Page 97 of Between Earth and Eternity
The simple black dress was hanging in the exact same spot, as if it had been waiting for me all these weeks to return. I’d worried that it was bought, but I should have known that people, especiallythesepeople, refuse to see the beauty in plain things. The expensive, the flashy, and the outrageous are the only things that can hold their attention for longer than three seconds. I fit into none of those categories, so it’s the perfect dress for me by all standards. I didn’t bother trying it on in the store, banking it would fit, and it does, like an absolute glove. The sleeves stop just below my wrists, the collar high on my neck. My favorite part is the slit on the right side, hitting at the perfect place on my thigh that is still modest but shows some skin.
I style my hair in loose waves, and after a couple of attempts at an updo, I decide to leave it exactly as it is: free.
I’m carefully applying a dark red lip stain when Ori bursts into the bathroom in a flurry. “I look ridiculous, don’t I?”
“You look gorgeous,” I say sincerely.
The bright pink is definitely an eye catcher, the pink tulle sewn to all the right places. Just as when she first tried it on, it fits her perfectly—body and personality.
She studies herself in the mirror with critical eyes. “I’m a gumball. A big fluffy gumball.”
I snort a laugh.
“See!” she exclaims with hopelessness.
“I’m not laughing at the dress. I’m laughing at you.” I rub her shoulder. “You are perfect, I swear.”
She goes back to analyzing her reflection. I helped her pull her long hair into a messy but sophisticated bun and found a perfect pair of silver earrings with matching shoes. For my outfit, I kept everything on brand: black earrings and black heels, which I hope I can walk in.
“Okay, forget about me. You look absolutely stunning,” she says, making me blush. Ori never lies.
A new dress, lipstick, and a compliment from a friend can go a long way for a woman looking for a confidence boost.
We finish our final looks just in time to meet all the Lottery winners waiting in the hall so we can enter the event together.
“Skyler!” Romy comes running toward me wearing a purple dress with sewn flowers and butterflies on the skirt.
“Romy! You look beautiful.” I bend down to wrap my arms around her small body.
“You look like a princess,” she says into my shoulder, and her pure endearment causes me to hug her tighter.
“That’s the best compliment anyone has ever given me. Purple is definitelyyourcolor.” She gives me a toothy grin,nodding, then skips back to her steward. Hopefully she won’t be completely bored tonight. I doubt it’s a kid-friendly affair.
Up the hall, Payson and Laz are dashing in a pair of classic tuxedos. They look the part of distinguished gentlemen. If I didn’t know them, I probably wouldn’t notice the hint of anxiety tracing their freshly shaved faces. Laz is better at hiding it, but Payson wears a worried expression as Laz leans in to say something. He catches me watching him, and I swear under my breath.
Vallen isn’t the only one who will be unavoidable tonight. Except I don’t have anything to say to Payson and about a million things to Vallen. Whether I’ll have the opportunity to talk to Val remains unseen. Offering a simple thank you for getting my music back to me doesn’t seem to cover it.
Like all things, anything that is touched by the Mannox hands spares no expense. The ballroom where the gala is taking place is a garden of paradise. Plush greenery and an innumerable amount of flowers adorn the grand space, but as always, the ceiling is glass, starlight ever streaming across. An interstellar garden of Eden.
It’s an esteemed affair; every single person is glammed and pampered to look their very best.
“This is incredible.” Ori’s mouth is ajar, taking in the extravaganza.
“And to think this is just a regular Saturday evening for these people,” I say, just as in awe but painfully aware that no one in the room appreciates the beauty and grandeur like we do.
I scan the room for Vallen, but I don’t see him, or any Mannox for that matter. A grand entrance is no doubt in the works. A live band plays a variety of classical melodies, but no one has taken to the floor to dance yet, waiting for the party to officially begin.
“Do you think the dinner will begin before the dancing?” Ori asks. “I’m starving.”
Food is the last thing on my mind, my stomach is already a bundle of nerves.
We have an assigned table that Russell directs us to, and shortly after we sit, bot servers bring out the first course. I take a nibble here and there, continuing to scan the room for any sign of Vallen.
During my attempts, Payson seeks my attention from the other side of the table, but I don’t pay him any mind. Eventually, the final course winds down, and like a perfectly orchestrated plan, Alister Mannox and his wife appear at the front of the room, the band falling silent.
“Good evening, honored guests. I hope you enjoyed tonight’s meal?” A round of applause erupts, and a bubble of laughter sits in my throat that we are all clapping for a five-course meal, even if it was incredible. “Tonight officially marks the halfway point to Eden . . .”
Applause breaks out again, but I don’t listen to the rest of the speech. Vallen is nowhere to be seen, but he must be in attendance.
