The Blind Date

Dear Readers,

I wanted to take a moment to share that The Blind Date is no longer on Inkitt. The edited version is available through Kindle. Due to the exclusive rights associated with this platform, I am unable to offer the entire book for free at this time. However, I invite you to enjoy the first few chapters, which are available to give you a taste of the story and its characters.

I am truly grateful for your ongoing support and interest in my work. If you’re looking for more reading material, please don’t hesitate to explore my other free titles.

Thank you once again for being such wonderful readers!

Warm regards,

The Elusive Authoress



Elise POV

Standing proudly on the stage, I clutched my diploma tightly in my hands after they called my name, Elise Summers, though my friends call me El. My heart swelled with joy as I reflected on having already delivered my speech as the Valedictorian. The excitement of the moment enveloped me, the air thick with the scent of fresh flowers and echoing with jubilant laughter. Graduating from fashion school was a monumental achievement, one I had dreamed of since childhood.

Beside me were my best friends, Cathy and Ivy. Cathy, a stunning blonde with striking blue eyes and a confidence that could easily pass for a model, had been my roommate and confidante through late-night study sessions and countless cups of coffee. We celebrated every victory together. Ivy, with her tanned skin, dark curls, and deep brown eyes, added a unique charm to our trio. Together, our shared aspiration of breaking into the fashion industry had forged a strong bond. Now, on the brink of adulthood, we were filled with a mix of hope and trepidation, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Despite graduating with distinctions, I found myself in a challenging situation. While Cathy quickly landed a job at Chic & Co., solidifying her career as a fashion designer at a major manufacturing company, I was still on the hunt for my place in the fashion world. Living together in our cozy apartment, I continued to work my part-time job as a cashier at Luxe Loom, a luxury brand located in the local mall.

Luxe Loom, a division of the esteemed Henderson Corporation, was owned by the prominent Henderson family, who ran one of the largest fashion companies with stores and luxury brands worldwide. The new CEO and heir remained a mystery, someone no one had ever encountered. While I valued the creative atmosphere at Luxe Loom, I yearned for something more fulfilling—something that would reignite the passion I had experienced during my studies. Meanwhile, Ivy had discovered her niche as a buyer at Fable Fashion, successfully carving out her own path in the industry.

“Let’s go to the movies tonight!” I suggested excitedly to Cathy as we lounged in our cozy living room, the walls adorned with colourful posters of our favourite fashion icons. The scent of popcorn still lingered in the air from our movie marathon the previous weekend.

Cathy looked up from her phone with a playful smirk. “I’m going out with this guy tonight,” she replied, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

“Again with this guy? When am I ever going to meet him?” I questioned, teasing her. “And why doesn’t he ever come to pick you up? You always meet him somewhere. What’s the deal with that?”

Cathy chuckled, brushing her hair back. “I promise, I’ll introduce you one day. He’s just... complicated, you know? But I swear you’ll get to meet him soon.”

I rolled my eyes dramatically. “Let’s see if my boyfriend has time for me,” I said, pulling out my phone. Taking a deep breath, I called Dan, my boyfriend. “What’s up, babe?” his familiar voice came through the line, warm and reassuring.

“Hey Dan, how about we go to the movies tonight?” I asked, my heart tinged with hope.

“Sorry, babe, I’m going out with the boys. Maybe tomorrow?” he replied, his tone apologetic yet firm.

“Okay,” I replied, trying to mask my disappointment. “Tomorrow sounds good.” Dan and I had started dating two years ago, and I couldn’t figure out where things went wrong. The first year had been filled with love—he would surprise me with flowers and take me on romantic dates, and we saw each other frequently. But over the last year, everything shifted, especially in the past six months; I hardly saw him anymore. He often hung out with friends, and now I could only manage to see him once a week. I could feel my feelings for him fading, and perhaps he felt the same way—no more feelings left.

Just then, Cathy came rushing down the stairs, having freshened up. She wore a tight black dress that accentuated her figure, her hair cascading over her shoulders.

“Wow, where are you going?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Cathy grinned, giving a playful twirl. “I promise, next time we’ll have a girl’s night. Don’t wait up for me!” With that, she grabbed her purse and dashed out the door, leaving me alone in our apartment.

Once the door clicked shut, I picked up my phone again and dialled my friend Ivy. “What are you up to, girlfriend?” I asked when she picked up.

“Just watching some Netflix,” Ivy replied, a hint of boredom in her voice.

“How about we go out for a movie?” I suggested, hoping to lift my spirits.

“Or we could go clubbing?” Ivy countered enthusiastically. “Should I come pick you and Cathy up?”

I sighed. “Just me tonight. Cathy is out with her guy.”

“Okay, see you in an hour!” Ivy said, excitement bubbling in her tone.

Dashing up the stairs to my room, my heart raced with anticipation. I had just enough time to get ready for my night out with Ivy. Rummaging through my closet, I finally settled on a short black leather skirt that hugged my curves perfectly, pairing it with a vibrant red tank top that made me feel bold and confident. Admiring myself in the mirror, I applied dark eyeliner to enhance my striking brown eyes, finishing my look with a swipe of red lipstick that added a fierce touch. With my dark brown curls cascading down my shoulders, I felt ready to take on the night.

Just as I was putting the finishing touches on my outfit, the doorbell rang. “Ivy’s here!” I thought, my excitement bubbling over. I quickly grabbed my purse and dashed down the stairs.

Ivy stood at the door, exuding confidence in a sleek black dress that hugged her curves beautifully. Her outfit was complemented by stunning heels that added an extra touch of elegance. What truly caught my attention, however, was how her makeup perfectly enhanced her features, with dark eyeliner framing her eyes in a striking manner that mirrored my own look.

I greeted her with a wide grin. “You look absolutely amazing!”

“Thanks! You too! But, hey, I’m surprised you’re no longer obsessed with covering up your acne with foundation?” Ivy asked, tilting her head slightly, a playful spark in her eye.

I chuckled softly. “I refuse to let my low self-esteem get the better of me. Besides, I have a boyfriend. I don’t need to catfish anyone else,” I replied, giving my cheek a light pat as I embraced my natural beauty.

Ivy’s expression shifted slightly, a hint of concern creeping into her features. “Not to be a downer or anything, but I have a feeling Dan might be cheating on you,” she said, her tone serious yet filled with empathy.

A pang of unease hit me at Ivy’s words. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” I replied, trying to brush off the comment with a wave of my hand.

“I mean, he hardly has time for you. When was the last time he took you out on a date?” Ivy pressed, her concern evident.

I paused, the question hanging in the air like a dark cloud. “Point taken,” I admitted, biting my lip. “But I don’t want to dwell too much on that right now.”

“You should definitely try Christina Rossi’s new skincare range,” Ivy suggested, eager to change the subject. “I’ve heard it can clear up acne in just a few days!”

“Oh really?” I replied, my interest piqued. “I thought they only specialized in makeup.”

“Nope! They do both—makeup and skincare,” Ivy clarified enthusiastically.

“I should give it a shot. But their products are pretty pricey, and I can’t really afford to spend that much money while I’m still working as a casual store assistant,” I admitted, a hint of disappointment in my voice. “But Christina Rossi is really my role model.”

“Really? I didn’t know you were such a fan,” Ivy said, raising an eyebrow. “I know you like her brand, but she was a supermodel, and you’re not exactly a fan of supermodels.”

“You’re right,” I conceded, a slight frown on my face. “I don’t particularly like models, but that’s mostly due to my own insecurities and envy. However, I read an article about Christina Rossi that really changed my perspective. She was actually chubby and became a part of body positivity campaigns before transitioning into a plus-size model. Her life took a turn when she was on the brink of developing type 2 diabetes, which pushed her to adopt a healthier lifestyle with better eating habits and exercise. After losing weight, it seemed like her career as a plus-size model was over, but then she received a groundbreaking offer from a major modelling agency, and that’s when she skyrocketed to supermodel status.”

“Wow, that’s really inspiring,” Ivy said, her eyes wide with admiration.

“Absolutely! It shows that change can come from a place of self-care rather than for someone else. If I embark on a weight loss journey, it will be for my health, not to impress anyone else,” I declared, my determination shining through.

Ivy nodded, understanding the importance of prioritizing health and self-acceptance. “That’s the right mindset, Elise. It’s about feeling good in your own skin, not fitting into someone else’s idea of beauty. Plus, if Christina can do it, so can you!”

I smiled at Ivy’s encouragement, feeling a renewed sense of motivation. “Thanks, Ivy. I really want to focus on feeling my best and embracing my body, no matter where I am on that journey. But we have to get going and enjoy ourselves!”

With that, I grabbed my jacket and we headed out into the lively night, leaving behind the worries that had begun to creep into my mind. The promise of laughter, music, and adventure awaited us, and for now, that was all that mattered.

The pulsating beat of the music reverberated through the club, creating an electric atmosphere. Ivy and I had been dancing for a while, losing ourselves in the rhythm, when Ivy suddenly stopped and squinted through the crowd. “Isn’t that Dan?” she asked, pointing discreetly toward a tall figure moving through the throng, accompanied by a blonde woman. Although I couldn’t see the girl’s face, the way they were leaning into each other made my stomach churn.

My heart sank as realization hit. “So this is why he doesn’t have time for me,” I muttered, my voice steady yet laced with disbelief. “He’s hooking up with other girls. I’m going to confront him right now.”

“Wait,” Ivy interjected, grabbing my arm. “He’s not doing anything yet. Let’s hold off for a few minutes. If you confront him now, he’ll just deny it.”

I hesitated, biting my lip. “Okay, I’ll wait a few minutes,” I replied reluctantly, feeling the anger simmering inside me.

A few minutes later, I asked, “Will you come with me to the ladies’ room?” hoping to provide a distraction.

As we made our way to the restroom, my heart raced with anticipation and frustration. The moment we stepped inside, however, my breath caught in my throat. There was Dan, locked in an intense kiss with the blonde girl, her back pressed against the wall as his hands roamed up her dress.

“What a jerk!” I exclaimed, my voice a mixture of anger and betrayal. I turned on my heel, ready to leave the scene, with Ivy closely following me.

Just then, Dan broke the kiss at the sound of my voice. Panic flashed in his eyes as he recognized me, and he tore away from the blonde, sprinting after me.I didn’t even bother looking at the girl.

“Wait, Elise!” Dan called after me, breathless as he caught up, his expression a mix of guilt and surprise. “What are you doing here?”

I spun around to face him, my anger boiling over. “What am I doing here? Apparently, I’m having fun, just like you are. Except, you’re here with some chick, making out with her while your girlfriend is at home by herself!”

“Look, Elise, it’s nothing personal,” Dan stammered, trying to regain his composure. “I’ve been wanting to tell you about her for a while.”

“I’m not interested in hearing about this girl you’ve been hooking up with,” I shot back, my voice steady and resolute. “Just stay out of my life. It’s over. And never contact me again.”

With those words, I turned on my heel, determination propelling me forward. As I walked away, Ivy quickly caught up to me, offering silent support. The night had taken a turn I never expected, but I was ready to reclaim my independence and leave behind the heartache.

With my heart in turmoil, I settled into my bed, feeling utterly exhausted yet cautiously hopeful about my future. The events of the evening had left me feeling raw and vulnerable, but I was determined to pick myself up. As I scrolled through my phone to distract myself, a notification suddenly caught my eye. It was an unexpected message that read: “I enjoyed dinner, but unfortunately, I can’t pursue a relationship with you. I hope you find someone who will be good to you. Take care, Larry.”

I raised an eyebrow, a chuckle escaping my lips as the absurdity of the situation lifted my spirits once again. Who was this Larry? I had never been one to shy away from humour, and this message struck me as amusing. With a playful grin, I quickly typed back, “Rejecting someone you don’t even know exists? This is new to me! Because I would’ve remembered if I had dinner with someone named Larry. Anyway, take care too, and make sure this message reaches the correct person.”

To my surprise, Larry responded almost instantly: “You sound fun to be with. Could I take you out on a date instead? I’d love to meet my accidental love interest. What do you say?”

I couldn’t help but smile at the absurdity of the situation. Here was a stranger, turning a mistaken identity into a light-hearted adventure. “What an interesting proposal! How about we keep it strictly online and long-distance to see where it leads? This could be fun, as I don’t have much faith in traditional dating anymore. No face-to-face interaction, no photos, no video calls—just text until we progress to a voice call. If you agree, I’m all for it.”

“This sounds like a challenge; I’m cool with it. But our ultimate goal should be to meet each other, don’t you think?” Larry replied, his enthusiasm evident even through the screen.

I pondered this for a moment, weighing the possibilities. “If we get that far,” I typed thoughtfully, scepticism swirling within me, despite having no intention of actually meeting him.

“So what do I call you?” Larry asked, clearly enjoying this playful exchange.

“I’m Elise, but my friends call me El”

“I’m Larry, but you already know that. What is your last name?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

I hesitated for a moment. “I’m not giving you my last name. The last thing I want is a creepy stalker looking me up,” I replied, my tone light but firm.

I could almost sense the amusement in his voice as he typed back, “Fair enough! I respect your privacy, Elise, or should I call you El like your friends do? Just know that I’m not a creep, I promise.”

“Whatever makes you comfortable,” I replied.

As we continued to chat, the boundaries of our virtual relationship began to expand, weaving in threads of humour, curiosity, and the thrill of the unknown. I found myself captivated by Larry’s wit and charm, feeling a sense of connection I hadn’t expected. The fears and doubts that had plagued me earlier seemed to fade into the background as we exchanged jokes and shared snippets of our lives.

“Okay, so if we’re keeping this online, what’s your favorite way to spend a Saturday night?” Larry asked, steering the conversation into more personal territory.

I thought for a moment, my mind racing with possibilities. “Honestly, I love curling up with a good book or binge-watching a new series. But I’m also down for spontaneous adventures, like trying a new restaurant or going to a concert.”

“Sounds like we’d get along just fine! I’m all about those spontaneous adventures too,” Larry replied, his enthusiasm evident.

As our conversation flowed, I wondered where this whimsical interaction might lead.

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