Business Dinner or Just A Dinner?

"Nervous?" Brenda asked while staring at her friend, who was taking a glimpse of her dress. 

She sighed and nodded. She didn't know the reason why she was nervous when knowing that she's always there with Chance in the past years. They were inseparable and comfortable with each other but now, it's different. 

Her heart beats rapidly as if it's a ticking bomb that will explode anytime. Her heart can't handle whenever Chance was around. 

She crouched on her bed and slowly, laying down beside her friend. She switched her position to glance at Brenda and abruptly smiled at her which creeped her out. Brenda knows what's on Alyssum's tricky mind. She shook her head and stood out of the bed. 

"Don't smile like that. I know what you are thinking. I'm not coming with you." 

She whined like a kid as if someone grabbed her candy out of her hand and took it away from her. "Why not?!" 

"It's a family dinner… Not a friend's dinner so don't whine and do what you need to do." She said and helped her to stand. 

She just sighed in defeat and helped herself to stand and fix herself. Brenda patted her shoulder and said, "You are strong enough to conceal your crazy feelings for him. So relax, okay? Besides, Christian will be there to help you to relax." 

She was convinced by her friend's statement. 

"Ready yourself, Aly or you'll get in trouble." Her friend said. 

She crouched and turned her face to glance at Brenda. "Help me find a perfect dress." 

"Why do you need to ask for my help? I'm fashionable but you can find it on your own." She asked. 

"Because I'm nervous!" She stated.

"Fine... Now get some dress and I'll give an advice."

Brenda rested her body on the bed. Alyssum stood and grabbed all the dresses she found inside her wardrobe. Then her friend was checking out the dress that Alyssum was embarking on. 

She crouched on the bed, observing the dress that Alyssum was holding. 

Then, Brenda shook his head as her answer on the red and white polka dot dress. She glanced at the dress that was resting on the bed and searched for it that would help Alyssum to wear it for dinner. 

Then, Alyssum grabbed a black silky dress, placed it in front of my body, and asked her, "How about this?" 

Her brows intersect, yanked the dress and crossed her arms. 

"Are you kidding me? Are you going to seduce Chance? My gosh, you are 15 for Pete sake! It's a big no!" 

She scratched her head in frustration before her eyes gazed at Alyssum. 

"Wait, is it really necessary to wear a dress? Don't get me wrong, the dress is fine when it comes to dinner but it's just a family dinner. Don't push yourself to impress Chance. I know you, Aly." She ranted as she stood up, searching for casual clothes inside Alyssum's wardrobe.

"I'm not impressing him. I just want to look okay for dinner. Also, his parents will be there so I need to look presentable, at least." She mumbled, crouching on the bed whilst looking at him as she scoured for the dress.

Brenda sighed and grabbed the simple sleeveless pink dress and her two inches stiletto.

"That will do." She explained. 

Alyssum sighed and placed all the dresses inside the wardrobe before throwing herself at the bed. Then, she winced when Brenda suddenly hit her forehead. 

"What's that for?!" She winced while caressing her forehead. 

"Go change!" She exclaimed. 

She rolled her eyes and grabbed the dress before she stormed inside her bathroom. Afterward, Brenda helped her to apply light makeup. 

"Now you're set! But are you going to be okay at the family dinner?" She asked. 

She nodded as she answered. "Chance will be there and also Christian. I'll be fine. Also, we can sneak out whenever we want to." 

"If you say so. Just text me every detail about what happened, okay?" 

"Yes, Madame."

She stood from her chair and glanced at her full body mirror, observing her look. She fixed her glossy long brown hair and placed some cute hairpin. Then, she smiled when she was satisfied with her look.  

"Are you ready?" Brenda abruptly asked.

She heaved a deep sigh before she responded with a nod. After that, they strolled out of her room and strolled straight downstairs where her parents were waiting for her. 

Alyssum's father was proudly snickering while staring at her 'unica hija' (only daughter). However, her mother just stared at her, blankly. She didn't know what her mother's reaction would be. 

And so, Brenda, as a loving and a hero friend, strode closer to Mrs. Bryne and wrapped her arms around Mrs. Bryne's right arm and smiled at her, sweetly. 

"Awe, don't look at Aly like that, Aunt. I know you liked her style." Brenda stated.

Mrs. Bryne just smiled and shook her head. "You know I like it because It's your style, not my daughter's."

Mr. Bryne strived to halt his laugh while Alyssum rolled her eyes internally as she crossed her arms when she didn't like her mother's comment. Then, she glared at her father, who was quietly laughing at her. 

"Very funny, Dad." She said with her sarcastic tone. 

Her father cleared his throat and uttered, "Now, let's go. We will be late for dinner." 

Brenda waved at them to say goodbye and as she glanced at Alyssum, she muttered good luck for her before they hopped inside the car. Then, Alyssum glanced at the window as her head leaned closer to the window while watching the heavy, busy road. 

'Why am I doing this?' She thought to herself as she glanced at her parents, who were busy on their phone for their work. 

She pouted and looked back to the car window. 

'Even in the car, they are always working. Can they just put the work aside? That's why my brother left the house.' She thought to herself. 

Slowly, she closed her eyes while leaning her body at the car door and carefully eliminating all her distracting thoughts, leaving the good memories inside her.