Only On Paper

************

Mei Xing went home with lingering thoughts in her mind. Like why would Lu Aotian even consider her an option for his date?

"What was that flicker of disappointment in his eyes?" She thought out loud. "No, it might as well be my imagination. Yes. I was just seeing things."

The days rolled by quickly and it was time for the charity event. The day she couldn't help but anticipate- not only for a memorable, fun night but a bad one as well.

Mei Xing sat patiently as Yi Chuhua applied makeup to her face. She has her hair already styled in loose curls cascading down her back.

"So, any plans for tonight?" Yi Chuhua asked, dabbing on some blush onto her cheeks.

"Yeah. I'm going to this charity event with Longwen... as his date," Mei Xing replied, adjusting her position on the chair.

Yi Chuhua chuckled. "Ooh, fancy. He's really pulling out all the stops, huh?"

Before Mei Xing could change that perspective, the sound of the doorbell interrupted came in.

"Did you order something?" Mei Xing asked, glancing at Yi Chuhua through the mirror.

Yi Chuhua shook her head. "Nope, but maybe your date's early," she teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

Mei Xing rolled her eyes. "I doubt it. He said he would be here at seven, not six-twenty."

Yi Chuhua shrugged and dropped the brush on the table beside her other makeup tools. "Well, I'm gonna go see who it is then. Sit tight, beauty," she blew Mei Xing a kiss before walking out the door.

A few minutes later, Yi Chuhua returned with three boxes of different sizes in her hands, her expression incredulous.

"What's that?" Mei Xing asked with furrowed brows, her curiosity piqued.

"It's for you," Yi Chuhua replied, placing the box on the bed. "Maybe from your date."

Mei Xing stood from the chair and went to the bed where Yi Chuhua placed all the boxes. She gently pulled off the note sticking on top of the biggest box.

Mei Xing's eyes widened in surprise as she read out, "I hope you like the dress." There were the initials, YL, behind the note.

"He sent me a dress?"

Yi Chuhua grinned. "Why don't you open it and find out."

Mei Xing eagerly opened the box, moving the light wrapper and revealing a bundle of clothes.

Gasps left their lips as Mei Xing took out the dress by its straps.

"Oh. My gosh!" Yi Chuhua exclaimed, her smile now growing to her ears.

It was a stunning off-shoulder midnight blue dress with a dusting of glitter over it. It had a slight sweetheart neckline extending into the shoulders.

"It's beautiful," Mei Xing breathed, running her fingers over the silk material.

Yi Chuhua nodded in agreement. "He's got some nice taste for fashion. Check out the other two boxes."

In the other two wear a pair of shoes matching the colour of the dress and a purse to go.

"He's really going all out for this dinner, huh?" Yi Chuhua commented.

Mei Xing smiled, feeling a mixture of excitement and gratitude. "Yes, he is. But he didn't have to though."

Yi Chuhua groaned. "Come on, Mei. You deserve things like this. Not all men are Feng Houyi, you know. And this man just scored a point."

"I'm not ticking off points on a scoreboard, Chu. It's not like there's a competition or something," Mei Xing said matter of factly, her feet taking her back to the vanity table.

"Duh. Babe, you deserve a competition. And it's not bad if you entertained the idea. Who knows, Longwen might just be the one for you."

"But I'm still married, you know," Mei Xing stated.

"Uh, that's only on paper. It's not like you're considering going back to being Mrs Feng," Yi Chuhua retorted.

Seeing Mei Xing's nose scrunching in disgust, she laughed. "I thought so. Besides, I think it's high time you are in the market. True love won't find you behind sketchbooks."

They both laughed at the last statement Yi Chuhua made. A true one at that.

As they continued with the makeup, Mei Xing's eyes trailed back to the dress. She couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation for the evening ahead.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine," Yi Chuhua gently shook her shoulders. "And I've got the perfect jewellery for that dress, Chiquita."

••••••

At exactly seven o'clock, the doorbell rang for the second time that evening. Yi Chuhua opened the door, a smile fell on her face as she saw who stood on her porch.

"On time to pick up my girl?" She asked.

Longwen smiled and nodded. "Good evening, Chuhua."

"Good evening."

Yi Chuhua and Mei Xing shared a room back in their college days. Their paths usually cross most of the time when she heads over to Mei Xing's department.

And even after college, they've had the coincidence of seeing each other.

"Do come in. Mei will be downstairs in a bit," Yi Chuhua said as she opened the door wider to allow him to step into her apartment.

"Tell her not to rush. I can wait."

"Sure." Heading to the kitchen, Yi Chuhua asked, "You want a glass of water or wine while you wait?"

"A glass of water will do. Thank you."

"No worries."

It didn't take five minutes before the clicking of heels against the tiled floor was heard. Longwen's head turned to the source and his breath seized.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. I hope we can still make it there on time," Mei Xing worried.

"Hi," Longwen replied in a daze. Yi Chuhua chuckled and he came back to his senses.

"Ahem! We'll be there in time," he answered.

"Oh good," Mei Xing exhaled.

"You look beautiful," he complimented.

A faint hue coloured the apple of Mei Xing's cheeks, her hands smoothened the invisible crease of the dress.

"Thank you. You look good too."

With a satisfied smile, he held out his hand for her. "Well, shall head out now?"

"Yeah."

"Bring her back before curfew, Longwen," Yi Chuhua called after them.