Chloe nodded frantically, her eyes wide. "Yes! I want to fall in love like in the movies!" she confessed, earning an affectionate laugh from the audience.
Lilith smiled so beautifully that the entire hall seemed to hold its breath. She leaned down a little closer, whispering so only Chloe and the mic would catch it:
"Then I hope your story gives you a beautiful ending, hmm?"
Chloe beamed, her eyes glittering.
Behind them, the screen lit up with the first lines of the short script. The audience leaned in, eager to see what ESE's magic would do.
Chloe sat down carefully on the soft white sofa at the center of the stage. The plush cushions looked huge around her petite figure. She kept her hands on her knees, her eyes wide as a staff member gently adjusted the sleek headset over her hair.
From the audience, there was a low murmur — the curious, expectant kind parents nudged each other, people lifted their phones higher to capture this moment that felt like magic about to bloom.
