CHAPTER 224: CHAPTER 224 - NOT READY TO BE INTERVIEWED ABOUT THIS

"This should work. It’s not really about standing out or making a statement anyway, just a small, throwaway detail that adds a minor refinement to your already high quality."

A delicate chain with five dangling thin triangles is offered to me. Though I’m just slightly hesitant to reach out for it with the box in her hand that feels like a bucket of cobras waiting to bite me.

"...So that one does not have any silver, to be clear?"

"Believe me, it does not. I made very sure of it with a jeweler friend. I have a lot of pieces made of niobium in here which are just as pretty. Which they should be, being a bit more expensive. It’s really just too bad..."

I can tell she is leading me to ask with that sigh - and with most people I would usually just hum and ignore them for such a transparent tactic. But she *is* going out of her way to help me out, so the least I could do is express some interest.

"What’s too bad?"

"She’s such a tomboy. Sent back all the jewelry last month I’d ever bought her. Said it didn’t fit her lifestyle and that I should stop pushing my ideals of fashion onto her if I wanted to remain the ’cool aunt’."

Well, attempt made - it feels safe to hum and look to the side now, so I do. She sets the box down and approaches behind me to fasten the necklace herself... since I was clearly not going to move closer.

It drapes down, mostly invisible around the turtleneck’s ruffling. But it does provide a little extra something at a glance that also doesn’t draw too much attention, just like she suggested things should be.

"Better. Now sit so I can fix your hair properly."

Anise points to a stool she brought over for the occasion, placed right beside one of the mirrors in the room. But I turn back to her while raising my chin with a look of mild displeasure.

"Fix. What exactly does that mean?"

"Citra, I love your hair - and yes, he’s already seen it and still raved. But this is your first interview. You want to look a bit more professional. Just trust me, okay? I won’t hurt it."

I settled in front of the mirror warily, watching her work. She took the first down carefully and adjusted where it was positioned down from the topside of my skull closer to the nape of my neck.

As she did so, she explained all the reasons why keeping *anything* too distracting from being part of what I display toward a client on our first meeting is key. They are really looking at my immutable qualities - like bone structure and natural vibrance.

Something I caught her studying in my reflection with that same teasing grin starting to spread on her face that I’ve seen her get a few times by now since meeting her. My stomach growled in discomfort at that look.

Or perhaps I just didn’t eat enough in my hurry.

"What?"

"It’s like you’ve... settled into yourself more. Found some kind of center? I’m not sure how to describe it."

Well. If she knew just whose ’center’ I found last night...

Vrika huffed at my overly direct joke and I accidentally smiled while thinking of... her. A little too smugly - and of course she noticed.

"Or maybe... you’re looking like a woman who got exactly what she wanted last night..."

Heat flooded my cheeks in a blush before I could stop it and she clapped her hands together, practically bouncing away while proudly yelling and grinning like she’s the one who won some prize.

"I KNEW IT! Oh my god, you had sex! That’s what’s different!"

I should just get up and walk away now. She is not going to let this go if I stay.

"Anise, I-"

"Don’t even try to deny it. Are you going to tell me this... glow is from your skincare routine? You already admitted that you’ve done much of nothing since you were at the spa."

"What glow?"

I squint at the mirror but don’t really see much of a difference myself. Is she talking about some kind of aura I’m putting off? Or are humans here actually able to tell when someone has recently coupled...

"Oh please, you’re practically luminous today now that I’m not busy looking at what you wore in here. And that little satisfied smirk? Very telling."

"I’m just feeling confident about the interview."

fre\e(w)ebn ov.e l\. co.m

"You’re feeling confident about *something* alright. This is fantastic! You two were wound so tight I was worried you’d snap like two pieces of dry chalk. But look at you now."

She gestured at my reflection and I had to admit that, despite being slightly tired mentally, my eyes weren’t just sharp but a touch brighter than usual. The way I’m holding my shoulders doesn’t even feel as forced to look like... well, a force.

Correct content is on

"...Was it good?"

The seamstress leaned in and asked with shameless curiosity. I tried saying nothing and looking to the side, but for her that seemed just as fine as nodding my head.

"Taking that as a yes. And while I did kind of assume... please tell me it was with a certain other client of mine?"

"You’re being very nosy. It would be a shame if all this help you are offering me went to no use."

She chuckled and pat my shoulder when I made the threat, seeming like she didn’t care either way. Or didn’t believe me that I would throw the opportunity to do this sort of job away just because her attitude is upsetting.

Damnit, she’s perceptive.

"Citra... from the sound of it, what I’ve done so far was plenty!"

Her suddenly... motherly smile along with those words make me think back to all the little nurturing advice attempts. Of course, it also makes me think of the meddling. Making me show up and run into Kyrie, inviting her to a group chat while she was drunk...

If she’s a mother she’s far different from mine and if she’s a friend she’s... well, she’s alright.

"The timing couldn’t be better, either. He was already happy with you but some nice sexual confidence? I know this is a winter collection, but that’s even more important. So much will be in the eyes."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better about discussing this right now?"

"Yes."

Holding my face in my hand, I try to not show the smile on my face in the mirror before I can get control of it.