Abby
| arrive at the shopping center in the neighboring town, and the excitement bubbling inside me is almost palpable.
The dress at the Alpha gathering reminded me just how much | used to love getting dressed up for fancy asions. After Karl
and | got divorced, the most | would really ever get dressed up for was the club or going out to a nice restaurant; which is to say,
not all that dressed up at all.
Growing up in a well-to-do family, | was always attending some event or another. My parents kept their wealth on the low-key
side, but we still always had holiday parting and business events to attend. However, with our rtionship distancing further and
further over the years, especially since | moved to the city, that option slowly dwindled.
But now, things have changed—or so it seems. Now, for the second time in just a couple of months, | find myself going out to
buy a dress for a fancy asion. And although | can’t help but feel a little guilty as my mind whirls with thoughts of whether I’m
taking this too far with Karl, | can’t deny my excitement.
Heading into the formal gown store, I’m almost immediately greeted by a lovely sales attendant who seems genuinely excited to
help me.
“Good afternoon, Miss,” she says with a smile as | approach. “How can | help you today?”
“I''m looking for something very specific,” | say as my eyes scan the racks of increasingly fabulous—and expensive—gowns. “A
dress for a masquerade.”
Her eyes light up at the mention of a masquerade. “Oh, how exciting!” she exims. “That sounds like fun. Right this way; I’ve
just gotten some new stock in that I’m certain would go well with yourplexion.”
She guides me through the racks of gowns, offering suggestions and pulling out dresses for me to consider.
As | browse through the elegant fabrics and styles, | can’t help but feel like a kid in a candy store. It’s been so long since I''ve
shopped quite like this that it feels like I’m in an entirely different world.
She helps me pick out several gowns to try on, each more beautiful than thest.
The process is both thrilling and maybe a little overwhelming as | step into different styles and colors. The sales attendant offers
her expert opinion, and we shareughter and small talk throughout the fitting.
But it''s when | slip into a breathtaking ball gown that | finally feel like a princess.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.
The gown is a dark shade of midnight blue, its fabric flowing gracefully around me. The bodice is adorned with an intricateyer
ofce, and the full skirt billows out inyers of tulle. | turn to admire myself in the mirror, the fabric shimmering a little in the light.
As I''m lost in the enchantment of the dress, however, | suddenly remember the need for a mask. | turn to the sales attendant, a
hint of urgency in my voice.
“Do you know if there are any shops around here where | could find a mask?” | ask, my eyes searching hers.
She smirks, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Actually, we have a selection of masks right here in the store. I''ll be right back with
some options for you.”
| watch her disappear into a back
room, my heart still fluttering fro
the thrill of finding theepeifect ress.
nfornents Véter, she returns with a
tray of masks, each one more
intricate and stunning than thest.
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Eventually, | settle on a Vian
mask that steals my breath away.It’s
simple, a mut goldeolta wht2
deyeatalfilGtee around the border. It
covers the top half of my face,
leaving the lower half exposed.
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| think, in the dim light of the party, it''ll be enough to keep people wondering who | might be.
With the dress and mask chosen, it’s
time to make the purchase. | Qh
the sales thendant tithe cotinter,
bud Hée ite my excitement, there''s
also a hint of apprehension there.
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