I'm sorry you feel that way, but I'm not presently on bad terms with him, so you won't mind if I wish him a happy birthday.

What do you mean adjust the contrast?
I didn't like the dress that much, to tell you the truth; if I had I might have commented.

I shall try my best to advise you, but my own novel is coming badly, since I have to write a screenplay by the end of the semester and thus have to put it on hold for a while.