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The Invitation

While exploring in town Giana was visiting the local bookstore. She had inquired about a book called “Under the Lovers Moon ''. It was the newest book of the Moonlit Love series and she just had to have it. It was written by her most favorite author Laurel Danielson. She looked around as she always did when she went to the bookstore. She never found anything new but she liked looking anyway.

Jenni, the bookstore owner, was done with her line of customers and called over to Giana. “I know what you're here for and it's finally arrived. It took longer than usual but it's finally here for you.” Jenni said as she walked to the back room of the store. She emerged with a big smile as she handed Giana a small tote bag. Giana was so excited she could barely contain her excitement. She stayed there for a short time chatting with Jenni about the usual upcoming book releases and events coming up in town.

“Did you hear that there's some huge rich family in town throwing some extravagant ball?” Jenni asked. Giana looked at her with her usual uncaring look.

“Jenni, you know I don't listen to the town gossip. Plus nothing good ever happens here in Rose Hills.”she said with a low chuckle.

“I should probably head over to the market and then home.” Giana said as she gathered her stuff. She thanked Jenni again and headed out the door.

While at the market all she overheard was about the ball and people questioning who the rich family was. She quietly shopped for the stuff she needed and headed home. When she got home she made dinner for everyone and excused herself to her reading nook for the rest of the evening. She couldn't wait to read her new book in front of the fire. The last book had left her on one hell of a cliff hanger and she was ready to find out who Nadia chose to marry.

She was in her reading nook in the living room when she heard a knock at the door. Her mother had stepped out for a stroll and she knew her sisters would never answer the front door. They were much too lazy to do that. She placed her book down with a sigh and went to the door. When she opened it she saw a couple of handsome young men dressed in very formal uniforms of purple with gold accents with black pants. They looked official but they were polite as she opened the door.

“Good Evening Madam. I’m Carlos and this is Jose. Is this your home?” said the taller of the two young men.

“Yes, this is my family's home. Can I help you?” Giana spoke softly.

“We are here to deliver this invitation to the Ortega family” Carlos held out an envelope.

Giana wasn’t sure if she should take it but she was Giana Ortega so she carefully took the envelope and thanked them. She watched as both men turned and returned to their vehicle. Giana went back inside and opened the envelope. Her mouth fell open as she read the contents of the envelope.

***“Your Cordially Invited to a Ball Hosted By the Garcia Family of Isla Isabela

Friday June 9th at 9pm

321 Bridgewater Lane Rose Hills”***

She couldn't believe that this was a real invitation to an extravagent ball. Her family was invited to a ball. Giana was still sitting there holding the invitation with a stunned expression on her face when her mother walked in. Roslynn walked over to Giana and sat next to her.

“What do you have there in your hand Giana?” Roslynn asked. Giana snapped back to reality and handed her mom the invitation.

“Can you believe it? We got invited to a Rich persons Ball… Nothing good ever happens in Rose Hills and now there's a Ball!” Giana couldn't wrap her head around the information.

Roslynn hugged her daughter and sat with her for a few minutes before heading up the stairs to her room for the night.

The next morning Giana was up early. She lifted her phone and noticed it was only 8:30am which meant her sisters were most likely still asleep. She quietly went downstairs to the kitchen to make her coffee and something for breakfast. She decided on making a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich with a fruit bowl. As she sat eating her breakfast she still couldn't fathom what happened the night before. Everything was perfectly quiet while she ate and once she finished eating she cleaned everything and went back to her room.

Giana was comfortable in her room sitting in the bow window reading her book when she suddenly heard loud shrieking and yelling coming from her mothers office. Giana rolled her eyes and thought to herself “I guess mom told them about the invitation”. Giana knew when it came to her sisters it was best to steer clear of them. A short while later Giana decided to go into town to look at some fabrics. She knew the dressmaker shops would be a mad house and she enjoyed creating designs. She had the perfect dress in mind.

Giana sent her mom a text letting her know she was going into town and off she went. Giana had a nice little car but on nice days she preferred walking to town. She had worked hard to get herself the car she wanted. While her sisters got a honda accord and a toyota corolla Giana drove around in a beautiful Buick Encore GX. It was navy blue and had black leather interior.

Her mother came around the house as giana began walking down the driveway and insisted she drive into town. Giana protested but ultimately her mother won and giana went to the side of the house and got into her Buick. Giana waved to her mom as she pulled out the driveway and turned her music up while her hair danced in the wind from the windows being down.

A quick ten minute drive later Giana was pulling in front of her favorite little mom and pop fabric shop named “Mama Mays Fabrics and More”. She parked her buick right in front, grabbed a small book from the back and locked it all up as she walked into the shop.

“Mama May are you here?” Giana headed towards the back of the shop. As she reached the back doorway a short little woman with glasses who looked to be in her 70s popped into the doorway.

“Giana, my sweet child.. I'm not surprised you're here. Everyone is all over town looking for dresses for the ball. What can I help you get today sweetie?” Mama May spoke so softly and excitedly.

Giana sat at the table with Mama May and opened her little book. In the book were so many pages of beautifully designed outfits and dresses. She showed Mama May two different dresses she sketched. The first dress was a flowy strapless high slit baby pink dress with lots of sparkles. It was a beautiful design but Mama May shook her head no to it.

The second dress was a soft lilac color with intricate lace designs and very subtle shimmering. It was definitely something Mama May could see Giana in. Mama May disappeared and when she returned she had the most beautiful fabric Giana had ever seen in her store.

Mama May packed up the fabric and handed it to Giana. Giana was stunned and was worried about the price of the fabric. Mama May could see the look on her face and she said to Giana “Sweetie don't worry about the price of the fabric. I want you to have it. You deserve the best for all you do for me.”

“No I couldn't possibly take this all for free. I must pay you something Mama. Please how much do I owe you?” Giana insisted.

“Giana darling you helped me a few weeks back when I was ill and couldn't run my shop. I didn't have much to pay you and you did an amazing job maintaining my shop. Take this as your payment. I wouldnt offer the fabric if I didnt think youd make something miraculous out of it. Once the dress is done please allow me to see you in it.” Mama May walked over and gave Giana the boxes.

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