A full recap
630 Words
Aurora had barely settled onto her bed, scrolling through her messages, when a soft knock echoed from her door. She sighed, stretching slightly before calling out, "Come in."
The door creaked open, revealing one of the housemaids, Lucia, carrying several high-end shopping bags. The familiar deep-blue ones from her favorite designer boutique and the elegant white ones from the luxury shoe store stood out immediately. Lucia, a petite woman in her late thirties, entered with practiced grace, balancing the bags carefully.
"Good evening, Miss Aurora," she greeted with a warm smile. "I’ve brought up your shopping."
Aurora sat up, gesturing toward the chaise lounge near the window. "You can set them there, Lucia. Thank you."
Lucia carefully placed each bag down, eyeing them with a mix of admiration and curiosity. "Miss Elena certainly influenced today’s shopping, didn’t she?"
Aurora smirked. "You know her too well. She practically forced me into half of these purchases."
Lucia chuckled, brushing her hands down her apron. "She does have an eye for fashion."
Aurora stood and approached the bags, pulling out a few of the dresses she had purchased. As she flipped through them, she paused on one—a deep emerald-green number with an exaggerated bow at the waist. It was stunning but entirely not her style. She could already hear Elena’s voice convincing her at the store, but even now, she knew she’d never wear it.
Turning to Lucia, she held up the dress. "This one’s not really me. Would you like to have it?"
Lucia’s eyes widened. "Miss Aurora, I—"
"No arguing," Aurora cut in with a teasing smile. "I know you have a daughter around my size. Maybe she’d like it, or you can keep it for yourself."
Lucia hesitated for a moment before carefully taking the dress, running her fingers over the silky fabric. "Thank you, Miss Aurora. My Maria would be beyond thrilled to wear something so beautiful."
Aurora waved her off. "Consider it a gift. And really, it’s the least I could do after how determined the salesgirl was to make me buy it. She worked hard."
Lucia chuckled. "Those boutique workers do know how to convince a customer."
They shared a small laugh before Lucia inclined her head slightly. "Well, I won’t keep you any longer. I’ll return shortly with news about dinner."
Aurora nodded. "Thanks, Lucia."
As the maid left, Aurora turned back to her shopping bags, pulling out a pair of designer heels Elena had insisted she buy. With a smirk, she shook her head. That woman had an unstoppable influence when it came to fashion.
Minutes later, another knock came at her door. This time, when it opened, Lucia stepped in with a more formal posture. "Dinner is being served soon, Miss Aurora. Your mother asked me to let you know."
Aurora sighed but nodded. "I’ll be down in a bit. What’s on the menu?"
Lucia smiled knowingly. "Sea bass and truffle risotto, among other things."
Aurora perked up slightly at that. "Not bad. Let me freshen up, and I’ll head down."
Lucia inclined her head politely before exiting, leaving Aurora alone once more. With a stretch, she made her way toward her wardrobe, contemplating which outfit to change into for dinner. Something simple but elegant. Her mother, after all, had an eye for details, and showing up in loungewear would only earn her a disapproving glance.
With a final glance at the dress she had gifted away, Aurora shook her head, amused at how even a simple shopping trip could turn into an entire event. She had no doubt Elena would be texting her later, demanding a full recap.
Smiling to herself, she stepped toward her vanity, preparing for another evening in the grand dining room of her family estate.
- Writer
