Presents for Sophie - 18.

Sophie steps into the office and stops. There they sit on the desk, three neat packages. She reaches for the smallest first, slides a nail under the tape, and peels it open. A Wii dance game stares back. She laughs, low and pleased, already thinking of Violetta and the way her hips sway when music hits. Two larger boxes wait. She lifts the first lid, tissue paper crackling. Inside, the heels—hot pink patent, needle-thin. She slips one on, watches the arch flex. Jimmy Choo. The fit is perfect, so is the weight. Eric always knows. She turns her ankle, catches the light on the glossy toe. The second box holds the sandals: thin black straps, the leather already soft. She lines both pairs beside each other, then steps back, barefoot on cool floor, the new shoes catching the glow of the afternoon sun.