CeCe sat in front of the vanity mirror meticulously applying her makeup. Her fingers moved with practiced precision, contouring her cheeks, lining her lips and blending the eyeshadow into a perfect smoky gradient.

  Her long lashes fluttered as she examined her reflection, tilting her head slightly to see if the light caught her face just right. Behind her, Ms. M stood with arms crossed, watching in silence.

  “Are you sure about this?”

  “Yes.” CeCe didn’t even hesitate.

  Ms. M searched CeCe’s reflection but all she saw was a calm, almost serene expression. Just a quiet determination with no flicker of uncertainty. With a quiet sigh, she spoke.

  “You know if you wait a little longer, you’ll definitely make it. Your momentum is building. The drama’s about to wrap up and once it airs in full you’ll gain even more fans. You don’t have to do this.”

  “But how long do I have to wait?” CeCe's voice was steady but her grip on the brush tightened. “Four years. It’s been more than four years. No matter what I do Ms. M, this is the furthest I can go with my ability alone.”

  She turned slightly, finally meeting Ms. M’s gaze in the mirror.

  "I want to gamble, I want to reach the top.”

  Ms. M stilled, her expression hardening as she studied the young woman before her. Then after a beat she gave a short nod.

  “Alright then. Since we're doing this we have to do it right.” She walked over to the desk and placed a folder in front of CeCe. “It’s the list of attendees.”

  CeCe picked it up, her brows furrowing slightly as Ms. M began listing names and backgrounds. Detailing their influence, their reputations and their weaknesses.

  These men weren’t just rich, they were powerful in their own right. But power was a dangerous thing to reach for. There was a fine line between ambition and self-destruction.

  Her gaze settled on one name: Hanson Li.

  “He’s influential enough.” She murmured. “Not the richest, not the most powerful but…” She trailed off, considering.

  Hanson Li was at that delicate tier of influence. Prominent enough to give her a solid step up but not untouchable. She could climb from there.

  Ms. M studied her choice but said nothing. Instead, she glanced at the reflection of the young woman in front of her. The red dress clung to CeCe’s figure, bold against the soft lighting of the room. A striking color that demanded attention.

  She exhaled slowly then closed her eyes.

  “So be it.”

  ****

  The soirée was an exclusive affair, an invitation-only gathering where the city’s elite mingled over expensive wine and hushed conversations. Held at a lavish hotel ballroom the event carried an air of effortless opulence. A place where fortunes were made and alliances were forged under the golden glow of chandeliers.

  This particular night, the event was hosted by a renowned film executive. It had become a celebration masked as a charity gala. Officially, it was for the arts. A noble effort to support up-and-coming talents in the industry.

  Unofficially, its true purpose was less spoken of. Lingering in the spaces between murmured conversations and knowing glances, it's an event draped in glamour yet no one truly knew what transpired behind its shimmering facade.

  Just beyond the grand doors, CeCe stood still for a moment. The soirée was in full swing by the time she arrived and with a slow breath she stepped forward. Her heels clicking against the marble floor as she stepped into the grand hall. Chandeliers glowed overhead casting a warm golden light on the crowd of elegantly dressed guests.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Laughter and the gentle hum of conversation filled the air, accompanied by the soft clinking of glasses. Everything was perfect, exquisite, refined and intoxicating.

  CeCe smiled as if she belonged there.

  She moved with effortless grace, her red dress hugging her body in all the right places. Her every motion deliberate. She had learned how to walk this tightrope while maintaining the balance between allure and restraint. She was here to be seen- to be noticed. To be chosen.

  The first hour was a blur of polite greetings and empty flattery. Men glanced at her, some with curiosity others with amusement but all with appraisal. She played her part well, engaging in light conversation and laughing at the right moments. But none of them mattered.

  She have a goal.

  Hanson Li.

  She finally spotted him near the bar, glass in hand and engaged in quiet conversation with another man.

  Taking a breath, she approached him. Her pulse quickening.

  “I love the vibe.” She said casually. “Mind if I join you?”

  Hanson turned toward her, a faint smirk curving his lips as he studied her.

  “Go ahead.” He gestured towards the seat. “To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure, Miss...?”

  “CeCe. CeCe Concepcion.” She said, offering her hand.

  “CeCe Concepcion.” His smile solidified as he repeated. “Surely, I don’t need to introduce myself.”

  CeCe let a small smile play on her lips. “Of course! I’ve heard a lot about you... Mr. Hanson Li.”

  “Good things, I hope.” He chuckled knowingly, motioning for the bartender.

  A glass of wine appeared in front of her. She accepted it with a small nod, her fingers brushing against his as she took it. Deliberate and subtle.

  A test.

  Hanson observed her over the rim of his glass. “You carry yourself well.” He noted while taking a slow sip. “Confident. Comfortable.”

  CeCe smiled. “Confidence opens doors.”

  “And what doors are you hoping to open tonight, Miss Concepcion?”

  “CeCe.” she corrected smoothly, tilting her glass ever so slightly. “The ones worth walking through, I hope.”

  Hanson Li’s hand casually drifted to CeCe’s back as they conversed. He leaned in a fraction too close. The heat of his breath grazing her skin. He's toying with her. Testing the waters and seeing how far she’d let him go.

  CeCe didn’t flinch. Instead, she met his touch with a well-placed glance and a slow unreadible smile.

  “I must say, this color suits you.” He murmured, his gaze lingering just a second too long on the curve of her chest. “It’s quite…striking.”

  CeCe chuckled, lifting her glass to her lips. “Red is a bold choice and oftentimes boldness pays off.”

  Hanson’s smirk deepened, his gaze never straying far. “A woman after my own heart.” He mused, setting his drink down. “I admire boldness.”

  CeCe hummed noncommittally, swirling the wine in her glass. The stem felt cool beneath her fingers, grounding her just a little. She could still feel the weight of his hand at her back, light but deliberate.

  She had played this game before. Let them think they were leading when in truth she was the one pulling the strings. And yet…

  The warmth of the room suddenly felt stifling as a flicker of doubt wove through the certainty she prided herself on. She exhaled softly, setting her glass down with a delicate clink.

  “Excuse me for a moment.” She said, her smile as sweet as ever. “I just need to freshen up.”

  “Of course.” He said, amusement threading through his voice as his fingers brushed against her waist when she shifted away. “Don’t take too long, girlie. I’d hate to lose such charming company.”

  CeCe chuckled, then, without another glance, turned on her heel and walked away.

  Each step felt heavier than the last.

  By the time she reached the dimly lit corridor she let out a slow, unsteady breath.

  She needed a moment. Just a moment.

  Then, she’d go back and play the game.

  Like always.

  ***

  Inside the restroom, CeCe locked the door behind her with a soft click. She didn’t move. Didn’t sigh nor fidget.

  She simply stood before the mirror, her expression unreadable. Staring not at herself, but at the dress that clung to her body.

  Red. Like fire. Bold and unyielding .

  The color clung to her reflection like a promise. It should have made her feel powerful. Desirable. Unstoppable.

  Instead...

  A crack split through her composure as a wry, almost mocking smile tugged at her lips. She exhaled barely a whisper, staring herself down.

  A crack split through her composure as she let out a wry, almost mocking smile tugged at her lips. Barely above a whisper, she stared herself down.

  “Didn’t you say this suited you best? Didn't you always want this red dress?”

  She arched her delicate brow as if waiting for an answer from the mirror.

  “You have it.” Her lips curld slightly. “Now you have it.”

  But the mirror offered nothing but her own unblinking gaze. CeCe exhaled sharply, fingers tightening against the cool porcelain of the sink.

  It wasn’t supposed to feel like this.

  She had imagined it a hundred times before. But now that it was here, now that she was the one wearing it…

  It’s different.

  But her reflection didn’t care for her hesitations.

  CeCe straightened, her posture snapping into place. The unease pressing against her ribs was crushed beneath sheer will.

  Her expression hardened.

  “This is what you desire.” She murmured, louder this time. Each word clipped and deliberate.

  She inhaled slowly.

  “You have to live with it.”

  She turned from the mirror, smoothed down the fabric of her dress and walked out.

  Like nothing ever happened.