After nearly four hours trying to look for the perfect dress, Nia Swan was ready to give up. With a defeated sigh, she and Charlie left Harrod's. On their way back to their home, they stumbled across a thrift shop called Maines.

"Hold on Charlie." Nia held out her hand to block her best friend from taking one more step forward.

"Did you forget something?" He asked. The only thing Charlie wanted to do was go home, have a glass of wine and sleep. "Can you just send your assistant to pick it up at Harrod's or something?"

Nia wasn't paying attention to him. She was starring intently at the red dress on display. It was a long red dress with a sweetheart neckline and lace extending from under the bust to her abdomen.

Charlie had finally caught on, and looked behind him to see it. "Honey....that's a thriftstore...as in secondhand." He whispered the last word as if he was going to get arrested if he got caught saying it out loud.

But Nia didn't care. She walked passed him to the store to buy it.

--------

No matter how many dates Nia and Nathan had gone to; Nathan always picked her up and handed her a bouquet of roses before they took off. Tonight was no exception.

A small honk made Nia avert her eyes from the vanity to the window. Down below, a black Rolls Royce pulled up. The driver, dressed in all black got out and opener an umbrella with the same color. Soft prickles of water tapped on his matching hat but the driver didn't seem to mind though, the umbrella was for the passenger who had just got out of the car. Nia couldn't see her boyfriend Nathan because he was covered by the black umbrella but the striking red color of roses made the brunette's lips twist into a smile.

"Nia, he's here!" Pinky's soft British accent echoed throughout the townhouse.

"Coming!"

All Nia was just missing were her earrings. Nia preferred chunky over dainty jewelry. So when Nathan surprised her with huge diamond earrings, she had almost past out in joy. Where did I put them? Her brown eyes wandered around the room in vain. Aha! A bright sparkle from her jewelry box which was slightly open caught her attention. She opened the box fully and put them on with ease.

A silver key hidden at the bottom made her stop from closing the box. A memory she had so desperately wanted to forget entered her mind.

"Move in with me." Paul said.

"Wha-what." Nia fumbled on her words.

"You're finished with school and since you won't be going to college I wan't you to live with me. Don't bother looking for jobs because I will take care of you" He took her hands and looked deeply in her eyes "I love you Nia Swan and I want you moving in with me."

"Yes"

Nia slammed the lid reminding herself that she was contented with the present and not to remind herself of the past. But as much as she denies it, Paul will always be in her mind. looked at herself once more in the vanity. So much had changed in the past nine years. Her hair was now short, she was taller and her curves are now more noticeable. She saw a figure approach her back from the mirror. Nia turned back and greeted her boyfriend with a kiss.

"W-wow Nia." Nathan's eyes grew wide as he eyed her from head to toe. "You look stunning love." Now she felt guilty. She was daydreaming about another person when the perfect one is right here in front of her. But Nathan will never be Paul. Nia knew deep in her heart that she didn't want perfect, she wanted adventure, thrill and surprises.

"You're just saying to make me feel good."

"Is it working?"

Nia pretended to think "Hmm I don't know. Are those for me?" she asked taking the bouquet of roses from Nathan's hand.

"Don't ask questions you already know the answer to love." His soft British accented made Nia melt. He kissed her hand before leading her to the car downstairs.

As soon as she sat down on the leather seat of the Rolls Royce, her phone began to ring.

"Bella?"