Siren

Laila's hair and make-up was finished and looked stunning. Her dress was long and flowy in a shade of blueish-green that made you think she had just stepped out of a fairy tale, complimenting her skin tone and the green in her hazel-green eyes. The top of the dress had handsewn intricate details that matched the season of the year, such as petals, flowers and even an almost hidden occasional butterfly. Making you feel like she had just left a flower garden and a part of the garden had decided to come with her. Some of the appliques had the tiniest of beadings or glitter constructions, which would make the dress have a subtle shimmer in the evening lights. All these details allowed Laila to keep the bottom part of the dress more simple as to make her and the dress eye-catching, but not overwhelming. Stunning, elegant and regal. That was the style she was going for and the image she wanted for her line. And boy had she succeeded in her current look.

The people from the salon had managed to accentuate the look even further with her hair and make-up, making her eyes pop, while the rest was designed to draw you in. Even the make-up artist himself, after he had finished his 'creation', said, "You look absolutely captivating.". He then turned towards his colleagues and said, "Don't you guys agree. She can draw people in with a single glance as if she was a siren, using her looks as the luring call instead of her voice. But fortunately not as deadly." After receiving some agreeing nods he added with a haughty laugh, "Excluding the occasional death from a broken heart of course, when they find out that she is no longer available."

The rest of the team laughed along, while Laila managed a slightly awkward laugh herself as she didn't know how to respond to a compliment like that. Fortunately she was saved by Garry, he cleared his throat to draw the attention of everyone in the room, while silencing them in the same breath. "The car is ready for you ma'am. If you want to be at the event on time, I think it is best you leave now." Laila nodded to show him she agreed and said, "Thank you Garry. You are right. I must be leaving." She turned to the team from the salon for brief second to thank them for their work, before hurrying towards the door in as fast as a tempo as her current state allowed her. A state which was barely visible and cleverly hidden from the front, and would probably go unnoticed unless Laila was seen from the side. A surprise that would catch plenty of people off guard tonight, a thought Laila had amused herself with ever since she came up with the design.

With the moment of truth having arrived, and some excitement induced nervousness, Laila walked out of the house towards the car that would be taking her to the event. Earning her some additional, barely suppressed widening eyes and jaw droppings from the driver and the guard that accompanied her wherever she went. Struggling to maintain the professionality that they praised themselves with normally.

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Over on the other side of town, Noah, Steve and Maria had entered the venue, Maria looking equally stunning as her friend that was on her way to the event and the two men looking sharp in their suits. All three of them individually would usually manage to draw all eyes in a room, but with them standing there together, their forces combined, ensured that all talks and eyes for the rest of the evening would be on them. With them being the first ones there as the hosts, there was also no one to distract the attention away from them. They tried to ignore the eyes and decided to use their time to go over some final details.

Noah was doing the strategizing for today's event and was therefore the one doing the talking, while Steve and Maria listened. Of course they raised their questions and concerns where it was needed, but most of Noah's words were met with nods. "Okay, so I think it is best if we start by going through the room as couples and then later on split off." He then turned towards Maria as he said, "During that time where we are going around, talking to people by ourselves, I am hoping you can do some digging among the wives and female heads of companies. As they might not be suspicious of you as much, not being part of the company and all. The more innocent and clueless you can pretend to be, the better it is. If they don't sense any danger or competition, they will be more forthcoming towards you."

Maria's expression turned a bit miffed as she said, "You know damn well that clueless isn't my thing. If you want some airhead to walk around the room, pretending she barely knows what a company is, then I think you have the wrong person for the job. I am willing to dig, but only as myself." Noah looked at Steve with some rolling eyes, mixed with a look of 'Can you help me out here?'. But Steve simply shrugged his shoulders, letting him know that this was a mess he would have to deal with himself as he didn't plan on causing a fight between him and Maria because Noah had picked the wrong words to use. Especially on an evening where she looked as beautiful as she did.