LET ME BE ME

Ed

want and I'm not afraid to crush a few eg

hint of sunlight casting gold across the perfume shop's counter. The

ld dress with a slit so high it looked like fabric barely trying to ho

nvestors, major press." She spun, letting the dress billow

nds on a towel. "You sure you wan

d mid-spin.

h the dress. Makes

kind that would've wither

ent." She waved at the cabinet. "

d a soft amber perfume. Subtle but sensual. The kind of scent that stayed

led her nose

his. A little muskier. Dark

over herself liberally. "Anyway, don't wait

orries. I've got somew

rious, but I d

g, and walked out like the main cha

d off, the scent of her drama tr

e studio space and pulle

silent song. I had no name for him, but the fragrance I mad

p - was meant for the host. I didn't know why I felt compelled to o

s I finished applying my lipsti

, obsidian-colored 2025 Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner. The kind of

politely. "Mr. Devereaux

ked. M

nitials on the card tha

ent

g the small black clutch that held the tw

That M

n for coffee. A crisp black box wrapped in silver ribbon. A note

this tonight. I'd li

y, and the air felt he

nto silk. The kind of fabric that kissed your skin and knew how to whisper back. I

like it. It was soft, ele

sure how he

e why I wanted to

I

- At the

ked against the marble entrance. My fingers clu

shimmered with golden chandeliers, and the air buzzed with soft j

Another led me towar

le t

in this world. But they stared. Maybe it was the dress. Maybe it

s-gifted by someone I hadn't ev

ceilings, white roses climbing pillars, waiters in tuxedos flo

ear the curved glass wal

dia moguls. A few faces I

in this room

n Deve

meant nothin

wed by a sea of glittering gowns, champagne flutes,

all. Cassian hadn't shown up yet-or maybe he had and was just

ers who passed by. Some gave tight-lipped

ped closer with her date and said, "Ex

"Yes... how

st month. That scent stayed on my coat for days." She leaned in

t for a second.

she said, then lowered her voice, conspiratorial. "It's ab

ple wandered clos

aired gentleman said. "Do you

ethods, and even whispered about how most mainstream perfumes were basi

y mocking. A few too polite. B

like clean air. It worked. One conversation turned into two, and two into four. Befo

he two boxes I had tucked unde

"Just a little gift. For the host, actu

d so... soft, until I notic

ed. A few even

me. Fraternal twins-identical height, but one with sharp cheekbones and a cl

first said, extending a hand. "I'm El

summer," Theo added with a wink. "Almos

ternational incident," I j

Before they left, Elias handed me a small engraved card. "Dinner ne

ike that,

sappeared, I felt

ght it

it was deep. Precise. Fami

found myself

ss

night itself. Dark hair styled neatly. The same piercing eyes-silver

d. Voice a lit

small gift box I'

ng." I fumbled a little. "It r

a box. Lifted it to his nose and closed

rfect,"

silent man in black standing a few feet behind him. Ca

but blink. Just

k, he extended a

e wit

s – Aur

?" asked Celeste, her voice sugar-sweet as she appli

in proudly. "Oh, it'

had drifted out the massive floor-to-cei

saw

t g

d

silver-g

go

ago only to be told, "Apologies,

bit into

followed

sts five million, doesn't it?" Celeste squinted. "S

silly. She couldn't afford it even if sh

use she knew something no

as the one who contr

nt didn't. Her creations sold. Aurora saw

the

d the bracelet

st bui

smile. But her clenche