Elianna Sinclair was no ordinary person. She was a wealthy heiress herself and came from old money. She was also the best friend of Syrena Vale.
"What the hell am I supposed to do, Elle?" Syrena groaned aloud. She had just broken the news of her mother's latest scheme, which was for her to sell herself short as a bride to be to Alexander Graves.
"Well, my dear friend, your mother has always been cunning and ambitious, but this really does take the cake, doesn't it?" Elianna wondered out loud.
"Elle, I cannot go through with this," Syrena said, trying to back out of something she knew there was no where for her to go.
"Oh my.... but the Alexander Graves, that's going to be a long shot. I say this as your best friend, but it's not entirely an impossibility." Elianna mused with a small smile.
"You mean I actually stand a chance?" Syrena asked in disbelief.
"You, do. It's a matter of how you pull it off." She said plainly.
"How do you expect me to pull this one off?" Syrena asked slowly.
"You have to start behaving like an heiress, not just pretending to be one," Elianna said.
"Start by refraining from apologising at every turn and corner or mistake you make. Heiresses do not care for such matters; all they care about is being heard and seen. They care about building something for themselves besides just living with wealth at least the ones that are ambitious in their own right are, I suppose. Take up space and enjoy the luxuries life has to offer."
"But that's precisely the point Elle, I don't have luxuries to bask in, I'm drowning in family debts!" Syrena exclaimed aloud, then, realising she was in a public little cafe tucked in the corner of the street, she dropped her voice to a whisper.
"Will you help me win Alexander Graves?" She asked her friend.
"I will, no matter the cost, you can count on me," Elianna answered enthusiastically.
"Tonight is his gala at the main city's hall. We can give it a shot. I don't see any harm in getting him to notice you." She said with a wink.
"I am so grateful to have you as a friend," Syrena muttered before she took a sip of her tea. Yes, she was having tea in a cafe that specialised in coffee. Elianna was a coffee addict, and she was more of a tea person. She could not deny her best friend her coffee in the morning.
"Where do I even begin?" Syrena asked then looking up at her from the rim of her teacup.
"With your attitude. Girlfriend, you ain't gonna win nobody with a defeatist attitude," Elianna said firmly.
"Oh, alright," Syrena muttered, annoyed.
"First we start with your hair, eyebrows, perhaps a manicure and pedicure....oh and some outfits to look gorgeous in. You know what this means, don't you?" Elianna asked with glee.
"No, I don't", Syrena said puzzled for a moment.
"Oh dear God help this woman! It means it's time to do some shopping!" Elianna announced triumphantly.
"Elle, I cannot afford it right now. Won't some of your old clothes do the trick?" Syrena asked, unsure of herself for a moment.
"Oh my goodness, heavens NO!" Elianna exclaimed aghast that her friend could suggest something like that.
"My old clothes from last season will make you stick out like a sore thumb! You need a brand new dress to pull this heiress business off, and I am getting you one!"
"Elle, I cannot afford to pay you back..." Syrena began but Elianna cut her off, saying.
"What sort of friend would I be if I asked you to pay me back? I am an heiress for goodness' sake, I can afford to get you a few things before he can shower you with things."
"He who? You lost me." Syrena commented.
"Alexander Graves!" Elianna exclaimed.
"We are wasting time talking, we need to get things done we only have a few hours before this evening's gala. Now you best keep up Syrena, if you want to do this, then you really need to go all out for it." Elianna said while she paid the bill and linked her arm with Syrena's.
After a dozen stores and saloons, they finally got everything they needed. They had managed to do so just in time for lunch.
"I am starving." Syrena muttered.
"We'll stop at the Italian restaurant on the way back for a quick bite. We can go to my place for lunch if you want, and you can spend the day over, since we'll be getting ready together for the gala this evening."
"Thanks, Elle", Syrena said, giving her friend a grateful look.
"Don't mention it. This evening I shall be your fairy godmother." Elianna said with a laugh.