Speak of the devil

Ariana stirred slowly, caught somewhere between sleep and wakefulness as the faint hum of the city drifted through her window. The soft rustle of curtains followed, swaying gently with the morning breeze. Sunlight poured into her room in warm golden streaks, brushing against the pink-and-white walls and dancing across the delicate floral patterns on her bedding. She blinked, lashes fluttering as she adjusted to the light, and a quiet sigh slipped from her lips. Her body stretched instinctively beneath the comforter—arms reaching upward, fingers curling slightly, toes pressing into the softness of the sheets. The faint lavender scent from her pillow lingered in the air, blending with the fresh, earthy smell of the tiny flower pot resting on her bedside table. Ariana inhaled deeply. Slowly, Peacefully. Her lips curved into a soft, sleepy smile. This… this was her kind of morning. Quiet. Gentle. Unhurried. A morning that didn’t demand anything from her. A morning that simply existed. “Mm…” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “This feels too perfect.” She rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling for a moment longer, letting the stillness wrap around her like a second blanket. Then— A loud bang shattered the calm. Ariana flinched. Another knock followed—louder this time. Urgent. Chaotic. Completely ruining the peace. Something clattered outside, like metal hitting a surface. Ariana closed her eyes again, dropping her head back into the pillow dramatically. “…Of course,” she muttered. A small smile tugged at her lips despite herself. “Only one person knocks like that.” The banging continued. “Ari! Open up before I break this door!” Ariana laughed under her breath, pushing herself up reluctantly. “I’m coming!” she called, her voice still thick with sleep. She swung her legs off the bed, her bare feet sinking into the warm rug as she stretched one last time. Her hair fell messily over her shoulders, dark strands catching the sunlight in soft glints. Dragging herself toward the door, she reached for the handle— The door flew open before she could even turn it properly. “Ari!” Emily rushed in like a storm, wrapping her in a tight hug that nearly knocked the breath out of her. Ariana staggered back slightly. “Whoa—Emily—!” “I missed you!” Emily exclaimed dramatically, pulling back only to grab her shoulders. “Even though we literally saw each other yesterday, but that’s not the point!” Ariana laughed, shaking her head. “You’re too loud for this time of the morning.” “And you’re too calm,” Emily shot back, eyes narrowing. “Why are you still in bed? Do you know what time it is?” Ariana glanced lazily toward the window. “Morning?” Emily stared at her. “Ariana.” “Yes, Emily.” “It is almost ten.” Ariana blinked. “…That’s still morning.” Emily threw her hands in the air. “No! That is late morning. There’s a difference!” Ariana walked past her toward the couch, completely unbothered. “Time is a social construct.” Emily followed her instantly. “Don’t start that nonsense with me this early.” Ariana dropped onto the couch, grabbing her phone. “I’m just saying—” Before she could finish, a pillow hit her. “Ariana Davis!” Ariana gasped, laughing as she held up her hands. “Violence? This is how you greet me?” “Yes!” Emily snapped, grabbing another pillow. “Because you’re not serious!” “I just woke up!” Ariana defended, still smiling. “My brain hasn’t even started working yet.” “That’s exactly my problem!” Emily said. “We have plans today. Important ones. And you’re here scrolling like you don’t have a future!” Ariana tilted her head. “My future will wait five minutes.” “No, it won’t!” Emily shot back, then paused, studying her carefully. “…Have you eaten?” Ariana froze. “…Does water count?” Emily’s jaw dropped. “Oh my God.” “I just woke up,” Ariana repeated calmly. “You haven’t eaten, brushed, or even stood properly since I got here!” “I stood to open the door.” “That does not count!” Ariana laughed, pulling a pillow over her face. “You’re stressing me.” “And you’re stressing me,” Emily said, crossing her arms. “Get up. Now.” Ariana peeked at her. “…What if I don’t?” Emily smiled slowly. “Then I will drag you.” There was a brief pause. Ariana immediately stood up. “See? Growth,” Emily said proudly. “Fear,” Ariana corrected, walking toward her room. “It’s fear.” “Fifteen minutes!” Emily called after her. “Not sixteen!” “Yes, ma’am!” “And don’t go back to sleep!” “I won’t!” “Don’t lie to me!” “I’m not lying!” Emily waited. “…Okay, maybe a little,” Ariana admitted, laughing as she disappeared into her room. Emily shook her head, smiling despite herself. “This girl…” — By the time Ariana returned, the apartment smelled warm and inviting—buttery toast, lightly fried eggs, and something faintly sweet lingering softly in the air. She stepped into the living area, adjusting the strap of her soft pink dress, the fabric hugging her figure just enough without trying too hard. Her hair was tied into a loose bun, a few delicate strands escaping to frame her face, giving her that effortless, almost unfair kind of softness. Emily turned— …and froze. Her eyes narrowed. Then widened. Then narrowed again. “…Okay,” she said slowly, her tone dipping into something between confusion and suspicion. “What is going on?” Ariana blinked, pausing mid-step. “What?” Emily didn’t answer immediately. She just stared—dragging her gaze from Ariana’s head down to her shoes… then back up again, slower this time, like she was analyzing a crime scene. Then she pointed. At her. “You.” Ariana frowned slightly, glancing down at herself as if she might’ve missed something. “What about me?” “You look—” Emily started, then stopped, visibly struggling to land on the right word. Her brows furrowed. “—ridiculously good.” Ariana’s lips twitched, but she said nothing. Emily took a step closer. Then another. “Actually, no,” she corrected, squinting harder now. “Not just good. Suspiciously good.” Ariana let out a small laugh, brushing past her toward the table. “It’s just a dress.” “No,” Emily said immediately, following after her like a detective who had just caught a lead. “No, no, no. Don’t do that. Don’t downplay it.” She gestured wildly. “This is not just a dress situation.” Ariana picked up a fork, inspecting it like the conversation wasn’t about her. “You’re being dramatic.” “I am not being dramatic,” Emily shot back. “It’s the glow.” Ariana paused mid-motion. “The what?” “The glow,” Emily repeated firmly, crossing her arms as if that settled everything. “You’re glowing.” Ariana turned to face her fully now, one brow arching. “Maybe I’m just naturally this beautiful.” Emily’s eyes narrowed into thin slits. “Mm-hmm,” she hummed, clearly unconvinced. “Suspicious.” Ariana smiled, slow and teasing, before turning back to the table. “You’re jealous.” “I am not jealous,” Emily scoffed immediately. A beat. “…Okay,” she admitted, her voice dropping just slightly. “Maybe a little.” Ariana laughed under her breath, but Emily wasn’t done. Her gaze sharpened again. “Wait,” she said suddenly, stepping forward. “Where are you actually going?” Ariana didn’t look up. “The mall. Like we planned.” Emily tilted her head. “Yeah… no.” Ariana sighed. “What now?” Emily leaned in slightly, lowering her voice like she was about to expose something serious. “People don’t just wake up and decide to look like this to go to the mall,” she said slowly. “This is… intentional.” Ariana rolled her eyes, but there was the faintest hesitation in her movements now. Emily caught it instantly. “Aha,” she pointed again, sharper this time. “There it is.” “There is nothing,” Ariana said, a little too quickly. Emily gasped softly, like she’d just uncovered a scandal. “Oh my God.” “What?” “You’re meeting someone.” Ariana turned, giving her a flat look. “I am not.” “You are.” “I’m not.” “You are,” Emily insisted, nodding to herself like she had already won the argument. “And whoever it is—” she gestured up and down again “—they’re about to have the best day of their life.” Ariana shook her head, grabbing her bag. “You need help.” Emily smirked, folding her arms. “Maybe,” she said lightly. “But I’m not wrong.” Ariana walked past her, heading toward the door without another word. But just before she stepped out— “Ariana?” She paused, her hand still resting on the handle, then glanced back. Emily’s smile shifted—slower now, sly, curious. “Please tell me his name,” she said, tilting her head slightly. “I promise I won’t tell anyone.” Ariana held her gaze for a second too long. Something flickered—quick, almost unnoticeable. Then she scoffed softly, pushing the door open. “Eat your breakfast, Emily.” She stepped out— Then stopped. A second later, she stepped back in. Emily blinked. “What?” Ariana reached for the plate, picking up a fork like nothing had just happened. She took a bite. Paused. Her brows lifted slightly. “…Wait.” Emily stiffened instantly. “What?” Ariana glanced down at the food, then back at her. “This is actually good.” For a second, Emily just stared— Then her entire face lit up. “I told you!” “I was expecting disaster,” Ariana admitted, taking another bite, slower this time. “Wow,” Emily said, placing a hand dramatically on her chest. “The disrespect.” Ariana shrugged, completely unbothered. “I’m just being honest.” “I cook now, thank you very much.” Ariana shot her a look. “Since when?” “Since…” Emily hesitated, waving her hand vaguely. “Recently.” “That doesn’t sound convincing.” “Just eat your food!” Ariana let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as she took another bite. “Okay, okay. I’m impressed.” Emily tried—and failed—to hide her smile. They ate for a moment, the tension from earlier dissolving into something softer, quieter… familiar. Then— Emily leaned forward suddenly, her eyes lighting up again. “Ari.” Ariana didn’t look up. “Hmm?” “Have you heard about Kaelion Valemont?” Ariana paused mid-bite. Then slowly looked up. “…Why would you bring that name into my peaceful morning?” Emily grinned. “Because it’s interesting.” “No,” Ariana said firmly. “Anything about that man is distracting.” Emily leaned closer. “There’s a rumor.” Ariana sighed. “There’s always a rumor.” “This one is different.” Ariana rested her chin on her hand. “…Fine. What is it?” Emily lowered her voice dramatically. “They’re saying he might be gay.” Ariana blinked. Then shook her head immediately. “No.” “You didn’t even think about it!” “I don’t need to,” Ariana replied. “That man? Impossible.” Emily burst out laughing. “What does that even mean?” “I mean look at him,” Ariana said, gesturing vaguely. “Everything about him—his presence, his voice, the way he carries himself—it doesn’t match.” “That’s not how it works,” Emily said, still laughing. “I’m serious,” Ariana insisted. “He just doesn’t seem like it.” Emily tilted her head. “…Or maybe you just don’t want him to be.” Ariana paused. “…That’s not the point.” Emily smirked. “It is exactly the point.” Ariana rolled her eyes, but a small smile betrayed her. “You’re annoying.” “And you’re in denial.” “Am not.” “Are too.” They stared at each other for a second— Then both burst into laughter. After a moment, Emily leaned back in her chair with a dreamy sigh. “Honestly… if I ever met him, I’d forget how to breathe.” Ariana nodded slowly. “Same.” “My brain would just shut down.” “Completely blank,” Ariana agreed. “No thoughts. Just… staring.” “That’s embarrassing.” “Very.” They laughed again, the tension dissolving into something light and easy. Then Emily suddenly straightened. “Wait.” Ariana raised a brow. “What?” “Tomorrow.” Ariana’s expression shifted. “The interview,” Emily said. Silence fell briefly—but this time, it wasn’t lazy or playful. It was focused. Ariana sat up straighter. “Right.” Emily leaned forward. “This is it, Ari. This is our chance.” “We walk in confident,” Ariana said. “We don’t let them intimidate us,” Emily added. “We answer everything perfectly.” “And we leave an impression.” Ariana picked up her glass, her gaze steady now. “We get that job.” Emily smiled, lifting hers. “We take that job.” Their glasses clinked softly. “Tomorrow,” Ariana said. “Tomorrow,” Emily echoed. “—we conquer. " but first of all, we have to conquer the clothes" Emily reminded and smiled deeply while Ariana just continues eating