Isabella sat curled up inside the cupboard, hiding. Rain pounded heavily against the windows, thunder roaring through the night like an angry beast.
The cupboard door was slightly ajar, just enough for her to peek outside. Her wide eyes landed on three figures—two men and a woman, all dressed in black—hovering over someone lying on the ground. They were stabbing the person over and over again. Isabella didn't recognize the victim, but the sight chilled her to the bone.
Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to cry silently, afraid they might hear her. The room was dark, their faces hidden in shadow, only the glint of the knives catching the faint light.
Suddenly, the three turned and began walking toward her. Blood dripped from their blades. She couldn't move. She couldn't breathe.
The cupboard door creaked open.
They raised their knives.
She screamed.
Isabella's eyes flew open.
"Ahhh!" she gasped, clutching her chest, struggling to catch her breath.
"It was a dream," she whispered to herself.
Then—a knock on her bedroom door.
"Who's there?" she asked, her heart still racing.
"Good morning, Bella," came a familiar voice from the other side.
"I'm coming," she said, already knowing who it was.
Isabella opened the door to find Chloe standing there, eyes wide as she stared at her.
"You look like a disaster," Chloe said, her voice light but full of amusement. "Look at you, sweating like crazy."
It was then that Isabella realized how drenched she was. She wiped a hand across her forehead, embarrassed.
"I came to help you get ready," Chloe said, plopping down on the bed with a grin.
"Ready for...?" Isabella laughed at Chloe's enthusiasm.
"You know, for the party. Your dad told you to go, remember?" Chloe raised an eyebrow, waiting for a response.
"Yeah, but I'm not going to dress up nicely for something as stupid as this," Isabella scoffed, brushing a strand of wet hair out of her face.
Chloe smirked. "That's exactly why I'm here. You're not going to get dressed for this party without some help from me. We both know how you roll."
"Do I have anything in this house that isn't nice?" Isabella asked, rolling her eyes.
Chloe burst into laughter. "You might just wear a t-shirt and jeans if I left it up to you."
Isabella raised an eyebrow, about to argue, but Chloe was already pushing her toward the bathroom. "Go shower, you'll feel better. Maybe you'll even find a cute guy there."
Isabella rolled her eyes but smiled, thankful for Chloe's energy. She stepped into the bathroom, letting the warm water wash away the tension of the moment.
A few minutes later, Isabella walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a robe. As she stepped into her room, she froze at the sight on her bed. Two dresses, neatly laid out, along with accessories and a pink note lying on top.
Curious, she grabbed the note and read it aloud to herself:
"I had to run to the hospital to visit my dad. I left two dresses for you to choose from, and everything else you'll need to slay tonight. You're going to look amazing! Love, your cutie Chloe."
A soft smile tugged at Isabella's lips as she looked over the dresses.
The first one was a stunning white off-shoulder floral dress, with a flowery pattern near the hem, paired with silver jewelry and sky-high heels that would make any runway model jealous. That one's elegant, Isabella thought to herself. But I don't feel like being that fancy tonight.
The second choice was a black spaghetti strap gown, simple yet sophisticated, with a matching black jacket. Crystal earrings and a necklace sat beside it, and the heels were more comfortable than the first pair, but still chic.
Isabella nodded to herself, a small smile playing on her lips. After a few minutes of slipping into the black gown, she walked to the mirror.
The reflection staring back at her was a perfect balance of elegant and casual, and she felt comfortable in it. Not too fancy, but still enough to stand out.
"Well, here goes nothing," she murmured, running her fingers through her hair.
Isabella stood in front of the mirror again, taking in her reflection. The black spaghetti gown fit perfectly, hugging her curves in all the right places, while the sleek black jacket added an extra layer of sophistication. The crystal necklace sparkled softly against her skin, and the black heels gave her an air of effortless elegance.
She couldn't help but admire herself for a moment. Not bad, Chloe. Not bad at all.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," Isabella called.
A maid walked in and bowed. "Madam said I should call you."
Isabella sighed, dismissing the maid with a wave. She knew exactly what her mother was up to. It wasn't just a party—it was another one of those "networking events." Another night of fake smiles, handshakes, and forced conversations. She had never liked these events. Well, to be honest, she'd never liked any events involving her mother.
Her phone buzzed, and Chloe's name flashed on the screen. Isabella immediately picked up the call. It was a video call, and the moment Chloe saw her, she grinned.
"Wow, girl, you're stunning! If I didn't know you better, I'd say you're trying to steal the spotlight tonight!"
Isabella smirked, a playful glint in her eyes. "I might just do that."
"Bella , I really need to go now, bye " Chloe said as she disconnected the call