At the restaurant, Sarafina and Sophie sat comfortably, chatting about work and the challenges of being interns. Their conversation drifted to Mr. Yung's strict nature and how demanding he could be with assignments.
Just as Sophie was about to share another amusing story, Sarafina's phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw Tony's name flashing.
"Excuse me," she said politely before answering.
"Hello," she greeted, her tone soft. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine," Tony replied. "Where are you?"
Sarafina hesitated. She wasn't sure why, but the idea of telling Tony that an intern had taken her out to shop made her feel oddly embarrassed.
"Nothing much," she said vaguely.
Tony didn't push. Instead, he asked, "When are you free?"
"Tomorrow night," she answered after a brief pause.
"Alright," he said before hanging up.
Sarafina stared at her phone for a moment, lost in thought. Tony's call had been brief, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he had been checking if she was with Sophie.
"Who was that?" Sophie asked, leaning in with a curious smile. "And why are you blushing?"
Sarafina quickly shook her head, trying to suppress a smile.
"It's nothing," she said.
Sophie gave her a knowing look. "It's okay if you don't want to tell me."
Sarafina sighed, then confessed, "It was Mr. Ukay—Tony."
Sophie gasped. "Really? Are you two… something?"
"No, no!" Sarafina waved her hands dismissively. "He's just nice to me."
Sophie raised an eyebrow. "Do you think he has feelings for you?"
"Come on, don't overthink it," Sarafina said, rolling her eyes playfully. "He's just being nice."
"No offense, but…" Sophie smirked.
Sarafina simply laughed, brushing off the topic. With their meal finished, they headed to the beauty house, still chatting about work and other lighthearted things.
After an enjoyable dinner at the restaurant, Sophie led Sarafina to one of the most exclusive beauty houses in the city. The moment they stepped inside, the sleek interior exuded luxury—crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, while the intoxicating scent of exotic oils filled the air.
Sarafina hesitated at the entrance. "Sophie, I don't think—"
"No objections," Sophie interrupted, pulling her inside. "Tonight is about transformation. Trust me, you'll love it."
The stylists greeted them warmly, and Sophie wasted no time taking charge.
"She wants a complete makeover—something bold, elegant, and unforgettable," Sophie declared confidently.
Sarafina let out a nervous laugh. "I just need something simple—"
"Nonsense," Sophie waved her off. "You're about to look like a goddess."
Before Sarafina could protest further, she was gently ushered into a chair, and the transformation began.
Her signature long, curly hair was trimmed into a sleek, shoulder-length cut, then straightened to perfection. The soft waves that once framed her face were now gone, replaced with a sharp, sophisticated look that highlighted her high cheekbones and graceful neckline.
Next came her eyes. The stylists carefully adjusted her eyelids, shaping them to enhance her gaze, making them appear more striking and alluring. Her brows were sculpted with precision, and the subtle yet refined makeup brought out an elegance she had never seen in herself before.
When they finally turned her towards the mirror, Sarafina gasped.
The woman staring back at her was breathtakingly different—poised, confident, radiant. It was as if she had stepped into a new version of herself.
Sophie grinned in satisfaction. "Now that's what I call a masterpiece."
Sarafina reached up, touching her sleek hair, disbelief flickering in her eyes. "I… I don't even recognize myself."
"Good," Sophie said playfully. "Because from this moment on, you're not just Sarafina. You're the woman who makes heads turn."
Sarafina let out a small chuckle, but deep inside, she felt something shift. This wasn't just about looking different.
It was about stepping into the woman she was always meant to be.