Her Awakening

Chapter 8: A Date with a Friend?

The day of Oliver Twist The musical finally arrived, and I found myself caught in a swirl of emotions that I wasn't ready for. Part of me had agreed to go with Jalal out of curiosity, wanting to see what it would be like to spend more time with him, but there was another part of me—the bigger part—that just needed an escape from everything going on at home.

After a busy morning of my usual routine—helping the twins with their lessons under Madame Dupont's supervision, making sure they were fed, fielding a few work calls—I finally dropped the kids off at my parents' house for a sleepover. Now, as I stood in front of my closet, staring blankly at my clothes, I realised I hadn't gone out in weeks. My outings were usually just family-related, never something light-hearted or fun like a musical.

After rifling through my wardrobe, I settled on a simple but elegant black dress. It hugged my figure perfectly—sophisticated enough for the theatre, but not overly formal. I paired it with pearl earrings and draped a soft cashmere shawl over my shoulders. As I carefully applied my makeup and made sure the loose curls in my wig were in place, my thoughts wandered back to Joshua. I was still giving him the silent treatment, and he didn't seem to care. He probably didn't even notice I'd slept in the guest room last night.

At exactly seven o'clock, the doorbell rang. My heart did an odd little flip as I quickly checked my reflection one last time in the hallway mirror before opening the door. Jalal stood there, his green-blue eyes sparkling with that same charm I'd found so disarming the first time we met.

"Wow, you look stunning, Melissa," he said, giving me a warm smile as he took in my appearance.

I felt a shy smile tug at my lips. "Thank you. You're looking pretty sharp yourself."

Jalal chuckled and gestured to his casual navy suit and open-collared white shirt. "I figured I should make an effort. I mean, I'm in the company of a princess, after all."

I laughed, shaking my head at the inside joke. Jalal was so different from anyone I'd ever known. He had this ease about him—confident but respectful of my space. It was refreshing, and I found myself more relaxed around him than I'd expected.

As we drove to the theatre, the conversation flowed effortlessly between us. We talked about everything and nothing, and I found myself laughing more than I had in weeks. Jalal had this way of keeping things light and fun, and I was grateful for the distraction.

When we arrived at the theatre, the excitement in the air was palpable. The bright marquee lights, the buzz of the crowd—it all felt so alive, so different from the weight of everything I had been carrying lately. Jalal guided me through the crowd with a light touch on the small of my back, a gesture that felt protective but never overbearing.

Once the show began, I was completely swept away. The music, the vibrant colours, the emotional depth of the performances—it was all so beautiful that, for a little while, I forgot about Joshua and all the complications at home. The performers' talent was incredible, and I was captivated by the intricate set design that made everything feel so real.

During intermission, Jalal left to get us drinks, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I sat in the dimly lit theatre, my mind drifting back to reality. Joshua's growing distance, the tension between us, the strange comfort I found in Jalal's company—it was all swirling together, and for a moment, I couldn't help but ask myself, *What are you doing with your life, Mel?*

Jalal returned, handing me a glass of wine as he settled into his seat beside me. "What do you think so far?" he asked, leaning toward me slightly.

"It's amazing," I replied, my voice soft. "The breath control is wild."