Page 77 of Soaring in Flames (Reborn 2)
Chapter 20
Maya
Icould not believeI was here.
At Vogue.
Surrounded by all of these people that created such a unique edition each month.
I wasn’t positive if this was something that I wanted to be part of on a daily basis, but it was a very unique experience. As Alanza handed me some dresses I liked, I took a moment to appreciate just how respectful and professional she was being. It was such a nice change from the others at school. Plus, she didn’t stare at my mates for too long and was being truthful in her kindness to me, authenticity radiating from her.
I was also a bit obsessed with her snow white hair that was pulled up and away from her pretty face. I loved when someone had a unique hair color or outfit that stood out to me. It seemed to make the world even more bright than it had been previously. I guess that meant I felt like individuality was a valued aspect, didn it? I felt like I was fairly unique myself. Or hoped I was. Then again, I think most hoped for that to be the case. I was finding humans were very focused on that concept. On being different from one another.
Alanza ushered me into a large room with mirrors and makeup vanities, that was virtually empty except for a small room to the far end that sounded like someone was in it. I hung up the dresses on a long standing rack and began to sort through them. I easily slipped out of my outfit and took a dress that was a stunning array of purples, pinks, and orange tones and tried it on. Mostly because out of all of them it caught my eye.
It was a fairly complicated dress with a low cut that hit my lower back and a halter top, the entire material silky and body fitting with that sunset tone throughout. At the waist the material went out into a larger skirt that only added to the movement and reminded me somewhat of a flower. I turned and smiled, loving how it looked and wondering if they would let me keep it past tonight. The door opened behind me, bringing me out of my focus on the dress. I turned to find...well, I don’t know how to describe her, except for that she looked like a piece of art.
Sad though. Haunted almost. I knew sadness well and I could see it in her eyes. It didn’t take away from her beauty,if anything, almost accented it, making her seem even more untouchable. She was slightly taller than myself and had this stunning silky veil of golden hair with aqua colored highlights that floated around her delicate shoulders.
The woman had an unlit cigarette hanging from her mouth and her bright neon halter top and white leather pants only added to her intense appearance. The main thing I noticed? Her green eyes were red and blurry like she’d been crying. I frowned at the bruising that covered her ribs and the white dust specs that laid on her hand after rubbing her nose lightly. Okay. So I think I knew what that was and I was almost positive I knew who she was because of it.
“Are you alright?” I asked, my voice seeming way louder than I intended.
The woman froze, snapping her head my way and closed the purse she’d been in the process of shutting. Her bright green eyes searched my expression and then over my clothes that I was wearing. Her voice was almost like a symphony as she spoke, “I’m all good, hun.”
I could feel something that I had to call magic, surrounding me and urging me to believe her. Instead, I just felt frustrated that she was clearly lying. That wasn’t my place to call out though. The woman came to stand in the mirror next to me, grabbing some eye drops and blinking rapidly before brushing through her hair. I didn’t know what else to say but watched her curiously, realizing that I’d been correct in my assessment.
She was a model. A model who was literally everywhere. A model who had a lot of mean headlines written about her. I felt angry about that for her because if anyone knew what that was like it was me. Half the headlines were just wrong so I didn’t want to believe that type of stuff unless it was from the person themself.
“That dress is stunning on you,” she said after a moment, pulling me from my staring, before grabbing a dark jacket, “you should wear it.”
“You think?” I asked curiously, turning to look at the rack, “I have others.”
The woman shook her head, “Trust me, babe. That’s the one.”
“I’m Maya,” I offered as the woman searched my face and a small smile slipped on it. I didn’t want her to be sad and I had no idea how to stop that from happening. It wasn’t my place, I didn’t even know her name. I couldn’t remember it.
“Lorcan Louvre,” she offered quietly, “you are in this month's upcoming spread right?”
I nodded and she searched my expression before reaching into her purse. I frowned as she pulled out a lipstick in a gold case and handed it to me. She spoke, “I’ve got to go, but this will match that dress. It was good meeting you, Maya.”
Then she was gone and I was left feeling as though she didn’t normally do something like this. My hand closed around the lipstick and I shook my head, it wasn’t my business why she was sad. I just had to keep repeating to myself. Maybe if I ever saw her again, we would be able to talk. I didn’t have a lot of female friends but she seemed like she could have used one.
“Maya?” Croy’s voice chimed as he opened the door, not even looking at Lorcan as she passed. That alone was a bit shocking to me because frankly, she was stunning. I blushed thinking about how intensely he had looked at me on the plane.
“Hey,” I grinned as his eyes flickered over the dress.
“You look...stunning,” he sighed, shaking his head. “Are you wearing that?”
“Yep!” I twirled as he offered me a dangerous smile that had my center clenching.
“Alright, Sugar,” he chuckled at something I didn’t understand, “let’s get back then, we are going to need extra time to convince them.”
The door closed and I tried out the lipstick she had handed me, just a quick swipe to confirm what she had said. Lorcan had been right, by the way.
It was an absolute, perfect match.
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