Rekindling Shadows: Apologies and Transformations
After sending Elena a voice message, Oliver drives back to the hotel. He kept pacing around the room while checking his phone every five minutes, hoping to receive any message or call from Elena. When his phone rang, he picked up the phone hastily.
“Elena,” Oliver said on the phone breathlessly.
“Hey, Oliver,” Elena’s voice came through, breathless and nervous, creating a momentary awkward silence.
“Um… Oliver, I was wondering if you’re free tonight?” Elena broke the silence, her own voice tinged with uncertainty.
“Yes,” Oliver replied, a hint of hesitation giving way to joy in his once-dull eyes.
“Then would you like to meet me tonight at Spice Fusion Restaurant? It’ll be my treat,” Elena asked, fingers fiddling with the lace on her dress.
“Sure,” Oliver responded enthusiastically.
“Cool then, I’ll see you there,” Elena said, a huge grin evident in her voice as she hung up and returned to the cafeteria.
“How did it go?” Milley inquired as Elena approached their table.
“Good. We decided to meet at Spice Fusion Restaurant tonight,” Elena said, taking a seat and sipping her coffee.
“Cool, we’ll come to your dorm room to help you get ready for your date,” Milley suggested.
“But it’s not a date,” Elena protested.
“But it won’t hurt to look gorgeous to impress your man, right?” Also, it didn’t change the fact that you are going out with him,” Cassie teased with a smirk, causing Elena to blush and look away.
“In other words, it’s a date,” Miley said with a smirk on her face.
“Fine,” Elena conceded, clearing her throat to mask her embarrassment and prevent further blushing.
After attending the lecture, the trio, Cassie, Milley, and Elena, made their way to Elena’s dorm room. Once inside, Cassie immediately directed her attention towards Elena’s closet, determined to find the perfect dress for her friend’s upcoming date. With unwavering determination, she began to rampage through the clothing, searching for that ideal ensemble.
For a good fifteen minutes, the room echoed with the rustling of clothes as Cassie sifted through the wardrobe. Finally, with a triumphant exclamation, she emerged holding a dress she deemed perfect for Elena. She handed it to her friend, urging her towards the washroom for a quick change.
Elena emerged, transformed in the enchanting dress, and Cassie wasted no time in tending to her hair, while Milley focused on enhancing her features with makeup.
“Done,” Milley declared, admiring her handiwork in the mirror.
“You look so beautiful, babe,” Cassie beamed with pride at their collaborative effort.
Elena, standing before the full-length mirror, marvelled at her reflection framed by ornate gold edges. Her blonde hair, now styled in loose waves, caught the soft glow of the room’s dim lighting, giving it a radiant, honeyed glow.
The dress she wore seemed plucked from a fairytale, a delicate blend of chiffon and lace that embraced her figure with subtle grace. Intricate floral patterns adorned the bodice, and a gentle V-neckline revealed a hint of her collarbone. The dress flowed into a floor-length skirt, ethereal layers of fabric pooling around her feet like a cascade of moonlit mist.
Elena’s gaze met her reflection, a subtle smile playing on her lips. Her blue eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and appreciation for her friends’ hard work.From NôvelDrama.Org.
“Thank you so much, guys,” Elena expressed her gratitude, embracing them warmly.
“You’re welcome. Now, go and make him fall for you again,” Cassie teased, smirking.
“Don’t forget to share everything that happened between you guys when you come back from your date,” Milley added, hugging Elena before walking out of the room.
After sending her friends off, Elena grabbed her purse and mobile, locked her room, and hailed a cab to head to the restaurant.
Elena paid the cab driver and stepped out onto the bustling city sidewalk. The aroma of various cuisines wafted through the air as she made her way towards the elegant restaurant. The exterior was adorned with subtle, warm lighting, casting a welcoming glow onto the entrance. The sign above the door read “Café Lumière” in delicate script.
She entered the restaurant, and the atmosphere shifted from the urban hustle to a tranquil sophistication. Soft jazz music played in the background, and the dim lighting created an intimate ambience. Tables covered in crisp white tablecloths were adorned with simple yet elegant flower arrangements.
As Elena scanned the room, she spotted Oliver seated at their reserved table, his eyes lifting as he saw her. “I am sorry for being late, did I make you wait longer?” she asked, a hint of concern in her voice while taking a seat across from him. Oliver can not able to remove his eyes from her. Elena moved her hand in front of his eyes to get his attention.
“What?” Oliver asked gathering himself.
“Did I make you wait for a long time?” Elena asked pleased with his reaction when he saw her. She finds it worth sitting like a statue when her friends are doing her make-up.
Oliver, ever the gentleman, smiled warmly. “No, I just arrived a few minutes ago.”
The waiter approached, breaking the brief silence, and took their orders. The air between Elena and Oliver grew somewhat awkward as they waited. Sensing the tension, Elena decided to address it.
“I need to apologize, Oliver,” she began, her eyes sincere. “I realize I may have been rude and distant. It’s just that… well, you have to understand why I did it.”
Oliver’s expression remained open, encouraging her to continue.
Elena took a breath before continuing, “Imagine having a one-night stand with someone and then finding them waiting for you on your campus the next day, even though you hadn’t shared any personal information with them. They acted possessive after seeing you interact with the opposite gender and then confessed their love to you. How would you feel? Won’t you feel like some kind of stalker is stalking you and feel scared?”
Oliver sat back, absorbing Elena’s words, and a contemplative expression washed over his features. The sincerity in her eyes resonated with him, prompting a wave of self-reflection.
“You are right, I am sorry. I just freaked out when you left me without saying anything to me. And when I saw you with someone else I lost my mind. It didn’t occur to me that my behaviour would scare you,” Oliver said playing with the glass of wine
“It’s alright as long as you know what you have done,” Elena remarked her tone a mixture of understanding and caution.