Chains

Chapter 8

"OMG, Louisa! This outfit is literally calling your name."

A loud sigh escaped my lips as I  eyed the 100th outfit Shakira pulled out for me. I could literally see 

the hearts in her eyes as she waved the black halter dress in front of me. 

"This is you, Lou. Everything about this dress screams you!"

My face instantly formed an expression she absolutely hated. I watched as she threw her hands up in frustration.

"Not even this ?" she asked, raising her voice a bit which resulted in a few looks our way from other shoppers. I simply shrugged my shoulders as she raked her hands through her blonde hair. 

"I don't get why I have to dress up for this date. Its not like its a real one anyways". 

Shakira raised her eyebrows at my statement. Her eyes shamelessly judged how i viewed this whole situation. After that call from Juan asking, well demanding me to go on a date with him, I had come to the conclusion that this whole thing was a joke. That the whole 'date' thing was actually just a casual outing where Juan and I shamelessly threw insults at each other like we normally would. But Shakira blatantly disagreed with me.

"For the last time Louisa. A  guy doesn't just ask you on a date like that unless he actually meant it.He would've just asked if you wanted to hang out with him if he wanted one your usual casual outings" she said to me, her eyes now eyeing a black asymmetrical skirt.

As much as what she said made sense, i couldn't bring myself to accept that someone would actually ask me on a date. To be honest, I have never been asked out on a date since my last relationship. Talk about a dormant love life.

"Don't even try with that one" I said as was about to hold the skirt up in front of me. She quickly placed it back followed by a long sigh. 

"How about we try this again tomorrow?" I asked, my head starting to ache because of the amount of clothes I've been forced to try on all morning.

"Tomorrow?" She asked, raising her voice a bit,"Your date is tonight!"

"Haven't you heard of being fashionably late?" i asked, rubbing my temples to soothe the budding migraine away.

She shot me a cringe-worthy glare as she moved on to another dress. Her lack of words proved to be more than an earful as I instantly regretted my attitude towards the whole situation. I watched as she went back to the black halter dress she had chosen before.

"Try it on" she said as she handed me the dress. A frown threatened to appear on my face but Shakira's facial expression was enough to tame it. I  quickly went into the dressing room and tried on the dress. To  my surprise, i was actually impressed with the way accentuated all my curves.

I slowly came out of the dressing room to see an impatient Shakira, tapping her foot and looking directly at my dressing room. A large grin tugged at her lips as she saw me in the dress. She stood up quickly, clapping her hands in a' i'm a five year old who just got everything she wanted' sort of way. Surprisingly, i smiled as well but before i could say something, my eyes met another pair that made my short-lived happiness shatter. I watched as he pointed me out to Rafaela who immediately began to make her way over to us.

" I'm gonna go change ok" i said quickly rushing into the dressing room without waiting for Shakira's response. A loud sigh escaped my lips as i closed the door. I began to change out of the dress but i was in no rush. The changing stall was my only refuge from the disastrous encounter i was bound to have with Neymar. 

I prolonged the situation as much as i could, but eventually Shakira's  knocking got on my nerves. I slowly came out of the stall with the dress in my hands.To my surprise, the siblings were now gone.

Shakira gave me a disapproving look was we made our way to the cashier.

"That wasn't very nice of you" 

I looked down briefly, knowing exactly what was about to come. For the entire car ride home I received her infamous scolding. The one that everybody tried to avoid by being on their best behaviour constantly whilst Shakira was around. 

Even when i was getting ready for the date later that evening, i still got comments of how i should "treat others how i would want to be treated" and that "they were only coming to say hi you know". I tried to ignore her for the most part but her persistent nature was too much to handle. 

It was now 8:00 which meant that Maluma would be here any minute. Thankfully, Shakira had stopped her scolding so the wait was less painful than i had imagined.

"Aaw look at you little sister going on a date. I'm so happy for you!"  She wrapped her arms around me and gave me a hug.

"Thanks Shaki" i replied hugging her back. Our moment was sadly interrupted by the doorbell. Shakira looked at be with wide eyes then began to squeal uncontrollably. 

"He's here Lou! Get your self together, i'll go open the door"

I watched as she practically ran out the door and down the stairs to welcome Maluma. I wish i was as happy as Shakira for this whole 'date' thing but i just couldn't find that much enthusiasm. 

As I slowly made my way downstairs, my ears were filled with the sound of laughter.As I got closer,his eyes found mine to which an instant smile formed on his lips.

"There you are!" he said as he shamelessly eyed my attire. "Wow" i heard him mutter under his breath. Shakira must've heard it was well as she instantly flashed me grin.

"You look beautiful" he said, his eyes now on mine. I felt my face get warmer as a blush crept its way on my cheeks.

"Muchas gracias. You clean up well"

"Naturally" he said, flashing me his pearly whites. He then held out his hand to which i accepted.

"A perfect date awaits you, mi amor".