"Yeah, I know! I can't wait! See you there!" Lillian stared at her phone before shoving it into her bag.
It was a good day for her. Finally, her life feels like it's taking a turn for the better. She would have danced and shouted if not for all the people around her. The smile on her face never faded as her thoughts went to the masquerade ball she was in charge of, for a charity fundraising event.
"A masquerade ball? In the 21st century? I don't know Lil."
Lillian is an event planner and was called by the CEO of the company, her best friend, to plan the event and she wanted it to be a masquerade ball. But her friend wasn't too sure.
"Come on, Liz, please," Lillian begged.
She sighed. "Lil, I know you want to live out your 'romance fantasy' but you just can't risk the events success or failure on that."
"Oh, Liz, Elizabeth." She shook her head. "It's not just about my fantasy coming true. I mean imagine it, we are inviting all the people of the 'higher' society. We'll book a hall, have it decorated with chandeliers and lights. One by one they'll enter, women in gowns and men in suits, or whatever they want to wear really. They'll all wear beautiful, intricate masks. No one knows who the other is, well they might but not really, dances will ensue. A man will come in, beautifully dressed and elegant in mannerism. He'll capture the spotlight but his eyes will only be on one woman. Slowly he'll approach her-"
"Lil! Lillian! Your drooling." Elizabeth shook her from her daydream.
"Ah sorry."
"Seriously, at least appear professional at the office." Elizabeth held out a box of tissues to Lillian.
"I can't help it, Liz." She took a tissue and wiped her lips. "I've been single for so long and I'm already twenty-five! I'm OLD!"
"A man shouldn't be all you care about, Lil. Your happiness should not depend on it." Her voice softened.
"I know, I know." She sat down on the rotating chair, in front of Liz's desk. "I just want to experience falling in love once in my life."
"You know it's not going to be anything like those comics you read right? Tea?"
Elizabeth walked to the cupboard and took out a bottle of water, she poured it into the kettle and turned it on. Opening another cupboard she took out two cups and placed them on the table with the saucers and tea bags.
"How can I refuse if you are already making it." Lillian laughed just as the water finished to boil. Elizabeth poured the water into the cup with the bags and slid one to her.
"Thank you." She took a sip.
"Calmed down?" Elizabeth asked from her chair, she looked up from her cup.
"Yes. Much better. Thank you, Liz."
She smiled at her. "It's no problem. Now about this proposal of yours." She picked up the file and began to read through it.
"I'm still sticking by it, Liz. Trust me, it'll be a success."
Elizabeth held up her hand.
"I wasn't finished."
Lillian clammed up and sat back down, stiff as a board.
She continued to flip through the pages. "I do like it."
Lillian choked on the tea, almost spitting it out but she swallowed it before she could. After having a coughing fit for a while minute with Elizabeth patting her back, Lillian settled down again.
"What?" Lillian said between coughs. Her face was completely red from almost choking.
"I said I liked your idea."
"But didn't you say you thought it wouldn't work with it being the 21st century and all that."
"I did, but I also know you're the best when it comes to planning a party, no matter the reason behind it." She smiled at her. "Plus, your visualization of the party sounds kinda interesting."
Lillian jumped up and hugged Elizabeth, "I won't let you down I promise!"
"I know you won't. Now, let's discuss the budget and other necessities."
Lillian could hardly sit still but she knew she had to try, she can be excited later. "Of course. As we already know, your company is small. It just started five years ago. I mean, you just recently got an office too. But you've risen so much in those five years."
Elizabeth shrugged, "It's only because of the people that supported and had faith in us, we wouldn't have gotten here without them."
She nodded and looked down at her papers. "Since it is a fashion line, do you think we should display some of your works that day and maybe auction them off?"
She rested her chin on her palm, laying on top of the table. "That's a good idea. Whatever we collect from that we can donate them. Brilliant, Lil."
Lillian tossed her hair over her shoulders and smiled. "Of course. It's me after all."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Just when I thought you were about to be professional."
They smiled at each other. The discussion continued until evening.
Lillian walked the brightly lit streets, taking in the fresh air and the scenery around of her. She passed different stores with foods, clothes and took out her drawing book. She tried to look where she could find inspiration for the event, hoping this to be her biggest one yet.
Biting on a freshly baked bun, she continued to stroll. She came across two paths, one she was completely unfamiliar with and the other she did not remember.
Hoping for an adventure she almost took the other road when two men passed her and walked down the other street.
Holy ****.
Eyes darting left and right, she 'subtly' began walking the other road. Trying to be as silent as possible. The two men were completely oblivious to her presence and not once did they glance behind.
She looked around her. It's been a long time since she walked through here.
"Wait a minute."
She saw a store right in front of the men, a store she had been dreaming of since she was a child. Without a second thought, she ran to it, accidentally bumping into the men. She forgot about them though.
Right there, in the store, with the blue dress, she saw as a child, still there.
She gasped. It was still as beautiful as she remembered it. All those nights she spent dreaming of wearing that dress and waltzing around a ballroom with someone.
She remembered why she hadn't walked down this road in a while. It was because she wouldn't be able to bear the heartbreak if the dress was gone.
But it's still here, after all this time.
Without wasting another minute, she ran to the door and pulled it open.
A fresh smell of vanilla and flowers filled her nostrils. She felt like she was transported to another world. The room was sparkling clean with beautiful dresses all lined up. The walls had 3-d flowers and leaves jutting out, almost making her feel like she was in another realm. Mirrors were all around her the room.
"Hello! How may I help you?" A petite woman with beautiful long blond hair came from behind a door.
"I . . . um . . . the dress on display. Can I see it?"
"The blue dress?" Her voice sounded surprised but her expression did not reveal anything.
Taking a deep breath, Lillian willed herself to speak. "Yes. The blue dress. How much is it?"
"I . . . I . . . Rose! Please give me a minute." She smiled pleasantly.
"Yes!" A voice came from inside.
"Please come here! We have a customer!"
"Coming!"
Another woman appeared from the door, she was taller than the other woman with black hair to her chin.
"How may I help you?"
How are they so pretty??
"Uh . . . I want that blue dress."
Her expression darkened a bit but disappeared almost immediately.
"Are you sure it's the blue dress you want? We have plenty of other dresses, in the same shade of blue too." She gestures around her.
"Oh no. I only want that dress." Lillian felt disappointment creep into her. "Is . . . is it already bought?"
"Well-"
"No! It isn't bought yet." The first woman spoke up. They both exchanged glances.
"Please excuse us for a minute." Rose smiled and pulled the other woman behind the dresser.
Awkwardly waiting for a few minutes, Lillian stood still, scared she would destroy something if she moved.
She almost cried with relief when they came back.
"The dress is yours." Rose smiled.
"Really?!"
"Yes."
"Don't I need to do some fitting?"
"No, it is adjustable. You'll fit into it."
"Thank you so much. How much?"
Lillian left the boutique that day, her heart full. The dress she wanted for so long was now hers and she was in charge of planning for a masquerade ball. She felt like her life finally turning around for the better.
Making her way home, she was oblivious to the two pairs of eyes observing her. They twinkled like the night sky.