A GOLDEN EMPIRE

CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO

THE SKY IS AN EXPANSE OF SAPPHIRE BLUE, dotted with feathery white clouds as the radiant rays of the sun shimmer brightly. AURORA HOLLINGSWORTH sighs and walks into her marble titled bathroom. Here's the thing about her. She's the one they call the 'Queen Bee'. As the eldest daughter of two billionaire executives, her last name gets her everything she wants and she has the power to get into any lavish event she wants. Absolutely no one is allowed to talk shit about her or they will get cut.

Freshly showered and staring at her reflection in the long, white-framed, three-way mirror for a long moment, the stone grey-eyed, obsidian haired girl leans against her white, glass desk with matching freshly-lacquered drawers and tilts her head, fully inspecting her reflection.

Frowning for a bit, she moves her delicate manicured fingers to the slim cream crystal-embellished headband that rests on the top of her head as she adjusts the headpiece so that it sits evenly on her long, silky obsidian curls.

She feels immensely grateful that her hairstylist, PHILLIP, was able to make a house call this morning. Shortly after she had gotten her hair done, she'd emptied just a few of the contents of her massive two-story circular walk-in closet, flinging random articles of clothing all about her room.

After changing outfits for the umpteenth time, she finally settled on a cream safety pin detailed PRADA minidress. Her feet are adorned with some cream colored LE SILLA knee-high boots. On her earlobes are sterling silver TIFFANY&CO diamond hoop earrings. She straightens the signature pendant she's wearing around her slender neck.

Knowing that her ensemble is fun and cute, this stunner goes for a more natural makeup look. With a deft hand, she applies a touch of MAC clear lip gloss on her lips, light black waterproof eyeliner across her lids, mascara to her long lashes, and a stroke of NARS Laguna bronzing powder blush for a soft bronzed glow across her melanin skin.

Content with her flawless reflection, she turns away from the mirror and grabs her signature perfume bottle from her vanity table. Spritzing herself with SAINT LAURENT perfume, she places the bottle on her vanity and pushes her white velvet stool underneath the table.

It's the last day of summer before school begins. This is her senior year and she plans on going into it drama free (foreshadowing once again, we all know that's not happening)

Anyway, she's going to treat herself to some retail therapy because that's her favorite thing to do. A once over in the floor-length mirror, and she's very satisfied.

Stella picks up her black SAINT LAURENT purse along with her white iPhone 14 Pro Max and walks out of her bedroom, leaving the door half-open for the family's many maids, who would have to clean up the mess in her room.

Aurora walked gracefully down the grand staircase, her boots clicking softly against the polished marble floors as she made her way to the dining room. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants wafted through the air, mixing with the light floral fragrance of her mother's perfume. The woman clad in a black, white, and grey STELLA MCCARTNEY silk printed midi dress and a pair of black GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI heeled sandals, sits at the dining room table."Good morning, honeybear," JULIETTE says, looking up from the newest fall issue of VOGUE magazine, a smile tugging at the corners of her perfectly painted lips. "You look stunning, as always," she said, taking in her daughter's chic ensemble.

"Thank you, Mommy," Aurora replied, flashing her a dazzling smile. "I'm heading out for some shopping today. Just a little self-care before the chaos of senior year begins."

Juliette nodded approvingly. "Good idea. Enjoy it, darling. You deserve a little spoiling before school starts again." She took a sip from her cappuccino, her manicured fingers lightly tapping against the cup's rim. "Oh, and don't forget—your father mentioned a dinner at THE BEVERLY WILSHIRE tonight with the LANGLEYS. Business associates. He wants you to make an appearance."