Chapter 8: Their Future
The evening arrived quicker than Lilia had anticipated. She and Sabrina sat in front of large vanity mirrors as two different makeup artists and hair designers worked on them. Their fingers moved deftly, ensuring every detail was perfect—from the smallest flick of eyeliner to the intricate styling of their hair.
The room was quiet except for the occasional rustle of brushes, the soft hiss of hair sprays, and the faint hum of background music. The silence was comfortable at first, but it became heavier with every passing second, until Sabrina, true to her nature, broke it.
"Wow, I'm beautiful with or without makeup," she said smugly, tilting her head to admire her reflection in the mirror. She then glanced at the makeup artist working on her, waiting for validation. The artist gave a polite nod, her expression remaining neutral, but her hands moved skillfully, as if the comment had barely registered.
Lilia kept her gaze fixed on her lap. She wasn't in the mood for Sabrina's usual self-praise. As the makeup artist working on Sabrina continued her work, she finally spoke, her tone light yet deliberate.
"Yes, your face is good for makeup," she said with a small smile, "but your sister—" She glanced briefly at Lilia. "She doesn't even need makeup at all. Her skin is flawless, and her features are naturally beautiful."
The other artist, who was focused on perfecting Lilia's look, nodded in agreement. "That's true. Honestly, I barely need to do anything here. She's stunning as is."
Lilia's cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and shyness, the compliment catching her off guard, especially since she rarely received one. Compliments, when directed her way, always felt foreign—like they weren't truly meant for her but simply misplaced.
Sabrina's jaw tightened at the makeup artist's words, her smile wavering for a fleeting moment before she forced a smirk. It was the kind of expression that didn't quite reach her eyes, as though she were trying to suppress a bitter retort.
"That's enough," Sabrina said sharply, her voice cutting through the air with a quiet but firm tone. "I need silence."