Jay-Jay's POV
The next morning the mansion was unusually loud.
Not chaotic loud.
Excited loud.
Which was somehow worse.
I walked down the staircase slowly, tying my hair into a loose ponytail, already regretting waking up early.
From the living hall below I could hear voices.
Loud voices.
Sebastian's voice echoed through the house.
"NO. That suit makes you look like a waiter."
Percy gasped dramatically.
"I look like a fashion icon!"
Leo's calm voice followed.
"You look like someone who spent three hours choosing a tie."
Aurora and Chloe were laughing loudly.
I stopped halfway down the staircase and sighed.
"Why do I live with children?"
Percy immediately looked up.
"BABY SISTAH!"
He ran dramatically toward the staircase.
I stared at him.
"Why are you running?"
Percy placed a hand over his chest.
"Today is a very important day."
Sebastian smirked from the couch.
"We're going shopping."
Percy pointed at him.
"Luxury shopping."
Aurora clapped excitedly.
"We need outfits for the masquerade."
Chloe nodded enthusiastically.
"And masks!"
Leo grabbed his car keys.
"Everyone ready?"
Percy looked at me.
"Baby sistah, you're driving with me."
I frowned.
"No."
Sebastian laughed.
"She knows you'll talk about your hair the whole ride."
Percy flipped his hair.
"Beauty deserves appreciation."
—
Thirty minutes later we were standing in one of London's most luxurious shopping districts.
The streets were filled with designer boutiques and glass storefronts glowing under the afternoon light.
Aurora looked around excitedly.
"This place is insane."
Sebastian whistled.
"We're definitely going broke today."
Leo pointed toward the first store.
"Start there."
Percy nodded dramatically.
"Yes."
Then he turned to us with a serious expression.
"Remember."
We stared at him.
"This is not shopping."
He raised a finger.
"This is art."
Sebastian whispered to Chloe,
"He needs help."
—
The boutique inside looked elegant and quiet.
Soft music played in the background while rows of luxury gowns filled the showroom.
Aurora walked directly toward the dresses.
"Oh my god."
Chloe picked up a peach-colored gown.
"This one is beautiful."
Percy inspected the fabric like a professional fashion critic.
"Acceptable."
Sebastian rolled his eyes.
"Who made you the fashion judge?"
Percy pointed at himself.
"Me."
—
Aurora suddenly pulled out a stunning silver and grey gown.
The fabric shimmered softly under the lights.
Thin straps rested over the shoulders while the skirt flowed elegantly.
Aurora held it up in front of herself.
"I love this."
Chloe nodded immediately.
"That's gorgeous."
Percy tilted his head.
"Yes."
Aurora smiled proudly.
"Perfect."
Then she added confidently,
"This time I'm going with YSL. It screams baddie vibe."
Sebastian nearly laughed.
"Baddie vibe?"
Aurora flipped her hair.
"Yes."
Percy approved.
"Confidence is attractive."
—
Chloe was still examining the peach and pink dress she had picked.
The gown had a soft peach skirt while the upper part faded into a delicate pink shade.
She stepped toward the mirror holding it up.
"What do you think?"
Aurora smiled.
"That's beautiful."
Chloe nodded.
"I'm thinking of going with the peach Louboutins."
She looked down thoughtfully.
"They match with my dress."
Percy clapped.
"Finally someone with taste."
Sebastian whispered to Leo,
"I feel like we're trapped in a fashion reality show."
—
I walked further into the boutique quietly.
Most of the dresses were beautiful.
But none of them felt right.
Until I saw it.
The deep wine -red gown.
It hung near the far corner of the room like a piece of art.
Elegant.
Simple.
Powerful.
The off-shoulder design framed the neckline while the fabric flowed smoothly to the floor.
The color was deep and rich.
Aurora noticed me staring.
"Jay?"
I walked toward it slowly.
"This one."
Chloe gasped softly.
"That's stunning."
Percy appeared beside me instantly.
He examined the dress seriously.
Then he nodded.
"Approved."
Sebastian looked confused.
"You approve her dress?"
Percy shrugged.
"Baby sistah has excellent taste."
I turned to the mirror holding the dress against myself.
Aurora smiled.
"That's the one."
Chloe nodded.
"Yes."
Percy crossed his arms proudly.
"Of course it is."
—
An hour later we had moved on to the shoe section.
Rows of luxury heels lined the shelves like expensive artwork.
Aurora immediately walked toward the designer display.
"This time I'm going with YSL."
She picked up a pair of sleek silver heels.
"It screams baddie vibe."
Sebastian laughed.
"You've said that three times already."
Aurora ignored him.
"These are perfect."
Chloe picked up another pair of louboutin heels.
Soft peach color.
Elegant design.
"I'm thinking of going with my peach Louboutins," she said thoughtfully.
"They match with my dress."
Percy nodded proudly.
"Excellent coordination."
Leo looked bored.
"All heels look the same."
Every girl in the room turned toward him slowly.
Leo immediately raised his hands.
"I take that back."
—
I walked toward another display.
The elegant red-soled louboutin heels caught my attention immediately.
Classic.
Sharp.
Perfect.
"Those," Percy said instantly.
I picked them up.
"Good choice."
Sebastian leaned closer.
"How much are those?"
Percy covered his ears.
"DO NOT SAY THE PRICE."
Sebastian laughed.
"You're afraid of numbers?"
Percy glared.
"I'm afraid of poor energy."
—
Finally we moved to the mask section.
Rows of beautiful masquerade masks decorated the shelves.
Chloe immediately picked up a black one with delicate designs.
"This one."
Aurora examined a grey and pink mask.
"This matches my dress."
Percy grabbed a black and gold mask dramatically.
"Boys will wear these."
Sebastian tried it on.
"I look like a villain."
Percy nodded proudly.
"You are."
I picked up a white mask.
Elegant.
Simple.
Perfect.
Aurora smiled.
"That looks amazing."
Sebastian stepped back to look at all of us.
"Well."
He crossed his arms.
"This party is going to be interesting."
Percy adjusted his suit jacket dramatically.
"Obviously."
He pointed toward the door.
"Now let's go."
Leo sighed.
"Where?"
Percy smiled proudly.
"Another store."
Sebastian groaned.
"We're never leaving London."
And somehow…
I had a feeling he was right.
....