The Devil In Disguise

Dressed To Impress

The girls made their way down the staircase, laughter and chatter filling the air as they reached the bottom step. They had spent over an hour getting ready, transforming from their casual, cozy selves into polished, striking versions of the people they used to be—before fear and suspicion had begun hanging over them. Tonight, dressed in their glamorous outfits and with spirits lightened by each other's company, they were ready to reclaim a bit of normalcy.

The guys, waiting by the front door, fell silent as the girls appeared. Marcus, Cal, and Rufus were dressed sharply, each of them looking clean-cut and polished, but it was the girls who stole the show.

Marcus's gaze fell on Gianina first, his eyes widening as he took in her sleek black dress, the shimmer of her makeup, and the confidence she exuded. She smiled at him, a bit shyly, but the glow in his eyes was enough to make her blush.

Cal's gaze shifted toward her, too, his expression unreadable. For a moment, his focus lingered on Gianina, taking in her entire look, before he turned back to Jordan, who had taken her time finding the perfect outfit: a fitted, glittery wrap dress that caught the light with every movement. Without a second thought, he crossed the room to her, scooping her up in his arms with a laugh. Jordan squealed, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, holding on tightly as he spun her around.

"You look amazing," he whispered to her, chuckling as he set her back on her feet.

"Why, thank you, kind sir," she replied with a playful smirk, smoothing out her dress as she glanced around, her face flushed.

Rufus's jaw had practically dropped as he looked at Mary, who wore a bright red dress that contrasted beautifully with her dark hair and sparkling earrings. He opened his mouth to say something but quickly closed it, seemingly at a loss for words. She grinned at him, rolling her eyes at his stunned expression.

"Don't get used to it," she teased, nudging him. "I don't usually put in this much effort."

Rufus recovered, shaking his head with a wide grin. "Well, I'd say it was worth every second. You look incredible, Mary."

With a few laughs and good-natured teasing, the group moved outside, filing into Jordan's large van parked in the driveway. They were all dressed to the nines, and as they slid into their seats, there was a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. Tonight was going to be different, a chance to let go and enjoy themselves—if only for a few hours.

Cal slid into the driver's seat, adjusting the rearview mirror as he started the engine. His gaze flickered toward the back, catching a glimpse of Gianina in the reflection. She was sitting beside Marcus, chatting quietly with him, unaware of the way Cal's eyes lingered on her. He quickly looked away, focusing on the road as he pulled out of the driveway, but the tension in his jaw suggested he hadn't fully relaxed.

The drive to the restaurant was filled with laughter, Rufus cracking jokes from the back row while Mary egged him on. Jordan had switched on the radio, and upbeat music pulsed through the van as they all sang along, their voices loud and off-key. For the first time in days, they felt like themselves again, like a group of friends on a regular night out.

When they finally arrived at the restaurant, a chic spot nestled downtown, they filed out of the van, adjusting their outfits and smoothing out their hair. The warm glow of the restaurant lights cast a cozy ambiance, and the faint buzz of conversation drifted out as they stepped inside. A waiter guided them to a long table in a private corner, and they settled into their seats, glancing around and taking in the atmosphere.

"Alright, who's in charge of ordering appetizers?" Jordan asked, leaning back in her seat with a grin. "I vote Mary. She always picks the best stuff."

Mary laughed, picking up the menu and scanning it thoughtfully. "Alright, but you guys better be up for trying new things." She scanned the options, picking a few small plates and passing the menu around. They all chimed in, placing their orders with enthusiasm, and soon enough, the table was filled with lively chatter.