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“Sienna. Lovely name. Like the sunset over the Italian coast.” She waved her hand over her head theatrically.
I’d take her word for it.
"You know, my dear, I once turned down three proposals in one night at a gala such as this. Alas, none of the gentlemen had a yacht large enough for my tastes." She sighed dramatically, causing her entourage to giggle.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of her statement. "That must have been quite a night," I replied, playing along.
"Oh, it was! Now, enough about my tragic romantic history. You, my dear, look as though you're solving the world's problems right here at this bar. Is it the weight of love or business that burdens you so?"
“Your drinks, madame,” the bartender called out before I could answer. One of Madame Zura’s companions collected the bright red concoctions and handed them out to us. Each drink was dusted with some kind of glitter.
“What’s this?” I asked, eyeing it warily. It was the shade of drink one learns to avoid after college.
“How should I know? But can you not feel its magic?” Zura asked.
I shrugged and sipped. To my surprise, instead of some saccharine concoction, it had a subtle spicy aroma with a hint of bitterness. It did indeed taste a little like magic.
“It’s actually very good,” I said. She nodded with satisfaction.
“Madame Zura does not steer you wrong. Now, what’s the problem?”
“It’s nothing. It’s just work.”
Madame Zura's gaze lingered on me, a knowing twinkle in her eye. "My dear, you've got that look. The one of a woman caught between the stiff pages of a contract and the soft whispers of the heart. Am I right?"
I chuckled. “Something like that," I admitted, swirling my drink.
"Ah, the classic conundrum.” She clucked her tongue. "You know, I once had to choose between inheriting a fortune and joining a circus. The heart wants what it wants.”
I blinked, waiting for the punchline, but she seemed earnest. "And what did you choose?"
"Both, darling.” She winked. "I took the fortune and bought the circus.”
Everyone was silent for a moment. Then, her entourage started laughing. I relaxed and followed suit.
"That's one way to solve a problem," I said, my spirits lifting at her absurdity. “If only I had a spare fortune.”
Madame Zura leaned in closer, her expression turning mysteriously sage. "Here's my unsolicited advice, darling: In life, and especially in love, always choose the path that adds more stories to your book. Even if it seems nonsensical at first, it’s the stories that keep us alive, not the predictability of a well-laid plan."
Though delivered with a thespian flair, her words struck a chord in me. "So, you're saying I should embrace the unexpected?"
"Exactly.” She raised her glass. "Life is a grand, unpredictable dance. Lead with your heart, follow with your mind, and when in doubt, add a little sparkle."
As she resumed entertaining her entourage with another extravagant tale involving camels, I pondered her words. I guess sometimes the most insane advice could hold the subtlest wisdom.
Madame Zura and company soon departed my sphere and made their rounds around the gala. I lingered at the bar, my mind racing with a million thoughts I couldn’t sort through. But I did feel better. What was in this drink?
Suddenly, I felt a presence beside me—and one much chillier than that of Madame Zura. Turning, I found myself face-to-face with Greta Wolf, the very woman who could upend everything I had been working toward.
With her sharp features and piercing gaze, Greta exuded a confidence that was both intimidating and calculated. Her sleek, tailored long-sleeve dress spoke volumes about her business acumen—direct, unapologetic, powerful. She had platinum blonde hair slicked back into a tight bun and milky white skin that was so pure it looked like glass. I knew she was nearly 50, but she didn’t have a line on her. What were these women drinking?
We stared at each other for an extended moment. Finally, her crimson lips curled into an imitation of a smile.
"Ms. Frost, isn't it?" Greta said in a German accent that was smooth but with a distinct edge to it that gave me chills.
“Ms. Wolf. Please, call me Sienna.”
Her smile-impression widened. “Likewise. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. I've heard much about your involvement with the Novák Hotel."
