A Change
Sitting in the waiting room, Cid absentmindedly scrolled through his phone, trying to pass the time. The place was quiet, filled with soft background music. He had no idea that the sight awaiting him would take his breath away.
When he finally looked up, he froze instantly. Mia had just appeared beside Rose, completely transformed.
She wore an elegant midnight blue dress, the satin fabric delicately hugging her figure. The flowing cut fell just above her ankles, revealing fine-strapped sandals that accentuated the grace of her legs. Her long white hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, its brilliance enhanced by the room's dim lighting. Her pure white eyes, mesmerizing and radiant, seemed to glow with an almost mystical light.
Cid couldn't look away. He knew Mia, but at that moment… she seemed like an entirely different person. Radiant. Stunning. Unreal.
A playful smile appeared on Rose's lips when she caught Cid's frozen expression. Crossing her arms, she teased:
— "So, Cid? Do you still think she only deserves the title of 'friend'?"
Her mocking tone snapped him back to reality. Cid rolled his eyes in a show of feigned exasperation, but the slight redness on his cheeks betrayed his unease.
Mia turned to Rose and gave her a sincere smile.
— "Thank you, Rose."
— "Oh, it's nothing," Rose replied with a wink. "You're always welcome here. I hope you'll visit me more often."
Mia nodded softly in response, her smile lingering. Rose then accompanied them to the door.
Once outside, Mia got into the car while Cid wrapped up a few details with Rose.
— "The clothes and accessories I picked for her will be delivered to your place as usual," she informed him in a professional tone.
Cid thanked her, then studied her with a slight smirk.
— "You're not usually this friendly with strangers," he noted. "But her? You barely know her, and you're already treating her like a friend?"
Rose paused, seeming to consider his words. Then, a knowing smile spread across her face.
— "Because she's a good person," she simply replied.
Cid chuckled softly, murmuring under his breath:
— "If only you knew…"
Rose raised an eyebrow but didn't press the matter. Instead, she continued in a more serious tone:
— "I don't know the circumstances of how you two met, but that girl… She's not a bad person, Cid. She's just had a difficult life."
She hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words, then exhaled gently before adding:
— "When you get to know her better, you'll understand."
She ended with a smile and waved him off.
— "Now, off you go."
Cid nodded and joined Mia in the car. He started the engine, and they drove off in silence.
During the ride, Mia suddenly turned to him and asked:
— "Can you take me to a restaurant?"
Cid raised an eyebrow, surprised by her request.
— "Which restaurant?"
Mia gave him a name. He narrowed his eyes slightly.
— "Why that one in particular?" he asked, intrigued.
— "No special reason," she replied in a neutral tone. "I just feel like going there."
He hesitated for a moment but eventually shrugged.
— "Alright."
Following Mia's directions, he drove to the chosen restaurant. Upon their arrival, they were warmly welcomed. The establishment was refined, with elegant decor and a cozy atmosphere. A waiter guided them to a well-placed table, and as soon as they sat down, a figure appeared before them.
The restaurant's head chef had come to take their order in person. When he laid eyes on Cid, his face lit up.
— "Cid! It's an honor to have you here! You're a renowned actor—I'm a huge fan of your work."
Cid nodded with a polite smile.
— "Thank you, that's kind of you."
After noting his order, the chef turned to Mia. And then, he froze. His eyes widened, and a shocked expression crossed his face.
He stood there, motionless, as if he had just seen a ghost.
Mia stared back silently, unbothered.
Cid, perplexed by the chef's reaction, raised an eyebrow.
— "Is everything alright?" he finally asked.
But the chef didn't respond immediately, still staring at Mia with an unsettling intensity…