A Lost Little Butterfly

The in-house fashion contest ended on quite a dramatic note, with the judges announcing the winners, the participants gathering around their celebrity guest for photos and autographs, and Mia scrambling to the door to flee from the crowd.

‘S-Scary! I thought there'd be a stampede for a moment there.’ She clutched her chest with a shaky hand, heartbeat erratic, hoping she would calm down first before searching for Claire. ‘Okay, that’s enough stimulation for the day. Let's go home.’

Incidentally, she was also in the finalists’ roster and would advance to the last round of L’Atelier’s fashion competition.

Wes would be thrilled to hear it. She couldn’t wait to tell him she’d won her first-ever official contest, though she’s lost as to what she's supposed to do next. Claire had all the answers.

She was about to reunite with her companion when she heard hasty footsteps behind her.

“Ms. Mia, is it?” Keith called in a smooth voice, and Mia turned in surprise. “Wait, sorry. I know you’re not working here, but can I ask for something?”

Her hands clasped together to keep herself from fidgeting. “Uh… Y-Yes, sure…”

“Oh, but first, congratulations on winning! Hardly a surprise, I must say. Your piece is bold and unique, which brings me to the question…” He paused for a second as he stepped closer to her. “...Do you mind if I ask for your advice?”

“A-About what?” She blinked, spotting a trace of nerves flit across his features.

“Well, I’ve got a big shoot coming up, but my stylist’s on long leave. Came by to ask for Mr. Atelier’s suggestions—also, talk about some PR stuff. I was wondering if you could help me with that instead, if you’re free.”

“T-The shoot… Um, what is it for?”

“Setting's a school. Character's a delinquent.”

“Ah, that’s e-easy, then…”

Mia gulped down the words and exhaled slowly.

She could refuse. She could leave.

Unlike when she helped Claire, she wasn’t with Wes this time and didn't feel too assured. Besides, he's here for Liam, a famous fashion designer whose skill she couldn’t possibly match. Anyone else in the studio would do, frankly, and it didn’t have to be a no-name passerby like Mia.

“Just two minutes. Please?” He gestured towards a nearby dressing room, its door half open, a nameplate taped to the front: ‘KEITH - SHOOT B.’ “I used that during a photoshoot session. We can talk more inside. It’s starting to get stuffy around here with all this attention.”

As if on cue, a group of employees slowed and openly gawked as they passed. Mia felt her spine tighten and her limbs quiver. Keith offered her a smile between apologetic and sheepish.

“I-I’m actually with s-someone, so…”

“Oh.” His gaze fell to the floor. “In a hurry? Sorry for bothering you.”

“I-It’s okay… Um, m-maybe only for a b-bit?”

He looked at her once more, his face brightening. Though unanticipated, it brought her no small amount of joy that someone was relying on her. After all, she was the one often causing trouble to everybody around her.

‘I just need to guide him. It’ll be quick.’

The dressing room was smaller than she’d imagined.

The door clicked shut behind them, the sound feeling louder than it should have. Her heartbeat quickened. The noise outside dulled in an instant, as though the world had been wrapped in fabric.

Mia became acutely aware of their closeness, of the faint citrus-and-wood scent of his cologne.

“Alright,” she said, forcing steadiness into her voice. “M-May I use what you’re wearing now to d-demonstrate?”

He let out a soft laugh. “Go ahead.”

She reached out before she could overthink it, tousling his hair and tugging at his shirt. But then, she stopped with a start as she noticed the heat beneath. Her hands recoiled, and she stepped back in suppressed alarm.

“P-Please unbutton the first three,” she said, and he did as told.

His fingers glided down his shirt, his eyes never leaving her face. The air felt charged, the silence almost unbearable.

The buttons popped off one at a time, slow and deliberate. He stalled at the last one, and when she glanced up, her breath hitched.

“You really are pretty, Mia,” he whispered, voice low and smoky. “Like a butterfly fluttering shyly among the flowers—delicate, quiet…breathtaking.”

Suddenly, the walls seemed to close around them, leaving no room for misunderstanding—or escape.

---

The glass doors slid open, causing all present inside the studio to whip their heads around to find yet another celebrity dropping by unannounced.

“Hey there. I heard my cousin is here.”

“Welcome, Mr. Ashthorne,” the receptionist greeted from the counter with rehearsed professionalism. “Yes, sir. Ms. Ashthorne is with Mr. Atelier at the moment-”

“So, you showed up after all, Wes.”

Claire sauntered towards him, arms folded and face composed. His lips curved into a calm, pleasant smile that didn’t reach his eyes, but rather, they hardened the second they lay on her. He kept a formal posture, yet the rigid set of his shoulders betrayed the cold anger underneath the surface.

“Of course. What's a prince if he’s not with his princess?”

Her nose wrinkled. “How’d you even find out?”

“I’ll be the one asking questions, Claire. Where is Mia?”

At first, Wes planned to visit L’Atelier for a completely different reason.

Jenny had mentioned that Mia had once been so captivated by a dress that she’d forgotten her surroundings. Deciding to give it to her as a present, he’d asked about the name of the boutique, and it turned out to be the same place they’d gone to for their makeover project—L’Atelier. Caleb had learned earlier that he planned to look for that dress that day and brought up Claire all of a sudden.

“Oh, right, Claire! Hold on, Wes! If you’re going to the main branch, say hi to her for me. She said she’d be visiting with a friend. Try asking about her too, and tell me what she’s like!” his cousin had told him.

“Hm? If it’s in L’Atelier, wouldn’t it be Liam Atelier? They’ve known each other since university.”

“No, no. It’s someone she just met, and apparently, she helped her during her recital!”

The cogs in his head spun and clicked into place, then he's rushing to the studio.

He wasn’t sure why Claire would bring Mia with her. Of course, it’s possible that the two developed a genuine friendship and decided to hang out, but if so, his girlfriend would’ve told him. She’d talked with Wes about her plans over the weekend but never once mentioned Claire.

‘It's easy to figure it out. Mia will not keep secrets from me again for no reason, not after she got sick and I scolded her about her lock. Claire, on the other hand, is now privy to our relationship and other things I’m hiding.'

“Liam wanted to meet her. Was that so bad?” Claire returned an elegant smile, unwavering. “Right now, though… Shall we go look for her together?”

“Huh? Where did she go?”

“That we’ll know. There are a lot of people today, so...”

“You let her wander off on her own?”

Without waiting for an answer, Wes set out to search for Mia.

They threaded between racks of garments and clusters of lounging chairs, heels and shoes thumping against the tiled flooring. At their request, the staff had also begun scouring the workstations. Right before they resorted to the surveillance cameras, a low murmur reached them.

“...It’s true! I saw her go inside with him.” The voice was hushed but eager, followed by a round of gasps and giggles.

“Alone?”

“Yes!”

Wes felt a twinge of unease and exchanged a glance with Claire, who frowned and approached the group. “Excuse me. Could you tell us more?”