The sudden intrusion

"Elsa, come over here."

Hearing her friend calling her, Elsa walked over to her.

"Look at this dress. Isn't it good?" Her friend showed her a silver bodycon short dress with spaghetti straps. The dress was appealing, with a plunging neckline and a backless design.

Elsa was immediately drawn to it. "It's really nice." She held it and checked it eagerly.

"You can wear it on your birthday," her friend suggested. "It'll look good on you."

'Birthday?' Samuel mumbled in his mind, taken aback. He had no idea that her birthday was approaching. A pang of guilt pricked him. He had not asked her about her birthday when they were together.

"Go and try it," her friend insisted.

"Okay, okay. I'll try it," Elsa agreed, smiling as she headed to the fitting room. She couldn't refuse her persuasive friend; she knew she might end up buying the dress.