Later that day, a few hours before closing for the day, Alice walked into Jules’ office.
“Jules?” Alice called when Jules didn’t look away from her papers.
“Yes?” Jules looked up at Alice to find her standing in front of her desk with a box in her hand “Whom is that for?”
“You.” Alice replied.
“Me?” she was confused.
“Yes” Alice placed it on her desk “It just came in.”
“Oh. Thanks.”
“What’s in it?” Alice asked unable to hide her curiosity.
Jules smiled at Alice as she reached for the box and placed it in front of her. She took the lid off and picked the piece of neatly folded paper. Unfolding it she wondered who it could be from.
Jules,
It read.
I’m sorry for taking so long to reach out to you since dinner. I don’t have an excuse for that but please, do forgive me.
I’d love to take you out in the evening to make up for it. I’ll pick you up by 8:30 pm.
-Ceaser
P. S: Wear this.
Jules peeled out a red dress from the box.
“Oh wow!” Alice stared at the dress just as shocked as she was.
It was breath taking.
What do I do?
Jules thought.
The second she was done for the day; Jules made her way to the day-care.
“Momma’s here.” Sofi said when she saw Jules exit the elevator. Jules made her way towards Sofi and Ivy, smiling.
“Momma.” Ivy squealed.
“That’s one big box you got there” Andy said.
“It’s from him.” Jules said.
Andy’s eyes widened as she snatched the box from her.
Jules took Ivy and kissed her head.
“Hi sweetheart.”
Andy and Sofi dug into the box and after Andy read the note aloud, she pulled the dress out and as expected, it rendered them speechless.
“I am so jealous right now.” Sofi said as she stared at the dress.
“Are you going?” Andy asked.
“Of course, she’s going.” Sofi answered Andy “She has to go.”
“Right.” Andy said.
“Guys I’m right here” Jules notified them of her presence. “And I’m still thinking about it.”
“What’s there to think about?” Andy asked.
“From the note to the dress, I can tell it’s meant for me and the invitation isn’t extended towards Ivy.”
“C’mon you said so yourself he loved Ivy. He probably just wants you to himself.” Andy said.
That scared her more.
“Can’t blame the man.” Sofi said.
“Jules, you need to live a little for once. We get that Ivy is in your life now, but you can’t just cut back on everything you want. Just this once take what you’re getting and enjoy it.” Sofi said.
They both looked at her waiting for her to decide.
“We’d love to babysit Ivy.” Andy said.
“You’re welcome.” Sofi said.
Jules smiled.
“Have I told you guys how much I love you.”
“Only like a million times.” Sofi rolled her eyes.
“We’ll be at your place at seven” Andy said.
“Thanks guys” Jules said.
“Thank us after the date.” Sofi said “Now get out.”
Jules smiled at them and left the office with Ivy in one and the box and her bag in the other.
Later that day.
“I’m coming.” Jules yelled for the fifth time as she made her way to the door “Hold your horses.” She opened the door.
“We heard that.” Sofi said as she and Andy made their way inside.
“Hello Ivy.” “Hey sweetie.” Andy and Sofi said to Ivy in Jules’ arms. Andy picked her from Jules’ arm as they walked inside to the living room.
“I thought you guys were going to bail on me” Jules said as she shut the door and followed behind them
She was hoping they would.
“Way to go.” Sofi said “So much for confidence in your friends.”
Jules pursed her lips.
“Now go get ready.” Andy said.
“Yes ma’am.” Jules said “She’s going to doze off in a while. Don’t do anything that’ll make her hyperactive.” She added before she made her way to her room and into the bathroom to freshen up before she got dressed.
The day had been so… she couldn’t explain. She just always found herself thinking of the outing with Ceaser at night and now it was finally here. She and Ivy went to the park as usual; that was the only time she didn’t think about him or the outing.
Jules towelled her body dry and put on her lace lavender underwear. She walked to the vanity mirror, combed her hair and styled it in the best way she knew how leaving some tendrils falling. Her eyebrows were perfectly shaped and full so she ignored them and proceeded to the foundation, putting only a little, a bit of shimmer on her eyelids, some eye liner, mascara and red lipstick to finish the look.
She had opened the box and laid out the dress on her bed before Andy and Sofi had shown up. So, she slipped the dress over her underwear and zipped it up. She had noticed the back of the dress was low-cut and had avoided wearing a bra. The zipper stopped at the bottom of her spine and it was padded which made her boobs feel safe. The front was simple but elegant. The neckline was stopped right above her boobs which left her obvious collar bone in sight. She never liked them popping out like that but her mum had always told her it was sexy. She smoothed the well fitted gown over her hip even though it fell on her body perfectly.
She put on her favourite nude killer heels she had saved for a rainy day. She took a simple nude clutch – which had the essentials – to compliment the look and when she looked at the mirror, she smiled back at her reflection. She hadn’t looked this nice in like forever.
“Jules it’s almost tim…” Andy stopped mid-sentence when she saw Jules “Wow!”
Sofi entered with Ivy dozing off in her arms and she paused at the door when she saw her.
“Whoa!”
“You look… amazing” Andy said.
“Thanks” Jules said.
“Let’s see if Ceaser will be able to hold back now” Sofi said.
Andy and Jules laughed.
There was a knock on the door downstairs and Jules checked the clock. It was 8:24 pm. Of course, trust Ceaser to be on time.
“Should I check who it is?” Andy asked.
“No” She said “I’m ready. You guys should take care” She kissed Ivy “Goodnight pumpkin.”
“Have fun.” Sofi called as she left the room.
“See you guys later” Jules said as she walked down the hall.
“Or tomorrow” She heard Andy say.
“I heard that.” She called out and heard them laugh.
Jules picked her phone and the key to the apartment from the living room cupboard. She left one for Sofi and Andy anytime they were over.