Daniel was surprised to find that no one had actually noticed him walk
into the Virgin Megastore with Alexia wrapped in his arms. The pair slowly made
their way down each isle, stopping occasionally to scan the back insert of an
interesting CD. Alexia was comfortable resting in Daniel’s arms as they read
the back cover to the Backstreet Boys’ “Black & Blue” album. She enjoyed
the sweet scent of his intoxicating cologne as she rubbed her cheek on the soft
material of his sweater.
Alexia looked up at Daniel and wondered how she could have possibly gotten
so close in such a short time. Maybe he had fallen for her, like she overheard
Rebecca say in the hotel room earlier that day. Maybe he just didn’t want people
to notice him. In any case, this was the way she wanted to remember him; his
warm body pressed up against hers, her hands holding his around her waist, not
wanting him to let go, and his chin resting on her shoulder as he read the tracks
of a CD.
A peaceful silence encased them as they each drifted off into their own
worlds. As Alexia thought about Daniel, Daniel was far from thinking about Alexia.
His worries were focused on rowdy fans that might spot him and start asking
for autographs. He had never been a people person, which is why Darren usually
ate up the attention while out in public. Daniel was used to it, though. He
didn’t mind Darren stealing the spotlight. He was actually happier in the shadows.
The deeper his thoughts delved into uncharted territory, the more Daniel
realized that Alexia was still resting in his arms. Maybe she actually was the
one he had been waiting for. She had that special quality that appealed to him,
and he couldn’t deny the fact that he had fallen for her. She was so close to
him, he could feel her back against his chest as he blankly stared at the CD
in front of him. Her blond hair smelled faintly of summer flowers as he huddled
closer to her.
Daniel felt the sudden urge to kiss Alexia. It overpowered his mind,
making him forget where he was. As he slowly brushed the golden locks away from
her neck, he pulled Alexia closer, his arms locking the hold he had around her
waist. She felt his soft breaths on her neck and craned closer to his lips as
they descended nearer to her powdery soft skin.
Just as Daniel was about to kiss her, his cell phone began to ring, startling
him and Alexia back into reality. They moved away from each other, the moment
lost forever with that one ring. Daniel reached into his pocked and pulled out
the pesky phone.
“What!” he yelled into it, knowing it was Darren.
“Whoa, Dan, calm down. It’s just me,” Darren replied, startled that his
best friend had just yelled at him for no reason.
“Damn it, Daz. Next time, tell me in advance when you’re going to call
so I know when to turn off my cell. You just scared the shit out me, and not
to mention Alexia,” Daniel said in an irritated voice.
“So you are out with her. I thought Rebecca was joking when she said
you had a girlfriend,” Darren began. “But I knew you were in love with her when
you called last night.”
“Is it that obvious?” Daniel asked, frustrated. He didn’t expect the
whole world had already figured it out before he could.
“Oh, yeah. Bring her to the party tonight. I’m sure we can find her somewhere
to sit. Besides, I need to see the vixen that’s trapped my best friend under
her spell.”
“Is there a reason you called?”
“Of course. I need you to do me a favor. I want you to pick something
up for me at Macy’s. Since you’re with a girl, she can help you out. I need
to find a dress that’ll perfectly fit Chance for tonight, because, frankly,
her closet is empty. Make sure it’s white, and ask your girlfriend what else
goes with a dress. I don’t care how much it’s going to cost you; I promise the
money will be in your account when you get home. If I’m bothering you, I’m sorry.
It’s just that Chance has nothing to wear, and I don’t want her to show up looking
like shit. You know it’s her 18th birthday. Just do me this one favor
and I promise I’ll never bother you about your girlfriend again. Please, Dan.
You’re my best friend.”
Daniel began to roll the idea around in his head. On one hand he had
the very convincing speech Darren had just given him, and on the other was Alexia.
Would she really want to try on dresses all day from someone she had never met?
He turned around to find her reading the back of another CD, looking extremely
intent with what she was doing.
Putting the phone at his side, he asked, “Alexia, would you like to help
me find a last minute gift for Darren?”
Alexia looked up at him with bright blue eyes. ‘Oh, this is so perfect.
I’ll get all the necessary information I need and maybe score some nice clothes
in the process,’ she thought, the smile on her face growing. “I’d love to!”
Alexia sang out.
“Great!” Daniel replied, happy to hear her response after such an awkward
moment. Placing the phone back on his ear, he said, “Darren, if you pester me
even the slightest bit about anything, I will kill you. Understand?”
“Yeah, Dan. Whatever you say,” Darren answered. His tone didn’t sound
convincing.
“You owe me, you know.”
“Yeah, Dan. I know. Bye.” With that, Darren hung up, and Daniel put away
the phone, making sure to turn it off even though he knew people would be calling
him. ‘Thank God I have voice mail,’ he thought to himself.
~~~~~~~~~~
“How about this one?” Alexia said as she stepped out of the fitting room
wearing a silky plain white dress that puffed out just below her waist.
Daniel stared at her as he had for the last hour while she tried on almost
every white dress in the store. Whatever she wore made her seem even more beautiful,
if possible, in his eyes. But the dress didn’t have that quality to accent every
person who put it on. It was too puffy. He shook his head prompting her to walk
back into the fitting room to change into the last dress the sales lady had
picked out.
‘Please, let this be the one,’ Daniel prayed as he looked up at the ceiling.
He was getting sick and tired of waiting.
“You know, you’re the pickiest person I’ve ever met,” came Alexia’s voice
through the door.
“Well, I don’t see you complaining,” he replied, resting his head on
his hand as he waited for her to step out again.
“That’s because I like trying on dresses. It’s my favorite part about
shopping. I hope that someday I’ll wear one to some big party or something.
You know?” she said.
“That reminds me, would you like to come tonight?” Daniel asked remembering
what he had discussed with Darren over the phone.
Alexia toyed with the thought as she slipped the final dress over her
shoulders. She didn’t know if it was a good idea to meet all of Daniel’s friends
so early on. It could possibly jeopardize her entire con. Alexia put on the
shoes and gloves then stepped through the door to show Daniel. She watched at
the expression on his face changed and his eyes scanned her figure in amazement.
“What do you think?” Alexia asked.
“Oh God, you’re beautiful,” Daniel whispered, shifting in his chair as
he tried to get in every angle. This was the perfect dress not only for Chance,
but for Alexia also. He prayed that it came in a different color so that they
wouldn’t end up wearing the same dress to the party.
Alexia blushed at his comment. “Thank you,” she replied giving a little
curtsey to show her appreciation. Butterflies began to build in her stomach
as she felt a puppy dog grin grow over her lips. No one had ever made her feel
so special. She spun in a circle to hopefully keep some of her feelings from
getting too obvious.
“So, did we find the perfect dress?” the sales lady asked as she came
by.
“That’s it,” Daniel said proudly.
“Very nice choice. That is our finest Odette Christiane dress. Whatever
party you’re going to, you’ll be the center of attention,” she complimented
Alexia.
“Oh, this isn’t for me,” Alexia answered honestly. The sales lady looked
at her with a confused expression.
“Actually, this is for my friend’s birthday. She’s only here to model
for me,” Daniel explained.
Alexia could feel her heart sink at his comment. She didn’t know why
his words had affected her so much and began getting frustrated with her emotions.
‘Will you stop it already?’ the sane voice in her mind asked. ‘Remember, you’re
not supposed to be falling in love with him. You’re supposed to be taking his
money.’
‘I know, but look at him. He’s so cute and wonderful and kind and…’ Alexia’s
thoughts trailed off when the voice sharply interrupted her.
‘No, you are NOT falling for him. This will lead to your downfall. I’m
not going to let you,’ it told her. Alexia stomped into the fitting room and
removed the dress before she became even more frustrated over the situation.
As she handed it to the woman when she walked out, Alexia looked over at Daniel
to see him talking on the phone.
“Yeah, I’ll have it in the limo. Don’t worry. You’ll get it. Now goodbye,”
he said, then hung up. Alexia walked towards him and took his arm. Daniel looked
down at her and smiled.
“That dress looked absolutely beautiful on you. I wonder if they have
it in another color,” Daniel told her.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because I want you to come to the party tonight looking beautiful so
I can show you off to my friends,” he answered.
Alexia smiled, but on the inside, the strong overpowering voice in her
head was telling her to back away. Her smile turned into a frown when she said,
“I can’t come. I have things to do tonight. I’m sorry.”
Daniel stared at her in disbelief. He was wondering why she hadn’t fallen
for his whole charming bit. “What?” he asked. His eyes told a completely different
story. He was hurting and she could see it.
“I’m so sorry. I just can’t come. I have a meeting,” Alexia answered
as she began to back away from him. She couldn’t stand putting Daniel through
the same amount of pain she was feeling herself. She had to get away from him.
“Where are you going?” he questioned trying to grab a hold of her jacket.
“I have to get to my office. I’m late,” she replied dodging his hand
and heading towards the door where the limo was waiting.
“Wait!” Daniel called out, but it was too late. Alexia was already gone. She stepped into the limo and he watched as it drove away down the street. He could feel his heart breaking into a million pieces as he watched her leave without saying goodbye. He knew she was hiding something, but stayed silent and tall as he started out the door wondering if she’d come back with an apology for leaving.