Page 36 of Influence

Cali shrugged. “He survived. We’re all good.”

As she turned the page, my gaze landed on a design that called to me.

“Hey, wait a minute,” I said. “Let me see that.”

“This one?” she asked, stopping on the spread that showcased a stunning cream-colored gown that had caught my eye.

“Yeah, that’s the one,” I murmured, absorbing every detail of the dress.

It embodied classic Hollywood glamour—sleek and silky, with a fitted bodice and a low-cut neckline crafted from exquisite silk. The fabric gracefully flared at the hips, creating a flowing, swinging skirt that draped elegantly to the floor.

I looked up in Avra’s direction. “What do you think? Isn’t it perfect?”

Avra leaned in, speaking in a low, admiring whisper. “Wow, it’s amazing. I can see you in that.”

My heart skipped a beat at the thought. “I love it. It’s just as I imagined. Like a dream woven in fabric.”

“So, how do we find it?” Cali asked, her eyes shifted to the adjacent page as she read the tiny credits. “Let’s see… Oh, here’s the designer’s name.”

With a flourish, she set the magazine aside and pulled out her phone, her fingers flying over the screen until a sharp whistle broke the quiet.

“Holy crap!” she exclaimed.

I leaned closer, curious. “What? Did you find it?”

Cali nodded, her face a mix of hesitation and excitement. “Yeah. Niko did say you could have anything you want—no matter the cost?”

I felt a sudden pang of guilt. “I wouldn’t want to take advantage of that.”

What she said next struck me like a blow. “That dress costs nearly a hundred thousand Euros, Laya.”

I gasped, instinctively pushing the magazine away as if it were a bomb.

“Oh my God!” I exclaimed. “Forget it! What is it made of? Diamonds?”

Avra’s sharp gaze met mine, a mix of amusement and frustration on her face. “Have you forgotten who you are, little sister?”

I blinked in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“You’re Layana Vitalis. Soon, you’ll be a Galanis too. With our combined fortunes, you’ll become one of the richest women in Greece. And here you are, hesitating over the price on the most important day of your life? I say you should buy the dress!”

“That’s ridiculous!” I shot back in disbelief. Avra laughed. “Really? How much do you think that ring costs?”

I glanced down at my finger and shrugged. “I don’t know. I never asked.”

“Exactly,” she said. “If you knew your fiancé spent double on that bauble on your hand, you’d be shocked. Forget about the dress’s price. If you love it, tell him, but make sure he doesn’t see it first!”

I gazed at the ring, feeling a mix of wonder and guilt. “You can’t be serious, can you?”

“Only half,” Avra replied smoothly. “When you sent me the photo, I asked my jeweler to check it. If you want the truth, it’s worth a million Euros.”

I gasped and pulled the ring closer, as if its cool metal could steady me. The thought of Niko spending so extravagantly unsettled me, and the fear of losing it now caused fresh unease and anxiety.

“Oh, stop clutching your pearls.” Avra shot me her big sister glare. “Buy the damn dress—you’re worth it.”

I sighed, shaking my head as the weight of our conversation sank in. “Will I ever get used to all this?” I asked, as I fought back tears.

“Probably not,” Avra replied with a lighthearted shrug, her hand patting my leg in consolation. “But that’s part of your charm, sweetheart.”

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