Boom Verce

Liora stood in front of the bathroom mirror on Monday morning and studied her reflection with a very serious expression

She had already showered. Now she pulled on a pair of high-waisted blue jeans that sat perfectly on her hips and a black crop top that hugged the soft curves of her waist and the underside of her breasts. The fabric was soft and fitted without trying too hard.

She gathered her long blonde hair into a clean ponytail, secured it with a black band, and let a few loose strands frame her face. she lightly dusted her face with powder and applied mascara softly to lengthen her lashes. Her lips were already a natural soft pink… she smoothed on a clear gloss that made them catch the light and look fuller

She left her bedroom and walked the short distance to the room next door… she had turned the room into a makeshift studio.

Portraits covered most of the walls. Tripods stood in the corners. Cameras of different sizes rested on shelves and on a long table.

She reached for the black canvas bag hanging on the back of a chair, then moved to the table. She selected her favorite camera body, checked the lens, attached it with a practiced twist, and nestled it carefully into the bag along with two spare batteries, a soft cloth, and a small reflector. Everything else she might need for the day followed. She zipped the bag, slung it over one shoulder, and walked out into the living room

Sofia was already at the dining table, with a steaming mug of coffee between her hands. The smell of toast and scrambled eggs filled the apartment

“Morning, my blonde bombshell” Sofia said, looking up. “Come eat before it gets cold. You’re not allowed to leave on an empty stomach.”

Liora set the bag down and slid into the chair opposite her. “Bossy this early?”

“I always am.” Sofia pushed a plate toward her. “So what’s the schedule today? Will you finish early?”

“ I think. They want new shots for the summer line… then a few lifestyle frames with the models. I should be done around three”

Sofia nodded, already calculating. “I close at four. I can swing by and pick you up. We could grab something to eat or just drive around town”

Liora smiled but shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. I have other plans after.”

“What plans?”

“My dad’s been calling. He says he needs to talk to me about something and that I should come home. I figure I’ll go after the shoot so he stops blowing up my phone.”

Sofia laughed under her breath. “Maybe the old man found you another suitor.”

Liora let out a long-suffering sigh and stabbed a piece of egg with her fork. “He always has time for that. He will never just let me breathe. Boyfriends, marriage… none of it is in my plan right now, and he knows it. He just refuses to listen”

Sofia’s expression softened. “He wants the best for you. Not everybody gets a parent who pays that much attention”

Liora looked at her friend for a moment. She knew the history about parents. Her parents had divorced when she was fourteen, her mother had remarried quickly, and neither side had ever given Sofia the steady, hovering care or attention that a parent should give to their child

“Well,” Liora said quietly, “all my love is yours, baby. You’re stuck with it.”

Sofia laughed, the sound bright and genuine. “I’ll take it. Now finish your eggs before I start packing them for you.”

They talked a little longer as they ate. When Liora finally stood and picked up her bag, Sofia walked her to the door and tugged once on the end of her blonde ponytail.

“Text me when you’re heading to your dad’s so I know you’re ok”

“Yes, Mom”

Liora left with a small smile still on her face.

***

The building that housed Bloom verce was modest… three stories of pale brick in a quiet commercial pocket of the city. It was a small perfume company , known for careful blends and limited runs

Liora had been freelancing with them for almost three months. She loves to work with them. The light in their small studio was soft and nice.

The scents that drifted from the lab made every shoot feel like stepping into someone else’s space. The team was small enough she knew almost everyone of them. Everything about the place aligned with the way she liked to work… precise, and comfortable

She was standing on the front steps adjusting the strap of her bag when a familiar voice called her name.

“Liora. Monday always looks good on you”

She turned. Maren, one of the junior fragrance chemists and the office’s unofficial morale officer, was jogging up the last few steps. He was tall, permanently slightly rumpled, and always smiling like the day had already given him a private joke

He leaned in and kissed her lightly on one cheek in the easy, affectionate way he always did. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, Maren.” She returned the smile. “You?”

“Better now.” He stepped back and gave her an exaggerated once-over. “You’re shining so brightly this morning it’s almost unfair to the rest of us”

Liora laughed and gave his shoulder a playful shove. “Stop. I’m smile because I got infected by you”

“Oh?” he joked, still grinning. “You look… goodddd. The bottles are going to look jealous.”

She rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her chest was real. “Come on, before you start composing a new poetry to flatter me”

They walked into the building side by side, trading soft jokes about the weekend and the new summer scents waiting upstairs