Chapter 5

The whole city had a festive holiday atmosphere because December was coming, but not everyone approved of the festival. Ella was one of the rare individuals who won't enjoy a holiday season at least a bit, for she was being single after a terrible break up last year.

Holidays were difficult days for singles. Lately Ella was obsessed with blind dates, she aspired to meet someone for the New Year kiss, sometimes Lisa had to accompany her per her request to set up a double date.

On Sunday morning, it was so early and Ella was all dressed up and waiting on the living room to attend another blind date party. Lisa decided to rid herself of the burden of the secret that she would like to confide all her secrets to Ella.

"Ella, there is still much time. Can we talk for a moment?"

"Ok, you are freaking me out a little, just spill it out."

"I am still a virgin and I can't be into a serious relationship with a man emotionally or physically."

"Oh, I knew. On our last double date, you were doing really great until the guy showed real interest in you. The poor dude thought he had a shot, but you peremptorily repulsed his advances. From then on I am guessing that you are not going into a romantic relationship with any men. Are you a lesbian?"

"I am not a lesbian, I love men. My lady friend Rebecca, and also my shrink said that I am suffering from the fear of intimacy. Luckily it was restricted to my love life and it did not show in friendships or my daily life, right?"

"Now let me get it straight- You can be friends with men, but you do not want to have an intimate sex relationship or a long-term relationship with them. Is that correct?"

"Something like that, I recognize that the objective existence of love, I just do not believe I will be hit by the arrow of Cupid. Actually I had a boyfriend during my sophomore year, we had been friends for years then he wanted to move forward. So we gave it a try, I felt so relieved when he broke up with me. But I was pretty sure that I liked him and he was good to me, he said that there was no emotional attachment to him in our love. And I have never had sexual intercourse with him maybe the cause of the end of relationship as well."

"Wow, being in love without sex for a year at college. He must really love you, you really broke his heart."

"I know, that is why I never date ever since. Nevertheless, someone who deliberately hurts another one can simultaneously claim to love that one. Until I am getting better or making up my mind, I do not want to hurt anybody anymore."

"It is said that experience of abuse or neglect tends to predispose a person to being afraid of allowing themselves to become vulnerable to a long-term relationship. What happened to you?"

"My parents quarreled very often when I was growing up, occasionally I was beaten and humiliated by them. Do you know that I secretly hoped that they could get a divorce, but they claimed that they stayed together for the goods of their children because divorce can be traumatic for children. Seeing them torturing each other and hating each other all those years, I made my mind that I would not enter into a marriage or having any children, I am such a good lady should die alone."

"Lisa, It's all over now and it is absolutely curable, instead of allowing fear of intimacy to take charge of your life, stepping out and dating decent men. You may fell vulnerable or afraid at first but those fears will pass, learn to enjoy ‘being touched’, you have my blessings."

"You sound just like Rebecca, maybe you two could become best friends."

"Who is your Rebecca? Originally, the friendship also has new and old love, if you want to find new love, I am not even an old one?"

"Ella, you are the new one. Rebecca and I goes way back, she was my neighbor and we went to same school from elementary to high school. She graduated with a degree in Psychology and she is a high school teacher at Shui City, maybe she will visit us on holidays."

"Lisa, I understand why you are telling me these, but you cannot escape today's double date. I will help you dress up and please wear a make-up, you did not even wear make-up on our last date, there were still guys chasing after you. It's not fair."

Ella was so intelligent that she saw right through her little game, Lisa's attention to duck the blind date party was unsuccessful. She overrode Ella's objections and put on her new sweatsuit which was very soft and cozy, then she went to the party with Ella.

The rendezvous was appointed at a café shop in the pedestrian mall, the guys was expecting them.The café shop was located in the Centre of the bustling city, surrounded by restaurants, bars, a movie theater and shopping markets.

The mall was less crowded with online shopping had already become a more comfortable alternative way of shopping. While enjoying urban prosperity, people also craving for the tranquility of a slower pace of life.

When Ella took her seat beside her date, he did not even look up from his phone, whereas his behavior was considered offensive in a blind date. Ella asked some questions friendly in order to get to know him better, he began to show signs of impatience.

When meeting with ladies, being obnoxious meant getting shot down. Before she could finish her drink Ella had slipped from the room.

Lisa's date clearly showed interest in her, but she got off without saying goodbye after seeing Lisa's departure.

Free at last.

Walking on the street they were spitting how awful the dates were and doing window-shopping. Lisa stopped at a boutique, it was undoubted that she had remarkable interest in the jewelry.

There was something odd about her that she did not like fashion- buying cloths or wearing make-up, but she loved beautiful jewelry and bijouterie. Ella was pulling her along while she was immersing herself in a delicate ruby.

"Lisa, Look! it's Joseph and his new lady, thank God today is not for nothing."

Joseph and the girl were walking side by side on the street, the girl was laughing hard at something Joseph said. Joseph wore casual clothes which looked different but nice, if she did not know better, she considered him as an office worker of medium.

She was beautiful!

The lady stood out from the crowd because of her curly long brown hair and red dress, she paired her pretty urban girl style with a set of rose gold neckless and bracelets, with her face and her height she probably was making waves on social media.

Being a gentleman, Joseph opened the door of a fashion house and they went in. They were not holding hands or having any physical contact so far, Ella made an instantaneous assumption that they were not official yet, Lisa could not care less.

But Ella was in the mood of playing Sherlock Homes so they followed the happy couple for meters.

"Lisa, I have a brilliant idea. Why don't you date Joseph? It is a perfect setting. If the relationship works out, he is rich and good-looking, besides he can help to cure you. If it does not, you had already made your mind to live a life without marriage or children. It is a win-win game for you. Don't you think?"

"Ella, do you like him or did he do something to hurt you somehow? Your obsession with Joseph is unhealthy, why not leave him or me alone?"

Lisa got angry and walked passed her, when she was near the house Joseph and the lady were ready to come out. Joseph was surprised to see Lisa, but he pretended not to recognize her. She was inwardly furious and she vowed within herself that she would never be the first to say Hello to him.

For the moment if she ever had an Archenemy, he was on the list.