Dear Sweetheart,

Silver Lining Hope

"Joy, how long will you decide? It's almost 8" Lara saw Joy moved back and forth from her wardrobe to mirror, tried to find a perfect dress for tonight.

"I should go for a shopping this morning. Now, I don't have anything to wear" Joy whined when she threw her clothes on the bed. Lara saw a mountain of clothes on the bed and yet her friend told her she don't have anything to wear? Lara shook her head.

It's because tonight they will have a dinner with Carl. Carl told that he will send a car to fetch them both.

Can't be patient enough, Lara grabbed a burgundy V neck dress with a high waisted design and tossed it at Joy's face.

"You'll look pretty in it. I guarantee that. So now, let's hustle" Lara don't like to be late.

Exactly at 8p.m, a car arrived at Joy's apartment building. They can't hide their amusement when they saw a sleek black limousine, waited for them. A middle age man in suit came outside of the car to greet them.

"Ms Becker, Ms Gonzalez, I am Richard. His Highness Prince Carl had sent me to fetch you tonight. Please get inside" Richard opened the door and welcomed them to go inside.

Their eyes can't believe when they're inside. It was big enough to fit 8 to 10 peoples back there. With a luxurious leather seats, a mini bar with variety selections of drinks and also fitted with a high-quality LCD screen, both Lara and Joy were excited to be able ride on one.

"You said we're going to a normal restaurant. But what's with this limousine?" Lara nudged Joy's elbow. Joy told her they were going to just a normal italian restaurant when Carl texted Lara the place. Now they were afraid if they don't dress properly for that place. Both if them only dressed casually.

"Here, look" Joy showed her search on the phone. It's a normal italian restaurant. "Maybe he just wanted to make us comfortable? Aww... He's so considerate and a true gentleman" Joy brought her hands together on her chest, admiring Carl.

They can feel the car had stopped. A few seconds later, Richard opened the door.

"Thank goodness it's the same restaurant you've shown me earlier" Lara said when they stood in front of the restaurant. It's a normal italian restaurant. Nothing screamed posh or five-star. It's looked like a family-owned restaurant with classic Italian interior.

"His Highness have been waiting for both of you inside" said Richard before he drove away.

They walked inside and noticed there's no customer at the moment. All they can see was Carl, sat at the middle of the restaurant. He waved at them.

"Why this restaurant is so empty?" Joy asked the moment she sat down.

"It's because I rent the entire restaurant" said Carl casually. It was enough to make Lara and Joy slightly shocked. What a royal can't do?

A nice blonde woman in her apron, walked to their table and started taking their orders. After that, she delivered glasses of water and a basket of breads.

"How do you know this place? It's looked rather new" said Lara.

"The owner and chef was a former chef at the palace. I'll visit here if I have time. He was one of the best chef in the Palace" Carl explanation made both Lara and Joy nodded.

Few minutes later, a parade of plates being delivered on their tables. It's looked like there's no end to it. At the end of it, a big man with a chef's hat in his hand, came to greet them.

"His Highness said he's going to invite two beautiful ladies tonight and I couldn't agreed less" He warmly welcomed them.

"I hope you enjoyed the food throughout the night" He's friendly fist bumped with Carl before headed back to the kitchen.

They had small talks while enjoying their meals. Joy was the happiest that night. She laughed hard at every little jokes came from Carl. Lara silently listened. She wanted her friend to enjoy the night to the fullest.

"Lara told me Daniel told you about her. That's why you know her. I thought it is because of what's happened at the mall" Joy cheerfully said it.

"Joy.... Eat your pasta..." Lara wanted Joy to stop.

"Remember when you accidentaly hit her at the mall? I vividly remembered it because it was the hardest day for Lara" Joy continued despites getting a warning from Lara.

"Why it was the hardest day for you?" Carl shifted to look at Lara. She spinned her pasta, don't want to answer his question.

"Actually, the present she prepared for her parents' anniversary broke into pieces and she have no time to make another one" Joy continued to answer Carl. Carl shocked when he heard that. He remembered hearing a shatter glass sound that day.

"Why don't you tell me that day? I will pay for it or change it with another present" Carl felt guilty for Lara of what happened that day. He looked at her with a sorry eyes.

"It's fine. It's in the past. Plus, Joy only exaggerating stuff" Lara make sure it doesn't bother her anymore.

After dinner, Carl offered to send them back. Joy excitedly hopped in to passenger's seat, next to Carl.

Along the way, Joy told Carl about how Lara and she became a friend at high school. Carl laughed with Joy's story.

Meanwhile, Lara silently stared out of window. She only joined the conversation when Joy called her.

Carl stopped the car in front of Joy's apartment.

"Thank you Carl for tonight. I can't believe that I can eat at the same table with you. Hope this was not the last one" Joy being thankful to Carl for realising her fantasy before she stepped out from the car.

Lara took her seat next to Carl.

"Why don't you just sit at the back?" asked Carl.

"You're not a chauffeur and I'm not going to treat you like one" said Lara while her eyes fixed to the road.

Unlike when there's Joy earlier, the air seemed cold and full of awkwardness. Lara stayed silent, same goes to Carl. Only a low volume on the radio filled the car. Lara wished her studio was closer.

"How's...." that very moment, they talked at the same time, making it more awkward. Lara asked Carl to talk first.

"How's Daniel? He frequently called?" asked Carl.

Lara nodded. "Yes, we always talked on the phone. He's fine" said Lara. The silence continued.

"What do you wanted to ask me earlier?" Carl reminded Lara on her question.

"Ah... It's nothing. I just want to ask how's your wound? It must getting healed by this time" Lara still look ahead but her fingers kept on playing with her dress. One way to reduce her nervousness.

"It's all healed. Thanks to your 'nagging', I've been taken care of it as if my life depends on it" Carl's little joke brought a chuckle from Lara's lips. It's like the first time for tonight, that Carl saw Lara's genuinely smiled. The smile he waited for.

Finally, they arrived at the building. Lara unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out from the car after saying goodbyes to Carl.

"Lara... " Carl called her name caused her to turned back.

"We are friends, right?" Carl wanted to confirm it.

Lara nodded slowly.

"Then, can I meet you again?" Carl screamed loudly so his message was conveyed.

Lara smiled and turned back to head inside the building.

"Yes..." A happiness stroke through him like a comet after saw Lara's smile. Feels like he just hit a jackpot. His heart dared to hope that one day Lara will open her heart for him.