Thest thing | do is pull on a pair of tights and some tall heeled boots, followed by a dainty ne and some dangly earrings.


    | take onest look in the full-length mirror, turning this way and that as | take in my appearance.


    “Va va voom, if | may say so myself,” Elsie says, making curves in the air with her hands to indicate the way my body looks in the


    slim-fitted dress. Her words make me blush, but | can’t help but agree. Va va voom indeed.


    As | make my way down the stairs, | catch a glimpse of Karl waiting in the living room. He turns as | descend, and his eyes go


    wide.


    For a moment, he seems utterly captivated, and | feel a warmth creep into my cheeks.


    “You look... beautiful,” he says in a low, almost reverent tone as he approaches me.


    | offer a shy smile, feeling slightly self-conscious under his intense gaze. “Thanks.”


    He takes my hand and ces a gentle kiss on it, sending a shiver down my spine. | can’t help but blush even more. | was


    worried that he would think my look is too much, but the way he stares at me just makes me feel even more beautiful.


    “Ready?” he asks, offering his arm.


    | nod, taking his arm, and together we head to the car. There are butterflies in my stomach in more ways than one, though, as we


    pull up to the fanciest restaurant in town; | can’t quite shake off the unease building inside of me.


    | nce down at my outfit, suddenly worried that I’m underdressed for such an upscale ce.


    Karl must sense my apprehension because he gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “You look perfect, Abby,” he says gently, his


    eyes meeting mine in the dim light of the car. “Really.”


    | nod hesitantly, trying to convince myself that | belong here. Karl''s confidence is infectious, and | take a deep breath and climb


    out of the car.


    We walk up to the restaurant, and Karl opens the car door for me. | step out, and we make our way inside. The restaurant is lit


    with candles, creating a dim, cozy feel. There’s a lounge singer on the small stage who’s singing along to a soft jazz track, and


    the clinking of cutlery and sses fills the air.


    “This way,” Karl says, nodding his head for me to follow. We weave our way through the restaurant; and that’s when | see them.


    Ethan and Gianna, sitting at a corner booth. Gianna already has a drink in hand, swirling the liquid around absentmindedly as


    she stares off into the distance. She’s dressed exquisitely, the perfect image of an expensive woman.


    And here | am, feeling small beneath her gaze as | approach.


    But then there’s Ethan. He stands up as Karl and | approach, his smile warm.


    “Abby,” he says, leaning in to kiss my hand. “So nice to see you again.”N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    Gianna, on the other hand, remains


    seated, her expression less ae


    weing. S pStersd’ourtnoy in in


    rap aieaction, her lips pressed into a


    thin line. It’s clear that she’s not


    thrilled about my presence, but the


    feeling is mutual. Please read the


    original content at NovelDrama.Org.


    “Evening,” she says, her tone devoid of any warmth.


    | offer a polite but reserved greeting


    in return, not wanting t provoke ahy


    heyweled tension He Natmosphere at


    a


    le is already palpably strained.


    Please read the original content at


    NovelDrama.Org.


    Karl, however, attempts to break the


    ice. He pulls my chair out for me


    gestures for me ig gietban''twotry,


    Heynd@nurs in my ear, his fingers


    brushing mine as we take our seats


    beside each other. “I’m here.” Please


    read the original content at


    NovelDrama.Org.


    His words make me blush. And in that moment, I’m d to have him by my side.