CHAPTER ONE

Sabrina's Pov

By the time I got back home from the cafe where I worked, it was already nighttime and the only thought that ran through my head was to jump right into the shower, and eat some home-cooked dinner made by my best friend and roommate; Coral, and then fall right into sleep, while trying my best not to let the thoughts of my piling debts and student loans interfere with my rest and pull me into insomnia.

I stepped through the threshold of our apartment, to be greeted by the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen. My stomach responded with a rumble, eagerly anticipating the moment that I would devour it.

"Hey, Rina," Coral's warm voice called out as she walked out of the kitchen to welcome me. There was a beaming smile stretching across her face, her coffee-colored eyes twinkling with a delight that seemed to hint at something.

“Hey, Coral. What's cooking?” I shamelessly allowed my appetite to take the lead.

“Oh, that. I was making us some Mac and cheese for dinner but had to pause because I got a call that might quite interest you.”

“What about it?” I frowned and waited for her to answer me.

Coral, who looked excited, wiggled her toes in a playful dance, savoring the moment. Typical playful Coral.

"Well...there's this exclusive elite party going on in town," she revealed with a mischievous grin, "and we're invited.”

"We?" I laughed sarcastically as I gestured between us with a finger. "You mean to say you were the one who received the invitation. Not us.”

Coral laughed off my doubt with a tap on my shoulder.

“Oh, come on Rina. Don't be such a killjoy!” Even though Coral was teasing, I knew very well that it was her who got the invitation and not me. Not us.

Coral and I came from vastly different worlds. Where I had been dealt a tough hand, orphaned and struggling to get by, she had grown up in a family of privilege and wealth. With her dad being a hotshot lawyer and her mom owning a fashion house, she was practically born into the city's upper crust, never wanting anything. Coral had connections with almost every wealthy elite in town. So, yes. The invitation was definitely for her. Not us. It could never be for us.

"I want you to come with me this time," Coral pleaded, her eyes hopeful. But my immediate response was a firm shake of my head.

"Coral, I understand your intentions are good, but I can't accept your invitation. That is not my world. You and I both know that…”

"And who exactly made that rule?" Coral retorted, her eyes rolling with exasperation at my statement. "There's no law that says you can't hang out with a certain crowd because you think you're not up to their standards. Don't tell me you are gonna go around wearing a sign that says, 'I'm different'. That's ridiculous. Cut the excuses and come to the damn party with me. You deserve to have fun, just like anyone else.”

"Coral..." I sighed, my fatigue and hunger bubbling to the surface. "I've just come back from work, I'm exhausted."

But Coral waved away my concerns and persisted.

"Don't worry about food, we'll have plenty at the party!" Then, she grabbed my hand, her eyes pleading. "Please, just come with me.”

I sighed and looked down at my feet. Coral's persistence was unstoppable, and it seemed that there was no way I could wriggle out of her grasp this time. She was as stubborn as she was sweet, and I knew that if I didn't give in now, she wouldn't let me breathe. I was tired, hungry, and not in the mood for this back and forth. Why couldn't she just let me rest?

Facing Coral once more, I mustered up my final excuse, hoping that she would fall for it this time.

"I don't have any appropriate dress for such an occasion. You know I've never been to a party like this before.”

My heart sank as Coral's laughter filled the air and she clapped her hands in a triumphant motion, her giddiness radiating throughout the room.

"You see!" she exclaimed, "This is the perfect opportunity for you to attend your first party! Come on, let's raid my wardrobe and find a dress that will be just right for you.”

Goodness! I felt like pulling my hair apart this instant!

With a sigh of resignation and a roll of my eyes, I allowed Coral to lead me upstairs to her room. As soon as we arrived, she opened her wardrobe and started pulling out dresses, inspecting each one before tossing it onto the bed. She also held up several dresses to my body but shook her head and threw them onto the bed too.

Just as I was about to open my mouth and nag again, Coral's face lit up as she pulled out a stunning gown. The golden fabric sparkled in the light, and intricate beading adorned the neckline and waistline. My breath caught in my throat at the sheer beauty of it.

"Perfect!" Coral gasped, a note of excitement in her voice. She raised the dress and held it against my body, her eyes bright with anticipation.

Despite its beauty, I shook my head in protest. Such a dress was far too extravagant and generous for me to accept.

“Oh, no. No, no, no.” I shook my head. “I cannot take that. That is too much…”

“Nothing is too much for you, Sabrina.” Coral's face radiated with enthusiasm. “You are my best friend and whatever is mine is automatically yours. You must wear this dress to the party. You are going to be the center of attention.”

Being the center of attention was something that I didn't fancy.

All my life, I had always wanted to be in the background and away from the spotlight. Thankfully, there was nothing peculiar about me that caught people's attention and I wanted it to remain this way. But I did not want to argue with Coral anymore and so, I nodded my head rather meekly and hesitantly at her.

Accepting the dress, I gingerly took it from her hand, my fingers hesitant, as if the garment was too magnificent to be handled by the likes of me.

“Th…thanks.”

“Ah, come on. It's nothing.” Coral laughed and hit my arm playfully again. “Just get changed and we'll be on our way. I'll be in my room getting ready in case you need me.”

I watched as Coral headed for the door and walked out, shutting the door gently behind her. My gaze traveled to the dress again and a sense of unease settled in me. Somehow, my spirit didn't quite settle and resonated with the idea of putting on this dress.

Little did I know that this shimmering dress would soon lead me down a path I never imagined, a path that would make me regret my decision to ignore my instincts.

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