Dying Embers

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve: Epiphany

After receiving our invitations for the acquaintance party, Jilliana immediately grabbed my arm and whisked me off the campus, straight into her car. Now, we're driving somewhere unknown. As the thought lingered, I turned to Jilliana, curious.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" Tanong ko kay Jilliana. We were seated in the back, and she sat right beside me.

"Legacy," she giggled, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. "We're getting makeovers!" she practically sang.

Napatanga ako sa sinabi niya. "No way!"

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Yes way! Look at your eyebrows. They're fine, but you need to keep them in check! And your hair — something has to be done about it. You can't just keep tying it in a ponytail all the time. Your hair is beautiful, you know. I just don't get why you don't do anything with it."

I sighed, leaning back in my seat, arms crossed. "Because I don't want to. I'm comfortable this way."

"Yeah, right," she said dismissively before turning to me with pouting lips. "But don't you want a little bit of a change? Kahit konti lang talaga."

Umiling ako.

"Come on! Just one makeover."

I sighed again, letting the silence take over as Jilliana's words played over and over in my mind. Was it really so wrong to want a change, even just a small one? A part of me was stubbornly holding on to the comfort of staying the same, but there was another part, a quieter voice, telling me maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Maybe I should try.

I had insecurities, sure, but they were manageable. At least, they were before I met Chance Castiel. It was like meeting him triggered something in me—something that made me wonder if I could be more, if I could stand out just a little bit. I'd never cared much about it before. But watching the way other girls lit up the room, effortlessly gorgeous, always laughing and turning heads—how could I not feel small beside them? How could I not feel... invisible?

In that moment, the doubt hit harder than ever. I wasn't like them. I wasn't someone who could grab someone's attention just by walking into a room. I wasn't someone who made hearts race or turned heads with just a glance. I was just me. Plain. Simple. Comfortable.

But was that enough?

So maybe Jilliana had a point. Maybe, just maybe, I should try. What's the harm? What's the worst that could happen?

As I made my decision, the car came to a stop. Before we got out, I faced Jilliana one last time. "Fine, I'll do it. But no bold makeup."

Her grin was wide and infectious. "That's my girl!"

When we stepped into Legacy, I was immediately hit by the elegance of the place. The walls, painted in deep, sleek black with soft touches of light purple, seemed to hum with sophistication. Every detail — from the chandeliers casting a soft glow to the plush seating in the corners — felt meticulously placed, like a page out of a dream. It was breathtaking, overwhelming even. My words caught in my throat, unable to capture the sheer beauty that surrounded me. This was more than just a boutique. It was like stepping into another world where everything glowed with quiet grandeur.

"Liana!"

A woman, seemingly in her early thirties, stepped into view, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. My eyes followed her every move, unable to look away. There was something hypnotic about the way she walked, each step deliberate and elegant, as if she commanded the very ground beneath her. She flipped her hair effortlessly, the glossy strands catching the light. Confidence radiated from her like heat from the sun, and it was impossible not to notice. She was beautiful, yes, but there was more — an allure so captivating that heads turned, as if the world paused just to admire her.