Chapter Three: Birthday Transformation

Before I could protest, he straightened and called out a nearby staff member. “Hey could you bring something…sexy? Something that would suit a club?”

The staff member, a tall woman with a friendly smile, nodded immediately. “Of course, sir. Right away.”

I fluttered my lids, my stomach turning. Sexy? Club outfit? My thoughts were so chaotic. Nevian’s grin widened, seeing my reaction.

“See? He said, teasing. “You don't have to think. Just let them handle it. “You’ll look amazing. Trust me.”

“I…. I don't think I can pull off sexy,” I said, feeling my cheeks warm.

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “You’d be surprised, Lenon.”

I exhaled slowly, gave in, then moved after him, careful not to stumble on my tension while I stayed put, expecting someone to arrive with clothes.

Five minutes passed before the staff appeared, holding a rack with clothes laidout carefully. As she approached, my gut tensed up.

The metallic click of the body chain catching my light.

“This is the one I picked for you ma’am,” she said softly, holding it on both hands.

I took it shakenly, my finger brushing the smooth fabric. The outfit started with a simple black triangle bralette, held by delicate straps thatlightly covered the upper body then enhanced with a shimmering silver chain. This piece emerged from a choker-like baseat the neckline, sweeping diagonally across the front, meeting precisely between the breasts. From there, it trailed downward along the midsection, wrapping subtlyaround the hips. The metallic accessory brought sharp definition against the smooth material, catching light softly as it moved through the store's glow.

Beneath that, the skirt caught me off guard. Black, ruffled, and cropped at the waist - its front barely there, yet long see-through layers dropped from the sides and rear, skimming the ground. Along those sections, upright ruffles added height and depth, almost like a trailing edge, pushing the lookforward with sharp movement.

I stood still, holding the hanger like it was a lifeline. “I don't know,” I admitted quietly. “It's…too much. Too revealing. I.. I can't.”

Nevian moved closer to me. His eyes were sweeping over me. “Lenon,” he said softly, but there was no teasing in his tone this time. “It's perfect. Trust me. You’ll turn heads tonight.”

I paused, gripping the top and skirt. Although I’d known ease most of my life and seen wealth up close, I never liked showing much skin. My parents had raised me to appreciate elegance, subtletyy, and class—not flash, and revealing clothes.

Yet when I glanced at Nevian, there he stood, his gaze locked on mine, steady. A soft pulse stirred inside my ribs, something I’d spent years pushing aside. That quickened beat returned each time he came close.

Fine," I said quietly, with just a soft breathout. “If you think it's perfect…”

“I know it is. You are going to look amazing.”

I clenched my teeth, face warming - still, I gave a small nod. "Okay, I’ll try it.”

He looked at me in a way that sent butterflies through my stomach, equal parts anxious and excited. As I entered the changing area, clothes clutched tight, doubtmixed with boldness weighed on my fingers. Slowly, I started undressing, fabric whispering against skin.

I exhaled slowly when I left the changing area, clothes fitting tight - somehow exciting, yet unsettling. With each step, the fabric brushed against my legs, transparent layers flowing down like whispers. A delicate strap across my torso highlighted my shape, sparking a flutter inside. Honestly? I felt open, every line showing, each patch of skin silently challenging anyone to stare.

Nevian's eyes sparkled when he spotted me. Leaning a bit backward, hands folded across his chest, he wore that familiar half-smile. "Yes!! This is perfect. Now heels.”

I frowned. “Heels?”

“Of course,” he said, his grin widening. “We’re not doing sneakers or flats tonight. I’ll get you the real deal.”

He went toward a tiny showcase, came backwith shiny black heels. “Christian Louboutin - Scarpin So Kate. Only this will do for now.”

I stared at them, eyes wide. “Wait… what? These… these cost how much?”

Nevian chuckled, a knowing glint in his hazel eyes. “A little over three thousand each. But tonight? You’re worth it.”

I took a deep breath, warmth spreadingacross my face. Sure, my parents spoiled me before, but no one ever dropped such cash just like that. My pulse quickened while sliding into the heels; the curve pulled up my sole, shifting how I stood in seconds.

Nevian gave a small nod, which caused my chest to tense up. "Perfect,” he said quietly, glancing at me once more.

Nevian gave a small nod, which made my heart squeeze. "Good," he said quietly, looking me up and down once more. Amoment later, as if it had just occurred tohim, he asked, "Hold on - should we fix your hair and touch up the makeup?"

I looked at him, puzzled. “Makeup? Hair?”

He moved nearer, still wearing that playfulgrin. "Right. That ponytail? Not happening tonight. Let your hair fall loose, just like that. Soft waves, gentle movement. Or perhaps some light makeup." . Nothing flashy - simply a way to build on who you already are. Aim to appear like yourself, yet refined. A birthday-style upgrade

I paused, pulling at the bralette, feelingoddly bare. “Really… makeup?”

"Lenon," he murmured, placing his hand lightly on my shoulder. That small gesture stirred something inside - something I didn’t want to name yet. "Trust me. It’s not about having more; it’s about feeling... real. Sure of yourself. Radiant. Everything else? Already there."

I took a deep breath, then nodded. “Okay…if you say so.”

"Good,” he said, moving backward with that annoying smirk. “Now, hair down. Let’s see those waves.”

I exhaled sharply, fingers tracing the elastic band before slipping it free. Strands fell loosely behind me, curling slightly at the ends, touching my collarbone suddenly, the face in the mirror seemed unfamiliar.

Nevian's light brown eyes sparkled, pleased. "See? Already better.”

Nevian called out to the staff. “Hey, can you do a quick makeup for my friend here.”

The staff agreed without delay - “Sure ! Follow me.” She pointed to a vanity hidden by the shop's edge.

I paused, pulling at the bralette once more, sensing a swirl of anxiety and thrill in me. "I don't want it too much.”

Nevian’s hazel eyes softened as he crouched slightly to meet my gaze. “I promise it’ll be subtle. Just enhancing what you’ve already got. You’re already stunning, Lenon. This is just… putting the spotlight on it.”

I took a breath, moving my head down slightly as he guided me to the mirror table. The staff motioned for me to sit, then laid agentle cloth around my shoulders. Nevian stood just behind, close enough to feel steady, which made my heart skip once more.

“Relax,” he murmured softly. “Breathe. You’re going to look incredible, and tonight… you own it.”

I breathed out slowly, allowing my body to relax, placing slight trust in him while the staff started, gentle strokes and lightcontact gradually shaping my image into thatrefined birthday look Nevian mentioned.

Once the staff stepped away, smoothingdown the final strands and offering a calmgrin, I cautiously studied my reflection.

A pause hit my breath. Light makeup lifted my face exactly right highlighting green shift in my eyes, adding warmth through gentle pink on the cheeks, while leaving my mouth softly luminous. Strands fell across my shoulders withrelaxed curl.

I left the store, my new clothes and shoesgiving me height and confidence, changing how I saw myself for the better.

Nevian stood near the car, arms folded, posture relaxed, but when he spotted me, his hazel eyes opened wider. That familiar half-smile slipped, swapped with a gentler look, one that pulled at my chest.

You... wow," he said softly, moving nearer, his gaze bright. "You stunning."

I felt my face get hot right away, struggling with the thin bra straps. Yet I whispered a quiet "thanks," avoiding his eyes almost completely.

A faint, playful smile came back when he tapped his card to cover the cost, whispering, "It’s your birthday, call it a gift. You’ve earned this."

I looked his way, feelings swirling inside unease, thanks, maybe even more. Could it be he paid this much so I’d shine… or was there a deeper reason, one I couldn’t yet put into words?

Just then, my phone shook hard inside the bag. I took it out slowly. There were ten calls waiting —Stephanie had called again.

I let out a breath, struggling to unlock mydevice - her urgent texts flooded the display

“Where are you???”

“Lenon! We’re late!!”

“Nevian! You better not be holding her hostage!”

I sighed once more, dropping the phone intomy bag. "Seems they can't wait," I said quietly.

Nevian looked my way, sitting behind the wheel, one brow lifted. He almost grinned, that familiar playful look showing. "Restless? You could say that. Stephanie moves like she's powered by pure energy."

I rolled my eyes - yet started laughing anyway. "Not just a storm - a full-on whirlwind."

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Perfect. Birthday chaos is officially in effect.”

I breathed deeply, hoping to calm down. Though the shoes squeezed a bit, while the clothes felt tight in places I didn't like yet, Nevian’s look - his bright hazel eyes - washed it all away.

"Ready?” he asked, looking my way in the rearview.

I gave a nod, holding the seat's edge tight. “Sure.”

He offered a slight, sure grin. "Right."

I noticed how his hazel eyes stayed on me a second too long - pride there, maybe, along with something softer, like care. My gut knotted up, from unease or excitement, hard to tell.