Reflection Of Her

Chapter 5 — The Proposal

The smell of coffee and old books filled the shop as Selene leaned back in her chair, studying Ariana.

“So,” Selene said, her fingers tapping the counter, “you’re serious. You want to swap lives with me?”

Ariana swallowed hard. “I… I think it might give me perspective. Maybe a chance to be more than… a guest in my own life.”

Selene raised an eyebrow. “You mean, sit in my messy shop, haggle with clients, deal with scammers, and live without a chef, maid, or chauffeur?”

“Yes,” Ariana said quietly, “I want to see what freedom really feels like. And… maybe I can help you too.”

Selene laughed, a sharp, incredulous sound. “Help me? What, by living my life wrong?”

Ariana met her gaze steadily. “Not wrong. Different. You’re struggling with the antique scam… I might be able to handle that.”

Selene considered it. “So, it’s temporary. You experience my chaos, I experience your… palace life. Then we go back?”

Ariana nodded. “Exactly. One month. Just a trial.”

Selene smirked. “Alright. But if you survive a day dealing with my clients and my mess, I’ll owe you lunch for a year.”

“And if I survive your mansion life?” Ariana asked.

“You owe me,” Selene said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Everything. Including emotional therapy.”

The sisters laughed, the first real, unguarded laughter in years. Yet beneath the humor, a quiet current of unease lingered — because both of them sensed this wasn’t just a game.