The Many Layers Of Isabel

Chapter 4 - The News

“Isabel, don’t just sit there. Hurry up! Marco is about to get here.” Dina is running around her flat frantically, trying to assemble the last of her belongings. “Oh come on girl!”

“Hold up. Goodness, calm down Dina.” Isabel says as she tries to finish forwarding an email to a co-worker.

“Calm down? You got to be kidding me! We are going to the grand opening of Lady Catherine’s charity function and you want me to be calm! I have never been invited to something like this. It blows my mind just thinking about it. And if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have spent your Saturday afternoon dress shopping for what could easily be the best event you’ll ever be present at. So yes, I am a little stressed.” With that, Dina collapsed onto her sofa, breathing heavily as if she has used up all her energy in that monologue. She closes her eyes and uses the heels of her shoes to tap loudly on the floor, while inhaling and exhaling with her mouth.

Dina’s boyfriend was a popular restaurant entrepreneur who has many contacts and acquaintances so it came to no surprise to Isabel when she found out Lady’s Catherine was another acquaintance of Marco. Lady Catherine is a well-known human rights activist, always rustling something up to raise money for a great cause even if that meant parting the rich in London from their money. Naturally, when Lady Catherine found out Dina is the girlfriend of Marco, she requested Dina for her appearance at the Charity Gala. As Marco and Dina had two separate invitations, Dina invited Isabel as her plus one. She however wasn’t exempted from paying for the expensive ticket. Isabel didn’t mind though. At least her money was going to something other than her Louboutins and Prada.

“Alright, don’t be angry. I’m all done,” Isabel says as she circles around, showing off her newly purchased royal blue Dolce and Gabbana long dress. She grabbed her white satin clutch from the coffee table and walks towards the window, peeping to catch any sign of a dark haired, extremely tall, Italian man. He still wasn’t there. She glances back at Dina, who now made her way to the mirror, her gaze fixed on herself.

“Dina, you look gorgeous,” Isabel says as cheery as she could.

Her friend turns around with a huge grin. Isabel was slightly taken aback by her friend’s sudden change in mood. Two minutes ago, Dina was a mess, running around and demanding Isabel with all sorts. Isabel was honestly worried for her health at that point.

“You seem…very happy.” Isabel says with a perplexed facial expression.

“Of course I am happy. We are going to a charity gala by Lady Catherine. I have an amazing boyfriend,” she says dreamy. “Anyway, you do think this dress is nice, right? A lot of people are coming and I have to make an impression. Especially being the girlfriend of Marco.” She stands with her hands horizontally in the air, raising her eyebrows to Isabel to probe her for an answer.

“You look great Dina. That Versace dress was waiting its whole life to be picked up by you. Black is definitely your colour,” Isabel answers, smiling at her friend who now looks back in the mirror, admiring the reflection.

“You’re right Belle,” Dina answers, sorting out her long, blonde locks. “You look fantastic too. You’re height is phenomenal. You’ll be turning a lot of heads tonight.” She winks at Isabel and giving her a sly smile.

“Why are you smiling like that?” Isabel asks confused, frowning a bit. “Are you up to something?”

“No,” Dina answers hastily.

The doorbell rings and Dina jumps to answer it. As expected, Marco is at the doorstep and she leans in for a kiss.

“Quick let’s go,” Dina mutters to Marco as she makes her way out of her door. Isabel follows her out and they all squeeze into the lift. Dina and Marco have already started talking about something that Isabel couldn’t quite make out so she just stands there, waiting for the lift doors to be open. Before the doors opened, Isabel glances at Dina catching her grinning but all of the sudden stops when she realises Isabel is looking her way. Isabel raises her eyebrows and Dina shrugs her shoulders as if she had nothing to hide. Isabel then looks over to Marco but he just smiles back. The door of the lift opens up and they all make their way out.