The One

Shopping Part 2

 Sharon meticulously examined each dress, while Anna held up a few, considering their elegance. Meanwhile, Karol took a seat, her gaze flitting over the well-organised racks.

Unable to resist, Sharon turned to Clare, the sales assistant. "Do you have any exclusive dresses that aren't on display here?"

"Sorry, ladies, this is all we have. They're all exclusive," Clare replied apologetically.

Karol, still scanning the dresses, smiled at Clare. "No problem at all; they're beautiful enough."

Sharon beamed at her sister and mother. "Let's start with mummy, shall we?" She whipped around to grab a stunning silver maxi dress. "Try this one on, mummy!"

As Karol sipped her champagne, she glanced at her sister, who was still poring over the dresses. "Do you even know what the dress code for the party is?"

In a chirpy tone, Sharon responded, "Yes, I do! Your boyfriend told me," a cheeky grin spreading across her face.

"Gee, don't get your knickers in a twist, sissy. He's not my boyfriend... yet," Karol retorted, rolling her eyes.

"Hmm... Whatever. But I do hope you two get together sooner than we expect; you both look fantastic together," Sharon said, her eyes still scanning the limited-edition dresses, while Karol took another sip of her champagne.

"Okay, ladies, how do I look?" Anna's voice chimed as the curtain drew back, revealing her in the shimmering silver dress.

"Wow!" both sisters exclaimed, their admiration instantaneous. Karol leapt to her feet, rushing to her mother. "Mummy, have you lost weight? That dress looks absolutely stunning on you!"

"A little, I guess. Probably due to all the hectic work I've had to tackle lately, or I'll regret it later," Anna admitted.

Karol beamed at her mother. "Without a doubt, our mother is the most beautiful woman in the family." Sharon nodded in agreement.

"Let's buy this for mummy since you look absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. Clare, please ring up the one my mum tried on, and also this red dress, but in a separate bag. Thank you!" Sharon instructed, handing Clare the vibrant red gown with enthusiasm, while Clare efficiently took the dress and directed Anna to change back into her original outfit.

Sharon flashed a grin at her sister, cheerfully lifting her champagne glass and taking a delightful sip of the chilled bubbly. "Now that Mummy's dress is finished and so is Karol's, it's my turn to hunt down the perfect dress for me!" she declared, all the while keeping an eager eye on the dressing room door for their mother's grand reveal.

Moments later, Anna stepped out, and without a moment's hesitation, Sharon downed the rest of her champagne in one swift motion before setting the glass down with a gentle clink and entering the dressing room, excitement buzzing in the air.

Not one to be ignored, Karol leaned in conspiratorially and murmured to her sister, "Yo sissy, let's not go home tonight—someone's about to get lucky," as she leaned against the outer curtain of the dressing room, cheeky as ever.

Anna, within earshot, shot back with a playful yet stern glance. "Hey, you cheeky daughters of mine, I heard that!" she admonished, narrowing her eyes at Karol, who grinned back, unrepentant.

Just then, the curtain swung open to reveal Sharon in a truly scandalous ensemble that made Karol gasp in protest. "This is so inappropriate for a black-tie event!" she exclaimed, striding over to sit beside their mother, arms folded in disapproval.

Anna inspected her daughter from head to toe, a bemused expression crossing her face. "It's a stunning piece, darling, but perhaps just a tad too risqué, wouldn't you agree?" she mused, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, maybe a little. Alright, let's find me another dress," Sharon conceded.

'Another dress? How many did she intend to try?' Karol couldn't contain her curiosity. "How many dresses have you got in mind?"

"Oh, not much—just five," Sharon replied nonchalantly.

"Five dresses including that one or excluding it?" Karol queried, already bracing herself for the answer she dreaded.

"Okay, how about this one?"

"Ew, no! Absolutely not! This is so not for you, plus it's a black-tie, not an after-party!"

"Alright, next," Sharon chirped, unruffled.

"Oh yes, of course, excluding that one! And this is the second dress, by the way," Sharon said. "Three more to go!"

"Lord save me," Karol sighed dramatically.

"Baby girl, don't you want to try this one?" their mother asked.

"Nope, no thanks. Besides, Sharon already picked out a red dress for me, so I'm sorted."

"Hurry it up, Sharon, or we'll be late!" Anna urged.

"Okay! Dress number three coming up; I think this might be 'the one'," Sharon declared as she flung open the curtains to unveil herself in a stunning black evening gown that was nothing short of breathtaking.

Karol gasped and instinctively shot up, nodding furiously in approval. "You look drop-dead gorgeous, sissy! This is undeniably the one!" she gushed, rushing over to her sister alongside their mother, both wearing identical expressions of awe.

"It truly suits you, darling." Anna agreed, eyes gleaming with pride.

"Okay, then I'll take this one!" Sharon declared triumphantly.

Karol let out a long sigh of relief that was not lost on Sharon. "Oh, so it's just pretty, not like drop-dead gorgeous? Let's go back in and find you another dress!"

"It is! I mean, it really is! You looked drop-dead gorgeous, stunning—every word that matches!"

"Sharon, darling, don't tease your baby sister like that," Anna chided, though her eyes twinkled with amusement.

"Haha, I'm just teasing, sissy. Of course, that dress is perfect for me!" Sharon said with a wink.

"Great, let's head home now," Karol replied, sounding utterly drained by her sister's antics.

The trio made their purchases and headed home, bubbling with excitement for the dinner party at Olcan City, a fancy affair that awaited just an hour and a half away from Theodulf.