It’s just a party

The morning of the engagement party arrived faster than I expected, and as I stood under the steaming hot water of the shower, I tried to clear my mind of everything but the task ahead.

The warm water cascaded over me, soothing the tension in my muscles and washing away the weight of the last few weeks. For a moment, I allowed myself to relax, letting the steam wrap around me like a cocoon.

But only for a moment.

Today wasn't about me. Today was about playing my role to perfection, about maintaining the illusion for Elara, her family, and everyone else in attendance. The thought alone was enough to sharpen my focus.

After scrubbing myself clean, I lingered a bit longer, letting the water run over my skin. My brown complexion glistened in the soft glow of the bathroom lights, the warmth of the shower accentuating the definition of my muscles.