CHAPTER 06 - MY LOVELY STEPSISTER VI [LUNA X ARIA]

Luna sighed, her gaze shifting to the window beside her. Outside the classroom, the sky looked bright, with white clouds hanging low on the horizon. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating the dusty floor and adding warmth to the cool room. Her eyes followed a bird flying past, weaving between the green campus trees. She felt a little calm, but her heart was still filled with doubt and embarrassment. The sound of people talking in another room was faint, blending with the sound of leaves rustling in the wind. The peaceful atmosphere outside contrasted with the emotional turmoil she was experiencing, making Luna feel a little calmer, even if only for a moment.

Aria was still in her room when Luna had left for campus a few minutes earlier. Dressed only in her favorite underware, a sexy light blue set with cute ribbon decorations, she sat pensively, pondering what outfit to wear. The underware was made of soft material with lace trim, making it look both sweet and seductive. Aria was very particular about her clothing choices because they would affect her career as a model. She had been pursuing her modeling career since junior high school, known for her beautiful face, long, smooth black hair, and a proportionate body since then. Aria was very confident in her appearance in front of the camera, but even so, she never wore just any clothes for her photo sessions.

Soon after, Aria walked to her closet, carefully selecting a few outfits, then said, "Hmm... I better ask Luna for advice."

In class, during the lesson, Luna received several WhatsApp notifications from an unknown number. Feeling annoyed and curious, she checked her phone screen. When she opened the messages, Luna was surprised to see photos of someone she knew very well. Yes, it was Aria. Luna wondered how Aria had found her number, as she had never given it to her. Muttering to herself, Luna began to open the messages Aria had sent.

Among the WhatsApp messages Luna received were several photos of Aria in various outfits. Aria wore different clothes, each exuding its own charm. At the end of the photo series, Aria had written a message, "Which one do you think suits me best today?"

Luna admitted that whatever Aria wore always looked beautiful. However, out of the five photos sent, one caught Luna's attention. The outfit was not too revealing but also not too modest, providing a perfect balance between propriety and elegance. It was a soft lavender satin dress with an elegant A-line cut. The dress had short transparent sleeves with a bit of lace trim at the ends, and the neckline had a modest V-cut that still gave a feminine touch. At the waist, there was a thin belt with a small bow, highlighting Aria's curves without being too revealing. From Luna's perspective, Aria looked very charming in the dress, radiating natural elegance and beauty effortlessly.

Luna smiled, then tapped on the photo she liked and sent it back with a brief reply, "This one is good." After sending it, she wondered why she cared so much about Aria's clothing choice. A few seconds later, Aria replied with a new photo of herself wearing the outfit Luna had chosen. Luna was captivated by the pose Aria struck in her selfie. In the photo, Aria stood in front of a mirror, slightly tilting her body so that the lavender dress hugged her curves perfectly. Aria's sharp eyes and small smile added to her overall allure, making her look graceful and stunning. The dress truly showcased Aria's elegant and feminine side without being excessive.

However, just as Luna wanted to give her opinion, a new message appeared. Luna became annoyed again, this time Aria had sent a photo of herself in her favorite sexy underware with the caption, "special fan service for Luna." Quickly, Luna deleted all of Aria's messages and refocused on her lesson, grumbling in irritation, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Outside her house, Aria waited patiently for a reply from Luna. But after a while, no response came to her phone. Aria took a deep breath, thinking that perhaps the last photo she sent was the reason Luna did not respond. Feeling sad and a bit regretful, Aria got into her car parked in front of the house. The car was an elegant and well-maintained black sedan.

Aria started the engine and slowly drove towards her photo studio, which was not far from Luna's house. The morning streets were quite empty, with only a few vehicles passing by and people walking, allowing Aria to daydream a little, recalling Luna's expression when they last met.

Upon arriving at the studio, she was immediately greeted by a woman in a neat suit. Her age was not far from Luna's mother's, around her late thirties. The woman was Lia Tria Ningsih, Aria's biological mother and manager.

Aria was warmly welcomed by Lia, who complimented her outfit. "You look very beautiful today, that dress really shows off your elegance," Lia said with a proud smile.

Aria smiled and elegantly twirled, then said, "Of course. This is Luna's best choice. Her fashion sense isn't too bad, is it?"

Lia gave a wry smile; she had heard of her potential stepsister Luna and her future stepmother, Ratna. Lia felt very sad because she would be separated from her daughter after her ex-husband Haris married Ratna. There was not much Lia could do, still feeling guilty about the grave mistake that led to her divorce from Haris.

Aria noticed Lia's sad expression and asked what was bothering her mother. However, Lia firmly replied that she was fine.

After that, Lia and Aria entered the studio and headed to the photo room. The photo room was very spacious with high ceilings and excellent lighting. The walls were pristine white to reflect natural light and the bright studio lights. In the center of the room were various advanced photography equipment, such as high-resolution digital cameras, sturdy tripods, and light reflectors. There were also interchangeable backgrounds to suit the photo theme, from green screens to luxurious velvet curtains. In the corner of the room was a dressing table complete with a large mirror surrounded by lights, filled with makeup and cosmetics. Comfortable sofas and several chairs were also provided to ensure the comfort of the model and her team during the photo session.

In the photo room, Aria was greeted by a handsome and muscular man, though Aria always felt slightly uneasy due to his flamboyant style. The man wore an open-buttoned shirt, revealing his flat, hairy chest. He was Denis Hermansyah, a skilled photographer who often worked with Aria. Denis smiled warmly at Aria and approached her, showing a touch of flamboyance in his movements.

Behind Denis stood a young woman the same age as Luna. Denis introduced the woman to Aria, "This is Citra Sari, a rookie model from the agency you're registered with."

Lia smiled at Citra and encouraged her for the photo session with Aria. "Good luck, Citra. Make sure you enjoy every moment," she said, gently patting Citra's shoulder.

Denis then explained the theme of the photo shoot, "Our theme today is 'sisters.' You two need to convey the impression that you are sisters in every photo taken. Make your expressions and interactions seem as if you have a strong blood bond."

Aria and Citra exchanged smiles. They then walked to the prepared photo set, ready to display the sisterly chemistry Denis wanted in each shot.

Aria and Citra tried their best to portray the impression of being sisters in every photo taken. Denis gave detailed directions so they could show a strong emotional bond and closeness. Aria tried to display a soft and loving expression, while Citra adjusted her movements with warmth. However, despite repeated attempts, Aria struggled to portray the role of a protective and caring older sister.

Once the photo session ended, Denis immediately checked the photos taken. His face showed clear dissatisfaction. Denis approached Aria with determined steps and sharp eyes. "I don't feel the role of an older sister in you," Denis said disappointedly. Aria nodded weakly, feeling cornered. "I've never been a good older sister because I'm an only child," she said softly.

Denis turned his gaze to Citra and gave a thin smile. "However, I must admit the younger sister impression is very evident in Citra," he said appreciatively. "That's understandable because Citra, besides being a rookie model, is an excellent actress. She has even appeared in several drama TV." Citra smiled gratefully, feeling proud but still humble. Aria tried to absorb Denis' advice and was determined to practice harder to excel in any role given to her.

That night, Aria went back to Luna's house. Upon arrival, she saw Haris sitting with Ratna in the living room, looking cozy. Aria smiled and greeted Haris, "Papa, welcome. Just arrived?" Haris smiled and said he wanted to have dinner with Ratna. Aria asked if Luna was in her room; Ratna sighed and said that whenever Haris was there, Luna would stay over at her friend's house.

Ratna looked a bit disappointed as she said this. "Luna feels uncomfortable being at home when Haris is around," she added sadly. Haris, hearing this explanation, could only respond with a slow nod and a thin, forced smile. Aria sensed the unspoken tension between them but chose not to discuss it further.

"I'll go to my room now," Aria said and headed upstairs. On her way to her room, Aria reflected on Luna's feelings of avoiding home whenever her father was around. She hoped the situation would soon change and their lives could unite in peace and happiness.