the soft glow of the vanity lights cast a golden hue over the room, reflecting against the pristine glass of the floor-length mirror. alexandra stood before it, her gaze locked onto her own reflection.

the dress was perfection.

crimson silk cascaded over her frame, hugging every curve with an effortless elegance. the deep neckline was daring but not excessive, the open back revealing just enough to be alluring. the fabric shimmered subtly as she moved, a liquid-red masterpiece that was neither too flashy nor too modest—just the right kind of dangerous.

she ran a hand down the smooth material, inhaling deeply. the dress fit her like a second skin, sculpted to her body in a way that felt as if it had always belonged to her. it had been chosen for tonight, a statement in itself. red was power. red was rebellion.

her makeup was just as precise—sharp liner, a kiss of highlighter along her cheekbones, lips painted in a muted rouge that whispered wealth rather than screamed for attention. her hair fell in soft waves, brushing against her bare shoulders. she looked composed, untouched by time, a polished version of the girl who had once been reckless and free.

but as she stared at herself, she could still see her past. the ghosts of who she used to be lingered just beneath the surface, just behind her reflection.

a knock on the door pulled her back.

the housekeeper stood there, a small knowing smile on her lips. in her hands, a familiar set of car keys dangled loosely, the silver ferrari emblem catching the light.

"your mother wanted you to have these," the housekeeper said, stepping forward.

alexandra's eyes flickered to the keys.

she reached for them slowly, the weight of the cold metal pressing against her palm like a memory resurfacing. she turned them over, running a finger over the engraved initials on the keychain—a.s. the same ones that had been stripped from her hands all those years ago.

she almost laughed.

her mother, after all this time, had decided she could have it back? weird. but she wasn't about to question it—not now.

she exhaled through her nose, tucking the keys into her clutch. "thank you," she said simply before stepping past the housekeeper, making her way downstairs.

outside, parked beneath the glow of the driveway lights, was her car.

the red ferrari. it was untouched, just as she had left it. sleek. timeless. a part of her soul that had been taken away at fifteen and suddenly, inexplicably, returned. the metallic paint gleamed under the dim evening sky, its presence a striking contrast against the classic estate.

she slid into the driver's seat, gripping the wheel, feeling the way the leather molded to her fingers. the scent of the interior, that mix of gasoline, fine leather, and adrenaline, was still the same. it felt like she had never left.

she was no longer a passenger.

with a twist of the key, the engine roared to life beneath her hands, a deep, familiar growl. the vibrations hummed through her, igniting something dormant.

freedom.

a smirk ghosted her lips as she eased the car into motion, the gravel crunching beneath the tires as she pulled out of the circular driveway and onto the main road.

tonight, she was driving again.

the streets of london blurred past, the city glowing under the evening lights, a contrast of old wealth and modern indulgence. as she drove, her fingers tapped lightly against the wheel, memories flooding her mind unbidden.

she and nicholas had asked for the same car.

she still remembered the way they had both stared at it—sleek, rebellious, everything they weren't supposed to have. the night drives, the races, the unfiltered rush of adrenaline as the world disappeared behind them.

they were reckless. untouchable. until they weren't.

her mother had caught her slipping out at fifteen. that was the end of it. the keys were taken. the car locked away. and for a long time, it had felt like a part of her had been locked away with it.

but now, her mother had handed them back—just like that?

it didn't make sense.

alexandra wasn't naive. she knew catherine never did anything without a reason. this wasn't just generosity. it was a test. a distraction. a way to gauge how much alexandra had changed—or if she had at all.

she pressed down on the accelerator, letting the car surge forward as if chasing the thoughts away.

not tonight. she had somewhere to be.

she pulled up in front of a familiar residence, the headlights casting long shadows across the driveway. before she could even honk, zach was already stepping out, his hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on the car with amusement.

he approached with a slow smirk, sliding into the passenger seat with an easy familiarity.

"you finally got your car back, huh?" he mused, buckling his seatbelt.

alexandra's lips twitched. "it was about time, don't you think?"

zach let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "never thought i'd see the day. feels like the universe is balancing itself again."

she shifted gears, and they pulled onto the road, the low purr of the engine filling the silence.

zach. an old friend. a familiar presence. someone who had been around long enough to remember who she was before it all changed.

as they weaved through the streets, the radio hummed in the background, filling the air with an upbeat rhythm.

"nick's gonna be there," zach said after a moment, glancing at her.

she didn't flinch. didn't even react.

"okay," she said simply.

he huffed a quiet laugh. "you know, most people would have more of a reaction to hearing about their long-lost childhood best friend."

"i'm not most people."

zach grinned, shaking his head. "yeah, I remember."

the music pulsed louder as alexandra pressed down on the accelerator, the city lights streaking past in a blur of gold and silver.

the gala awaited.

( © SOLXSTRS 2025 )