Not too long ago, in a luxurious, quaint ladies' cloth shop, the interiors were bathed in warm golden light from the ornate chandeliers that hung above.
Gossamer drapes billowed softly from the ceiling, and elegant mannequins showcased the shop's finest bikinis. The walls were adorned with a mesmerizing array of fabrics, from the shiniest silks to the softest cotton, in every color imaginable.
However, the atmosphere was laden with tension. Ceti's sharp glare sent the last of the shop's patrons scurrying away, leaving her and her mother in an oasis of solitude amidst the paradise of textiles.
The reverberations of the door chime echoed in the empty shop as Ceti hesitated, her fiery demeanor contrasting with the gentle surroundings.
She felt too self-conscious coming here, and so she had no choice but to shoo everyone out, lest she feel their prying gazes on her.
