The town car glided smoothly to the curb, and Claire opened the door, gesturing for Selena to enter. But instead of following their usual routine, Selena nodded for Claire and Jennifer to join her in the back of the car.
"Change of plans," Selena said, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "It will look more natural if you two come in with me."
"Oh?" Claire raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the sudden change in routine. She exchanged a glance with Jennifer, who shrugged slightly before following Selena into the car.
As Claire settled into the plush leather seat beside Selena, she couldn't help but wonder what was behind this sudden change. Was Selena trying to throw off potential followers, or was there something more going on?
The car door closed behind them, enveloping them in a warm, quiet cocoon. Selena leaned back, a small smile playing on her lips, as the car glided smoothly away from the curb.
As the town car pulled into the garage of the massive building, Claire's eyes lit up with surprise. Were they stopping by her place? Two guards opened the doors, and Claire's gaze landed on her cousin Patrick, who gave her a nod of acknowledgment.
Selena walked towards the private elevator, pressing the button with a confident smile. Claire's eyes widened in surprise as she followed Selena into the elevator. "Wait, you also stay here, in the penthouse?" Claire asked, her voice tinged with perturbation.
Selena's smile faltered for a moment before she replied, "No, my adoptive family does. You remember McKenna?"
Jennifer's eyes darted to Claire, who raised an eyebrow before responding with a laugh, "Yeah, total psycho."
Selena's smile returned, and Claire found herself laughing along with Jennifer.
"I honestly wanted to kill her," Claire admitted, and Selena's eyes sparkled with amusement.
As the elevator descended, Selena's expression turned serious. We were switched at birth. Molly raised me, and I am very good to those who treated me well and who treat me honestly. I reward loyalty. So if you are pretending to like me, you don't have to. It won't break my heart."
The elevator doors opened, and a stunningly beautiful blonde woman leaped out, enveloping Selena in a fierce hug. "Baby girl, I missed you so freaking much! God, those Lowrie's took you for so damn long."
Molly showered Selena with kisses, examining her with an overjoyed gaze. Something shifted in her expression, and she looked at Claire and Jennifer with renewed interest. "Friends?" Molly asked, her voice trembling with excitement.
Selena smiled, and Molly's face lit up with joy. "Yes, Mom. Friends."
Claire's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the beautiful blonde woman, Molly. She couldn't help but notice the similarities between Molly and McKenna - the same sultry brown eyes and the same mischievous grin. But as she looked deeper, Claire saw something that set Molly apart from McKenna - a kindness, a warmth, a genuine friendliness that radiated from her like a beacon.
As Molly hugged Selena tightly, Claire could see the love and devotion etched on her face. She looked like a woman who had been separated from her child for far too long and was now reveling in their reunion. Claire's heart swelled with emotion as she watched the scene unfold, feeling a pang of gratitude towards Selena for introducing her to this wonderful woman.
Jennifer, standing beside her, nudged Claire gently, a soft smile on her face. "Looks like we're in for a treat," she whispered, her eyes shining with amusement. Claire nodded, her eyes never leaving Molly's face, as she felt a sense of belonging wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, she had found a new friend in Selena instead of a weak seer with little combat ability.
Selena's eyes sparkled as she asked, "Did you get all the souvenirs I sent you?" Molly's face lit up with a warm smile. "The food was a little...interesting, but James loved the haggis. And I adore the clothing! You told me about the second-hand store you invested in and how you want to bring it here."
Selena nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! They're amazing. They take old, quality clothes and recycle them into new pieces. It's brilliant! They're reducing waste and creating something beautiful."
Claire's eyes widened. "That's really cool. You sew and tailor clothes?"
Selena beamed. "I do! And I found this amazing company in South Korea that's doing something similar. We're going to make them huge! Mom and I used to make all of our own clothes out of quality thrift store finds. Why throw out perfectly good fabric, right?"
Jennifer spoke up, "I loved the fur coat you upcycled into a vest with the belt. That was genius! That is why they were unable to find the designer!" Jennifer herself was a fashion and style magazine lover and had subscriptions to all the major magazines and some foreign ones delivered to her home.
Selena grinned. "Molly made that, though. The rest of the stuff was brand new, except for the glasses. Those were Grandmother Amelia's."
Molly smiled, pleased that they liked her handiwork. "I have some other pieces that might fit you two. McKenna didn't want them, but I think you might like them." She hesitated, her eyes clouding for a moment. "To be honest, I'd love to get them out of the house. McKenna's rejection hurt a bit." Molly had put a lot of effort into the dresses and outerwear.
Selena's expression softened, and she reached out to hug Molly. "We'd love to see them, Mom. Thank you for offering!"
As the elevator doors slid open, a warm, golden light spilled out, bathing the occupants in its radiant glow. The luxurious penthouse,a true marvel of modern architecture, lay before them, its opulent splendor on full display. The spacious, airy rooms seemed to stretch on forever, filled with a dazzling array of exquisite furnishings and decorations. It smelled fantastic, like home, like her comfort food, like her Mom. Selena instantly relaxed.
Molly, Selena's other mother, led the way, guiding her daughter and her friends, Jennifer and Claire, through the sumptuous penthouse. They walked past a stunning floor-to-ceiling window, which offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.
As they made their way deeper into the penthouse, they entered a bedroom that had been transformed into a workspace, resembling a high-end fashion boutique. The room was a veritable treasure trove of style and sophistication, with racks and racks of clothing packed tightly together. Trendy tops, elegant evening gowns, and everything in between hung neatly from the racks, creating a dazzling display of color and texture.
The room was immaculately organized, with clothes, accessories, and fashion design tools neatly arranged and on display. It was a space that seemed to vibrate with creativity, where fashion and art blended in perfect harmony. Selena, Jennifer, and Claire couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and inspiration as they gazed upon the wonders of the room.
Molly smiled, watching as her daughter and her friends explored the workspace. "I could use some help thinning this all out," she said, a hint of laughter in her voice. I was so bored without you, Selena, and nervous while you were on your trip. So I kind of went a bit...nuts,"
Molly thought to herself that she was more worried. Selena went radio silent for 8 days that month; they had both gotten into "texting" as it was the quietest way she could low-key keep in touch with her all the time. It was like getting instant letters from her baby. Molly had become quite adept with the little T9 keyboard on her phone, she was saving up for one with better keys.
Jennifer and Claire squealed with delight, their eyes scanning the room with excitement. "Oh my gosh, this is amazing!" Jennifer exclaimed. "You've got, like, a whole store in here! I just thought it was only going to be a few things."
Claire nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "I know, right? It's like a fashion paradise!"
Selena rolled her eyes with a smile, looking at her friends. "Yeah, my mom can get a bit carried away sometimes."