The woman stood before the mirror, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips as she examined her reflection. Her long, auburn hair cascaded down her back, catching the light with coppery tones that seemed to glow in the dim room. Tonight, she was preparing for something unique. The choice had to be perfect.
She turned to the wardrobe, sliding open the door to reveal a series of dresses hanging in neat rows. Her fingers hovered over the fabrics—silk, velvet, satin—each one holding a different possibility. The first dress she pulled out was a deep burgundy, the velvet soft to the touch. She held it up in front of her body, inspecting herself in the mirror. It was regal but lacked the fire she wanted tonight. She draped it over the bed without a second thought.
Next, she chose a silver gown, slipping it over her body, the fabric shimmering as it clung to her curves. She twirled once, watching the way the light caught on the dress. Beautiful, but too cold. She peeled it off and discarded it.
Her eyes finally fell on a gown of emerald green. The fabric was liquid silk, cool against her skin as she slid it on. This was the one. The dress hugged her waist and hips, flowing effortlessly down to her ankles, the deep V-neck revealing just the right amount of skin. It framed her auburn hair perfectly, making it shimmer against the green.
She smiled at the reflection—satisfied.
Reaching for the white smock, she slipped it on to protect the dress while she worked. With the precision of someone who had done this many times before, she adjusted the ring light in front of the mirror, angling it to illuminate her face. She turned it on, the soft glow enveloping her reflection, highlighting every contour of her face.
Her vanity was laid out meticulously—brushes, compacts, tubes of lipstick—all lined up in perfect order. She picked up a powder brush and swept it across her skin, setting the foundation she had already applied. Her movements were slow and deliberate, as though she were crafting a masterpiece.
Next came her eyes—thick, black eyeliner, winged out sharply at the edges, giving her eyes a feline intensity. Her auburn lashes were coated in a thick layer of mascara, making them stand out against the rest of her face, dark and dramatic. She reached for the lipstick next, choosing a deep red, almost the color of blood, and applied it with care, pressing her lips together to seal the color in place.
Satisfied, she leaned back, removing the smock and revealing the gown in all its glory. She flicked off the ring light, pushing it to the side, and took one final look in the mirror. Her green dress shimmered faintly in the dim light, and her auburn hair framed her face perfectly, its coppery tones dancing with each movement.
She stared at her reflection for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Are you ready?” she whispered, her voice soft but firm. Her reflection seemed to answer her with the same steady gaze.
“Me too,” she replied to herself with a smile.
Her clutch sat on the edge of the vanity, waiting. She placed her phone inside, followed by a few neatly folded bills, her keys, and a small metallic case. She opened the case briefly, looking at the contents with a quiet, secret smile before slipping it inside the clutch.
“Can’t forget that,” she murmured, almost to herself.
Her ID lay on the table. She reached for it, her fingers brushing the edge, but then stopped and left it behind.