### A Gift-Wrapped Disaster
Dinner was... unforgettable. And not in the Michelin-starred way, but in the "I might need therapy after this" kind of way.
The chandelier above them still swayed from Marco's recent, and very vocal, descent from the ceiling. Valeria had insisted it added drama.
As dessert was served, Valeria stood gracefully, her smile as elegant as her threat level.
"Darlings," she purred, gliding to Charlotte and Olivia with two slender, ribbon-wrapped boxes. "A little token of appreciation. For being such... delightful dinner guests."
Charlotte accepted the box with polite suspicion.
She peeked into the box, slammed the lid shut so fast she almost trapped her fingers. Her entire face turned the shade of a ripe tomato.
Alexander, ever the observant one, arched an eyebrow. "What is it? It can't be worse than whatever Valeria considers 'dinner theater'."
"Nothing!" Charlotte squeaked. "Just... skincare. Italian. Very... firming."
