008 Shopping spree

Ava's POV 

Sarah responds. "I always want to be there for you, Ava. That's what friends are for, right?"

I couldn't have agreed more, Sarah is that friend that was there for me when I moved in with my aunt, even when the drama with my Dad got out of hand, she was there.

I thought I needed to get rid of everything that reminds me of my aunt's death. I guess I let that got in the way of our friendship.

But I'm so glad Sarah never gave up on our friendship, that's something I'd cherish henceforth.

"So, any prince charming yet?" Sarah asked, bringing me back to reality.

"Uhmm," I hesitated, things haven't been really rossy between Damien and I but truth is I still loved him.

Even though I've been thinking a lot about Mr. Anonymous lately, I still couldn't place a finger to what I think I feel for him. Maybe it was mere admiration. Or perhaps, I see the Damien I really wanted in him.

He's everything I want in Damien and more…

"I have a boyfriend," I managed to say, my tone laced with uncertainty.

"Okayyy," Sarah said, leaning forward. "You don't look excited about that," she noted.

Not wanting to bore her with my problems, my face perks up in an unavoidable daze. "Of, course I'm excited. Why would you even say that?" I retorted, trying to sound convincing as I sipped my coffee, avoiding her gaze.

Sarah doesn't seem convinced as she didn't back down. "Come on, Ava. Of course you know you can always talk to me, just like old times," she let out, her voice calm and firm.

"Well, things hasn't been cool between Damien and I lately," I said and paused. "It's more like I can't even recognize the man I fell in love with anymore," I let out my frustrations.

Sarah furrows her brows, puzzled. "How do you mean?" She probes gently.

Feeling the need to explain further, I continued. "I just feel like he's been distant, when all I want to do, is be there for him,"

Sarah takes my hand and gave it a warm squeeze. She gives me a warm look and decides not to press further, seeing how much it was hurting me as I talked about it.

"Okay, how about we go for a shopping spree?" she says. "I mean you do remember it's one of my go-to places whenever I'm worked up about something?" she asked. "Bills on me,"

I raised an eyebrow. "Of course I do, I couldn't have forgotten that," I said with a cheeky grin.

Looking at Sarah, I couldn't have been more grateful that she came back into my life when I needed a friend.

"Great! We should go now," Sarah suggested, pulling a few dollar notes from her purse and signalling the bartender to come take our bill.

"You can keep the rest," she tells the bartender, who looked like he was going to explode in excitement.

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

The bell jingled in welcome, announcing our arrival as we walked into the fancy boutique.

A lady dressed in a black corporate pants and a white shirt, stands besides the receptionist. She flashed us a warm smile as we approached. I figured she was the salesperson.

"Good day and welcome to Luxe de grande," she says, a warm smile plastered on her face. "May I show you beautiful ladies around?" She inquired?

"Sure," Sarah retorts, as we followed her in.

"Oh, look at that dress!" Sarah squealed, walking towards a black maxi dress in display.

"What do you think, Ava?" She asked, turning her attention to me.

I moved closer to take a better look at the dress. "This looks good. But I think red would suit you better," I said.

"Uhmm, you're right," Sarah says, her eyes gleaming as she turns to face the salesperson. "Do you have this in red?" 

"Yes ma'am, just a minute," the lady said, disappearing into the store.

Soon, she arrives with the exact dress in red. Sarah gasped as she came out of the fitting room. "Oh, Ava. This dress looks so good on me. I always knew you have a great fashion sense," she praised, turning around in front of the mirror, clearly satisfied.

"Let me see that dress," I said, pointing to a pink body on dress on the mannequin.

The salesperson nodded and pulled it out, handing it over to me. It was a pink short bodycon dress with a flowery detail, just below the neckline. How perfect!

"This is nice!" Sarah exclaimed, a gasp escaping her lips.

The day went swiftly with Sarah and I moving from the boutique to the mall and soon, the backseat of her car was filled with bags. Finally we had dinner before heading back.

As Sarah parked her car in front of my apartment, she says. "Thank you so much Ava. I really enjoyed spending time with you,"

"Thank you too, Sarah. I had an amazing time," I retorted.

Sarah gives me a warm look. "I have to run along now," she says, "We should definitely do this again. I had mad fun," she added.

I smiled, nodding in agreement.

As I picked some of the bags from the backseat, the things Sarah got for me. I waved at her as she drove off, my lips curled up in a warm smile.

As Sarah drove off, I turned and met someone, standing at my doorstep.

"Damien?" What was he doing here by this time?. I wasn't expecting him.

Startled, I begin to walk towards him. Hopefully we don't end up arguing again.

Surprisingly, Damien gave me a warm look. "Let me help you with that," he retorts, offering to help carry some of the bags I was struggling with.

Realizing Damien didn't ask where I went as we stepped into my apartment, I decided to let him in. "I met and old friend today. And she got all of this for me" I say quietly, my gaze fixed on him.

"Hmmm, I see," Damien said, walking up to me, his eyes darkened with an undeniable desire as he snaked his hands around my waist.

For a moment I thought he came so we'd talk things out.

I should have known, this was one of the days he always stops by to blow off some steam.

What to do? He's my boyfriend after all.