Tears fill my eyes, but before they fall, I mutter a small ‘okay.’ Harper sharply turns her head to me. A small grin slips onto her face.

“Really?”

I slip the dress from her grasp before patting her shoulders gently. “When is the event starting?”

“We’ve got an hour to get you dolled up. Finally!” She engulfs me in a big hug. “Time for you to let off that steam.”

Minutes later, I’m wearing the dress. It’s short, reaching a little above mid-thigh. This is definitely an attention-seeking dress. My large ass and round hips don’t help the situation.

On the bodice, my boobs threaten to spill out from the v-cut shape. Shaking my head, I find a brush from the drawer. Then, I comb my hair in two parts to fall on each side of my shoulders.

My hair is now covering a part of the cleavage. Much better. I put on my heels.

“Ready?” Harper chimes.

When I turn, she’s in a short grey gown that matches her grey eyes. Her dark hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and her tan skin complements her look. She looks beautiful.

I nod. She shakes her head. “Girl, there's no way I'm letting you go without some makeup.”

In an instant, I'm pushed into a chair, and after some minutes of Harper’s magic on my face, my makeup is done. The nude lipstick compliments the warm, creamy makeup. I like it.

“You look so beautiful,” she whispers.

I smile. “You, too.”

She pulls me in for a warm hug. Before she pulls back, she whispers, “I hope you meet someone that fucks the living daylights out of you tonight.”

I roll my eyes. She nudges me towards the door. We enter our Uber and, soon, we’re on our way.

A few minutes later, we get to the venue and I’m in awe.

I try not to feel a little out of place as I stare at the grand entrance of The Hotel Celestial, where the fundraising event is taking place.

The hotel is massive. A blend of cream and gold colors, the building is tall, spanning a sizable number of floors all coated in glass and demarcated by a gleaming piece of shiny black metal at every interval.

On top of the roof that shields the reception, there's a cream-colored extension adorned with golden lights and supported by the same shiny metals. Through the transparent glass doors, I can see the white marble floors that gleam under the light of chandeliers hanging like crystal waterfalls.

This place is beautiful… but somehow, it also builds hesitation within me. Harper notices it and squeezes my arm gently.

“Don’t be nervous, Raven. We’re here to support the hospital and have some fun,” she reassures me, linking her arm with mine. “And you're also here to get fuc–”

“I know,” I quickly reply. I don't want her to finish her sentence.

Inhaling a deep breath, we step inside. Again I'm in awe. The interior is just as beautiful as the exterior. Cream and gold colors continue to grace my vision, enhanced by elegantly dressed people. Their laughter and conversation fills the air amidst soft classical music. Waiters in sharp uniforms move gracefullythrough the crowd, offering trays of champagne and tiny, fancy appetizers.

Suddenly, I feel exposed. I adjust my gown and hair. Then swallow.

“It’s nice,” I whisper to Harper. I’ve never been anywhere this luxurious before. It feels like stepping into another world.

“I know.” She grins before grabbing a glass from a passing waiter. He offers me, too, but I politely decline. Harper shoots me a look. The meaning isn’t lost on me.

I shake my head. “Not yet.”

There’s no way I can drink comfortably now.

Glancing around, I drink in the sight of the people. Their elegant attire tells me they’re rich, but my prefrontal cortex tells me that they're all staring at me. Suddenly, a part of me surfaces— the part that feels claustrophobic when it’s more than me and Harper.

Gosh, we haven’t started yet, and I already feel suffocated. Quickly, I loosen my arm from Harper’s and smile. “I need some fresh air, I’ll be back.”