The clock crept toward midnight, the city outside Amizee Trends dissolving into a blur of neon lights and oppressive shadows. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of expensive fabric and the lingering exhaustion of a grueling day. Most of the staff had already vanished, leaving only Zaria and Beryl in the hollow silence of the boutique.
Zaria leaned in hooking her arm through Beryl's with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Since you didn't have the honor of being summoned to the Vance Empire today," she purred, her voice echoing in the empty space, "why don't you be a sweetheart and handle the closing?"
Beryl let out a soft tired laugh, nudging her friend. "Come on, Zaria. Let's just close up together. It's faster that way."
Zaria stopped in her tracks, a predatory smile spreading ac
