/*/ Psycho Nuances... \*\

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[Dubai Babes; Olive]
 
[What] Party at Lyla's.
[Wearing] American Retro sequined dress, Emilio Pucci heels, Nine West clutch.
 

We were all crowded at the foot of the grand staircase while Lyla made a little speech. Even from here I could see she was glowing and excited, and I knew this surprise was going to be a good one.
 
"SURPRISE, ladies!!"
 
We all erupted into squeals and gasps as Lavender, whom we hadn't seen in weeks, came sailing down the stairs, looking radiant and gorgeous in a short red dress. She was beaming so happily I knew she must've had an amazing time with her Rob.
If a romantic getaway can make a girl so glowing and happy, then sign me right up! :)
 
Welcome back, Lav!! Dubai's missed you dearly!!
 
xx Olive

-Henry Fielding
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[Dubai Babes; Olive]
 
[What] Tea party with the older Dubai elites.
[Wearing] Just Cavalli dress, Louboutin peep-toe pumps, Felix Rey clutch.
 

Well, it was just as uncomfortable as I'd remembered it from the last time.
 
But today, under the urgings of Ly and Lav, we got to mingling with the older elites, and actually indulging in proper conversations. Somehow I found myself in one where two older Dubai elites were discussing their elicit affairs with their boy toys--one an Argentinean male model, and the other a personal trainer.
 
Good lord, I thought, gulping my tea quickly to avoid having to talk. Things really ARE scandalous here in Dubai, even in the lives of women over 40.
 
"So, Olive, dear," one of the elders turned to me, her Botoxed face looking haughty. "What do YOU think? Would you rather have an affair with a male model or your personal trainer?"
 
I was gobsmacked. What kind of a question was that???
 
"Um...I'd rather...not have an affair?" I said stupidly. The two elder women laughed.
 
"Oh, honey," she pat me on my shoulder. "You tell me that after you've been married for eighteen insufferably long years."
 
"Right," I nodded politely, even though I wanted to roll my eyes. But hey, I've never been married, so who was I to judge?
 
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btw anyone up for hanging out tomorrow?

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[Dubai Babes; Olive]
 
[What] Ice-skating with the girls.
[Wearing] Markus Lupfer studded sweater, silver-gray tutu, D&G belt.
 
sorry I'm in a hurry; no story today!

-Ashley Smith
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[Dubai Babes; Olive]
 
[What] Brunch with Eleanor.
[Wearing] Vanessa Bruno top, 3.1 Phillip Lim Accordian necklace, LaRok skirt, Harajuku Lovers booties, Chanel clutch.
 
Brunch with Ellieee. She's the sweetest girl ever and we bonded quickly over coffees and yummy Danish pastries. There's nothing I don't love about having long, lazy brunches with girlfriends...what better way to catch up?
 
I had so much fun with you, darling! Let's do it again sometime soon.
 
xxx Olive

-Audrey Hepburn
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[Dubai Babes; Olive]
 
[What] Zoelle's housewarming/release party. Dress code: Audrey Hepburn!
[Wearing] Alexander Wang dress, Fendi heels, Chanel purse.
 
Fabulous theme, fabulous party.
Who doesn't love dressing up as Audrey? :)
 
xx Olive

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[Dubai Babes; Olive]
 
[What] Animal-themed cocktail party, hosted by Ro.
[Wearing] Leopard-print MJ dress, Jimmy Choo heels, Angel Jackson clutch.
 

"Hey, gorgeous."
 
Startled, I gasped out loud. Valen? How did he get in here?
But as I whip-turned around, my entire body relaxed into a smile. It was just Galen. Boy, their voices were too damn similar for their own good (and for my sanity).
 
Galen wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a hug. I sighed contentedly. I'd almost forgotten how nice it was being with Galen. It felt like...perfection. Like nothing could go wrong as long as I was in his arms.
 
"Penny for your thoughts," he whispered, kissing my temple. "If you're thinking about changing your dress, I'd have to object." He started planting kisses down my bare arm.
I smiled. "You like it?"
 
"It's very...feline," he said, grinning.
 
"Perfect for an animal-themed party, then." I grabbed my sequined clutch and tugged on Galen's sleeve. "Come on, let's get out of here."

-David DeAngelo
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[Dubai Babes; Olive]
 
[What] Date with Valen.
[Wearing] Alexander Wang dress, McQueen pumps, Chanel clutch.
 

It was finally time for that dreaded dinner date.
 
Five minutes before Valen was due to pick me up, while I was all dressed up but fretting my decision to go on this date with him in front of the mirror, Galen called.
 
"Hello?"
 
"Hey, baby!" he sounded so genuinely happy to hear my voice, I almost died of guilt. "Where are you?"
 
About to go on a date with your evil twin brother.
 
"At home."
 
"You feel like coming out? I'm here with a couple of my mates at Buddha Bar, I'd love for you to meet them! We could grab dinner, yeah?"
 
"Uh..." For a moment I contemplated telling Galen everything. The truth. But it would hurt too much, and knowing Galen, he'd blow everything out of proportion. This was my mess, not his. Just this one date, I told myself silently. And then this nightmare would be over.
 
"...actually, I'm not feeling so well," I fibbed. "I think I'm just going to call it a night."
 
"Are you okay?" The concern in Galen's voice rang clear, and I felt another stab of guilt. "D'you want me to come over?"
 
"No, I'm just going to go to bed," I said quickly. "I'll be fine, really. Don't worry."
 
"Well...okay then," he relented. "I'll see you tomorrow, all right?"
 
Tomorrow? Oh yeah, Rochelle's party.
"Right," I nodded. "See you."
 
We hung up.
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"Heyyy, gorgeous," leaning casually by his fire engine-red Porsche, Valen smiled sexily. Any other time I would've found it sexy, but now it was just annoying.
 
"For you," he said, handing me a single red rose. I raised an eyebrow, but took it without question. I just wanted to get this night over with.
 
"Olive." He put a hand on the door to stop me from getting into the car. He turned me gently so that I was staring straight into his eyes. "You really do look beautiful," he whispered.
 
Caught a bit off guard, I quickly recovered. "Thanks," I said with as much sarcasm as I could muster, then jerked his hand off the door and slid into the car, arms folded haughtily.
 
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By the time we got to the glitzy gold restaurant at the Burj Al Arab (despite myself, I was impressed he'd managed to get a reservation), I was nothing short of downright pissed off. I hadn't said a word to Valen the entire car ride, and as a waiter ushered us to a private table, I sat down and stared pensively into space.
 
Valen sighed.
 
"Shall I bring some oysters to start with, Mister van Houlsen?" the waiter politely inquired.
 
"Yes, please," Valen answered. "And some of your finest red wine."
 
The waiter bowed and retreated. Valen sat down opposite me and studied my face while I studiously refused to look at him.
 
"Olive."
 
I stared down at my fingernails.
 
"Why do you hate me so much?"
The tone of his voice surprised me. It wasn't a cocky, smartass question, but a genuine one. My head snapped up in an instant.
 
"Oh, well, let's see," I glared. "Um, you STALK me!"
 
He burst out laughing, a boyish grin lighting his face. "Only because I couldn't talk to you otherwise."
 
"AND you pretended to be Galen at the masquerade party. What are you, diabolical?"
 
"I didn't PRETEND to be Galen," he pointed out, smirking. "You just assumed."
 
I hesitated.
"All right, fine," I grudgingly relented. "But you didn't have to stand there smirking like a cocky bastard after I found out I'd mistakenly kissed my boyfriend's twin brother."
 
He smirked again, just to piss me off. "Just admit it, you love the smirk."
 
I almost smiled, but caught myself just in time. "Shut up," I snapped instead.
 
"Oliiiive," he sighed again, leaning forward to catch my eye. "Why can't it be me?"
 
"You what?"
 
"Me. Becoming your boyfriend," he deadpanned.
 
"You cannot be serious," I snorted.
 
"Do I look like I'm joking, Olive?" Beneath the table, he nudged my foot, and stared deep into my eyes. "Do you think I like stalking girls and practically threatening them to go on a date with me?"
 
"Do you think I like being stalked and coerced into going on dates with ass-holes?" I fired back.
 
He grinned at that. "Point taken," he said after a while. "So how about we work out a deal."
 
"I'll stop stalking you, only if you give me a chance to show you how much you mean to me," he said.
 
I swear, actual goosebumps erupted at this point.
 
I stared at him for a long time, my emotions in turmoil. "No."
 
To my surprise, he didn't push the matter. He simply looked resigned, and hurt.
 
It shot a jolt of pain to my heart.
What was happening?
 

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type xxxxxxxxxxxxxx. if you read the entire story! and i love you if you did! :)

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[Dubai Babes; Olive]
 
[What] Shopping with Ines.
[Wearing] Alice + Olivia paneled silk blazer, Rock & Republic jeans, Givenchy x Muse boots.
 

"Finally!" I smiled, as I stood waiting at the entrance of the Mall of Emirates. Ines rushed up, her face shining with excitement.
 
"Yeah yeah, sorry I'm late," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "But did you hear? It's Bonnie's birthday tomorrow, and we're all going to her circus-themed party!!"
 
"Seriously?" My excitement suddenly turned to horror in the blink of an eye. "Shit, I'll have to shop for a new dress, and get her a birthday present and everything...come on!" I pulled Ines into the mall. "No time to waste!"
 
We spent hours trying on dresses. It was admittedly hard shopping with a circus theme in mind.
 
"That's the eighth store we've been into," I groaned, as we left Chanel empty-handed. "If we can't find anything in Chanel, I doubt we'd find it anywhere else."
 
"Looks like we're gonna have to stay here all night and shop," Ines sighed.
 
I laughed, elbowing her. "Oh, I'm sure you'd love that!"
 
"So would you!"
 
"Yeah, I'm not going to argue on that point," I smiled. "Come on. Next up--Dior!"

-John Dryden
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[Dubai Babes; Olive]
 
[What] The new Glitters' speeches and then lunch by the Lylav's pool.
[Wearing] Temperley dress, Gucci heels, MJ clutch.
 
"Wow, the new Glitters are pretty impressive, huh?" I whispered to Illi, who was sitting next to me. This gorgeous Indian girl Kashnia had just finished her speech, and I had to admit I was...impressed. There was no other word for it.
 
"Yeah, and they all seem so poised and perfect," Illi had a slightly scandalized tone to her voice. "Remember when WE were up there? I don't think any of us were that calm!"
 
I nodded vigorously in agreement. The new crop of socialites were definitely proving to be a worthy bunch. I couldn't wait to get to know them better. (:

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[Dubai Babes; Olive]
 
[What] Book club meeting at Lyla's.
[Wearing] Alexander Wang tank, Philosophy pencil skirt, YSL heels, Lanvin clutch.
 
I brought Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club, one of my favorite reads. Everyone brought some really great books to share too; it's nice knowing my friends' different tastes in reading material. And those homemade brownies. Yumm. :)
xx Olive