“Experiencing a CRUSH can encompass feelings of admiration or infatuation directed towards someone. When we have a crush, their mere presence can bring us joy, and often, this initial attraction can blossom into deeper emotions, such as love.”

 ***

Senthie readily embraced Kassandra’s suggestion of hosting a welcome party in her honor. It was approximately ten o’clock in the evening when they stepped into Samgyupsalamat, a Korean Barbeque Restaurant renowned for its pocket-friendly unlimited food offerings. It had an extensive array of marinated meats available, including beef samgyup, yangnyum beef, boolgogi, dae-pae, buljib, and more.

The restaurant sat empty, with a reserved sign hanging on the glass door. It seemed that Kassandra had meticulously orchestrated this event rather than it being a spontaneous idea.

As the evening unfolded, Senthie reached a significant conclusion. It dawned on her that Kassandra harbored feelings for Kenzo. There were ample reasons to support her assumption.

Firstly, upon entering the restaurant, she looped her arm through Kenzo’s as she led him to their seats.

Secondly, her focus remained fixated on him as she proudly showcased her accomplishments as a model and her future inheritance of Rebeau Cosmetics. Then it was almost as though the gathering had transformed into an exclusive interview session for him following her self-introduction. Even though Kenzo chose not to respond to some of her probing personal inquiries, her joy was palpable when he revealed that he was single.

Thirdly, she exclusively grilled meat for him, a gesture that subtly conveyed her special attention.

Fourthly, her continuous touches on Kenzo’s arm left him visibly uneasy, prompting him to excuse himself for a brief restroom break.

Moving on to the fifth point, while Kenzo was still in the restroom, Cecilia couldn’t resist her curiosity and decided to inquire with Kassandra about her feelings toward him. She responded with a teasing giggle and a cryptic answer, “I like pretty things, and I intend to make them mine.” Her response neither confirmed nor denied her crush, but it strongly hinted at her romantic interest. What raised a more significant question, though, was Kassandra’s perspective on Kenzo - she seemed to regard him as an object, a beautiful one that she was willing to go to great lengths to possess. Was this truly the case, or was it just her way of deflecting from the notion of love at first sight?

In the sixth instance, it was worth noting that Kassandra had already obtained Kenzo’s phone number during their initial encounter.

Lastly, Kenzo received an invitation to Kassandra’s upcoming birthday celebration.

As they prepared to part ways, she handed each of them a pink envelope, insisting that they should attend regardless of their preferences. It was at this moment that Senthie felt a surge of gratitude towards her.

In a hushed tone, Kassandra emphasized, “Sen, you must come to my birthday party, no matter what. I want to introduce you to my friends who’ll be fascinated to meet the designer of my gown. They need to know who transformed me into a seductive princess. Please make sure to bring Kenzo with you, oh, and Cecile too!”

 ~

As the days rolled by, Fashion Sen’s saw a remarkable transformation. Gone were the window shoppers of the first month; now, genuine customers filled the store. Some even took the time to compliment the cool and soft fabrics offered by Fashion Sen’s, along with the striking uniqueness of the mannequin designs.

Over the course of the month, two clients decided to take the plunge and trust Fashion Sen’s for their attire needs - just like Kassandra did. One sought a customized gown for her upcoming 18th birthday, while the other was in search of the perfect evening gown for a pageant. Senthie found herself immersed in work throughout the month, grateful for the unwavering support of Cecilia and Kassandra. The bond among the three of them grew stronger with each passing day, evolving into a profound friendship.

Surprisingly, Cecilia and Kassandra, despite their initial clash upon meeting, forged a seamless connection. Their camaraderie thrived, particularly when indulging in celebrity gossip - a topic that didn’t particularly interest Senthie, yet her curiosity occasionally compelled her to join in.

Before long, Kassandra admitted to harboring feelings for Kenzo and approached the two for assistance in getting closer to him.

Cecilia, with a laugh, dismissed the idea as unwise, but Senthie offered her support. She believed that Kenzo’s submissive nature could benefit from the presence of someone more assertive, and in Kassandra, she saw the perfect fit for that role. Kassandra was resolute in her desires, and Senthie was convinced of her sincerity. Or perhaps, Senthie merely wished to believe in this possibility, wanting to play the role of cupid to help Kenzo move on.

Cecilia, however, expressed her disbelief in her decision. “Are you insane, bes? You know Kenzo loves you, and only you. Pushing him towards Kass doesn’t seem like a good idea. Besides, Kenzo is your ex, and Kas is your friend now. Can’t you see how awkward this will be?”

Senthie offered a gentle smile and shrugged in response. “You’re right, it will be awkward. But consider this, Kenzo is my ex, and Kas is my friend. It’s a win-win situation. Kas might help Kenzo open up his heart, and Kenzo brings happiness to Kas. So, where’s the harm in that?”

Cecilia responded with an eye roll followed by a sigh. “You never told her he was your boyfriend.”

Senthie sighed. “I know, bes. I just haven’t found the right moment to break it to her.”

“You have to tell her.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I have to.”

 ~

A month later . . .

One of the reasons Senthie had been occupied over the past month was creating the gowns she and Cecilia would wear for Kassandra’s birthday soirée, and before they knew it, the day had finally arrived.

Since the party had a color-coded theme with any shade of pink, Senthie donned a soft old rose gown with see-through long sleeves, a glittering bodice, and a flowing tulle skirt. Her Belle-inspired hairstyle and soft makeup transformed her into a real-life princess.

On the other hand, Cecilia wore a body-hugging baby pink gown with billowy sleeves and a daring slit. Her dramatic makeup and elegant bun gave her the aura of a Hollywood star.

Kenzo, dressed in a pink undershirt and a white tuxedo created by Senthie, accompanied the stunning ladies, drawing all eyes to them like a beacon of light.

Senthie had gifted Kenzo the tuxedo on their first anniversary, and she hadn’t expected to see it showcased on this occasion. Kenzo’s expertly gelled neck-length hair enhanced his polished appearance, easily rivaling that of J-pop idols, captivating the guests’ attention and making them steal glances at him. However, the female guests’ admiration turned to heartbreak, realizing they had little chance against the birthday celebrant, Kassandra, who welcomed him with a flirtatious smile.

Kassandra wore a knee-length golden sequin dress with intricate lace patterns instead of the gown Senthie designed. Radiating unparalleled beauty and elegance, she captivated everyone, including the celebrities in attendance. She exuded opulence befitting the grandeur of their mansion and the substantial cost of her birthday preparations. Live piano played from a corner near a vast window, with violinists poised to serenade the gathering. The mansion’s ambiance resembled that of a royal palace, or perhaps, a Hollywood Regency affair.

“How do I look?” Kassandra asked Senthie after a cheek-to-cheek greeting to both her and Cecilia.

“You look perfect!” she answered enthusiastically, though she felt disappointed about the gown situation.

Kassandra giggled. “Don’t be sad.”

I look sad? Senthie smiled. “I won’t.”

“Don’t worry, Sen. Your crafted gown will be showcased in the finale!” she whispered, making Senthie smile.

Kassandra turned her attention toward Cecilia. “Girl, you look stunning! I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Cecilia giggled and tucked an imaginary strand of hair behind her ear. “Thanks, girl. I almost didn’t recognize myself too when I looked into the mirror.”

After sharing a hearty laugh, Kassandra redirected her attention to Kenzo. “Wow, you look incredibly handsome, Ken!” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “That hairstyle suits you well; you look extremely dashing.”

Clearly feeling a bit shy and flustered, Kenzo blushed, his hand instinctively finding its way to the back of his neck as he stammered, “Th-thank you. You look beautiful too.”

 ~

An hour had passed since the emcee concluded the program, which included Kassandra’s speech and heartfelt messages from her family. Finally, it was time for dinner, the moment Senthie had eagerly anticipated ever since her eyes had landed on the long table adorned with stainless food covers. Now, those covers were lifted, revealing the delectable feast beneath. The food servers had made their appearance, ready to serve guests their preferred dishes.

On the menu were a diverse array of dishes: deep-fried Mars bars, stinging hinny, parkin, Manchester egg, cranachan, scouse, cockles, Dorset Blue Vinny, laverbread, mini quiches, sausage rolls, jelly and ice cream, Jammie Dodgers, Yorkshire puddings, roasted chicken, a triple-layer strawberry cake, and a mesmerizing chocolate fountain.

Most of these delicacies were from the UK, unfamiliar to Senthie. She chose to sample a bit of everything, nodding and smiling as the servers explained each dish. However, most of their words passed through one ear and out the other. She did catch that the party’s theme had shifted to Hollywood Regency, a sudden change from the original plan.

After the sumptuous dinner, the music faded, and the pianist stopped playing as the emcee took back the microphone. He announced the evening’s real excitement, saying, “Now, let’s turn our attention to the birthday girl, Ms. Kassandra Taylor!”

The emcee encouraged the guests to clap and pointed towards the ascending stairs. In response, the lights dimmed, leaving only a spotlight illuminating Kassandra as she made her entrance. To everyone’s amazement, she was wearing Senthie’s meticulously crafted gown. The guests erupted in applause as Kassandra descended the stairs, holding the top rail for support while the spotlight followed her every move.

Senthie gasped, mirroring the other guests who looked upon Kassandra as if she were a queen descending from on high. She looked flawless in her gown, with her blonde hair styled in a braided bun and two delicate tendrils framing her petite face. Even Kenzo seemed captivated, his gaze remaining fixed on her as Senthie stole a glance at him.

Cecilia couldn’t contain her excitement as she exclaimed, “She’s so beautiful!”

Kenzo smiled and nodded. “Yes, she is. The gown truly enhances the wearer’s beauty.”

“Are you suggesting that she’s beautiful only because of the gown?”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I just meant that the gown adds to her beauty.”

“The gown Senthie made, right? It seems like we always end up talking about Sen.” She laughed and glanced at Senthie, who gave her a disapproving look.

Senthie’s hope to kindle Kenzo’s interest in Kassandra diminished, given his lingering feelings for her, making it a challenge to spark his interest in another woman. She felt a twinge of pity for him.

“Now, onto the real entertainment,” the emcee declared as Kassandra reached their level. “We have twenty-two lucky gentlemen who will have the chance to share a dance with Ms. Kassandra! The question is, who will she choose?”

This revelation surprised the guests, drawing gasps and questions about the dance floor. Most men reacted with enthusiasm, adjusting their ties, bouncing in place, or exuding confidence, seemingly sure they would be chosen.

Kassandra moved gracefully through the spotlight, and the guests cleared a path for her. Female guests let out excited squeals upon seeing the man she had selected.

Senthie’s eyes widened as another spotlight illuminated the chosen man. He’s here? Then it dawned on her, and she muttered, “Of course, he’s here.”