Molly chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Hey, someone's got to keep things interesting around here. Now, let's get to work, girls. You've got a lot to choices to make."
"She is not lying. Do it, or she will just send you home with a bigger pile than what you would choose for yourselves. I warn you!" Selena laughed.
"James is not home yet, so we can be loud," Molly said with a wink. She gestured to a large pile of clothes. "I haven't had a chance to hang these up yet. Help yourselves if you want to dig in there, girls!"
Claire's eyes widened with excitement as she scanned the room, her fingers itching to dig through the racks.
Selena, meanwhile, had already begun browsing through the racks. She picked up a stylish top that caught her eye and pulled off her top to try it on. The girls watched in stunned silence as Selena confidently changed into the new top, then paired it with distressed jeans and nylons. The result was a stunning outfit that showcased Selena's bold sense of style.
Jennifer's eyes were wide with admiration. "Need some help?" Selena offered, noticing Jennifer's fascination. Jennifer nodded eagerly, still looking a bit starstruck. "Yes, please pick out a few outfits that you think will suit me." Selena grinned, happy to share her fashion expertise with her new friend.
Molly began carefully hanging up her creations, a smile spreading across her face. The acceptance after McKenna's complete rejection felt nice. Selena asked, "So, Mom, have you thought about which design school you want to attend yet?"
Claire's eyes widened in awe as she scanned the room. "I don't think she needs to go to school with this kind of skill! Holy shit, I feel like I'm in some kind of dream world."
Molly's cheeks flushed with pleasure, feeling grateful for the kind words. McKenna's hurtful insults had taken a toll on her confidence, but Selena and her friends were slowly mending that wound. The contrast between McKenna's cruelty and Selena's pride in her mother's talents was a balm to Molly's soul.
As she hung up a stunning evening gown, Molly's thoughts drifted back to the pain McKenna had caused her. When she saw Selena's picture in the press, she was devastated, feeling like she couldn't even go out in public with her daughter anymore. Eun Ho's manipulative tactics had tried to drive a wedge between her and Selena, but Selena had refused to give up on her.
Despite everything, Selena still stayed with her during the week, still loved her, and still proudly wore the clothes she designed. Proudly. She was just as proud. Selena had only brought good into her life.
Molly's eyes sparkled as she scanned the racks, her mind racing with the perfect outfit for Claire. She walked up to Claire, a mischievous grin spreading across her face, and plucked out an outfit that seemed tailor-made for the little redhead.
"Here," Molly said, holding up the outfit with a flourish. The outfit consisted of modified black jeans with straps and loops, a black bustier top, a long-line white form-fitting top made from a large men's shirt, and a wide cincher belt. Claire's eyes widened as she took in the outfit, her face lighting up with excitement. It was pretty kick-ass and right up her alley. Perhaps Molly could help her design a pair of pants capable of storing her blades and guns. Something with the harnesses sewn right in.
"Try it on," Molly encouraged, handing Claire the outfit. And don't forget, leave the white top open like a cardigan. "Show off those assets, girl!" Molly added with a wink, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Claire's cheeks flushed, but she couldn't help giggling at Molly's sassy advice.
Molly had a keen sense of style, always knowing what was on-trend, and she infused her surroundings with a fun, carefree atmosphere. She didn't need wealth or power to radiate confidence and charm. In contrast, Eun Ho's dominating presence often made
Selena felt stifled and pressured to conform to certain expectations.
Around Molly, Selena could finally relax and be herself, shedding the persona of the privileged rich girl. With her friends by her side, Selena felt free to unwind and enjoy life without the weight of her family's reputation or Eun Ho's strict rules. Molly's warm and welcoming nature created a safe space for Selena to let her guard down and simply be.
Molly beamed at her daughter. She walked up to her while the other girls were busy, and she pulled a picture out of her pocket. Her hand shook; she was so excited to share this with her daughter. "Baby Girl, I have some news."
Selena's eyes welled with happy tears. "Mom, you're pregnant? I am going to have a sibling?" Selena hugged her mother tightly.
Molly trembled happily as Selena took the news better than she thought she would. She was worried that Selena would feel replaced. But her daughter was happy.
Selena's stomach rumbled. "So, are you craving anything? No seafood, okay? I want Fu-Ling Palace?"
Molly cupped her daughter's face and pinched her cheek, "Order a ton of General Tao's, please." Molly grinned. Selena bounced happily.
Selena's eyes shone with pride as she gazed at her mother, but a pang of guilt quickly followed. She knew she had to keep a monumental secret hidden from Molly - a secret that could put her mother in harm's way. The world Selena now inhabited was fraught with danger, and she couldn't bear the thought of Molly being exposed to it. Selena's heart ached as she realized she had to lie to her mother to keep her safe.
Eun Ho was the only one she could somewhat confide in, but even Eun Ho didn't know the whole truth. Only her grandmother, Amelia, knew that Selena had traveled back in time from the future, inhabiting her younger body once more. Selena had kept this secret hidden, even from Eun Ho, protecting her mother and those around her from the secrets that could destroy them.
Eun Ho's isolated existence made it difficult for Selena to confide in her. Eun Ho's interactions with ordinary people were scarce, limited to brief encounters with store clerks or other servants. She was out of touch with the real world, where people struggled and suffered.
As a result, Eun Ho lacked the emotional intelligence to understand Selena's fears and confusion. She couldn't relate to the everyday struggles and emotions that ordinary people experience. Selena felt like she was talking to a wall; she felt bad for her biological mother. She was unable to convey the depth of her feelings to someone who didn't grasp the nuances of human emotion.
Selena sashayed into the pantry, her new outfit making her feel like a million bucks. She was on a mission to satisfy her growling stomach, and she knew just what she needed. Her mother had been thoughtful enough to stock up on high-calorie foods, and Selena's eyes landed on a giant pack of fudge. She tore it open and dug in, the sweetness hitting her taste buds like a ton of bricks.
She picked up the takeout menu for the Fu-Ling Palace and dialed the number. When the person on the other end answered, Selena ordered a massive amount of food, trying to play it cool despite her embarrassment.
"Yeah, it's for a big party," she explained, trying to justify the enormous order. "Sorry, you can bring it in batches." Selena couldn't help but smirk as she hung up the phone. This was going to be the ultimate test of loyalty for Claire and Jennifer. They had never seen her eat before, and Selena had a feeling it was going to be a wild ride.
"Mom, guys, don't freak out when you see me eat, okay?" Selena warned, trying to prepare them for the impending food frenzy. "I'm on a special diet." She glanced over at Claire and Jennifer, who were still busy rummaging through the piles of clothes Molly had given them.
The two girls were in absolute heaven, their eyes shining with excitement as they sorted through the fashionable treasures. With their modest allowances and salaries, free clothes were a welcome treat. And let's be real, who wouldn't want free clothes? Only a fool would turn down a deal like that.
Molly raised an eyebrow, looking slightly uncertain, but she just shrugged it off. "As long as you're healthy, and it doesn't hurt you, sweetie," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. But Molly's mind was already racing ahead, wondering if she should discreetly check Selena's backpack for any suspicious substances later. After all, Selena was a growing girl, and Molly wanted to make sure she was making healthy choices.
The group sat in stunned silence as Selena devoured tray after tray of Chinese food. Claire caught the bewildered looks on the MacDonalds' faces and quickly jumped in to deflect their attention.
"You should see how much Jonah and Eun Ho eat," Claire said with a chuckle. "Selena's appetite is nothing compared to theirs. It's a familial disease... a form of hyperthyroidism, right?" Claire offered, trying to come up with a plausible explanation.
Selena, her mouth full of General Tao's chicken, nodded.
Jennifer picked up on Claire's cue and added her spin. "Yeah, I overheard Angus saying that your other mom eats all the time!"
"You're so lucky, Selena!" Jennifer gushed, trying to normalize Selena's incredible appetite. Little did they know. Seers like Selena required an enormous amount of food to sustain their unique abilities.
Selena's face lit up with a warm smile, feeling grateful for her friends' quick thinking and loyalty. It was a comforting feeling, knowing she had allies like Claire and Jennifer who would cover for her and help her navigate the challenges of being a Seer.