he chose not to be with me, what was that restriction for? Was he trying to control me?

"Angelo, I do love you. But it doesn't mean you can forbid me to do things or mind on my private affairs. I also have my own need for freedom. Besides, you are not in a position to forbid me."

"I am not trying to control you nor mind your private affairs. Yes. I am just an unimportant friend but I will still say this to you again. You can't go with him!”

"Why?"

"He will harm you!"

I waved off my arm from him. "Let go! Angelo, I think you're crazy!"

"I won't let you go tonight. Come home with me." He tightened his grip onto my arm which seemed to break it.

I almost burst into tears as I struggled from his grasp. "Angelo, let go of me. It hurts."

He let me go, seeing me start sobbing, "Barbie I am sorry. But you can't really go with him. He'll just harm you. He doesn't have a good motive for approaching you. Believe me."

I chortled sarcastically, "Harm me? Angelo, not everything you think is right. I know Senior Nic better than you do. We have been best friends since young. I know he is a good person.”

Angelo looked down and whispered, "It turns out you never trusted me."

"This is not about whether to trust you or not. It's about my own judgment of him. Enough. You already consumed much of our time. I have to go."

"Barbie. You can't go!" He grabbed me again but I quickly snapped his hand away.

The car door opened and Senior Nic came out. He quickly approached us and pulled me to his side. He faced Angelo fiercely like a protective brother, "I don't care who you are for Barbie. But I am warning you. Don't try to manipulate her. You have no right to interfere with her business. Get lost!”

Angelo's face turned gloomy and stiff. As if he wanted to swallow Senior Nic as a whole. “You p*****t, no one had ever yelled at me. You are the first one. Considering your past relationship with Barbie, I will let it slip. But, tonight, you can't take her away.”

“For what reason? You are not her husband nor a boyfriend. Night and day, wearing a mask. What a jerk. I am sure, you are up to no good."

Angelo's face flashed with rage but he tried hard to hold it back. He extended his hand and held me, “Barbie, come home with me.”

I shook my head, “Angelo, let go.”

In the next seconds, I screamed when suddenly Senior Nic fist flew on Angelo's cheek as he said, “Get lost!”

Angelo staggered back with a few drops of blood burst from his mouth.

He wiped it with gritting teeth. As he was about to step close to us again, probably to punch Senior back, I went at the center of them and blocked him with my hand, “Angelo, enough. I am begging you. Please leave.”

Angelo smirked desperately, “So you are choosing to believe him? Okay. Go ahead. It looks like my worries are worth nothing to you.”

Angelo walked away dejected while I burst into tears which I actually didn't know why and for what I cried.