The knock came just before noon.
I wasn't expecting anyone, so at first I ignored, pulling my blanket tighter turning to my side. My Saturdays were sacred, no alarms, work shoes. Just sleep and some movies.
Then Katherine shouted from the kitchen, "Jen! Someone's at the door!"
I shrugged then rushed out of my room to the door. I opened it and froze.
A bouquet of red roses stood there, real roses… not those cheap kind. It was full, like whoever sent them had no fear of being obvious. Tucked neatly between the flowers was a white envelope. My name was written on it.
Jennifer.
No last name. Just… Jennifer.
I carried the flowers inside slowly, like they might explode if I moved too fast.
Alex appeared instantly. "Flowers?" Her eyes lit up. "Oh, this is ..interesting."
The man at the door knocked again.
I turned.
He had a huge box in his hands so Alex rushed to grab it.
Before i could say anything she dropped the box on the couch and opened it.
She screamed.
It was a dress.
Correction –a gown.
It was red. Deep, rich, luxuriously dangerous red. The kind of dress that demanded confidence.
Katherine rushed out. "This is beautiful," she breathed, as Alex lifted it carefully.
Alex gasped, her eyes practically glowing. "WHO is this from?"
"I don't know," I lied smoothly.
"Really," They said in unison and turned to stare at me.
Katherine whispered, "This feels expensive."
She gently pulled the envelope free and handed it to me. "Open it."
I hesitated.
Something about the confidence of it all made my chest tight. Whoever sent this didn't ask. They assumed.
I slid my finger under the seal.
Inside was a simple white card. Black ink. Neat handwriting.
I hadn't even finished reading when Katherine leaned over my shoulder and snatched it.
"Allow me,"
My first guess was Steve and my second, I don't even want to think about the possibility.
She cleared her throat dramatically.
"It would please me if you accept my invitation to dinner by 7pm today."
She paused, eyes narrowing at the signature.
"From Nate."
Silence then chaos followed.
"NATE?!"
"THE Nate?!"
"WAIT—THAT Nate?!"
I tried to look confused. I failed.
Katherine picked up the card again. "Wait… there's more."
She turned it over.
A phone number.
Alex didn't even ask.
She dialed.
"Alex—don't—"
Too late.
The call rang once.
"Jennifer," his voice came through the speaker, calm and unmistakable.
My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.
They shoved the phone at me, eyes wide, mouths shut, listening.
I panicked and ended the call immediately.
Dead silence.
Alex blinked. "You hung up on him."
"I did."
"WHY would you hang up on him?"
"I wasn't ready!"
---
NATHANIEL'S POV
The call ended before I could say anything else.
I stared at my phone for a moment, then let out a short laugh.
Interesting.
Jude, my best friend who had been watching me from across the room, smirked. "She hung up on you."
"She did."
"That's new."
"She probably panicked." I cut in instantly.
He leaned back. "Or she doesn't like you."
"Who cares." I scoffed. "Please. I'm just having fun."
Jude laughed. "I hope so, you seem to be taking this one seriously."
I didn't respond.
He studied me for a second. "Careful, Nate. One day you'll fall, and it won't be convenient."
I waved him off.
I checked the time.
11:18 AM.
——
JENNIFER'S POV
By 6PM, the apartment looked like a war zone.
Alex had taken over my room.
"No Jen.. there's no way he sent you this wonderful dress and you refuse to go." She picked up the red gown and hung it with both hands. "I won't let you."
"Then you can wear it and go."
"I would have, if he sent it for me." She replied, her eyes still admiring what she held.
Katherine stood up from my bed and walked closer. "This is one of the few times where I agree with Alex. You have to go Jennifer."
"I don't even wear red," I muttered.
"Yes, you do," Alex said. "You just don't *own* red like this."
My face burned.
"Are you still in love with Steve." Katherine asked. She looked really serious.
"No!" I thundered. "I'm so over that b*stard."
Alex walked closer. "Then go on the date."
At exactly 7:00PM, a low engine sounded outside our building.
Alex peeked through the window and screamed.
"JENNIFER! COME. NOW!"
A black Mercedes S-Class coupe was parked in front of the apartment.
Alex grabbed my shoulders. "You are going."
"I don't know—"
"You ARE."
Katherine handed me the dress. "At least try it on."
I did.
And when I stepped out of my room, all conversation stopped.
Alex's jaw dropped.
"You can't *not* go," she said quietly.
I walked to the door on shaky legs. Katherine grabbed my hands. "Jennifer Wilton. Breathe."
The knock came.
I reached for the handle.
And paused.
My heart thundered.
On the other side stood Nathaniel Holmes.
And once I opened it—
Nothing would feel simple again.