CHAPTER 29 (THE PERFECT GOWN)

The days went by quickly and soon it was the weekend again. The play was going well. We already had our rehearsals and we managed to master the play. Danny was a really effective and wonderful actor. I could see why he's always chosen for the major roles.

I was going out with Evangeline today. I need to pick something up this Saturday.

I checked my watch. It was eight in the morning. I pulled out a business card from my desk in my room. I got my cell phone from my pocket and dialled the number on the card. I placed my cell phone near to my right ear.

"Yes? Who is calling?" the voice on the other end of the line asked.

"Hey. It's me, Anthea", I said.

"Anthea dear! How lovely! It's you! Do you need anything?"

"Yeah. Can I ask you a favour? It's really important".

"Sure. Anything for you. What do you need?"

"Well…"

"Anthea! It's absolutely great here!" Evangeline exclaimed enthusiastically.

"I know. I'm pretty shocked too", I agreed.

We were in a white room and sitting on black leathered sofas. Several paintings hung on the wall and there was a huge flat screen television. There was also a huge fish tank at the back. Just exactly where were we? We were at Paul's apartment and working room.

It was pretty huge. There was even a bar here. It was pretty fancy.

Paul finally arrived, carrying a lot of paper bags. He set them down on the floor carefully. He grinned when he saw us.

"Anthea! It's so great to see you again!" he exclaimed as he hugged me.

"It's great to see you too Paul. Ah. By the way, this is my friend Evangeline", I said and introduced Evangeline to him.

"My, my. You're a pretty one. Are you interested in modelling?" Paul remarked as he looked at Evangeline from head to toe.

Evangeline giggled as she shook her head.

"Well now, I've brought all these princess gowns. So, let's start trying them out", Paul said excitedly.

I called Paul this morning. I asked him if he had a few gowns that I could borrow for the play on Monday. Evangeline came with me. Paul was so nice. He even asked his driver to come pick me and Evangeline up at my house.

He pulled out a few gowns from the paper bag. The all looked absolutely gorgeous. One was pink, the other green, and another blue.

"Try these first. There's a lot more though", Paul suggested and handed me the outfits. "You can change in that fitting room over there".

I went to the fitting room that he pointed out, holding the gowns. I took off my clothes and tried one on. It was okay. The color of pink was absolutely beautiful and the design was impressive.

I was done now. All I had to do was zip it up. I reached for the zipper at the back and pulled it up. It was going well until I couldn't pull it up anymore.

I tried zipping it again, but it wouldn't change. Oh man.

"Evangeline? Can you help me with the zipper?" I called.

Evangeline came in and tried to zip my dress. She couldn't do it as well.

"Ugh. It's really stuck", she grunted.

"Oh well. No use forcing the dress. It won't fit me. I'll try another one. Thanks", I said and she went out again.

I took that one off and tried the other gowns as well. But the same thing happened: they all wouldn't fit me. It was such a shame. They were all so gorgeous.

Paul brought me more gowns, but they wouldn't fit me again. I was getting frantic now. I still didn't have a gown for the play. How could all of this happen?

I finally tried on all the gowns that Paul brought. All of them fit me miserably. I really wanted to cry now.

I was already leaning on the door of the fitting room. Tears started to pour down my cheek. I wiped them off.

I sighed. Crying won't solve anything. I'm sure I'll find a way.

Suddenly, Paul knocked on the door.

"Oh. Paul. What is it?" I asked.

"I just found this old dress in my closet. It's actually a prom dress. A really pretty girl designed it before and made me make it. She returned it though after the prom. It's not all princessy, but I guess it'll do. If it fits you", Paul replied.

I immediately brightened up. Okay. This is my last chance.

Evangeline came in and handed me the dress. It was baby blue with puffed sleeves. The skirt was a few inches below the knee and the ribbon tied to the back was adorable. It was very cute.

I was already satisfied with it. It was enough. At least I could use something for the play now.

"You ready?" Evangeline asked.

"Yup. I hope this fits", I said.

Evangeline helped me put on the dress. It was great. The dress easily slipped on my body and it fit me perfectly.

"It fits!" Evangeline said happily, clapping her hands.

I looked at the dress. It was so wonderfully perfect, fitting my body effortlessly. It was like it was made for me.

"Let's show Paul", Evangeline said.

I nodded and we went out. Paul was sitting on one of the sofas, reading the newspaper. He looked up and immediately put aside the paper when he saw me.

"Anthea! You look so beautiful!" he exclaimed as he stood up.

I blushed a bit. "Really Paul? Thanks. I'm glad it fit me". I looked at myself at a mirror on the wall. To be honest, I really did look good. The gown worked wonders for me.

"Now you can really seduce Danny". Evangeline teased, grinning widely.

I gasped and slapped her shoulder. She only grinned. I was really blushing now. How could she joke about that? I don't know why, but I feel so embarrassed. I couldn't just shrug it off like it was nothing.

Paul only laughed. "Aw come on Anthea. You and Danny look so sweet".

I blushed. "We're just friends".

Paul sighed. "Whatever you say. Hey, I think that gown is over ten years old."

"Really? It's that old?" I asked, surprised. I should really take good care of this then.

"Yup. I remember the date well because the girl was so sweet and pretty. After her prom, it couldn't fit her anymore. She returned to me and told me somebody might make better use of it in the future", Paul narrated.

I nodded. Thank God though. That girl from decades ago saved me.

"It's a very nice design", Evangeline said while admiring the dress.

Suddenly, the door bell rang. Paul smiled like he was already expecting it.

"Oh! It's here. Come in!" he called.

Two delivery guys came in carrying what seemed to be a huge painting wrapped in brown paper.

Paul signed the clipboard and the men went away.

Evangeline and I looked at the huge parcel, wondering what it could be.

"Paul, what's that?" I asked.

Paul was beaming at me. "You sure you want to see?"

I nodded. "Sure".

He began to tear down the brown paper wrapping. When he was done, it revealed an old photograph that I knew so well. It was the one in the photo shoot where Danny and I were whisked away to be models for the day. It was the one wherein Danny was kissing my cheek.

I gaped at it. It was huge! And the frame was great. The picture was now probably more than half my body. Paul actually blew up the picture.

"Paul! You blew up the picture?" I asked, very shocked.

"Yeah. It's actually one of the best pictures I've seen. Besides, you two look so adorable together", Paul smiled.

Evangeline looked at me with a puzzled expression on her face. "Did you guys just get married or something?"

I smiled sheepishly. Oh well.

I narrated everything to her. She finally understood. She giggled as she listened to my story.

"Oh. I see. Well, I have to agree with Paul. You guys do look good together", Evangeline said, a sly smile on her face.

I blushed again. Why do I keep on getting embarrassed?

"Oh. Look at the time. I guess you girls should be home. You need to eat your lunch and I still have work to do", Paul said.

We all fixed the gowns and I placed the only one that fit me in a paper bag after changing back into my shirt and jeans. We both thanked Paul as we got into a taxi.

We finally arrived at my house. I said goodbye to her and thanked her for coming with me. I really appreciated it. Suddenly, she was in a daze. She stopped walking. I guess she was having another vision.

She faced me, a concerned expression pasted on her face. "Be careful. You might have an accident on Monday" she warned me and I nodded. She walked away after that, leaves blowing in her path.

Well, I guess I have to be extra careful on Monday then. I hope I don't screw up the play though.