"Are you okay, Victoria?" Oliver asked me as he drove away from the hospital's parking lot.
"No, I am not okay, Oliver. My best friend doesn't want to talk with me, and it feels so painful to think that I felt so worried about her, and she didn't allow me to see her and talk with her. Lana didn't even bother to reply to my text messages, and I think she hated me for hurting Tim." I responded, and Oliver took my hand.
"Hey, you need to relax, and take it easy, Victoria; of all people, you should be the one who understands her the most because you are her best friend. Give her time, Victoria, I am sure tomorrow she will get better, and she will talk with you." He declared, and I slumped my back on the backrest of my seat, and I couldn't believe this was all happening right now.
"I was hoping she will be okay tomorrow, and I can't wait to speak with my best friend," I replied in more than a whisper.
"I have this feeling that nothing will go back to normal in our school after what happened to Tim and Lana unless they can capture the wolf. Do you think it is only one wolf, Oliver?" I asked, and I saw my boyfriend shaking his head.
"I am not sure, Victoria, all I know it would be too dangerous for the students if the wolf attacked again, and I hope the administration of Zenith Academy will take some actions." He said as he was looking at the road.
"Can you tell me the address of the dress shop, Victoria?" He asked, and I almost forgot that I needed to fit my gown today, and I planned to ask Lana to come with us, and then we will have dinner at the mall. And I couldn't believe I almost lost my best friend today, and I could feel the goosebumps on my skin as I realized I didn't know what would happen to me if it was Lana who got bitten by the wolf.
"I am no longer interested in fitting my gown, Oliver; after what happened today, I don't think my classmates would be excited to attend my eighteenth birthday." I declared, and he darted a glance at me, and he gave me one of his sweetest smiles.
"You have been waiting for that very special day, Victoria, and even if we are all saddened by what happened with Tim and Lana, you can't postpone your birthday, life must go on, besides everyone will attend, your birthday, the celebration of your special day would become the reason the students at Zenith University will become happy again, and it will help disperse their fears of what is going on in our community right now," Oliver responded, and his words made me feel better, and I know we will mourn with Tim's family over his death, but I need to celebrate my birthday.
"Thank you, Oliver; I know without you here by my side, I will go crazy, and I don't know how I am going to deal with what happened to Lana," I muttered.
"Don't worry, Victoria, I will always be here for you." He responded, and I beamed at him, and when we arrived at the dress shop, I felt better, and I knew it was because of Oliver. I don't know how to explain it, but I could tell every time I was near Oliver, I felt safe, and it felt like his presence was making me secure.
I felt so thrilled the moment I saw my gown, and I got inside the fitting room in a hurry; and I felt glad one of the staff assisted me, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling from ear to ear as I looked at myself on the mirror, and I couldn't believe it will look so good in me. It was off the shoulders flower beaded royal blue gown, and it looked so elegant, and I could see that the sweetheart neckline of my dress emphasized my cleavage, and when I got out of the fitting room, I could see the surprised look on Oliver's face.
"Why are you not wearing your gown?" He asked, and I laughed.
"It is not for you to see, I don't want to ruin the surprise, and I want you to be excited to see me," I responded, and his face fell.
"That is unfair, I drove you here, and I haven't seen you fit your gown." He complained, and I couldn't stop giggling since he looked so adorable as he peered at me.
"You will see me wearing that gown on my birthday, okay?" I replied, and he closed the distance between us, and I could feel the racing of my heart as I inhaled his familiar scent.
"Okay, What can I do? You already got out from
the fitting room, wearing your jeans and t-shirt. It doesn't matter anyway because for me, whatever you wear, Victoria, you will always be beautiful in my eyes." He whispered, and I could feel the butterflies swarming on my stomach, and I wanted to kiss Oliver, but we have an audience, and I could tell the staff of the dress shop is all looking at us with amusement on their faces, and I know my mom is one of their avid customers.
"Oh, that is so sweet of you, Oliver," I responded as he took my hand, and we walked out from the shop holding hands.
"Can I take you somewhere?" He asked the moment we stood in front of his car.
"And where are you going to take me, Oliver?" I asked.
"It is a secret, for now, Ms. Winner." He said, and I pouted my lips at him, and he laughed as he pulled me closer to him, and my boyfriend hugged me, and it felt so wonderful to be in his arms.
"Don't worry, and I already texted your father that we will not be eating dinner at your house. I told your dad, I will take you on a date." He said, and I know Oliver was trying his best to make me feel better. And I could tell he was doing his best to make me forget even for a while about Tim, and I know he understands why I become so affected by Tim's death.
"I want you to meet someone, a very special friend of mine." He said, and I got so excited, and I hope someday he will introduce me to his family, and I couldn't wait for that day to come.
"Is he kind of your best friend?" I asked, and I couldn't stop smiling as I looked at his handsome face.
"Kind off," He responded before he opened the passenger's door for me, and when Oliver picked me up and helped me settle on the front seat, I couldn't stop myself from giggling, and he drove away from the dress shop and I was looking forward on meeting his friend.
"Wow! Is this your place?" I asked the moment he stopped the car in front of a three-story house, and Oliver nodded his head, and I could see his vehicles right away, and my eyes widened when I saw his big bikes, I could see the Ducati, the one I rode with him, and I could also see his Harley Davidson. And he has two more big bikes, and I realized how much he loves big bikes.
"You have a pretty collection, huh?" I asked, and he smiled at me.
"Yeah, and I like pretty things, Victoria." He said while he was staring at my face down to my slightly opened lips, and I could feel the hard pounding of my heart against my chest as I looked into his mesmerizing eyes, and his intense gaze made my knees feel so weak.
Oliver held my hand, and together we made our way to the main entrance of his house, and I felt so happy that he brought me to his place, and I was impressed how tidy is his house, and I couldn't see dust even if no one is around, and I guess Oliver has a stay out helper.
"You can stay here in the living room while I will cook our dinner." He said, and I raised my eyebrows.
"You really love cooking?" I asked, and he laughed.
"Of course, I love to cook, Victoria; how about you?" He asked back, and I shook my head. I know some basics, but it is not something I can brag about. It was only a simple menu I tried to learn because of my curiosity.
"It is okay if you don't know how to cook, Victoria. I would love to cook for you." Oliver responded.
"That would be lovely, Oliver, but I can assure you, if we get married, I will cook for you; I am willing to learn everything just for you." I declared, and I saw his face lit up, and I felt horrified as I realized I no longer knew myself because I would never do something for a boy, but it seems like my outlook in life suddenly changed because of Oliver, and I am happy being with him.
"I love that, Victoria; that would be exciting!" Oliver declared as we made our way to the kitchen, and I watched my hot boyfriend cook our dinner.. I felt so happy that he allowed me to help him slice some vegetables, and I giggled when he hugged me from behind, and I smiled when it dawned on me, I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Oliver, and it means I am so excited to become his wife in the future.