His Estranged Mate

Chapter 9: Not so sure?

CATRINA

"I'll pick you up at 6?"

"Yes, sure," I say and hang up. It's decided. I am going out for dinner with Connor Lupe and I am on the verge of losing my mind.

Fuck! I don't have a proper dress,  neither do I have  dolled myself up and I always used to doll myself up for Connor.

But this is just to appease Connor. It isn't meant as a real date.

That critical side of my sub-conscious always manages to rear its head when I feel like I'll drown in my own mess.

Letting out a slow groan instead of screaming like I want to, I get up from the couch and walk into my bedroom, opening my wardrobe to look into my clothes. I rummage through the piles and piles of t-shirts and blouses and jeans and track pants and come to a realisation that I own only a few dresses.

I can't go out on a date wearing a t-shirt, can I? Wouldn't it look weird? It will just highlight my reluctance and I can't do that to Connor. Not to anyone on that matter.

Taking a chair from the living room, I carry it into the bedroom and towards the wardrobe. Climbing on the chair, I try to reach up to that box on the highest shelf of my wardrobe, balancing myself and almost not managing to trip.

Finally, I have that box in my hands and I jump down, blowing away the slight sheen of dust settled on it and open the box. The sight of those neatly folded dresses brings tears to my eyes and quickly wipe them away. Recalling the past has always been difficult for me, especially if those memories are related to Connor.

It's been 7 years but still, there are so many things that revolve around those memories. Even when he wasn't there with me, I thought of him, of what he would think and once, I just went on a small yet crazy shopping spree where I bought half a dozen dresses. Dresses which Connor had told me will suit me. I never wore them but I bought them and directly kept them in this box.

These new but never even worn once dresses make me realise how much I have isolated myself in my new job and commitments. With no bitch friends to gossip with, I am more alone.

Making a promise to myself that I'll try to be more outgoing after this date is done and dusted, I pull a few dresses out of the box that are in varying shades of peach, sky blue, maroon, green and black.

I settle on the least revealing dress, the blue coloured lace dress which only shows a bit of cleavage but otherwise is good enough to wear. I just hope I fit into it.

Done with selecting my dress, I feel a little relieved. I set on getting my home cleaned, planning to start getting ready by 5. That way I will have an hour to get ready.

~~~~~

The bell rings just when the clock ticks at 6 pm. Knowing Connor and his punctual attitude, I got ready on time and don't make him wait at the door. I open the door to reveal a very handsome looking Connor wearing a  pair of blue jeans, a dark grey t-shirt and a thin coat jacket. He looks good, better than he did in school.

Oh, God! What an understatement. I might jump him but our present situation doesn't just sit well for this behaviour.

A throat clearing startles me out of my staring and I quickly look up at Connor, who's smirking in his Classic Connor way. How I long to swat him on the head!