All Dressed Up

Olivia's heart sank as she ended the call. Ethan had stood her up, and his vague explanation only deepened her disappointment. She looked at herself in the mirror, dressed to the nines in the stunning red sequin dress Ethan had sent over. Her reflection stared back, all dressed up with nowhere to go.

Feeling dejected, she texted Jenna, hoping her friend might be free to hang out at the last minute. But Jenna replied quickly, apologizing and explaining she was swamped with a big case and had to work late. Olivia sighed, tossing her phone aside.

She wandered over to the couch and slumped down, staring at the walls of her apartment. The silence was deafening, and her beautiful dress now felt like a cruel reminder of the evening she had anticipated but would never have.

"This calls for a drink," she muttered to herself, pushing off the couch and heading to the kitchen. She opened a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of her favorite Merlot, its deep, rich color catching the light as she poured a generous glass. The sound of the wine splashing into the glass was oddly soothing, a small comfort in her moment of loneliness.

She carried her glass back to the living room and sat down, curling her legs beneath her. She took a sip, savoring the bold flavors as they washed over her tongue, momentarily distracting her from the ache in her chest. 

The apartment felt too quiet, too empty. She looked around, her eyes landing on the small details that made this place home: the cozy throw blanket draped over the armchair, the stack of books she had yet to read, and the picture of her and Ethan on the mantel. Although it was cozy, she realized Ethan was the one who made her feel the most at home. Wherever they were, she felt safe with him. 

Her thoughts swirled as she took another sip of wine, the alcohol beginning to warm her from the inside out. She couldn't shake the feeling of rejection and the lingering question of why Ethan had been so vague. It gnawed at her, leaving her restless and uneasy.

Olivia sighed and leaned back against the cushions, her gaze drifting to the window where the city lights twinkled in the distance. She took another long sip of wine, allowing herself to wallow in the mix of sadness and frustration. The night had been full of promise, and now it was just another evening spent alone, questioning everything.

An hour later, she was brought out of her thoughts when her phone began to ring. Hoping it was Ethan, she answered quickly.

"Hey, sweetheart," Logan said on the other end of the line.

"Oh, hey, Logan," Olivia sighed, unable to hide her disappointment.

"Wow, is that all you have to say for your best friend?" Logan teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"I'm sorry, Logan. Just feeling a little lonely tonight."

"That's why I'm calling, Olivia, to apologize. I promised Ethan I would attend the fundraiser tonight and handle the business with Kriss Industries, but I never thought my plane would get delayed. Please forgive me. I promise to grovel incessantly when I return."

Olivia's heart stopped when she heard where Ethan was. "The fundraiser?" she repeated, her mind racing. That's right; she remembered Lauren mentioning it when she came by the office the other day. But why didn't Ethan simply invite her to go? She was already dressed for such an occasion. She began to feel a pang of sickness in her stomach. 

"Yeah," Logan continued, oblivious to her sudden tension. "I feel terrible about it. I know Ethan was really looking forward to spending time with you tonight. But duty called, and he had to step in for me. If we can become distributors for the new Kriss product line, it would be a huge deal for Jameson Enterprises."

"I see," Olivia replied, her voice tight. "Thanks for letting me know, Logan."

"Of course. And again, I'm really sorry. I'll make it up to both of you, I promise."

After they said their goodbyes, Olivia sat silently, her mind reeling. Ethan hadn't mentioned the fundraiser, and now she knew why. Lauren would be there. She felt a mix of emotions: anger at Ethan's omission, jealousy at the thought of Lauren being near him, and sadness that her evening had been ruined.

She took another sip of her wine, feeling the warmth spread through her, but it did little to soothe the ache in her chest. The image of Ethan at the fundraiser with Lauren was enough to make her stomach churn. She set her glass down and stood up, pacing the room. Her dress, once a symbol of Ethan's thoughtfulness, now felt like a cruel joke.

Olivia knew she needed to confront Ethan about this, but not over the phone. She needed to see him, to look into his eyes and understand why he hadn't told her the whole truth. With renewed determination, she grabbed her coat and headed for the door, ready to face whatever lay ahead.