Fated to The Gorgeous

a's name flickering across the screen. She barely managed a gr

s at Paris Restaurant, sev

enue? That was definitely new. How had their plans morphed from a three

tightening imperceptibly around h

torial tone that always preceded gossip. "Apparently her

e hadn't even landed a role yet, but her social media presence had already garnered her

as an undisturbed lake, betraying nothing o

quickly wrapped up the call with

transformation. Clothes. Makeup. By the time she fi

ck had porcelain skin and refined features, flawless in every measurable way. Her slightly short dress revealed long

pstick spread evenly across her mouth. She grabbed her purse and ph

a labyrinth of impatient horns and crawling vehicles. By the time Elena arrived, the private r

ly two empty chairs-one beside

nging pleasantries with everyone, she slid into the seat beside h

nary artistry, the seat beside Anne remained c

l glasses in, the table erupted into that particular brand of laugh

desserts, Anne's phone shattered the moment with its shrill ring. She glanced at the screen, and her

into the phone, the words t

urther, until it seemed to drip with honeyed anticipation. "I'll come g

end?" someone asked, curio

to be contained in simple words. "I'm going to get someone,"

on, Elena's included. Anne had returned, but she wasn't alone. Behind her