Chapter 162: Three Days, No Regrets
The morning sun spilled lazily through the windows, washing the room in warm light. Standing in front of the mirror, Ephyra held up two dresses, one in each hand, her brow furrowed like she was solving a world crisis and not just choosing which to wear between two summer outfits.
Standing in a bathing robe, her red hair, styled into long soft curls, framed her shoulders and cascaded down her back like she’d just stepped out of a summer commercial.
"I mean, it’s just three days," she muttered. "But also... It’s three days."
Behind her, Jania leaned against the dresser’s edge, arms crossed and a grin playing on her lips. She was dressed casually, tablet in hand, and entertained.
"If you don’t pick an outfit soon, we’re going to miss the first tourist—I mean, historical landmark."
Ephyra gave her a sideways look. "We’re not starting with Times Square, are we?"
"Oh, heavens no," Jania scoffed. "I’m not that basic. First stop is the Met Cloisters. Way uptown. It’s like medieval Europe got lost and landed in New York. Think stone walls, tapestries, old gardens, and enough holy relics to spark an exorcism."
She paused for dramatic effect, then added, "Also, the pigeons there? Very judgmental. Don’t wear anything that screams ’tourist.’"
Ephyra let out a soft laugh and turned back to the mirror. In one hand, she held a dark red tank and white maxi skirt paired with red floral sandals and earth-toned accessories. The other outfit was softer—a pink ribbed strapless wrap top and a tiered white skirt, with delicate gold jewelry and a flower clip that made her look like a walking plumeria dream.
"I like the red one," Fira said, glancing down at it. "Feels a bit more... grounded?"
"It says: ’I came to glow and conquer.’ The pink one says: ’I came to sip mocktails and smell expensive hotel soaps.’ Honestly, it’s a win either way."
Ephyra laughed again, but this time it held something else—a little ache buried under the lightness. She looked at both outfits again, then at her reflection. "I just... want this to feel real."