The young woman's voice was gentle and calming. Abigail secretly admired her beauty. “It’s fine. You look gorgeous today,” she said. The young woman quickly ran ahead to lead the way, her dress notwithstanding, looking irresistibly elegant.
Inside the caravan, she placed the new dress on the bed. Abigail glanced at it and recognized it as one of her own designs.
“It seems you’re a fan of Alana,” she commented with a smile.
“My manager lent it to me,” the young woman explained, embarrassed.
“Everyone is a fan of Alana,” Joan remarked, her tone subtly flattering.
“Thank you for the compliment, Miss Palmer,” Luna replied professionally. “Your makeup seems ill-suited to this dress. I can help you modify the one you're wearing, if you don't mind.” She refused to be flattered.
Since the dress was borrowed, the young woman might have to pay for it now that Joan possessed it. Joan, however, didn't mind and nodded.
Several people helped Joan out of her dress. She sat outside, wrapped in a blanket. Luna closed the door, threw the dress on the bed, and whispered, “Damn it! I don’t want to modify anything for her. Look how smug she looks. I’m already being incredibly polite by not throwing wine in her face.”
Abigail, however, swiftly retrieved her needles and thread. She put on her thimble, sat on the bed, and began to work. “Breathe. Think of it as charity.”
“Tsk! Isn’t this all because of your bravery after seeing a pretty young woman getting bullied? I’m on your side! What’s more, you’re dressed up so beautifully today, yet you didn’t get a chance to show it off on the red carpet. Have you forgotten today’s task?” Luna helped Abigail adjust the dress, nagging gently.
“I know, I know. We’re here to show off our dresses to get more customers,” Abigail replied.
She boldly began her modification, cutting away the wine stains. Bowing her head, she plucked feathers from her own dress, sewing them onto Joan’s while removing a strap. She used the scraps to create two pointy ears at the chest. The original high-split maxi dress was transformed into a cat-inspired feathered mini-dress.
Finished, she put away her things and asked Luna to call Joan.
When Joan changed into the dress, her bold look became more mysterious and alluring. She seemed to love it, admiring herself repeatedly in the mirror. Then, she rushed out of the caravan.
She was looking for Sean, but he was at the entrance. Thinking he'd heard the commotion, she excitedly approached him, her eyes glistening. “Sean, how do I look? Alana designed this for me.”
He merely nodded and hummed. The bright color of her dress seemed to darken his eyes. He looked toward the caravan, spotting a slender figure with a delicate purple butterfly tattoo on her back. Clenching his fists, he looked away and said, “You head inside first.”
Joan's lips pursed. She remembered Sean's gaze on Abigail and Luna earlier. Does he know they are Alana and her assistant? Is he interested in them? she wondered.
Unable to ask, she smiled and walked toward the venue. A few steps later, she stumbled, screaming as she fell. He caught her, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
Abigail and Luna witnessed the scene as they emerged from the caravan. Just as Luna was about to make a scene, Abigail pulled her away, avoiding eye contact, and headed for the venue.
“Why are you pulling me? I’m going to kill those bastards! Can’t they get a room? Are they trying to make you feel bad?” Luna was furious on her friend's behalf.
Abigail glanced at her sideways. “What will you do next? Let everyone know Sean dumped me for an influencer? Even if they don’t feel ashamed, I do!”
Luna’s eyes dimmed. “Once L.Moon becomes an international exclusive fashion studio, I’ll ensure they will forever be out of our league!”