I N S T I N C T I V E

(Twenty-One)

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One Week Later

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Ramona stood in front of the mirror, examining the golden colored dress that fit along her curves. It was long, shaping her waist but hanging loosely down to her ankles. It had a slight dip in the chest, only stopping just above her breasts so that minimum cleavage was shown.

Tonight was the night that the restaurant Ramona and Dwight had been working on was going to have its grand opening. Mr. Giovanni, the owner, organized a dinner party at the restaurant to honor and congratulate them. Ramona was extremely critical of her outfit and appearance for the night.

She adjusted her black hair, which was slicked and hanging down her back. She released a sigh, examining herself with at first a smiling expression that sulked over time. She could see a tall figure approaching from behind her, and it placed its left hand onto her shoulder.

Dwight tilted his head. "Are you alright?" He asked. Ramona shook her head slightly. "I feel like it's too much." She said. "Too much?" He asked, letting out a single chuckle. "It looks great. You look great." He said. "But it's a formal dinner party. It's for us. I shouldn't come in overdoing it." She said, then pointing at her bed. On it was a long scarf-like fur item. It was light blue with round gum-ball shaped additions on each end. "I even bought this. And this." She said, pointing at the fur. Next to it was a gold face net with small rhinestones on it.

"It's as if I'm going to some red carpet or something." She said. "Well, I'm overdressed too." Said Dwight in an attempt to make her feel better. He was dressed in a black and white suit, his hair combed out and his outfit completed with a white silk scarf that hung over his shoulders. 

She stared at him, then crossing her arms. "You look great. You at least look dressed for the occasion. I don't want to make a fool out of myself." Said Ramona. Even though she had a confident demeanor most of the time, even the most self-assuring individuals have moments where their expectations for themselves experience a shock. Sometimes they question themselves, or worry about things going wrong, too. They just know how to turn their fear into fuel most of the time, but sometimes even that didn't happen right away.

"Do you have your speech memorized?" He asked. She nodded. "Well, I did stay up practicing it until 12AM, Dwight." She said. Dwight chuckled. "Yes, I know." He said. "That should be the biggest concern. You're supposed to dress to impress. You're the woman who designed the place, after all." He said. "You look great. I love it." He said, grabbing her hand and gently spinning her.

"Of course you'd say that." She said, showing a reluctant grin. He kissed her cheek. "Of course I'd mean it, is what I think you meant to say." He replied. She turned around to face him, placing her hands onto his chest and staring up into his eyes. She wore a light red lipstick, her eyeshadow a faint gold and her brows perfectly filled.

"You're so sweet." She said, then kissing his lips. "And don't give me all of the credit, because you look rather handsome tonight as well. And you created the financial stability of the restaurant as well. That's just as important." She smiled, then hugging him. He placed his hands onto her lower waist.

"My friends and Caleb are going to be so excited for us. I had to make sure they could attend." He said. "Are they meeting us there?" Ramona asked. Dwight nodded. "Everyone's at Matt's place. He's lives the closest to the restaurant." He said.