THE PERFECT ILLUSION

iled to a changing room. I literally

g them as much as any female who wasn't either

had elevated that sentime

painted skin-to-skin in

f edge. It adhered to my body like a second skin and was in no way unattractive. In fact, its reflected swirling colors caused my skin to virtually gleam translucent white. It curled around my neck like an exquisite halter before plunging

texted it to my mother before

one breath. "You look quite d

on. "Thanks...? I am not going to lie. I really lo

repared to try on her own go

onse. "She told me that grand larceny is a crime, so I'd bette

changing room. A minute later,

g the door with a flouri

wing she'd want her "changing room reaction" preserved for all time. When I was finished, I gave her another once-over, and my expression softened into a thoughtful smile.

ieved she was imagining our childhood days.

my scripted lines. "And it ma

ne to highlight her cleavage. "I think this is definitely w

beside her, boldly gazing at our r

eeping her gaze fixed on her breasts. "You'

d hauled her up to

ide the gate so we could walk the rest of the way across the grounds to the front entrance, where the socialites and paparazzi were having

ed as we walked through the nicely groomed grass

derbrush, surveying us warily with its beady eyes. "Sharon, get it!" She took off

I said. "It's

. It's worse! "It ca

peacock," I assured him. "

huffled slowly away toward the valets at the main door. We followed it from a safe distance and

ing on the charm. "I'm Sophia Dawson,

surefire charms. It must be all the lovely women here

o focused on the rogue peacock to notice it until now. House wasn't the prop

g like the Hollywood Hills. Sculpted lawns, glistening fountains, and

d us and crossed our names off the list. "

s he lifted the velvet rope for her

at the individuals getting out of their foreign sports vehicles, I could easily believe it. The crowd here seems to have b

s for the first time. It was everything I could d

looked enormous f

ircase led to an upper level that appeared to be off-limits, but even if I had the full night, I doubt I would have had time to visit every area downstairs. A grand foyer led to a sitting room, a parlor (is there a distinction?), another s

silver platters with bubbling champagne while Stravinsky played from invisib

that forced my mental narrative to use the word "terra

an I imagined." Sophia

ned but stayed close together, little off balance by our statuesque surroundin

our marching orders. "Interact w

he

ency's name as many

he

't get t

face each other. "Let's...just

ng from the chandeliers." With a quick smile, she began

grabbed the nearest champagne flute and drank it in three big gulps. Swapping it for another, I sipped

veryone and their mother wants to attend-and he never arrives on tim

of those snake-like women who men found appealing but I found terrifying. She was lapping up all the attention, wrapping her manicured nails aroun

of wine. "And serio

d my champagne-tinted spectacles and saw the t

ese people? I've had steadier

xpression turned nasty as she examined every inch of me. Her waxing analogy was clearly intended to be avant-garde and edgy

u be?" she asked,

d gladly eat me for breakfast if it weren't for the carbs-but I pushed

"I merely felt it was a nice gesture to organize such a grand celebration for a room full of stran

I understand why you are so

. Maybe the agency was gettin

the redhead explained. "We couldn't stop lau

rove by us before we parked. "There i

that you're from the wrong side of town. But the agency certainly polished you up with nice clothes, makeup, and hairstyles. Did you come here to become a milli

e hourly wa

tiful," another woma

, wearing the silver dress. "She gets a thousand d

even s

eturned to snake-woman like a tennis match. Her jaw w

althy man," the brunette added. Her pleasant tone couldn't hide the anger in her comments, and to

e condescending peacock on his way in. It all culminated in one tragic comm

ich guy, so I assure you

iar." Why don't you scram? "Get back i

to attend his celebration with him. I might not have much. But

t kidding. Fuckin

gaze fixed on ol' siren, who a

tenciled brows were about to melt totally i

uld somehow strengthen my claim. A dozen pairs of wide eyes locked on me-far too exposed in my stupid lace. I

te that trash," the woman rema

ps he found her irresistible? "I

oing to prove it. I am going to make

ion. Sure. Not an issue. I will simply claim to be sleeping with the host. Honestly, I didn

she had just awoken at the mansion and happened downstairs. I lightly

nute?" I inquired with a scra

acial muscles froze. "Sure

and she drew me away a few feet, ready to tru

to leav

ly, "I forced myself into

ll you, there was nothing that could have been stoppe

ooked around with a sinking sense of dread. Sure en

she inquired with a

brave with Sophia by my si

ron, you'r

chewing at my sto

is that?"

e me another

riend just