SWEET, SWEET, NIGHTMARE.

CHAPTER SIX

   "You look gorgeous"

  Layla, Sofia, and I, hooted at and applauded Janelle as she walked out of the dressing room in a sexy and elegant fuschia colored silk slip dress.

"It's gorgeous but I don't think it would be appropriate for a wedding" Layla said.

"That's true. Adrian's sister is going to be a member of the bridal train. She's still a girl; I don't think her parents and brother would like seeing her in such a dress" Sofia added.

"I think I would disagree to agree with that point." a smooth voice purred.

My friends and I turned to see a dark haired beauty. She was tall and was elegantly dressed in a navy blue two piece suit and silver stilettos. Her perfectly manicured fingers clutched a small silver purse and silver jewelry adorned her ears, neck, and fingers. She did not look at all like the girl Sofia claimed she was.

"You must be Danielle." she said as she approached me.

Still stunned by her, I only managed to nod in reply. She beamed with elation and hugged me gently. After drawing back from the hug, she smiled at me, her pearly whites shining like they were cut out of a toothpaste advert, making me wonder if she was an ambassador for a toothpaste brand.

"I'm Alisia Valentino, your soon to be sister in law. You can call me Allie, only if you allow me call you Dannie." she introduced herself.

"Hi Alisia, you can call me Dannie, definitely. It's nice to meet you." I greeted.

"The pleasure is all mine, trust me" she said giddily.

  "These are my best friends, Layla London, Janelle Wang, and Sofia Vergara" I introduced.

"Hi! It's nice to finally meet you all. You're much more beautiful in person" Alisia said, her perfect smile still graced her face.

My friends blushed in unison and greeted her. They looked at her the same way she looked at me; their eyes shined with their approval of her.

"I'm sorry I came late; I got lost. I wanted to drive myself but I forgot an important. I have no sense of direction." Alisia apologized.

"It's okay. We were just starting anyway" Sofia assured her.

"That's great then. I can not wait to have a fun day shopping for the perfect bridesmaid dresses " Alisia gushed, her excitement matching that of my friends.

My friends squealed in unison and the four of them go around the shop, dress hunting, while I sat on a comfortable sofa, eating the mini muffins served to us alongside flutes of champagne as refreshments.

I stared at the several dresses that hung on mannequins and hangers. They were distinct, elegant and beautiful; each one of them having their signature designs. I sighed and for the first time, I wished I could enjoy shopping for my bridesmaids' dresses as much as my friends were enjoying themselves.

My phone vibrated with a new notification and I checked it to see it was a message from Chase.

I'm scheduled to land in New York by 4pm. I want to meet you, let's catch up.

  I sighed in exasperation. Being in contact with Chase was not something I needed at this moment. We had not been in touch with one another for almost seven years and now he has decided to appear from whatever hole he had buried himself in and ask to catch up with me in an obvious attempt to weasel his way back into my life.

He had sent three texts since yesterday and I had not brought myself to reply any of them. I had long ago decided that losing contact with him was good for me and I was not ready to bare the pain from the old wounds his presence in town was sure to peel open.