Vanessa stood on a round pedestal in the middle of the main viewing area.

The dress she had on was enormous, covered in pearls that caught the bright lights overhead.

It had a long train that spilled off the edge of the platform and pooled on the spotless carpet.

She smoothed her skirt, even though the heavy fabric hung perfectly to the floor.

“It looks absolutely stunning on you,” I said.

Vanessa didn’t look in the mirror, and she didn’t look at me.

She kept her eyes on the young woman kneeling on the floor, pinning the edges of her train.