The Sum of My Past Mistakes

Chapter 4

Wednesday arrived, and I was both nervous and excited to spend time with Annabel. I brushed my hair until it fell smooth and neat, then slipped into a bandage dress that hugged me just right, pairing it with comfortable flats. After grabbing my bag, I took a deep breath and waited near the entrance of my dorm. Right on time, a sleek car pulled up, and Annabel waved at me from the driver's seat. She looked effortlessly stylish, her hair tied back and a big smile on her face.

"Hey, Olivia!" she called as I approached the car. "You look fantastic! Ready for a fun day?"
I smiled, feeling more relaxed. "Absolutely! Thanks for picking me up."
"No problem at all! Ayanda's family and that makes you family too," she said with a wink, and I felt a warmth at her words.

At the mall, Annabel and I enjoyed a relaxed lunch together, laughing and chatting over chicken nuggets and pizza. It was refreshing to feel so at ease with her, like we'd known each other for longer than just a few days. After we finished eating, Annabel suggested we head to a bridal shop nearby. She explained that her daughter was going to be a flower girl in a wedding soon, and she needed to pick out the perfect dress. The shop was bright and elegant, filled with beautiful gowns and accessories. As we walked in, a woman behind the counter looked up, her eyes lighting up with recognition.

"Annabel!" she exclaimed, coming over to greet us. "It's been forever! How are you?"
Annabel smiled widely. "Samantha! Oh my gosh, it's so good to see you! You look exactly the same as you did in secondary school."

They hugged, laughing and catching up quickly. Samantha turned to me with a warm smile. "And who's this pretty girl? Your little sister?"
"This is Olivia, my brother-in-law's girlfriend," Annabel introduced me. "We're just here to find something cute for my little girl."
I smiled politely, feeling a little shy. Samantha gave me a friendly nod before leading us over to a rack of adorable flower girl dresses. As Annabel and Samantha reminisced about their school days, I listened, getting to know a bit more about Ayanda's family through their stories.
It was a fun day, filled with laughter and a surprising sense of belonging. As we roamed the bridal shop, Annabel and Samantha seemed to slip into deeper conversation. Their laughter from moments before had faded, replaced by a more serious tone.

"So," Annabel began, glancing at Samantha as she fingered a delicate ivory dress on a hanger, "how's your family been? Any little ones in the picture?"
Samantha's face softened, and she gave a shy smile. "Actually, yes. I have a little boy now. He's two. Keeps me on my toes, but he's my whole world."
Annabel's face lit up. "That's wonderful, Sam! I'm glad you too got married."

Samantha hesitated, her smile faltering a bit as she looked down. "Well... my boyfriend and I...we're engaged," she said, almost as if the word itself weighed heavily on her. "We've been engaged for two years now, but... no wedding plans have really been set."
Annabel's expression turned sympathetic. "Two years? What's the hold-up?"
Samantha let out a sigh, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "He's always traveling for work, and whenever I bring up the wedding, he just brushes it off. He keeps saying, 'Soon, when things settle down.' But... nothing ever changes. It's starting to feel like the idea of a wedding is always just a promise somewhere in the future."
Annabel frowned, concern shadowing her face. "That must be so hard, Sam. Two years is a long time to be left hanging like that, especially with a little one in the picture. You deserve some clarity."
Samantha nodded slowly, her shoulders slumping. "I know. I've tried to be patient for our son's sake. He loves his dad, and I keep hoping things will get better. But... sometimes I wonder if I'm just lying to myself."
Annabel reached out, touching her arm gently. "I'm so sorry, Sam. What's his name, anyway?"
Samantha looked away for a moment, as if reluctant to answer, before finally speaking. "His name is Raymond. Raymond Navicha. And girl! He is rich! He bought me the latest BMW."