A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop. 

After the phone incident with Lee, things the next day had been surprisingly not too bad. Anita thankfully believed her story about her phone. She had explained that she had been looking into getting a new order of body wash after her shower, slipped, landed on her bottom and the phone had gone in the toilet. It was reasonable since she did bring her phone into the bathroom sometimes, and tile was slippery with wet feet. As for the bruises, they were accounted for by the slip.

Whenever she entered the kitchen, she forced herself not to glance in Lee's direction, especially when she was talking to Anita. She needed to concentrate on her work and not on his theory of her best friend abandoning her in some unknown fashion. Scarlett and Hal had been nice enough to give her get better wishes since she was undoubtedly sore along her arms and legs. They had heard about the phone and had even disclosed some of their phone-dropping horror stories. Their use of the word 'horror' certainly fit the description of what really had happened last night. Naturally, she didn't mention that to them.

There also was the matter of Lee having cooked for her the prior night. Anita hadn't even commented on that in the morning or during service. Even after service had ended, she hadn't remarked about it, except to say that she was glad to see (f/n) trying some things out, especially since she wasn't staying around for dinner anymore.

That night, Anita had left as usual, and Lee was ... calmer than usual? That might not have been even the right word to use. She wasn't exactly certain, but he barely wrote any notes. He did make dinner for her again, and it was the same dish as before. This time, she didn't complain about him making her food too much since she didn't want to piss him off after last night. After dinner, however, he grabbed her laptop and headed into the other dining. From what she could tell, he was looking at more clothes. (F/n) was tempted to say that she wasn't going to buy him another outfit, but she held her tongue and left him be.

Perhaps, he was giving her a break from his antics after the previous night. Or, he might be ... planning something. She'd like to think that it was the first option, but she still defended her room as usual with the lock and nightstand. Much to her surprise and relief, he hadn't woke her up that night. In the morning, the nightstand was gone and back in place. Her laptop was put away too.

With such a peaceful evening, it quickly was ruined when she remembered what was happening that night. It was Tuesday. That meant that she'd be going to dinner with Anita, Kaleb and Tristan. She really didn't want a double date. Rather, she'd just go to The Iron Clipper with Anita and have a girls' night out. Couldn't Kaleb just leave? Didn't he have an investment company to help his parents' with?

As if simple memory of the future event wasn't enough, Anita was practically buzzing around the café the whole day. Scarlett no doubt noticed as did the waiting staff. And, she was thankful that she couldn't see Lee's expression, whatever it might be. Unfortunately, the news of the double date traveled around among the staff, and she was asked questions from Scarlett and Cassidy. Hal gave her a look of pity, and she wondered if he had to suffer a double date in his past. Blaise only gave her words of encouragement that it'd go well. She certainly hoped so.

For a brief moment, another thought passed through her head. It'd definitely ruin the date. Along with Anita and her, she could bring Lee, stating that he was a friend. That would have to creep Tristan out. Not to mention make the whole date uncomfortable. Anita, though, wouldn't allow such a thing, and she'd get teased from Anita constantly afterwards. Not to mention that Lee might be pissed and/or interrogate her after Anita left for the night. He might even attack her for all she knew despite him being the one who claimed Tristan to be some part of Anita's plan in betraying her.

And, that's why the thought was brief. It may very well destroy the date, but it also had consequences that she'd rather not deal with. If only service lasted longer that day, however. When all of their staff left, it was just Anita and her. (F/n) could feel Anita's scheming eyes on her back, and it caused a chill to travel up her spine. Oh no. Peering over her right shoulder, Anita was leaning against the kitchen doorframe. A grin was on her lips, and her eyes were sparkling with mischief. "Ready, (f/n)?"

Inching away from her friend, (f/n) asked, "Can I take a rain check?"

"Not going to happen." Anita pushed herself off of the doorframe. The two of them stared at each other for a moment before (f/n) ran up the stairs. "Oh no, you don't!" Anita called after her, running swiftly. (F/n) booked it up the steps and practically tumbled over from her speed when she turned to go into her room. Using that to her advantage, Anita spun around her friend and raced into (f/n)'s room.

"Anita! Come on! Get out of there! You have to get ready too!" (f/n) cried out, huffing when she reached her room. She rested her hands on her knees and saw Anita already going through her closet. "Really? Can't I dress myself?"

"No. Because, I know that you're going to dress down even though I told you not to." Anita walked out with several hangers holding dresses on them. "You hardly wear these anyway. Time to show one of them off."

Rolling her eyes, (f/n) commented, "Well, they're not exactly easy to move in at work. And, I like to be comfortable when I go to the bar with you." She walked over to her bed and tried to grab the dresses, but Anita pulled them back. "Anita, I have no need to impress him. I don't even know him, except for what you've told me and his social media, and I don't even know if I'll like him. He doesn't exactly look promising so far anyway." Anita went to interrupt, but (f/n) cut her off, "Besides, his physical appearance."

"You're just making excuses. You're coming, and you're wearing something that shows off your figure more." Maybe, she could use the clothes to make a rope and go out her window. That seriously sounded promising at the moment. When Anita snapped her fingers in front of her face, she broke out of her thoughts and groaned when three dresses were shoved into her arms. "Go. Try them on."

"Why? You've already seen how they look on me," she remarked, energy gone from her voice. Clearly, (f/n) was done with this dress-up process already.

"It's been awhile," Anita argued back as she seated herself on the bed and crossed her arms.

Groaning, (f/n) rolled her eyes once more and headed into the bathroom. She closed the door behind her and wished that her bathroom had a window. Then, she could escape out of it if it was big enough. (F/n) hung up the dresses on the shower curtain rod since the curtains were pushed together on one side. Already, she knew that she wasn't going to go with her black mermaid, strapless dress that was short and had a sweetheart neckline. For tonight, she wanted comfort and didn't want to show off too much.

There was her short maroon fit and flare dress with a high scalloped neckline. It was sleeveless and comfortable, but it also was pretty short. And, she didn't know Tristan well enough to feel comfortable wearing that around him. This left the third option, which was certainly more modest than other two and would provide more comfort. It was a v-neck, plum purple dress, which was sleeveless, lace over cotton and had a ribbon around the waist. The dress went down to her knees and was a fit and flare too.

Taking that one off of the hanger, she slipped out of her work clothes and into it. She stepped out of the bathroom with the other two dresses on the hangers. "Does this work?" she asked, not amused, as Anita analyzed her before she nodded happily. "And, what about the bruises?"

"I had a feeling you'd choose that one. And, I'll text Tristan to let him know of your fall. So, don't worry about that." She hopped off of the bed and grabbed the other two before she put them away along with the lone hanger. Anita quickly came out of the closet with a pair of plum purple heels. "There. I'll be nice and leave you to your hair and makeup."

"Thank you. I suppose that's the best I'll get, huh?" (f/n) asked, releasing a sigh. "And, thanks for texting Tristan I guess."

Anita hummed in response before she waved. "Don't change back, or I'll get you to wear one of the other two I picked out." Her friend closed the door after her, and (f/n)'s shoulders sagged. (F/n) knew that her friend meant those words, and she honestly didn't wish to wear either of the other two.

Slipping on the heels, she headed into her bathroom. She brushed her hair and let it hang loose. Nothing fancy, and she touched up her makeup a bit, which consisted of foundation, concealer and mascara. Just the basics for a long work day. Already, she had no desire to go on this double date, so she didn't put too much energy into her look. Personally, she'd prefer jeans and a shirt with flip-flops.

Finished, she stepped out of her room and waited for Anita. She leaned back against the wall since she didn't want to head downstairs and risk talking to Lee. Right now, she didn't want to deal with him. He'd probably tell her to pay close attention and listen for anything that'd give her a clue to Anita's secret plans. As she was waiting, though, she realized that there was another benefit to ruining her phone besides keeping Lee from looking at it. It meant that she didn't have to worry about giving a phone number to Tristan or working up some awkward excuse as to why she didn't want to give him it.

Now, a smirk formed on her lips. He'd have no way of contacting her unless he asked for email or used social media. Something like that. A groan left her. At least with email, she could pretend she didn't receive it. As for social media ... Maybe, he might forget about it. It'd be unlikely, but she could hope.