into the room carrying a black dress bag in one hand.
“Thank you,” I reply softly, grateful for being spared the humiliation of picking out my own outfit.
“I’ll leave you to get dressed then. I’ve got to go get myself dressed.
Be ready in an hour,” she responds as she quickly lays the bag down on my bed and leaves.
I walk to the bed slowly, unsure of what lies within the simple black dress bag. All uncertainty leaves me as I unzip the catch and gasp in awe at the exquisite dress lying hidden among the dark folds. The dress is gorgeous. Obviously I was supposed to dress up. I am once again grateful as I pull out the expensive looking shoulder-less piece of midnight blue silk. I fall even more in love with it as I slip into it, the fabric softly sliding over my body like water. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, mesmerized as I am instantly transformed into an older, more sophisticated looking version of myself. The dress is neither too clingy, nor too free-flowing, and falls gently in a ripple of smooth silk waves to brush across the tops of my knees.
The fabric is gathered across the chest, creating a modest low collar that acts to both hide and, in my case, accentuate the bust.
A soft knock sounds on the door once more but I am too awestruck to answer. A moment later Sera quietly peeks in and, smiling gently as she catches me gaping before the mirror, walks up behind me.
She is dressed spectacularly in a form fitting black gown with gentle dark curls spilling down her back. In one hand she holds a pair of strappy, low slung black heels and, in the other, a simple jewelry box.
She holds them both up slightly. “I thought you might need some accessories,” she says as she hands them to me before reaching to zip the back of my dress. “Hopefully we’re the same shoe size.” I confirm this by slipping on heels that fit perfectly. “Thank you. This dress is beautiful.”
“Glad you like it. It suits you,” she comments with a genuine smile.
“There’s a necklace and earring set in the box for you. They belonged to my mother. I want you to have them.”
“Oh, no, you should keep them.”
“Adelin,” she says patiently. “I am your mother. This is what mothers do. They give their daughters things. I had planned on giving them to you on your sixteenth birthday, back before all this happened. I’m just a little bit late. Open it, please.” Obeying, I open the box and pull out the diamond teardrop necklace and matching earrings. “I love them. Thank you again,” I reply as I slip them on.
“You’re welcome. I’ll be downstairs when you’re ready,” she says as she turns to leave.
“Wow.” My jaw literally drops as we pull up in front of Moira’s house. I had thought Sera’s house was big but you can easily fit two houses the size of Sera’s into this one and still have room to spare.
‘House’ wasn’t the right word to describe it, maybe something a little closer to ‘palace’.
We pull the rest of the way into the drive and park next to a large marble fountain with cascading tiers of crystal clear water. I climb out, gaping, as I take in the sheer size of the house up close. The house itself is made from a slightly faded red brick and white trim, with actual vines and ivy crawling up the outside walls which, in my opinion, only adds to the intimidation factor.
There are more windows then I am actually able to count, each one large and brightly lit with the curtains pulled back slightly to allow the causal passersby a peek into the life of the rich. Even in my fancy new gown I immediately feel underdressed and out of place.
“Bit over the top, huh?” Sera jokes as we stroll up to the door.
“What do you expect when you own an island though?”
“She owns an island?!” I exclaim.
“She’s Moira Black ,” she says with added emphasis on her last name.
“As in ‘Black Island’ Moira Black?”
“Exactly. She and her husband, Elrich, founded this island
“Thank you,” I reply softly, grateful for being spared the humiliation of picking out my own outfit.
“I’ll leave you to get dressed then. I’ve got to go get myself dressed.
Be ready in an hour,” she responds as she quickly lays the bag down on my bed and leaves.
I walk to the bed slowly, unsure of what lies within the simple black dress bag. All uncertainty leaves me as I unzip the catch and gasp in awe at the exquisite dress lying hidden among the dark folds. The dress is gorgeous. Obviously I was supposed to dress up. I am once again grateful as I pull out the expensive looking shoulder-less piece of midnight blue silk. I fall even more in love with it as I slip into it, the fabric softly sliding over my body like water. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, mesmerized as I am instantly transformed into an older, more sophisticated looking version of myself. The dress is neither too clingy, nor too free-flowing, and falls gently in a ripple of smooth silk waves to brush across the tops of my knees.
The fabric is gathered across the chest, creating a modest low collar that acts to both hide and, in my case, accentuate the bust.
A soft knock sounds on the door once more but I am too awestruck to answer. A moment later Sera quietly peeks in and, smiling gently as she catches me gaping before the mirror, walks up behind me.
She is dressed spectacularly in a form fitting black gown with gentle dark curls spilling down her back. In one hand she holds a pair of strappy, low slung black heels and, in the other, a simple jewelry box.
She holds them both up slightly. “I thought you might need some accessories,” she says as she hands them to me before reaching to zip the back of my dress. “Hopefully we’re the same shoe size.” I confirm this by slipping on heels that fit perfectly. “Thank you. This dress is beautiful.”
“Glad you like it. It suits you,” she comments with a genuine smile.
“There’s a necklace and earring set in the box for you. They belonged to my mother. I want you to have them.”
“Oh, no, you should keep them.”
“Adelin,” she says patiently. “I am your mother. This is what mothers do. They give their daughters things. I had planned on giving them to you on your sixteenth birthday, back before all this happened. I’m just a little bit late. Open it, please.” Obeying, I open the box and pull out the diamond teardrop necklace and matching earrings. “I love them. Thank you again,” I reply as I slip them on.
“You’re welcome. I’ll be downstairs when you’re ready,” she says as she turns to leave.
“Wow.” My jaw literally drops as we pull up in front of Moira’s house. I had thought Sera’s house was big but you can easily fit two houses the size of Sera’s into this one and still have room to spare.
‘House’ wasn’t the right word to describe it, maybe something a little closer to ‘palace’.
We pull the rest of the way into the drive and park next to a large marble fountain with cascading tiers of crystal clear water. I climb out, gaping, as I take in the sheer size of the house up close. The house itself is made from a slightly faded red brick and white trim, with actual vines and ivy crawling up the outside walls which, in my opinion, only adds to the intimidation factor.
There are more windows then I am actually able to count, each one large and brightly lit with the curtains pulled back slightly to allow the causal passersby a peek into the life of the rich. Even in my fancy new gown I immediately feel underdressed and out of place.
“Bit over the top, huh?” Sera jokes as we stroll up to the door.
“What do you expect when you own an island though?”
“She owns an island?!” I exclaim.
“She’s Moira Black ,” she says with added emphasis on her last name.
“As in ‘Black Island’ Moira Black?”
“Exactly. She and her husband, Elrich, founded this island
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