The day of the prom arrived, and Gia was a bundle of nerves. She had never been the type to enjoy large crowds or flashy events. Those were Mia's specialties—socializing, commanding attention, and living for the spotlight. Gia preferred to stay in the background, where she felt safe and comfortable.
As she was finishing breakfast and getting ready to meet Mia for their hair appointments, her mother called from downstairs.
"Gianna! Come down here for a moment!"
"Yes, Mother!" she answered, her voice echoing through the house as she made her way down the staircase.
Her mother stood in the living room, elegant and poised as always. She had shoulder-length brown hair streaked with subtle hints of gray, tied neatly in a bun. Her deep-set brown eyes were full of warmth but always carried a trace of quiet authority. Her olive-toned skin, inherited from her Italian roots, was smooth and glowing, giving her an ageless appearance. Gia had always admired her mother's timeless grace, even when she felt a world apart from it.
"You received a package," her mother said, holding up a large, elegantly wrapped box.
Gia frowned, her brow furrowing. "A package? But I didn't order anything."
"Well, someone must have sent it to you," her mother replied, setting the box on the coffee table.
Curious and a little wary, Gia approached the box. The wrapping paper was a rich ivory with a satin bow tied neatly at the top. She untied it carefully, and when she opened the box, her breath caught.
Inside was the most exquisite pale pink gown she had ever seen. The fabric shimmered softly under the light, its design simple yet breathtakingly elegant. Alongside the dress was a pair of fantasy butterfly-strap stiletto heels. The straps were delicately crafted to look like the wings of a butterfly, encrusted with fine crystals that sparkled with every tilt.
Her mother's eyes widened. "It's beautiful," she murmured, almost in awe.
Gia carefully lifted the dress from the box, letting the fabric flow like water over her hands. It was stunning—far more stunning than anything she could have imagined wearing.
"I didn't buy this," Gia said, still stunned.
"Well, someone did," her mother said, eyeing the dress. "It looks expensive. Very expensive."
Gia's mind raced as she tried to figure out who could have sent her such a gift. It couldn't have been Mia; they had already bought their dresses together. Adrian? No, that didn't seem like his style.
As she was about to place the dress back in the box, she noticed a folded note tucked into the corner. She pulled it out and unfolded it.
The note was written in beautiful, flowing handwriting:
"For tonight, let this dress show the world how extraordinary you are."
There was no name.
The message sent a shiver down Gia's spine. It was cryptic, mysterious, and strangely romantic. Who could have sent this?
"Are you going to wear it?" her mother asked, breaking her out of her thoughts.
"I don't think so," Gia said hesitantly. "It feels... I don't know. It's too much, and I already have a dress."
Her mother frowned. "Gianna, this dress was clearly sent with a lot of thought and care. If it makes you feel beautiful, then why not wear it? It's your prom, after all."
Gia bit her lip, torn between her initial hesitation and the allure of the gorgeous gown. After a lot of persuasion from her mother, she finally relented. "Fine, I'll wear it," she said with a sigh. "But only because it really is stunning."
Gia realized she was running late for her meet-up with Mia. She quickly freshened up, slipped on the dress, and grabbed the heels before rushing out the door.
When she arrived at the salon, Mia was already seated, her hair half-styled in soft, glamorous waves.
"You're late!" Mia said, mock-scolding her.
"Sorry, sorry," Gia said, sliding into the chair next to her. She leaned closer and whispered, "You're not going to believe what happened."
Mia's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Spill."
Gia told her everything—the mysterious package, the note, the dress, and the shoes. As she spoke, Mia's expression shifted from intrigue to confusion to delight.
"Okay, I have so many questions," Mia said. "First of all, who is this mystery admirer? And second, that dress sounds like something out of a fairytale. You have to wear it."
"I'm wearing it," Gia said. "But I have no idea who sent it. It's driving me crazy."
Mia grinned. "Well, whoever it is, they've got good taste."
As the stylists worked on their hair, Gia couldn't help but replay the events of the morning in her mind. The dress, the note, the timing—it all felt like something out of a storybook. But the mystery lingered, leaving her with more questions than answers.