Chapter 8 The Birthday party

• "Nina, I don't like this. It's too short," Estelle whined, looking at herself in the mirror.
• "But it's perfect. You will be the hottest at the party", she winks. Estelle moves to sit in her bed, turning to face Nina who has been grinning since she tried on that dress.
• "I know, but I don't want to make him lose control. He has promised to wait till marriage and I don't want to tempt him to go against his words," she explains, moving her gaze from Nina, to Amanda. She hoped Amanda will defend her. She needed their help because she wanted to look her best, and at the same time not looking seductive.
• "Well if he has waited this long, he can still wait a few months. This dress is not coming off your body, whether you like it or not." Nina insisted, In a firm but friendly tone.
• Estelle shifts her gaze through her vast closet, landing her eyes on a black, shiny, knee-length dress. "Okay, that is is fine".
• "No. I mean it looks good but not as good as what you are already wearing. Come on Estelle, it hugs your curves perfectly." Nina snaps at her.
• "I agree," Amanda lets out, earning a sharp glare from Estelle.
• "Trust me, it's the best," Nina chimes once more.
• "I like this one," Stacy says, picking a plain cream dress, drawing Estelle's attention. "You can have it," she says nonchalantly.
• "I also like this one," Amanda says, picking a hot pink dress. "You can also have it," Estelle says. It's not the first time they've come ransacking her closet. At this stage, it was normal to her and since she hardly wore the same dress twice, she didn't see the necessity for them.
• "I hope you don't mind if I wear this one," Nina says, holding the black dress Estelle so daringly wanted to wear.
• "No. We can swap if you are going to wear that to the party," Estelle asserts wide-eyed.
• "I disagree," Amanda and Stacy say at the same time.
• "I mean, No, what we mean is, that dress is perfect and Joel would never take his eyes off you", Amanda hammers continuously.
• "Fine, let's do our hair and make-up, so we can be on our way," Estelle suggests.
• "Not after we finish shopping in your closet. Where do you buy your clothes anyway? I mean, which designer? Your cloth designs are so special." Stacy says excitedly.
• "Just pick up as many dresses as you want and let's get going," Estelle retorts, avoiding Stacy's question. She didn't want them to know that her mother was the most famous fashion designer in France and sends her all the needed and trending clothes.
• After they were done picking, they went to her shoe store, and picked up as much as they wanted, before going through the hand-bags. Once satisfied, they agreed to head for the party but before leaving, Amanda made the greatest revelation.
• "Estelle," she called reluctantly.
• "Amanda, do you need anything?" Estelle implored impatiently. She was already dying to see Joel.
• "No, but I thought I let you in on a little info." She said with great reluctance.
• "Amanda, don't make us late to her boyfriend's party," Nina said with irritation in her voice.
• "I know, but I will feel guilty if something happens and she realizes I knew it and never gave her a heads up," she stated, bringing a look of astonishment on their faces.
• "Now you have my full attention. Start talking" Estelle declares, sitting on her bed with crossed legs.
• "I, Ehm, I don't, really have the details but, I heard Brittany telling Sue that she had a surprise for Joel at the party that was going to make him hers.
• "Surprise? Hmmm. What do you think it will be? Estelle asks disdainfully, hiding her jealousy.
• "Knowing Brittany, I guess it's going to be a very expensive gift. That's how she got all the guys she ever dated but they later left her because of her nasty attitude." She mumbled. A crooked smile making it's way to the corner of her lips.
• "Great. Get fuel." Estelle's says to Amanda. "And you, a lighter", she says to Nina."
• "Well, that's fine but what do you intend to do with those?" Nina asks in a bid to satisfy the curiosity.
• "You will see when we get there. You girls stay close with those items." She says sternly.
• "I hope you don't do anything silly. You can be arrested you know, and we have exams after next week. So please don't get into trouble." Nina cautions, knowing what her friend is capable of doing.
• "We'll see," Estelle says, walking out the door.
• They head out for the party in Estelle's car with their bags of clothes, shoes and bags picked, not forgetting the fuel and lighter as Estelle had requested.
• Everything at the hotel was just the way Joel dreamed it to be. The only person missing was Estelle and he looked around eagerly, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
• He dressed his best today in a black tuxedo and white shirt. He wanted this day to be as memorable as possible and he also wanted to take lots of pictures.
• Almost all the students invited had arrived at the hotel garden. They were amazed at the venue and knew it must have cost a fortune. Soon, Estelle arrives with her friends and all eyes were on them. They knew that Estelle's wardrobe rocked but today was exceptional.
• Joel has seen Estelle on several memorable occasions including prom but today, she was beyond what he imagined. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He felt proud she was his and he knew other guys wished she was theirs but they can only wish, he thought possessively.
• Estelle's friends leave her as soon as Joel gets close but they didn't go far and hanged around as she had instructed them, after getting themselves some drinks from the waiters moving around the crowd.
• Joel admired Estelle and cherished her body with his eyes, praying for graduation so they could get married. He thought he couldn't wait anymore but a promise is a promise.
• "You look stunning, my love. I am so lucky to have jumped into your car." Estelle chuckled at his choice of words.
• "Thank you and you are not looking bad yourself," she whispered. But it was quite an understatement. She wanted to eat him raw.
• "How do you do it?" He asked. A thin smile of amusement was evident on his face.
• "Do what?" She asked. Her face squeezing into a frown.
• "Looking this perfect?" Joel smirked. Estelle snickered, showing her perfect white teeth.
• "So what is the program," she asked to change the topic. Her cheeks were becoming red with flattery.
• "I thought you knew. It's time for cutting the cake." Just as the words came out of his mouth, A waiter reveals a huge cake which they didn't know was there all this while. They were admiring the ambiance and enjoying drinks in that, it never caught their attention. Intermittently, Anastasia the campus gossip walks in with her team of student journalists, some with cameras and video recorders.
• She walks towards Joel to seek permission and takes pictures of Joel with Estelle before the cake cutting. Joel cut the cake with everyone crowded around him with only Estelle by his side. Soon, people begin showering him with presents. He beckoned them to take it to the gift table.
• Brittanny comes to present a gift as well and Estelle couldn't help it when she saw her. She thought Brittany looked gorgeous in her turquoise blue mini dress but her confidence wasn't the least shaken. She was happy to see the priceless smiles on Joel's face and she was glad she could make that happen.
• "Happy Birthday Joel," Britany waved with excitement, Handing a small box to Joel. Joel told her to take it to the gift table, where Pete was in charge but she insisted it was something he had to open immediately because the gift itself was outside.
• "Thank you," Joel says, holding Estelle tighter by the waist with one hand, and lifting the lid off the small gift box. His eyes widened at the sight of the content of the box and so did Estelle. 'No, it can't be.' Estelle thought when she saw the content of the box.
• "Why don't we step out and look?" Britanny says with the same excitement. Joel looks at Estelle who is furious and boiling with anger. She looks over and sees Nina and Amanda together with a big gift bag. she gave a crooked smile, knowing the content of the bag. They follow Brittany as she leads them to the car park and suddenly stops in front of a yellow Ferrari and a big band and ribbon, not missing the words, Happy Birthday, written boldly.