บท 2: Chapter 002: A masquerade ball with a bat theme.
Pamela rarely ventured into the office these days. But today, a plea from her boss had brought her in for an unusual task- befriending his daughter.
Clad in a smart grey pencil skirt and a crisp white long-sleeved shirt, her low wedges clicked quietly on the polished floor. Mr Brown had told her to dress comfortably, that she wasn't there to work, but to make a friend. The whole thing struck her as absurd, yet here she was, fulfilling a favour.
"Looking lovely, Miss Edemode," chirped the receptionist, Mrs Williams, her compliment earning a playful smile from Pamela.
"The same to you, Mrs Williams," she replied, adding quickly before the woman could launch into conversation, "And no, Mrs Williams, I'm not babysitting today."
Mrs Williams's playful pout drew a giggle from Pamela. "I won't be long, probably three hours tops," the receptionist persisted, but Pamela continued walking, shaking her head with a grin. "I've got a date!"
Reaching Mr Brown's office, she knocked and entered. "Good morning, Mr Brown," she greeted immediately, her eyes meeting his. Glancing to his side, she spotted a young woman seated beside him.
"Morning, Pamela," he replied, removing his glasses. "Pamela, I'll like you to meet Elizabeth," he gestured towards his daughter, "and Elizabeth, this is Pamela."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Elizabeth said, extending a hand for a handshake.
"Likewise," Pamela replied.
An awkward silence descended momentarily, broken by Mr Brown clearing his throat. "Pamela," he began, "I was wondering if you might be free after work to show Elizabeth around a bit. She mentioned a party coming up, and I thought perhaps you girls could do some shopping together."
A genuine smile, not the polite veneer she'd anticipated, spread across Pamela's face. The prospect of new clothes, especially not on her own dime, was undeniably appealing.
"I'm not busy at all, sir," she replied, a hint of enthusiasm creeping into her voice.
"Excellent!" Mr Brown beamed.
An hour later, Pamela was leaving her flat, entrusting her feline companion, Meimei, to the care of her neighbour. Returning Meimei's disgruntled stare with a wry smile, Pamela wasn't sure she wouldn't be home early. The cat's narrowed eyes held a distinct air of betrayal, a silent promise of retribution in the form of strategically placed claw marks on the sofa.
"Your cat's adorable," Elizabeth remarked as they descended the stairs.
Pamela chuckled, knowing the statement, well, wasn't entirely untrue. Meimei did have undeniably soft paws and, dare she say, a rather endearing grumpy expression. However, the little creature could be quite the vindictive one.
Elizabeth had rented a car, which whisked them away from her apartment building and towards the heart of the city's bustling shopping district. Stepping out of the vehicle, Pamela's gaze instantly locked onto the dazzling displays of the latest fashions adorning the windows of a boutique. Price tags were a mere formality- she could tell from a glance that most garments boasted a hefty price tag with three, perhaps even four, zeros.
A soft giggle reached her ears. Elizabeth was laughing at Pamela's wide-eyed wonder. "Come on, let's go in. It's even more stunning inside."
And stunning it was. The enticing fragrance that greeted them upon entering the boutique practically begged Pamela to try on every garment within reach.
"It's a masquerade ball," Elizabeth explained, noticing Pamela's lingering gaze on the shorter dresses. "A bat theme, specifically."
"A bat theme?" Pamela echoed, confusion knitting her brows. "Do we have to dress up as bats?"
Elizabeth burst out laughing once more. "Not quite," she clarified, shaking her head. "The dresses need to be long and dark, with a black mask to complete the look."
Pamela ran a hand through the vibrant display of dresses, her heart sinking a little as she realised the only option that fit the theme was black. "Black, long, and tight," she muttered, longing for the explosion of colour that surrounded her.
"Hold on," she turned to Elizabeth, "is it a funeral?"
Elizabeth chuckled, emerging from a different section with an armful of clothes. "No, apparently it's a welcome party for some billionaire who's been living abroad for three years after his wife passed away."
Pamela's brow furrowed as she sifted through the garments. "So, he's single now?"
A sly smile spread across Elizabeth's face. "Very much so, according to rumour. Apparently, he's planning to choose someone at this party. Explains why there'll be an army of women there. I need to look my best." She picked a plain, ash-coloured dress from her pile and held it up. "This would look fantastic on you. Are you any good with makeup?"
Pamela shrugged. "Not really. There's barely an occasion wear it anyway."
Elizabeth grinned. "That's true" she agreed, gesturing to Pamela's natural beauty. "Exactly."
They navigated to the shoe department next, Pamela settling for stylish ankle heels while Elizabeth opted for daring, strappy heels. After what felt like an eternity, they emerged from the boutique, blinking in the sunlight.
A cool breeze danced through Pamela's back-length blonde hair, sending cascading waves down her back. A picture of effortless beauty accentuated by the golden sunlight warming her fair skin. To passersby, she was flawless– the perfect hair, the radiant complexion, a face many would dream of. But few knew the truth – a truth she'd readily trade with them in a heartbeat. Because beneath the surface, Pamela was far from perfect.
She was dying.
Elizabeth's voice startled her from her thoughts. "Lost in a world of your own again?"
Pamela forced a smile. "Just… not used to fancy parties, especially ones thrown by billionaires."
"Don't fret," Elizabeth reassured her, placing a comforting hand on her arm. "You'll have me by your side."
Grateful warmth filled Pamela. "Thanks," she murmured. "Speaking of, how did you even score an invitation, let alone a plus one?"
Elizabeth found Pamela's wide-eyed curiosity endearing, prompting another peal of laughter. "Let's just say I have my ways," she winked with a playful smile.
With a shared laugh, they hopped into the car and headed to a salon Pamela had found online, determined to get their hair and nails party-ready. By the time they were finished, dusk had settled, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. It was four in the evening when Elizabeth dropped Pamela back at her apartment.
"I'll be here at eight sharp!" Elizabeth called out as she pulled away.
Pamela sank into a grateful sigh as she entered her apartment. Another hour outside, and she might've collapsed. A familiar purr greeted her as Meimei weaved between her legs, rubbing against her shins. Pamela knelt down and poured some food into the cat's bowl. Exhaustion tugged at her, and she dragged herself to the bedroom. Four hours to the party. Enough time to recharge.
Setting her alarm for 7:25 pm, she let out a blissful sigh as she sank into the welcoming embrace of her soft mattress. Sleep beckoned, offering a much-needed respite before the whirlwind of the evening began.
ของขวัญ
-- ได้รับของขวัญแล้ว สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง