BACCARA: It's all an Illusion

Lucario Atelier

Meanwhile, back in the main area, Lucario sipped on an espresso, his phone buzzing with messages. A faint smirk played on his lips as he glanced toward the fitting rooms.

"I told you she'd love it." he muttered to himself, tapping out a quick reply:

-Don't worry. She'll be ready.-

Inside the fancy fitting room, Savannah found herself surrounded by luxury she had only ever dreamed of. The air smelled like lavender and jasmine, which was both soothing and exciting. The gold details in the room caught the light from the chandelier above, giving everything a warm glow. The dresses hanging on the walls looked like works of art. She was in a place of elegance, but her mind was a mess of confusion.

Savannah looked at herself in the mirror wearing the first dress—a real beauty made of silk and chiffon that fit her like a glove. The pale lavender fabric flowed down like a waterfall, delicate yet striking. The bodice, decorated with hand-stitched pearls, clung to her body, while the train trailed behind her like a cloud.

She turned a bit, letting the fabric catch the light. "Wow." she whispered, almost scared to speak too loud in case she broke the spell.

The people around her smiled, clearly used to seeing this kind of reaction. A petite woman with a soft French accent chimed in, "You look great in it. It's a perfect match."

Savannah gave a small smile, but her mind was spinning. What am I even doing here? This isn't me. This isn't my life.

Her thoughts were interrupted when someone showed her another dress—a bright red gown with a low-cut neckline and fancy beadwork that glittered like stars. She hesitated for a moment, then went behind the privacy screen to change.

Each dress seemed to have its own story. The next one, an icy-blue dress, made her think of starry parties and winter events. The golden dress shone like sunshine and felt incredibly elegant. The staff worked quickly, bringing dress after dress, each one a stunning piece of art and luxury.

But when Savannah stood in front of the mirror wearing a deep green dress, she felt a sudden calm, as if the world had stopped just for her. The dress fit her perfectly, its rich color making her complexion stand out. The fitted waist and flowing train gave it both power and grace. She couldn't help but give a little twirl, watching the fabric swirl around her like ocean waves.

"This feels... unreal." she whispered to herself, touching the smooth fabric.

The door to the fitting room creaked open, and Lucario leaned against the frame, arms crossed and that trademark grin on his face. His eyes scanned her up and down, and he nodded approvingly. "Now that is a look." he said, sounding both casual and genuine.

Savannah turned to face him, still trying to wrap her head around her reflection. "Lucario."

"Call me Luca." he said with a playful smirk. "We're friends now, right?"

She frowned. "I still don't get why I'm doing this. These dresses are... they're amazing, but they're also super pricey. I don't have anywhere to wear them, and even if I did, I can't-"

"Ah, ah, ah," Lucario interrupted, holding up a finger. "First rule of moments like these: don't question them. You're here, and you deserve to be here. That's all that matters."

She sighed, exasperated. "Luca, seriously, what's the point of all this? Why am I even here?"

He straightened up and walked into the room, pointing at the mirror. "Because sometimes, Savannah, you need a reminder of your worth. You might not see it yet, but trust me, you will."

She opened her mouth to argue, but his serious tone made her stop. He reached out, gently turning her back to the mirror. "Look at yourself. Really look. Do you see it now?"

Her reflection stared back, looking regal and confident. For a moment, she imagined this was her world, her life filled with luxury and beauty. But the idea felt strange, almost wrong.

"I... I don't know." she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lucario chuckled softly and stepped back. "Well, then, let me make it simple. Pick your favorite dress."

She turned to him, eyes wide. "Pick? You mean... I'm supposed to take one of these?"

"Yeah." he said, sounding relaxed but serious. "You'll need it for tonight."

"Tonight?" she asked, sounding puzzled.

Lucario chuckled, his face all mischief. "Now we're getting somewhere."

"Luca." she said firmly. "What's going on tonight?"

He just shrugged and walked towards the door. "You'll find out soon enough, Savannnah. Just pick a dress. Oh, and go with the Maroon one—you look like a queen in it."

Savannah watched him go, feeling confused. She didn't know what to make of him, this place, or even herself at that moment. All she knew was that, for the first time ever, she felt like she was walking into a story much bigger than anything she'd ever dreamed of.

Sometime later

As Savannah stood in front of the mirror at the boutique, wearing the maroon frock a-line dress that fit her perfectly, she couldn't help but feel amazed at how she looked. Her hair was styled into soft curls that framed her face, and the matching heels added a touch of elegance to her overall look. The dress had a classic yet modern feel, with the deep maroon color making her look both regal and effortlessly stylish. It was unlike anything she'd ever worn before, but in that moment, it felt totally natural.

Across the room, Lucario was lost in admiration. Usually playful, he now had a quiet respect for how beautiful Savannah looked, he was in a awe. The other people in the boutique were just as impressed, quietly complimenting each other while they watched her from a distance.

Lucario stepped forward, checking Savannah out from head to toe with a approving look. "I get why Blaze picked you now." he said, sounding really impressed.

Savannah's cheeks turned bright red, and a smile started to form on her lips. She didn't expect such a nice comment from him, especially not so genuinely.

Before, she had doubts about him—his happy-go-lucky attitude annoyed her. But now, she was starting to like his charm.

His easygoing nature seemed like a perfect match to the heavy silences she usually had with Blaze, and it felt good.

"Are you going to tell me why we're doing this?" she asked, still feeling confused even though things were more relaxed between them.

Lucario's smile got even bigger. "Savannah, honey, you'll find out soon enough." he replied, still looking her over with obvious admiration. "For now, just enjoy the moment."

She squinted at him, still unsure, but when their eyes met, she knew there was no point in doubting him anymore. He had this way of making her feel relaxed and curious all at once.

Twenty minutes later, Lucario gave her a knowing smile and said, "Let's go." He spun around and started walking towards the exit, moving confidently and with purpose. Savannah hesitated for a moment, still not sure where this was headed, but she decided to follow him.

She waved cheerfully to the boutique staff, thanking them for being so kind, and stepped out of the shop. The whole day felt unreal, and with each step, her nerves tightened up more. What was happening? Why did he bring her to the boutique, and what was the deal with all this?

Outside the boutique, there was a shiny black car waiting. It gleamed in the sunlight, looking like something from a world of wealth and luxury that she hadn't been part of for a long time, unlike with Blaze. This car was clearly expensive—something she'd only seen in magazines and of course with Blaze's before.

Lucario, being the perfect gentleman, opened the car door for her and gestured inside with a flourish. "After you, Miss Miller." he said, his voice full of charm.

Savannah hesitated, looking back and forth between the car and Lucario. She was still confused about what was happening. "Where are we going?" she asked, her voice calm but mixed with uncertainty.

"Just trust me." Lucario answered, his tone comforting yet mysterious. "You'll know soon enough." He gave her a smile that was almost playful, like he knew something she didn't.

She paused for a bit longer, her head spinning with questions. Then, seeing no other option and feeling oddly curious, she got into the car.

As the door closed behind her, she couldn't help but look at Lucario through the window. He winked at her, looking really confident. "Just sit back and relax. This is going to be fun."

Savannah leaned back into the soft seat, her heart pounding. She had no idea where she were headed, but something told her this wasn't just a regular trip. The fact that Blaze trusted Lucario with this—trusted him with her—only made things more mysterious. What could be waiting for her at the end of this ride?

The car started moving, and Savannah looked out the window, trying to make sense of everything in her head. She had always been practical and down-to-earth, but today, it felt like the ground was shifting under her feet.

As the car cruised along the winding roads, Savannah gazed out the window, watching the world blur past. Trees, buildings, and landscapes flew by, but her mind was elsewhere—confused. Where was this car taking her? And what did Blaze have to do with all this?

The car slowed down in front of a big, ornate gate that opened automatically when the chauffeur pressed a button. Beyond the gate, the driveway snaked through well-kept gardens. It felt different here—peaceful, cozy. Like something out of a movie, a hidden oasis away from the chaos.

When the car stopped at a grand estate, driver opened her door with a knowing look. "We're here Ms. Miller." he said, twinkling eyes and all.

Savannah hesitated, her heart racing. The estate was breathtaking—its architecture grand and elegant, yet understated. She had no clue where she was, but she knew one thing: this wasn't an ordinary place. The chauffeur motioned for her to follow, and she did, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Meanwhile, at the Lucario Atelier, Luca leaned back on the couch. A staff member handed him his fifth Espresso as he scrolled through his phone and took a sip.

Finally, he sighed, "I hope everything goes well." the staff member said. Luca looked at her with a serious face, not like before when he was all happy and jolly.

"I hope so." he said, checking his phone for a reply to his message.

"Or else I'm dead," he added.

Author's Note :

Happy reading<3

I know I'm taking too much time to reveal the surprise but it's going to be worth it;)

Have a good day/night <3<3