Above is Elena in her beautiful red dress

**********

Margret helped Elena set the table for dinner. Arranging each delicacy accordingly on the long, rectangular, glass dining table.

It was indeed the best moment to celebrate. Elena was very happy with the news her dad came back with, she couldn’t imagine how her life would be like leaving with Sharon.

To her,  Sharon was her mother by nature and not by heart and she was replaceable.

“Margret, can you finish this up while I go get ready?” Elena asked politely.

“Yes ma’am. You should also check on your father. I’m sure he’s having trouble figuring which shirt is appropriate for tonight.” Margret said with a wide grin.

“I will.” Elena said laughing at Margaret jokes.

She went into her room, had a quick shower and then, did her hair and makeup. She looked into the mirror and she immediately fell in love with who she saw.

She saw a happy and peaceful woman, even her mirror could not say otherwise.

She went through her wardrobe, brought out the dress she had preserved for tonight's occasion. A short, flayed, red satin gown that reveal some part of her back. Then, she took out a dark silver heels from her shoe line.

On her dresser was her diamond jewelry set her dad gave to her on her last birthday. Quickly, she dressed into those then dashed to her father's room.

“You aren’t ready?” She asked her dad after she swung open his room door “she’d be here any minute.”

“I am ready. I’m only not prepared.” He exhaled nervously.

“Dad you’ll be fine and I like the shirt you are wearing. The blue suit you.” Elena complimented, hoping to calm him down.

smiling a bit,  he said “Thanks dear. You look stunning.”

“Thanks dad.” she smiled. 

They heard a ring on the door,

“I think she’s here already." Elena widened her eyes as she spoke,  send hot chills to her already nervous dad "Dad you need to welcome her.” she hurried him out of his room and into the living room.

Margaret was about to open the door when Elena called out her name loudly.

Flinching,  Margaret stepped aside from the door with her hand on her chest.

Mr.  Benson walked towards the door with his daughter following behind him. Twisting the knob, he opened the door slowly. holding his breath, his eyes fell in awe.

She was indeed beautiful, exactly how Elena described her to be. Her hair was packed to the side which revealed her neck, her eyes sparkling like the stars and her smile added more beauty to her face.

“Hi I’m Alice.” She said sweetly, handing him the bottle of wine she came with.

“Thank you. I’m Derek. Please, come in.” He held the door open for her to come in "This is my daughter whom you've already met.” He tried to introduce, still recovering from she shock. He never thought she would be this beautiful.

“Alice you made it.” Elena said as she came closer to hug her “I hope locating here wasn’t too difficult?” she asked.

“No, the description you gave was very specific.” Alice said smiling

“You are welcome please, join us.” Mr.Benson said leading her to the dining room.

Derek, being a gentleman that he was, drew out a seat for her. Elena took her seat and so did he.

Dinner went fine, Mr. Benson avoided asking Alice any personal question. He thought it was too early and he didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable so, they talked about normal stuff.

He enjoyed watching how she and his daughter got along and laughed at every little joke. Just at that moment, the thought struck him. “This is not a bad idea, maybe I should just take Elena's advice and give it a try.” He was fully convinced to date. “At least Elena won’t have an excuse of schooling very close to home” He shook off the thought then joined in the conversation.

***********

Amanda sat on her bed,  staring at the homemade, little cut flowers Deco Box for almost an hour,  still ruminating on the idea of whether to throw out all the letters in it and burn them or, to save them.

She didn't intend to throw out the letters but the second option made her felta hopelessly pathetic.

She empties the box on her bed angrily and just immediately,  she heard a gentle knock on her door.

It was like everyone in the house had a signature knock and she definitely knew whose this was.

"Come in dad." She said, letting out a depressed sigh.

He opened the door and poked his head in first "I came to check on you.  Why aren't you asleep yet?" He walked in and sat at the edge of her bed.

"I will, soon, dad.  I just need to figure out what to do with this first" she told him.

He looked down and found the scattered papers on her bed.  Some where still in the envelope while others weren't.

"Are this not the letters you got from you crush whilst in school?"

"Yes dad."

"Did you get another one?"

"No dad,  i stopped getting any after prom."

"Oh,  I see.  What do you intend to do with them?" he picked one and scanned quickly through it.

"Dad!" she called out,  trying to forcefully collect the letter from him.

"This is cute." he laughed "I never remembered sending one of these in my day.  I was more of saying my feelings face to face"

"Well dad,  your day was boring" she mocked,  sticking out her tongue.

'And yours is what,  interesting?'

"Romantic."

Michael didn't know when he burst into laughter "And I'm sure you intend to cherish it-"

She puffed.

"-at least the idea."

She picked up the FOREVER ticket,  stared at it a while then, kept it back into the box.

Michael watched his daughter arrange all the papers back into the box and closed it.

"Are you sure you are fine?" he asked with that worried look in his eyes

"Yes dad,  I am." she assured him

"OK, hun. You should get some sleep,  you know what tomorrow is?"

"Yes dad,  thank you." she smiled

"Love you."

"Love you too dad." she said,  smiling as she watched him leave her room.

***********

Who can guess what tomorrow is?

Let's find out in the next chapter...

Thanks for reading,  I hope you enjoyed it. Please don't hesitate to vote and leave a comment or two. Thanks.

#1luv#
#staysafe#