CHAPTER 010
1164 Words
*GOTHIC GALA*
Flora's POV
What the heavenly f**k?
I stared at the phone screen shoved inches from my face, my eyebrows knitted together so tightly it almost hurt. The picture staring back at me was...something else.
A woman dressed head to toe in full gothic glory—all black clothes clinging to her body, jet-black hair falling straight like a curtain, heavy dark eyeliner that could cut glass, deep black lipstick, a chunky silver cross necklace, and knuckle rings that looked like something that came from thanos finger.
Hell.
She looked like she’d stepped out of a Tim Burton movie.
The curly-haired girl pulled her phone back with a proud little smirk. “Trust me, it works. Guys like that — cold, distant — they lose their minds over the gothic vibe. It’s the mystery. The whole ‘don’t touch me I’m dangerous’ energy.”
Another girl with blonde hair leaned forward, eyes sparkling with excitement. “Exactly. You’ve got to sell it hard. You’ve got to have your boobs out, chew your gum slow and sexy, drop random lines about communicating with the dead. My ex was exactly like your guy — super closed off, grumpy as hell. I pulled the Wednesday Addams look one night and he proposed two weeks later.”
I blinked slowly, processing. It sounded completely insane, but I was desperate enough to consider it. “Wait… he actually proposed?”
“Hand to God,” she said, placing a dramatic hand over her heart. “Confidence is everything. These men hate when you chase them. You walk in like the room belongs to you.”
The rest of the group jumped in, throwing tips at me left and right. I nodded along, scribbling notes on my phone like my life depended on it. Maybe this was ridiculous. Maybe I was ridiculous. Tyler had shut me down twice already. If gothic seductress was what it took, then gothic seductress I would become.
The next evening, the gala invitation mocked me from the hotel dresser. It was one of those big seasonal events for the players, their families, sponsors, and fans who’d paid top dollar for tickets. Lucille got us two.
I spent most of the afternoon scrolling through gothic fashion pages until I found the perfect look. I ordered it with rush delivery, and to my surprise, it arrived just in time.
The black velvet dress had a dramatic high collar, delicate lace details, long fitted sleeves, and a corset-style bodice that pushed everything up exactly where the girls had suggested.
I did my makeup heavy—sharp winged eyeliner, dark lips, pale foundation—and added the cross necklace and silver rings.
When I stepped back from the mirror, I barely recognized myself. I looked like Wednesday Addams had decided to crash a hockey gala.
Lucille walked out of the bathroom and stopped dead in her tracks, mouth falling open. “So… this is your big plan?”
I turned slowly, adjusting the lace cuffs with as much confidence as I could fake. “Watch and see.”
Lucille shook her head slowly, half laughing, half horrified. “Oh s**t, my best friend has completely lost it.”
The gala was already in full swing when we arrived. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, soft music floated through the air, and elegantly dressed people mingled everywhere.
The second I stepped through the doors, I felt the stares. A couple of people looked me up and down. One man blinked twice into his drink. Apparently, gothic funeral chic wasn't the preferred dress code tonight.
Megan spotted me almost immediately. She was near the bar in a stunning red dress, looking every bit the polished queen she was. Her eyes widened as I walked straight toward her.
“Whoa, Flora,” she said, lips curling into a mocking smile as she looked me up and down. “You look absolutely—”
“Gorgeous is the right word, honey,” I cut in smoothly, flashing her a confident smirk while chewing my gum slowly. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a bet to win.”
I left both Megan and Lucille behind without another glance and headed straight for the VVIP section. Four massive men sat at the main table — Tyler, Sean, and two other players I recognized from the ice. All intimidating as hell.
As I approached the velvet rope, a burly security guard stepped forward, holding up a hand. “Ma’am, this area is restricted to VIP guests only.”
I didn’t even slow down. “I’m Ty’s friend,” I said confidently, popping my gum. “Tyler Sinclair.”
The guard looked skeptical and glanced back toward the main table. Tyler, who had clearly noticed the commotion, met the guard’s eyes for a brief second before giving a small, almost reluctant signal with his finger.
The guard unclipped the rope. “Go ahead.”
I strode forward with my head high and pulled out an empty chair at their table without asking. I sat down like I belonged there, pushing my chest out slightly and crossing my legs.
The two guys I didn’t know stared at me, eyebrows shooting up. One nearly choked on his drink.
Sean’s mouth fell open in disbelief.
“What the f**k are you wearing?” he mouthed across the table, eyes wide.
Tyler just sat there, staring at me for a long moment, his usual scowl nowhere to be found. For a second, I thought I might actually be getting somewhere.
I chewed my gum slowly, deliberately, and winked at him. “Hey, Ty. Nice to see you again.”
One of his teammates cleared his throat, fighting back a laugh. “It’s you again.”
“It's me again.” I said, nodding.
“You look—”
“What inspired this…bold look tonight?” The other guy interrupted.
I leaned forward, twirling the gum around my finger before popping it back in. “Oh, you know. I communicate with the dead sometimes. The darkness just speaks to me. It’s very… freeing.” I batted my heavy lashes at Tyler. “Don’t you think it’s sexy?”
The other teammate coughed into his fist, barely holding it together. “Interesting. Very… unique choice for a gala.”
I kept going, fully committed now. “Most people are scared of the dark. But I embrace it. Ghosts don’t judge you. They just listen.” I rolled the gum out again, stretching it between my fingers while giving Tyler another wink.
Tyler remained speechless.He looked less attracted and more concerned for my mental wellbeing.
Before I could drop another gothic line, a tall, elegant woman I hadn’t seen before approached the table. She was stunning in a sleek silver gown, long auburn hair cascading down her back.
Without hesitation, she leaned down and kissed Tyler on the cheek, her arm resting casually on his broad shoulder.
“Hello, Ty,” she purred.
- Writer
