Blind date

New York 

Vanessa sighed and frowned at her best friend who had shamelessly intruded into her workplace to convince her to attend a dinner date with her. 

"Woah girl don't give me that look, okay? I am just asking you for a favour." Megan pouted her lips and gave Vanessa the most effective puppy face look.

"You are asking me to go on a blind date—"

Cutting her off, Megan shrugged her shoulders. "Well, it really isn't a blind date—" when Vanessa gave her a very weird look, she added, "I mean it isn't a blind date for me."

"Yes but it is for me." Vanessa sighed and continued, "Megan you know I am not supposed to date." 

"But why? Who the hell is stopping you?" 

Pausing for a while, Vanessa added, "It isn't right for me to date anyone." 

Rolling her eyes, Megan snapped, "Stop being such an angel, that man left you dry for five years and hasn't turned in yet, what makes you feel he will? Do you even know whether he is alive or dead? What if he is enjoying his life banging every woman he sees? And here you are wasting your life waiting for someone who hasn't even bothered to even give you a missed call over the last five years." 

Dazing for a couple of seconds, Vanessa took a deep breath, "No matter what Meg, Oliver is my fiance and I love him." 

"Are you telling me that you love him or convincing yourself?" When Vanessa did not say anything, Megan sighed, "Look honey, I know you don't like giving up on relationships and people so easily but five years, do you have any idea how much you have already missed out?" Helplessly shaking her head, she sighed, "Okay fine, you waited for him and anticipated his return but what if he never comes back? Are you planning to stay this way forever?" 

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Vanessa frowned, "Why are we talking about this now?" 

"Because you rejected my double date offer." 

Glancing at the watch, she frowned, "It's almost eleven, don't you have to work today?" 

"I'll leave as soon as I finish convincing you." Grabbing her hand, Megan added, "Please Ven, I would've never forced you this way if Bryan wasn't bringing his friend with him." 

"Bryan? I thought the guy's name was Victor," she frowned.

"Victor is an old story, I broke up with him a couple of months ago." 

"Okay so who is this Bryan?" 

Megan pouted her lips and complained, "I told you about him during our video call." 

Awkwardly clearing her throat, Vanessa defended herself, "Well, I was very busy back then and it was very hectic." When Megan raised her brows, she sighed, "Fine, I had to mute you sometimes because I couldn't really focus when you kept ranting about everything." 

Vanessa had returned from Paris a couple of days ago after representing her company in a business conference which lasted for a whole month.

When she was in Paris, Megan used to call her everyday without fail and kept ranting about how clumsy her tinder dates were. At first, she used to listen to her best friend attentively, consoling her from time to time. But later when she got busy, she used to mute her most of the time.

"I hate you," Crossing her arm in the front, Megan jerked her head to the other side.

"Look I am sorry Meg but you know how important that conference was, I was super worried and maybe I wasn't thinking straight. I am so sorry, how can I make it up to you?" 

Keeping quiet for quite some time, Megan asked, "You'll do anything that I want, right?" 

"Anything as long as you aren't upset anymore."

"Okay so come with me tonight for the double date," she grinned.

Vanessa sighed and helplessly shook her head. "Seriously? How did I not see that coming?" 

"You already said it, there is no turning back.” 

"Fine, but only this time." 

Megan beamed in joy and gave Vanessa a hug. "You are the best Ven, I love you." Grabbing her coat and bag, she added, "Alright, I gotta rush now. I'll see you tonight." 

….

After Megan left, Vanessa smiled and helplessly shook her head. 

Her best friend, Megan Perry was the only reason why she hadn't turned into a grumpy old lady at the young age of twenty-eight.

Looking at the ring which had been shining on her finger since the last five years, she took a deep breath.