Evelyn Dove glanced at the clock on the wall before lowered her eyes to the slim silver watch on her wrist. With a soft exhale and a measured movement of her hand, she pressed the button on the intercom.
 
Bzzzt.
 
A moment passed. Her manicured fingers tapped lightly on the desk, betraying her impatience. After a few moments more she leaned forward and pressed the button again.
 
Bzzzzzzt.
 
Still nothing. The only reply was the soft tick... tick... tick of the clock above, each second another tiny insult. The silence between seconds felt heavy in the room, disturbed only by the low hum of the air conditioning and the faint glow of the city through tall windows veiled in pale curtains.
 
Her new stylist was unforgivably late, the one her assistant had described as utterly the saviour of any last-minute emergency. Now her assistant wasn't responding either. For Evelyn, CEO of the Bonnibelle Doll Company, time was currency, measured only in deals struck and decisions made. She had an important investor meeting in just a few hours, and waiting idly was not in her nature.
 
"Hmmmm..." she murmured under her breath, straightening in her chair, smoothing the sleek line of her white pencil skirt with a sweep of her hand, a dark lavender blouse tucked impeccably inside, cinched at the waist by a slender belt of gleaming gold. Each detail of her wardrobe a piece of armour as much as it was adornment.
 
Before her, her broad oak desk stretched out in front of her, the surface immaculate and gleaming, its weight anchoring the room with quiet authority. She lifted her hand and rested it on the cool contoured surface of a white wireless mouse. With a click, her email blossomed open, the inbox was thick with a multitude of requests, demanding her attention. Vendors fussed about shipments. Subordinates begged for approval. The usual parade of meeting reminders. Tiresome, yet each message was also a quiet tribute.
 
Evelyn was only months into her tenure as CEO, yet the board had chosen her carefully. She had reshaped companies before, bending them to her will, sharpening their edges, leaving them stronger than she found them. The Bonnibelle Doll Company, once a vintage darling but lately faltering for lack of vision, was simply her newest conquest. She meant to drag it into the future using the technology it had resisted for too long. Already the gears were turning, moving to her rhythm. She was setting the pace and the rest could only do their best to scramble and follow her lead.
 
Crossing her ankles with a subtle motion, Evelyn relished the silken glide of her beige nylon stockings against each other as she clicked open her inbox. The first message was one she had been expecting: confirmation that her newest product was ready to move into production. She typed her authorisation with brisk precision and sent it off with the crisp snap of her mouse. Her gaze was just shifting to the next subject line when a soft knock at the office door pulled her attention away. The cursor lingered on the screen as her features eased into a calm, composed expression.
 
"Come in," she said in a cool, clear tone, her gaze fixed on the door as it swung open on well-oiled hinges.
 
"Hello, hello! I'm here, I'm here!" The bright, cheerful voice arrived first, followed quickly by the beaming face of a young woman who stepped lightly into the room with equal exuberance. Evelyn observed the young woman critically, her eyes travelling up over yellow heels paired with white bobby socks, a light pink poodle skirt that swung with her step, and a tightly fitted white blouse that seemed to barely contain the swell of her breasts. A pale yellow sweater rested neatly across her shoulders. Above it all, a platinum-blonde bouffant, framed by bangs and topped with a wide pink bow, complimented her doll-like face. Against the backdrop of Evelyn's austere office, the effect was almost absurd.
 
"I have been expecting you." Evelyn said, her tone carrying the faintest edge of reproach. Inwardly, she almost smiled at the absurdity. This was the much-praised stylist? A woman dressed like a confection, the one her assistant had spoken of so highly, and said to have worked with high-profile clients? She was supposed to polish her image? Setting aside her reservations and critical contemplations, with a major investor awaiting her that evening, Evelyn would simply have to make use of the woman before her, despite her apparent shortcomings.
 
The young woman slipped inside, closing the door with a soft click before crossing the spacious office with graceful motions and a subtle sway of her hips. As she came closer, Evelyn took notice how small and delicate she was. In one hand she carried a heart-shaped case patterned in pink and yellow swirls, while the other guided a tall salon trolley on smooth wheels. The glossy lacquer of the case and trolley caught the light, a dazzling injection of flare into the room's muted office tones.
 
The petite young woman stepped up to the desk and leaned forward slightly, offering her hand with a bright smile. Her frame was slender, yet her breasts were strikingly generous, pressing forward as she bent across the desk. A faint sweetness drifted out before her, a soft perfumed scent of sugared violets and vanilla.
 
"Molly. Molly May," she said, her voice lilting with cheer.
 
Evelyn accepted the hand with measured reluctance. "Evelyn," she replied crisply, lips pursed. "Though I'm afraid we have little time for pleasantries. I have an important meeting in less than two hours." Her gaze flicked deliberately to the clock on the wall.
 
Molly giggled softly, waving the concern aside, "There is plenty of time. Your assistant Adelaide has already told me exactly what you want for today. I am sure every meeting is important, for a prominent executive like you." A playful twinkle lit her eyes as she set her round case on the desk with a delicate clack. With her free hand, she steered the tall pink trolley across the carpet, its wheels gliding in near silence.
 
Evelyn gave the case a brief glance.
 
Molly watched her closely, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of her mouth, as though she could already guess what Evelyn was thinking.
 
"I have everything you need right here," Molly said pleasantly as she pressed her thumbs to the clasp. With a soft click, the lid lifted open.
 
Molly hummed happily as she lifted a pink, bowl-shaped device from its case, its folded panels of round mirrors catching the light. "My portable salon!" she announced with a proud little flourish. "And yes, it will slip right into place on the back of your chair." She beamed, gliding around the side of Evelyn's desk with confident, almost theatrical poise.
 
Evelyn shifted slightly, crossing one leg over the other as her eyes followed Molly's movements. "Let's see what you can do, then," she said smoothly. "Impress me."
 
Molly stepped in behind her and rested a light hand on her shoulder. "Oh, I will," she said brightly. "Just relax, and I'll take care of everything, darling. You'll be flawless before you know it."
 
Molly let her fingertips glide over the glossy pink dome, easing open the folded arms that were nestled against its sides. Each one unfolded with a gentle click, like petals finding their shape. At the base she brushed a small latch, and a curved support bar slipped down with quiet grace, resting securely against the back of Evelyn's soft cream colored leather chair. From beneath the dome she drew out a second section, slimmer and shaped like a shallow basin, its surface a polished pink enamel. A pair of slender silver tubes extended with a soft hiss, sliding neatly into place as the basin locked against the headrest. Molly pressed lightly at the fixtures, her touch precise, and bent with graceful ease at the side of the chair. She guided the ends of the tubes towards the base of the trolley, where they found their hidden ports and clicked into place with quiet finality.
 
Molly's hand settled lightly on Evelyn's shoulder. "When I got the call to style the CEO of Bonnibelle, I could hardly believe it!" she exclaimed, her eyes bright with delight. "I have beautiful dolls just like you at home and I just keep finding new ones!" she gushed happily. With slow, fluid care, she tilted the dome forward, lowering the smooth curve until it hovered above Evelyn's head like a protective arch.
 
Evelyn's gaze rose to the mirror that slid into place on its slender silver arm. The tender pink frame caught the light as Molly guided it into position. Evelyn's own reflection stared back at her, precise and immaculate, one brow lifting ever so slightly. "Somehow I'm not surprised," she replied, her tone measured.
 
Molly's smile brightened as she made a final adjustment. "Oh yes, I love brushing their hair and changing their outfits whenever I can. They look so darling when they're all dressed up. Sometimes I think I might adore them a little too much!"
 
Evelyn's gaze remained steady in the mirror. "Charming," she murmured, the word touched with faint dismissal. Her fingertips drummed once against the oak desk, a quiet metronome of her waning patience.
 
Unfazed, Molly gave a soft giggle, her eyes wide with playful innocence. "Well, maybe I'll adore you just as much once we're finished," she chirped. Her hand brushed gently against the arm of Evelyn's chair, guiding it back with sweet insistence. Humming to herself, Molly knelt on the plush carpet and drew out the lower section. With care, she rotated a pair of padded leg rests into place, then looked up with a bright smile. "May I?" she asked, her hands hovering near Evelyn's heels.
 
Evelyn regarded her for a moment, then inclined her head. "Go on." Molly slipped away Evelyn's heels and guided her feet and calves into the waiting cushions, adjusting them with delicate precision. She made no move to stop Molly, only letting her eyes drift closed. When she opened them again, her gaze lifted upward. The metallic pink dome arched above her, smooth and gleaming with a soft iridescent glow. Within its curve, a ring of tiny LED lights encircled her in perfect symmetry. At the centre, a layered silver disc gleamed, polished and still. On either side of her head, two smaller circular mirrors extended forward, framing her gently.
 
Molly leaned in with a warm smile. "How does that feel? Would you like a little music? Something light and cheerful?" she offered brightly.
 
Evelyn inclined her head in the barest nod. "If it helps you work," she replied evenly. A moment later, with the press of a button, a lilting classical salon melody drifted softly through the room.
 
"You will love the experience, Evelyn," Molly said softly, her tone as gentle as her touch as she moved into place behind the chair. In the mirror's glow, Evelyn caught her reflection leaning closer, a reassuring smile curving her lips. "My portable salon is all ready now. Shall we begin your wash?"
 
Evelyn's lips curved, her eyes narrowing with the faintest glint of amusement. "Best not waste a moment," she replied smoothly. "Time is one luxury I cannot afford to squander."
Molly's touch was gentle as she guided Evelyn into the reclined position, her eyes alight with playful warmth. "That's why I'm here," she chimed sweetly. "To steal a little time back for you. Even the busiest woman deserves her moments devoted to personal care."
 
Evelyn's shoulders shifted with the faintest lift, a quiet laugh escaping low in her throat. "I suppose that's true," she admitted. "It's been ages since I've had the time to sit through a full salon visit. These days there's always another meeting waiting to devour the hours." She stretched her legs slightly in the padded rests, her gaze flicking to her reflection in the tinted mirror as though testing the words against the poised image looking back at her.
 
Molly tilted her head, her fingers light in Evelyn's hair. "Golly, it's really like that? No breaks at all? I always wondered what it's like, running something as big as Bonnibelle."
 
Evelyn's smirked, the smile that came a shade too sharp to be casual. She lifted a hand to smooth the line of her skirt before letting it fall back against the armrest. "It's exactly like that. Constant, demanding, relentless. But that's the role, and I wouldn't trade it." Her eyes slipped closed again, her chin angling back with ease.
 
Molly's smile softened as she slipped the pins free one by one, loosening Evelyn's neat bun until dark strands spilled down across her shoulders. "Oh my, so long and luxurious," she breathed with a quiet laugh, letting the silk of it run through her fingers. "It feels like unwrapping a present." She gathered the glossy mass, guiding it gently back over the basin. With a deft twist of her wrist, the faucet sprung to life, and warm water cascaded down, soaking the hair from crown to tip. Molly's fingers followed the flow, parting and smoothing, until every strand gleamed dark and heavy beneath the stream.
 
Evelyn let out a soft breath, her lips curving faintly as the warmth spread across her scalp. "Mmm... that's pleasant," she murmured, her tone calm but edged with surprise. "Far gentler than I'm used to."
 
Molly's eyes sparkled at the words, a smile widening as she smoothed another section beneath the stream. "I'll take that as a compliment," she chimed sweetly, her tone carrying playful pride. With a light motion she reached to the trolley, her fingers closing around a tall bottle of glossy pink glass capped in gold. She eased it open, and the rich fragrance of roses drifted into the air as she readied the shampoo in her hands.
 
Evelyn's lashes fluttered faintly. "Roses..." she murmured, her voice low, almost thoughtful.
 
"Only the best for you," Molly replied sweetly, tipping a ribbon of the shimmering liquid into her palms. She worked it gently between her fingers until it foamed, then lowered her hands to Evelyn's hair. "Now, let me just... ah, there we go..." Her words softened as she massaged the lather in delicate circles, the scent rising with the warmth of the water.

 

Evelyn's lips curved, a faint smile flickering as she let her head tilt back a fraction more and sank further into the cushions.
 
"I'll have you looking as radiant as a queen," Molly chimed, her fingers never breaking their steady rhythm. She worked with patient care, gathering the suds and spreading them evenly, coaxing every strand into a gleaming, silken foam.
 
Evelyn exhaled softly through her nose, a murmur of assent slipping free. Molly's smile deepened as her fingers gave one last tender sweep through the crown of lather before she reached for the faucet. With ease, she tilted the basin, letting a stream of warm water cascade over Evelyn's scalp. One hand cradled the back of her head, steady and protective, while the other guided the foam away in slow, languid strokes. The rose-scented suds dissolved into rivulets, gliding down the dark strands and vanishing into the basin until her hair lay smooth, sleek, and gleaming once more.
 
"Nice and sparkling clean," Molly murmured, shutting off the stream. She reached for a second bottle, slimmer than the first, its frosted pink glass capped in silver. A soft click freed the lid, and with a delicate press, she drew a pearly cream into her palm.
 
"Now, a touch of conditioner," she cooed, rubbing her hands together before working the cream gently through Evelyn's damp hair. Her fingers moved with patient rhythm, gliding from root to tip, coaxing each strand into silk beneath her touch. "This will leave your luscious locks softer than ever... you'll see".
 
Evelyn breathed in softly, her eyes half-lidded as the scent unfurled through the air. "What is it you're using?" she asked, her tone calm but edged with curiosity. "I don't recognise the scent."
 
Molly's smile widened, pride sparkling in her eyes. "Ah, you noticed. It's my own special formula," she said brightly, her voice almost conspiratorial. "A little secret blend. Nothing off the store shelf could ever compare."
 
She let her fingers linger a moment longer, spreading the cream through the ends before rinsing her palms in the stream. Then, with a graceful twist, she turned the faucet back on. Warm water flowed once more, rippling through Evelyn's hair. Molly guided the current in slow, measured strokes, smoothing away the last traces of cream until the dark strands gleamed beneath the soft pink glow of the dome.
 
The rose-scented lather dissolved in a soft rush, slipping away in silken rivulets. At last Molly shut off the faucet and reached for a folded towel from the trolley, its fabric plush and pale rose. She wrapped it carefully around Evelyn's hair, blotting with gentle precision, her touch light but thorough. Each press drew away the lingering damp, leaving the strands soft and warm beneath her hands.
 
"That's it..." Molly cooed softly, her voice warm and lilting. "All washed and conditioned." She gave a final pat before drawing the towel free, then with practised ease lifted the basin from the chair. The silver tubes withdrew with a soft hiss as the curved dome eased back into place. In one smooth motion, Molly guided the chair upright again, adjusting it with a light touch until Evelyn sat poised for the next stage. Her freshly washed hair spilled over her shoulders in a gleaming cascade.
 
"Wonderful. Now, it's time to make you shine. But first, close your eyes," Molly murmured in a playful hush. "It always feels more magical if you don't peek until I'm finished."
 
Under normal circumstances Evelyn would have protested. She didn't take instructions easily, least of all from strangers, but the gentle warmth of the wash still lingered against her scalp, and the thought of resisting seemed oddly unnecessary. Exhaling softly, she did as she was told.
 
Molly's smile brightened as Evelyn's lashes settled against her cheeks. "Goodness," she breathed, unable to help herself. "You look just like Sleeping Beauty." The words slipped out, light and admiring.
 
Evelyn's lips curved, almost despite herself. It was an absurd comparison, and yet the warmth in the girl's voice made it difficult to dismiss entirely. "That's... original," she said lightly, her eyes still closed.
 
From her trolley, Molly drew out a silver hairbrush inlaid with pearls, its pink handle gleaming softly in the dome's glow. Leaning forward against the back of the chair, her chest pressing lightly into the padding, she gathered Evelyn's long hair over the top. With slow, deliberate care, she began to brush it through, the silver trim glinting as the bristles slid in smooth, even strokes.
 
Molly's eyes lingered on the dark strands, a flicker of delight crossing her face. The lotion she had worked in earlier was beginning to take hold, loosening the hair beneath the brush. With every pass, the glossy lengths seemed to surrender a little more of their depth, the colour easing shade by shade into something lighter.
 
She brushed in silence for a few moments, lost in the motion, then smiled to herself. "The dolls your company makes are so very lovely," Molly said, her tone warm and almost wistful. "I love to keep mine just the way they are meant to be. Each one has its own presence, the kind that just soaks up attention. I like to think they feel happiest when they're cared for, all brushed and dressed and smiling just so."
 
Evelyn let out a faint hum, eyes still closed. "People do tend to form attachments," she said quietly. "It's interesting, what a little care and attention can inspire," she added, her voice smooth, distracted by the soothing rhythm of the brush.
 
Molly's smile brightened at the sight, her eyes soft with satisfaction as she watched Evelyn's poise slip into ease. The brush moved in long, deliberate strokes, each one coaxing her further into surrender. "I'm sure you must have all kinds of exciting ideas for the future," she said gently, her voice lilting like a lullaby. "Your dolls are already remarkable, but I imagine you're dreaming up something even more extraordinary for what comes next, aren't you?"
 
Evelyn's mouth widened into a faint, self-satisfied smile beneath the dome's rosy glow. The warmth of Molly's touch and the soft hum above her lulled her mind into a pleasant haze.
 
"Oh, they'll be extraordinary," she murmured, her voice languid, almost drowsy. "Adaptive AI... able to sense emotions, to respond. Not mere scripts, but real connection." The words slipped free unguarded, as light as the perfumed air around her.
 
Molly nodded thoughtfully, her expression full of warmth and curiosity as she leaned closer. Her breath grazed Evelyn's ear like a whisper of air. "That sounds so... intimate," she cooed, her fingertips pressing gently into the base of Evelyn's neck. She kneaded in a slow, steady rhythm, sending a shiver along Evelyn's spine. Then, with deliberate care, she gathered a section of Evelyn's crown between her fingers, lifting it high. Her comb slid in deftly, teasing the roots into a cloud of volume.
 
As the form began to take shape, Molly tilted her head, her voice light and curious. "How do you even create something like that?"
 
Evelyn's smile lingered, widening with pride as she basked in the glow of attention. "It's the neural mapping," she said softly, her voice hushed yet edged with satisfaction. "They read the smallest details, micro-expressions, changes in tone, and adapt in real time."
 
Molly's comb stilled for a moment as her brows lifted, eyes round with wonder. "They adapt?" she echoed.
 
Evelyn gave a faint, knowing hum. "They learn," she explained, her voice smoothing into something almost reverent. "Every gesture, every response. It all becomes information, training data. With time, they grow more refined, more aware of their owners' moods and needs. It's what makes them feel... alive."
 
"That's wonderful, Evelyn," Molly said, her voice low and velvety with delight. "If I ever had a doll like that, I would keep her somewhere safe. Always brushed, always shining, always smiling just for me." Her expression softened, a touch of reverie in her eyes. "She would smile all the time, because she'd know she was mine. And she'd be ever so grateful for all the beautiful things I did for her."
 
As she spoke, Molly picked up a fine-toothed teasing comb, her fingers moving with unhurried grace. She lifted a section of Evelyn's hair, backcombing gently at the roots before smoothing the surface with a practiced touch. Each stroke caught the light, giving the dark strands a silken sheen. A faint mist of rosewater hung in the air as she shaped the crown higher, coaxing it into a soft, elegant fullness.
 
Evelyn's smile deepened, the faint gleam of confidence lighting her features. "Our new adaptive models are built precisely for that," she said.
 
Molly's fingers grazed the sensitive skin behind Evelyn's ears, feather-light. "So... how do you make them like that?" she asked softly. "How do you train them to be so perfect?"
 
Evelyn's breath deepened, her body melting further into the chair as Molly's touch unravelled the sharp edges of her thoughts. She drifted, barely aware of how easily her words spilled forth. "Feedback loops," she whispered, her voice soft, faraway. "They learn from every moment... build a profile, unique to each owner. They grow, adapt, evolve together."
 
"Oh," Molly breathed, the sound soft as a gasp of wonder. Her smile lingered, dreamy and bright, as she leaned close enough for her words to brush against Evelyn's skin. "So they listen, and watch, and learn... until they know everything that makes you happy. Every little thought, every secret sigh. I suppose, with enough time, they'd love their owners perfectly... the way no one else ever could."
 
Evelyn hardly noticed the subtle tug woven into Molly's words. "Of course they would, I had the first prototypes tested against my own interactions," Evelyn murmured, her words spilling freely now. "Hours of refinement, small adjustments, personal touches."
 
Molly's eyes gleamed with quiet delight. "That must be so fascinating," she cooed, her voice a velvet ribbon winding through Evelyn's drifting thoughts. "All those tiny movements, all that patience. You must see them come alive under your care, don't you? Such pretty little things, so easy to love when they behave."
 
Her tone gentled into something almost dreamy. "I can just picture them," she whispered, a smile playing at her lips. "All those darling dolls you've taught so carefully, each one learning how to smile and move and please. Each one with a little spark of you inside her." Her fingers threaded lazily through Evelyn's hair, parting it into fine, even sections as if handling spun silk. "They'd make such a beautiful sight," she went on in a hush of wonder. "All lined up together, their golden hair shining so softly under the lights... oh, how lovely they must look."
 
Evelyn's brow furrowed faintly. Golden hair? Like her, none of the dolls in the latest line were blonde. The thought shimmered, strange and fleeting, then slipped away beneath the hush of the dome and Molly's gentle, lilting hum.
 
Molly gathered a new section of Evelyn's hair, lifting it high with her teasing comb and puffing it softly with warm air. The strands billowed and gleamed before she smoothed them into place, coaxing volume and shape with serene precision. "When they come to market," she murmured, her eyes shining, "all lined up in their pretty boxes, smiling, waiting for their owners. Oh, it will be the loveliest thing." She giggled softly, delighted by the thought. "A whole world full of perfect little darlings, all ready to make everyone happy."
 
Her hands drifted lower, skimming the curve of Evelyn's neck before parting the hair at its base. She lingered there for a moment, then reached to the trolley, plucking up a slender heating wand. With a dainty hum, she slid the plug into place, the barrel glowing softly as warmth radiated against her palm. She twirled it once between her fingers, testing the heat with a gentle puff of breath.
 
Molly leaned closer, her breath a soft flutter against Evelyn's ear. "It's lovely when things feel just right, isn't it?" she whispered. "When every little detail falls into place, and everything shines the way it's meant to." Her fingertips traced slow, soothing circles at Evelyn's temples. "Dreamy little things... they only want to be perfect. To make the world prettier, one smile at a time."
 
"Now hold very still, darling," Molly chimed, her tone light and singsong, as though sharing a playful secret. "Wouldn't want these pretty strands to misbehave." She giggled sweetly, gathering a lock of Evelyn's hair and winding it slowly around the wand, each turn deliberate, precise, like ribbon curling around a spool.
 
A faint, blissful smile touched Evelyn's lips as her thoughts began to wander. She saw herself in a bright boardroom filled with sunlight, the air warm and golden. Her hair shone like spun gold, tumbling over her shoulders in soft, glossy curls. Everyone around the table watched her with gentle admiration, nodding and smiling at every word. Their faces seemed softened somehow, almost identical, their eyes wide and bright with approval. Even her reflection in the glass wall smiled back at her, calm, perfect, untouchable.
 
A lilting hum threaded through the air, twining with the faint music and the steady warmth of the dome. Evelyn did not notice how neatly the thought had been planted, her mind too softened, too lulled to question where it came from.
 
Molly's smile deepened, her cheeks dimpling as a soft giggle slipped out, her hands never breaking their slow, tender rhythm. "Oh, my goodness... can't you just see it?" she bubbled, her voice light as spun sugar, as though sharing the sweetest little secret. "Those dolls are so perfect... everything you'd ever want to be. So graceful, so lovely..." Her wide eyes sparkled with feigned wonder. "They're made simply to be adored, don't you think?" she cooed, her words slipping effortlessly into Evelyn's hazy thoughts.
 
"Oh, Evelyn," she sang, her voice bright with a playful lilt, as though a wonderful idea had just popped into her head. "Wouldn't it be absolutely darling if we styled your hair like one of them? A big, soft bouffant, all bouncy and pretty, with long, twirly ringlets." She leaned close, her breath warm against Evelyn's cheek, her giggle light and sugary. "And blonde would be so dreamy, don't you think?"
 
Evelyn's eyes fluttered open, a spark of clarity piercing through the haze. She didn't turn toward the mirror. Her gaze fixed on Molly sharp and unblinking. A small, polished laugh escaped her, the kind that could silence a room. "Blonde? A bouffant?" she repeated evenly. "Really, Molly. I am a CEO, not some doll to be dressed up for amusement!" She straightened in the chair, posture taut, lips pressed into a proud, unyielding line, her eyes still fixed on Molly.
 
Molly's smile didn't waver. If anything, it grew softer, almost adoring. "Oh, I only thought it might be fun to try something new," she murmured. "But of course, we'll make it perfect for you." Her hand drifted upward, brushing the edge of the glowing dome. Beneath her fingertips, a small dial waited, smooth and warm to the touch. She turned it just enough, and the pale blush light deepened into rose, a tender radiance pulsing gently over Evelyn's hair and a pulse, almost imperceptible, threaded through the hum, slow, deep, persuasive.
 
Evelyn's breath hitched. The sound pressed gently around her, smoothing the sharp edges of thought. The air was warm now, fragrant with rose and faintly metallic, a sweetness that clung to the back of her throat. Her shoulders eased. Her spine softened. The rhythm beneath her skin began to match the pulse of the dome. Her eyelids flickered, her focus slipping. One more breath, and the tension in her jaw released. Another, and her head tilted slightly to the side, as if caught mid-thought. Then her lashes fluttered closed, quiet as falling petals.
 
With a tender touch, Molly cupped her chin, tilting it forward until Evelyn's face was angled once more toward the mirror. "There we are," she cooed sweetly, her voice bubbling with reassurance. "So much prettier when you just relax. Keep those eyes closed, darling..." she breathed, the words soft as velvet. "Just let me take care of everything."
 
Her fingers began to move again, drawing slow circles over Evelyn's scalp. The motion was unhurried, syncing with the quiet pulse that filled the space. Molly's laughter shimmered softly, light as the whisper of lace. "You know, it's such a shame," she sighed, voice bright with playful sympathy. "A woman as lovely as you, the face of Bonnibelle herself, and no one's ever let your hair have a little fun."
 
Her fingertips drifted lower, parting the strands with reverent care. Each stroke followed the path of the dome's hum, smoothing and shining as it went. "You've got the kind of hair people dream of, darling," she murmured, her tone dreamlike and coaxing. "Thick, glossy, pliable... just waiting to shaped and molded."
 
Her fingers moved again, tracing lazy circles through Evelyn's hair, syncing perfectly with the slow pulse of the glowing dome. The air was warm and sweet, thick with the faint scent of rose and something softer, like powdered sugar.
  
Evelyn sighed softly, her breath catching as the warmth seeped through her scalp.
 
Molly smiled, her reflection glowing in the dome's light. "You know...," she said sweetly, her tone lilting like a secret. "All my dolls at home have the prettiest hair. They're so lovely. Every one of them with a big soft bouffant of lovely ringlets. It's my favourite style." Her giggle fluttered out, light and fond. "It just makes them look so proper. So content. So perfectly put together."
 
Her fingertips lifted, teasing a bit of volume into Evelyn's crown as if testing the shape. "You'd look darling with such a lovely hairdo too, I think," she went on softly. "All poofy and polished, sitting just right. And those long, twirly ringlets... they'd follow you wherever you go."
 
Her tone turned singsong, playfully conspiratorial. "Oh, you'd be such a vision in the boardroom! Everyone would have to look! You would walk in and the whole room would glow."

Evelyn's lips parted faintly, her voice barely a murmur. "Glow..."
 
Molly's eyes gleamed with delight. "Mmhmm," she purred. "All golden and radiant, like one of my darling girls at home. They're all blonde, you know. It just suits them. Makes them look so sweet and perfect and docile." She tilted her head, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "And I think it would suit you too, don't you? That soft, sunny blonde. It's such a happy colour."
 
Evelyn's voice came quiet and slow, her tone full of warmth. "A happy colour..."
 
"That's right," Molly cooed, brushing her fingers through Evelyn's locks again. "The Bonnibelle colour. The kind of blonde that says everything's beautiful and right and under control. You'd be the essence of your own brand, my darling. Like you stepped right out of one of your ads, all smiles and grace."
 
Evelyn's smile deepened faintly, the words soaking through her. "The essence of Bonnibelle..."
 
"Exactly," Molly whispered, eyes sparkling as her reflection shimmered in the rose light. "Because everyone should know, the moment they see you — that's her. The one who's always perfect."
 
Her voice softened into a lilting hum, each word like a sugar-spun note. "You'll look just like my dolls, so darling, so polished, so wonderful." Molly's breath brushed Evelyn's ear, warm and close, as she giggled sweetly. "All you'll need to do is smile, sweety... and the whole world will follow."
 
Something inside Evelyn stirred, slow and golden, as if the words themselves had been poured into her thoughts. The sound of Molly's laughter lingered, delicate and comforting.
Moments ago, a blonde, cotton-candy bouffant had seemed absurd. A caricature she would never dream of wearing. But now the image shimmered softly in her mind, irresistible and sweet. Not ridiculous at all. Beautiful. Radiant. Perfect. Evelyn's lips parted on a sigh, the faintest smile curving her face.
 
Molly's eyes gleamed with delight as she drew the brush through Evelyn's hair, watching the strands lighten before her very eyes. With every slow stroke, the deep, dark locks dissolved into shimmering gold, each pass coaxing more blonde into being until the length gleamed like silk spun from sunlight. 
 
Evelyn's lashes fluttered, the faintest tremor as though her eyes longed to open, but Molly leaned closer, her lips brushing the air beside her ear. "No peeking yet..." she crooned, her voice a lullaby wrapped in sweetness. "Just keep wishing for it. All golden, all gleaming... curls soft as satin. You want it, don't you?"
 
A shiver ran through Evelyn's breath, her lips parting on a sigh. "Yes..." she whispered, the word trembling with dreamy surrender.
 
Molly giggled softly, a girlish trill of triumph, and reached back toward her trolley. "Just a few little touches," she chimed, drawing up a slender bottle of pale rose glass crowned with polished gold. She gave it a dainty shake, and with a gentle press of the nozzle, a fine mist drifted over Evelyn's waiting curls. The fragrance was light and floral, clinging like silk to each strand as Molly's fingertips smoothed them lovingly into place.
 
"Oh, just look at that," she chirped, delight sparkling in her voice as she set the bottle aside with a dainty little tap. "Like spun sugar, all soft and sweet and shining just right." Her fingers glided down a fresh golden curl, twirling the end as though it were a ribbon. "Mmm, perfect enough to eat," she added with a giggle, eyes alight with pride.
 
Then, with a cheerful hum, she plucked up a smaller crystal bottle that shimmered faintly with gold. "And one last little touch," she said brightly, her tone lilting with mischief. "that will add a little sparkle to your day..." she smiled, "After all, every lady deserves to be dazzled."
 
She pressed the golden spritzer a delicate little push of her finger, and the air shimmered as a glittering mist drifted down around her. Molly giggled softly, clearly pleased with herself, her voice dipping to a fond whisper. "There now... how perfectly lovely."
 
Molly's smile lingered as she placed the bottles neatly back onto her trolley, aligning them in perfect rows. Her fingers brushing their polished caps one last time before drifting toward a taller bottle of faceted pink glass, crowned with a dainty silver collar and a plush atomizer bulb.
 
"Oh, my favourite part," she chimed softly, her voice full of bright delight. "A little perfume to finish everything off." She lifted the bottle gracefully, giving the bulb a tender squeeze. A fine mist unfurled into the air, glimmering faintly as it drifted down. The scent of rose petals and warm vanilla filled the room, sweet and soft, wrapping itself around them like silk.
 
Molly smiled dreamily, giving another gentle press of her fingers, letting the fragrance settle in a delicate cloud. "Every beautiful lady deserves her own little cloud of charm," she whispered.
 
"Mmm..." Evelyn breathed, her lips parting as her head tilted ever so slightly, curls swaying with the motion. "That scent... it's... lovely."
 
Molly's smile lingered as she set the bottle aside, her hands resting lightly on the chair. She leaned close, her breath a soft flutter against Evelyn's ear. "Alright, darling," she cooed, voice bubbling with excitement. "The magic's all done now." Her tone dropped to a teasing whisper. "You can open your eyes and see just how lovely you've become."
 
Evelyn's lashes lifted slowly, heavy with haze. For a moment she thought she was still dreaming. Her reflection shimmered softly in the mirror, the light from the dome casting a faint rose halo across her face. But it wasn't the glow that stole her breath, it was her face, it was her hair.
 
The deep, dark strands she had always known were gone, replaced by waves of pale gold that caught the light like spun silk. Her hair was piled high in a soft, rounded bouffant, the crown perfectly shaped, with long, glimmering curls tumbling over her shoulders in smooth, bouncing ringlets.
 
For a heartbeat, Evelyn could only stare. The reflection in the mirror shimmered faintly under the rose light of the dome, her golden curls gleaming like threads of sunlight. She looked like a doll brought to life.
 
"This isn't..." she breathed, her voice barely a whisper. Her fingers rose hesitantly, brushing through the smooth curls. "It's... blonde." Her brow furrowed. "You dyed my hair?"
 
Behind her, Molly's reflection brightened with a sweet, airy smile. "Dyed?" she echoed, her tone light and lilting, as if the very word sounded silly. "Oh, I wouldn't say dyed, darling. I'd say perfected."
 
Evelyn stared at her reflection, the edges of her confusion sharpening. "I didn't mean this," she said firmly, her voice gaining strength. "I never said blonde."
 
"Oh, hush," Molly cooed, her tone as warm and indulgent as honey. "You're just confused, that's all. You said every detail should shine. I only helped you sparkle the way you wanted."

 

Her hand floated to Evelyn's shoulder, giving a soft, reassuring pat. "You're the face of Bonnibelle, darling. The world should see that."

 

Evelyn's lips parted, a tremor of disbelief giving way to anger. "No," she said sharply. "This wasn't my decision. You don't get to decide what I should look like."

 

Molly blinked, her smile never faltering. "Oh, sweetheart," she said softly, her voice so kind it almost stung. "You're just startled. Big changes can feel ever so strange at first." She giggled faintly, light as glass chimes. "But you'll adore it once you see it properly."

 

Evelyn straightened in the chair, the haze breaking beneath the steel in her tone. "You will undo this," she said, every word crisp and commanding. "Right now."

 

Molly's hand stilled for a moment, then fluttered to her chest in soft surprise. "Undo it?" she repeated, her eyes widening, her tone a lilting murmur of disbelief. "Oh, darling, that would ruin it. After all that care, all that polish..."

Her voice brightened into a sing-song hum, as though trying to cheer her. "It's your best look yet."

"Molly," Evelyn snapped, her tone cutting through the sweetness like glass. "I said undo it!"

 

But Molly only smiled brighter, the curve of her lips gentle and unshaken. She hummed a little tune, her movements graceful and precise as she reached for the atomizer. "Shh," she soothed. "Let's not ruin the mood, darling. You'll feel better in a moment."

She gave the bulb a playful squeeze. A puff of rose-sugared mist drifted into the air, then another, and another. The fragrance swirled around her, warm and heavy, surrounding them both in a pink, perfumed haze.
 
Evelyn's hand jerked up as if to wave it away, her chest tightening as the perfume curled in her lungs. "Stop..." she coughed, her voice breaking, "what are you..." But the words slurred, dissolving as the scent pulled at her focus.
 
"Shhh," Molly soothed, her tone melting into gentle cooing as she brushed a curl from Evelyn's cheek. "You're just cross because you're not used to feeling so pretty yet." She reached for the dome's dial and turned it slowly between her fingers, the pink light deepening into a tender rose. The rhythm pulsed faster, blooming through the air in time with Evelyn's heartbeat.
 
Evelyn's eyes squeezed shut, her head shaking faintly as though she could force herself awake. Her breath came fast, chest heaving against the silk blouse. "No... I won't..." The words faltered, her jaw slackening, her voice breaking into a faint whimper.
 
Molly leaned closer, her whisper a honeyed caress. "Oh, yes you will, my darling. Just let yourself relax and breathe in nice and deep, feel the dreamy sensations... It's so much easier to be tender and sweet, isn't it?"
 
Evelyn's resistance faltered, her chest swelling as she inhaled deeply. Her shoulders trembled for a moment then stilled. Her breathing slowed and became shallower. The perfume filled her lungs, her veins, her thoughts. Blending a pleasant dreamy haze around her corporate reality until she could no longer tell where one ended and the other began. Her head tilted back slightly and her lips parted releasing a delicate sigh.
 
Molly's smile widened, radiant and triumphant. She gave the atomizer one last cheerful squeeze, a playful puff to ensure total surrender. "That's my good executive," she cooed, her tone bubbling with delight. "My perfect corporate plaything, dreamy docile, and ready to comply."
 
Evelyn's body relaxed, her muscles loose and limp... her usually sharp focus evaporating into comfortable compliant bliss. Molly guided her gently, tilting her chin forward until her face met the mirror once more. The curls framed her like spun gold, shimmering beneath the dome's glow.
 
"You are so lovely when you are relaxed..." Molly whispered, her voice warm and steady, like a hand smoothing rumpled silk. "And so much prettier when you smile. Go on, darling, let's see a little a smile."
 
Evelyn's gaze drifted to the mirror, hazy and untroubled, the memory of resistance already dissolved like mist in sunlight. The woman staring back at her looked softer, more radiant than she remembered ever being. For a heartbeat she simply stared, mesmerized. Then her lips curved, a faint, tentative smile touching her reflection.
 
Her lips parted, hesitating, then curved into a slow, uncertain smile. It felt strange, almost like someone else was doing it for her... but then a feeling of contentment swelled in her chest, gentle and intoxicating.
 
Molly's eyes lit up, a delighted little giggle spilling from her. "Oh, there she is," she sang. "My darling CEO, all sugar and silk, just how the world loves her."
 
She tilted her head, studying Evelyn's reflection with an artist's care. Then her expression softened into a playful pout. "Hmm... almost," she mused aloud, tapping her lip thoughtfully. "Something's missing." Her eyes brightened again, sparkling with mischief. "A little colour, a little pop of flare..."
 
Molly brushed a fingertip beneath Evelyn's chin, coaxing her to look closer. "You see it, don't you, sweetheart? That perfect face deserves a finishing touch."
 
Her tone danced between affection and command, every word a melody. "We can't have Bonnibelle's queen looking anything less than flawless, now can we?"
 
Evelyn nodded faintly, her voice caught somewhere between thought and breath. "Yes..."
 
Molly smiled, pleased by the small response. "A lady should always finish what she starts," she said softly. "It's what keeps her graceful. Complete. Wouldn't you like that, darling? To be complete?"
 
Evelyn's lips parted. The word settled sweetly in her chest, warm and certain. "Complete..."
 
Molly giggled, the sound light and bubbling. "Mmhmm. And it's only proper to ask when you need a little help. It's polite, it's poised, just like a proper executive."
 
Her fingertips trailed down Evelyn's cheek, feather-soft. "Go on, darling. Ask me nicely."
 
For a heartbeat, Evelyn hesitated. The thought didn't feel foreign; it felt right, like something she'd simply forgotten to say aloud. Her gaze stayed fixed on her reflection, her voice emerging as a soft murmur.
 
"Molly... would you please do my makeup?"
 
Molly's smile widened, sweet and triumphant. "Oh, how lovely you sound when you ask," she purred, her tone bubbling with delight. "Such perfect manners. Such a darling way to say please."
 
Evelyn's words slipped out before she could stop them, quiet and unsteady, like silk loosening from its spool. For a moment she only stared, startled by the sound of her own voice. She never asked. She didn't need to ask.
 
Yet the words had felt... right. Sweet, almost. A warmth bloomed in her chest, soft and calming, as though asking had been the most natural thing in the world.
 
Molly tilted Evelyn's chin, her smile tender and bright. "Before we make you shine, we must take care of your beautiful skin," she cooed softly. She lifted a silken cloth from her trolley, its rosewater scent drifting sweetly into the air, and swept it gently over Evelyn's face. "There we are... fresh and clean, like a blank canvas just waiting," she chimed, her eyes bright with pride.
 
Evelyn exhaled softly, her lips curving into a faint smile. "It feels... refreshing," she murmured, the words barely more than a sigh.
 
Molly's giggle bubbled up, light and pleased. "Of course it does," she cooed. "Pretty faces always love to be pampered."
 
With a delighted hum, she gently tilted Evelyn's chin upward with the tip of her finger, her smile tender and bright. From the trolley she lifted a silken cloth, its rosewater scent drifting sweetly through the air as she swept it gently over Evelyn's face. Molly worked in soft, circular motions, her touch slow and rhythmic. "Such beautiful skin," she chimed softly, "it only needed a little love to wake up."
 
Her fingertips traced slow, delicate circles over Evelyn's temples and chin, each touch affectionate, practiced, and perfectly placed. "All my dolls need that too," she added dreamily, her tone drifting somewhere between secret and song. "Just a little tending, a little care, and oh... they always remember how to be pretty again."
 
Evelyn's eyes drifted half-shut, her lips parting faintly. "Pretty..."
 
"That's right," Molly purred, pleased. "Simply pretty, not a worry in the world."
 
Still humming, she reached for her brush and dipped it into a pot of blush, the powder light as crushed petals. "There now," she murmured, sweeping it across Evelyn's cheeks in gentle circles. The color bloomed delicately beneath her touch, a soft flush of rose. "Pink makes everyone look so sweet," she whispered, her tone playful, coaxing. "Don't you think it's the prettiest shade?"
 
Evelyn's head tilted ever so slightly, her voice a breath. "It's... a nice colour."
 
Her brush moved in slow, rhythmic strokes, each sweep matching the gentle rise and fall of her voice. "Pink is pretty, pink is sweet," she murmured, almost to herself, "pink makes every look complete." A soft giggle escaped her as she blended the blush. "It's the colour of kindness, the shade of charm... it makes every heart feel safe and warm."
 
Evelyn's lips curved faintly, her tone soft and drifting. "Yes... the shade of charm."
 
Molly's eyes gleamed with delight, her tone honey-sweet. "I knew you would understand," she whispered. "Everyone adores a lady who wears pink. It's the colour of grace, of poise, of quiet perfection." Her fingertips brushed a trace more blush across Evelyn's cheek. "So gentle, so proper... it suits you already."
 
She leaned in closer, her reflection shimmering beside Evelyn's in the glass, the scent of sugared roses wrapping the air between them. "You'll see, darling," she breathed, her words slow and velvety. "Pink isn't just a colour. It's a feeling that belongs deep inside you."
 
Her voice fell into a dreamy rhythm, almost a hum, matching the dome's soft pulse. "Imagine it, sweetheart. Your lips, your nails, your wardrobe... just little touches of pink everywhere." She smiled, her whisper lilting like a song. "So graceful, so polished. So very you."
 
Evelyn's lashes fluttered, her gaze hazy, her reflection glowing beneath the rose light. For a fleeting moment, she could almost see it. Herself dressed in soft pinks, radiant and serene, as if the hue had always belonged to her.
 
The brush moved in light, practiced circles, and Evelyn's breath caught as the colour bloomed against her skin. The thought of pink drifted through her mind like perfume, delicate and dizzying. For a fleeting moment it felt childish, almost absurd, but then the dome's warmth pressed closer, smoothing the thought until it glowed. "Pink..." she murmured, the word slipping free like a sigh. Her head tilted slightly, curls swaying as though the sound alone had weight. "It... does look pretty."
 
Molly's smile brightened at once, her dimples deepening as she clasped her hands together with a delighted little squeak. "Oh, I knew you would see it," she chimed, her tone bubbling over with glee. She dabbed another hint of blush onto Evelyn's cheeks, blending it with the pad of her finger until the glow turned soft and warm. "Doesn't it just make you feel so sweet? Like you were made for it."
 
Her fingers trailed along Evelyn's jaw, coaxing her chin a little higher toward the mirror. "Go on, darling," she purred gently. "Say it for me. Doesn't pink feel like your colour now?"

Evelyn's gaze wavered, her lashes fluttering once, twice. The thought of refusing didn't quite form. The warmth of the light, the scent of roses, the rhythmic brush against her skin. All of it blurred together until thinking itself felt unnecessary. Pink was softness. Pink was beauty. Pink was her.
 
Her lips curved, slow and hazy, into a tender smile. "Yes..." she whispered, the word drawn out like a secret finally remembered. "Pink feels... right."

 

Molly's delight sparkled bright and unguarded. She gave Evelyn's shoulders a sweet little squeeze, her voice lilting with joy. "Perfect," she sang softly. "From now on, pink will always be your favourite."
 
Evelyn's smile lingered, faint and dreamlike, as Molly reached for a slender tube of gloss and brushed it gently across her lips. The shine caught the dome's glow, gleaming like sugared petals. A soft hum escaped her, unthinking and content, as the colour sealed itself into her reflection.
 
Molly's fingers didn't pause. With a dainty sweep of her brush, she traced a shimmer of highlighter along Evelyn's cheekbones, catching the dome's rosy glow until her skin gleamed like porcelain kissed by light. "That's my perfect executive," she cooed, voice bright with delight. "And won't it be just darling, having pink everywhere? Pink pens on your desk, pink silk scarves, maybe even pink heels clicking through the boardroom..."
 
Evelyn's lips parted softly, her voice hazy and pliant. "Pink heels..." she echoed faintly, the words tumbling free as though they had always belonged to her. Her eyes fluttered closed again, the image blooming behind them. She could almost hear the sound of those heels, light and confident, a softer rhythm to her stride.
 
Molly leaned closer, her breath a whisper against Evelyn's ear as she swept a rosy shadow across her lids, blending it into a soft, luminous haze. "Yes," she murmured sweetly, "pink is power now, darling. Say it for me."
 
Evelyn exhaled, her voice low and yielding. "Pink... is power."
 
Molly's giggle sparkled, light and musical, dimples deepening as she gave a curl one last playful twirl before letting it bounce freely against Evelyn's cheek. She brushed mascara through her lashes with careful strokes, darkening them until her eyes looked wide and doll-bright, fluttering faintly with every breath. "Mmm, yes," she crooned, "my perfect pink queen."
 
Molly tilted her head, studying Evelyn's reflection with affectionate mischief. 

 

"But tell me, darling," she went on, her tone turning lilting, teasing, "how will you look in the boardroom now? All those serious faces, waiting for the same sharp, unshakable CEO..." She paused, brushing the wand through Evelyn's lower lashes, a smile tugging at her lips. "And instead, in come those glossy pink heels, your pretty pink blouse tucked just right, and every pair of eyes follows you."
 
Evelyn's lashes trembled, her breath catching faintly. The thought should have felt absurd. But under the dome's soft pulse, it shimmered with quiet allure. "They would... admire me," she murmured dreamily.
 
Molly's fingertip slid gently beneath her chin, lifting it so their eyes met in the mirror. "Exactly," she whispered, her tone warm and coaxing. "They would see you glowing, soft but commanding. Powerful, yet adored. Because pink makes you radiant." Her lips curved in a smile as tender as it was certain. "And isn't that what every queen deserves?"
 
Evelyn's lips parted, her reflection glowing in the rose-tinted light. "I deserve pink..." she whispered. 
 
Molly clapped her hands together softly, delighted. "Oh, I just love hearing you say it! My radiant, pink queen." From her trolley she lifted a sleek silver tube and twisted it open with a flick. "And now," she crooned, "let's give those pretty eyes the lashes they deserve."
 
She drew the wand slowly through Evelyn's lashes, coating each one in a glossy sweep of black. "Up, up they go..." Molly cooed, her voice bubbling like a lullaby. With each stroke her lashes lengthened, thickened, curling toward the dome's glow until they framed her eyes in soft, feathery fans. She layered them carefully, bottom lashes touched in delicate strokes, until Evelyn's eyes looked wide and luminous, shining like glassy doll eyes.
 
Evelyn's breath trembled, her gaze hazy as she watched her reflection shimmer into being. Her lashes fluttered once more, this time slower, deliberate, a dreamy sway that set the curls of her bouffant bouncing. "Lovely..." she murmured, her voice unsteady with awe. "so... lovely."
 
Molly's giggle chimed, bright and pleased. "Of course you are, my dear," she trilled, setting the wand aside and dusting a veil of translucent powder across Evelyn's cheeks. "Lovely and lasting. A lady should never smudge when she smiles." She tapped the puff gently against Evelyn's nose and gave a playful wink. "And you'll be smiling all the time now, won't you?"
 
Evelyn's lips parted faintly, her eyes half-lidded as though the words were seeping into her thoughts. "Smiling all the time..." she murmured, the corners of her mouth curling just slightly, obediently.
 
Molly's eyes softened, a pleased hum escaping her. "Oh, I just love that smile," she cooed, brushing her fingertips lightly beneath Evelyn's chin. "Keep it right there, darling." Without missing a beat, she reached for another brush dipped in soft rose shadow. The powder caught the dome's light like crushed silk as she swept it gently across Evelyn's lids.

 

"Mmm, yes," she murmured approvingly, "this pink was made for you." She blended the hue with soft, circling strokes before tracing a precise line of liquid liner to lift the corners of her eyes. "There, perfect, so wide, so bright." A final touch of highlighter at the inner corners made them sparkle like morning dew.
 
Her work finished, Molly leaned back to admire the transformation. "Oh, look at you," she sighed dreamily. "Like a wish come true." She tilted her head, studying the glow that seemed to shimmer from Evelyn's every breath. "Such a beautiful little vision... my sweetest darling, the prettiest picture of perfection."
 
Molly's giggle bubbled as she leaned closer, voice full of girlish pride. "You know, my dolls at home also have pink as their favourite colour". They were just like you once. Aways in a hurry, always so terribly busy. Each one first called me as a client, rushing and fretting, swearing they had no time to relax and just be beautiful."

 

She leaned in until Evelyn could feel the soft flutter of her breath. Her fingers rose to the front of Evelyn's blouse, delicately fixing a slightly askew button, then smoothing the fabric flat with practiced care. "But once I brushed their hair," she whispered, eyes half-lidded in fond remembrance, "buttoned their blouses..."

 

Her hands glided up over Evelyn's shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze before one finger lifted, pointing playfully toward Evelyn's hair. "And tied a pretty little bow, right there." Her smile deepened, dreamy and distant. "...They remembered. And now they sit so sweetly at home, smiling just for me."

 

Molly's touch lingered, light as lace, as her fingers played idly through Evelyn's golden curls, twirling them around and around until they gleamed like spun sugar in the dome's soft light. "There's Glamour Grace," she cooed, her voice lilting with pride, "my glittering movie star who never stops smiling for the cameras. Smarty Sophie, my clever professor who still hums lullabies while she reads her books. And Story Susie, my darling little reporter who writes only happy endings now." Each name was a melody on her tongue, each followed by a delighted giggle. "All my dollies, so sweet and calm, so polished and perfect. They never rush anymore. They just... shine." 

She tilted Evelyn's chin gently upward until their reflections aligned in the mirror, the pink light draping over them like silk. "But you..." she whispered, her eyes twinkling with mischief, "you're something special, aren't you? My little boardroom beauty." Her tone dropped into a playful purr. "Even powerful girls need a touch of sugar, don't they?" she whispered, her giggle bubbling up again like a secret shared between friends. "And Molly knows just how to make them sweet." 

 

Then, as though struck by a gleaming thought, her eyes went wide with glee. "Oh goodness, wait a moment..." she whispered, twirling another curl between her fingers. "A serious little name like Evelyn doesn't quite match a precious executive dolly, does it? Oh, it's so stiff, so... clunky. It sounds like a spreadsheet!" 
 
Molly's fingertip traced a soft curve under Evelyn's chin as she thought aloud. Her tone brightened, bubbling with inspiration. "Something lighter would suit you better. Something that sparkles when you say it. How about..." She drew closer, her lips curling in delight. "Evy. Executive Evy."
 
The name lingered in the air like perfume. Evelyn's breath caught, her lashes fluttering once. "Evy..." she whispered, the word escaping her before she could stop it. It sounded softer. Sweeter. Right. 
 
Molly's eyes sparkled, her delight almost childlike as she gazed at Evelyn's reflection. "Oh, my Executive Evy," she sighed happily, the name rolling off her tongue like a song. "You're nearly perfect now. So polished, so poised... but... something's still missing, isn't it?"
 
Her head tilted, curls swaying as though she were listening to some secret melody only she could hear. "Every doll, every lady, every little treasure of mine has her own finishing touch. Something that makes her feel complete." Her smile brightened, sweet and secretive. "And for you, Evy, I've saved something special."
 
She glided toward her trolley, humming a playful tune as her fingers brushed over brushes, powders, and glass bottles until she stopped before a small, ribboned box tucked neatly in the corner. "I made it myself," she said softly, almost reverently. "It's a little gift for my favourite executive."
 
Evelyn's gaze followed her reflection in the mirror, the haze of the dome making everything shimmer. "A gift..." she repeated, the word coming out half-breathed, half-curious.

 

Molly nodded, beaming. "Of course! Every successful lady needs her signature piece. Something delicate, something that whispers who she is the moment people see her."
 
She lifted the box with both hands, the pale pink ribbon gleaming like silk under the light. "Shall I show you, darling?"
 
Evelyn's lips parted, her voice faint, uncertain but soft. "Yes..."
 
Molly's giggle fluttered through the room, light as lace. "Oh, I thought you'd say that," she cooed, untying the ribbon with careful, loving precision. "Because this is going to make you feel perfect, my lovely Executive Evy."
 
Molly's fingers toyed with the loosened ribbon, her smile blooming into something bright and secret as she set the empty box aside. "Now, my darling Evy," she chimed, her tone sweet as spun sugar, "every Executive Doll must look the part, don't you think?" She bent toward her trolley, humming a lilting tune that made the air feel soft and sugary. "I picked something just for you. I knew it the moment I saw it."
 
From beneath a folded cloth, she drew out a delicate bundle tied with a gleaming satin bow. "Ta-da!" she sang, holding it aloft as if she were revealing a prized confection. "Your very own ensemble. Isn't it darling?"
 
With graceful fingers, she untied the ribbon, letting the fabrics spill open like a secret revealed. "A silk blouse in the color of sugared roses," she murmured, smoothing the delicate folds. "So soft and sweet. It will make you glow." Beneath it lay a crisp white pencil skirt, perfectly pressed and gleaming under the dome's pink light.
 
Her voice turned playful, sing-song bright. "And these," she giggled, drawing out sheer blush pantyhose that shimmered like light on water. "They'll feel just like a whisper when you slip them on." Then she lifted the glossy pink stilettos, twirling one by the heel. "And these little gems, they'll make you stand tall, confident, admired."
 
Finally, she unveiled the treasures resting atop the bundle: a single strand of pearls and a dainty satin bow hairclip with a tiny pearl at its heart. "Pearls for grace, a bow for charm," she said softly, her eyes glimmering with pride. "Every proper doll must have both."
 
Molly turned back toward Evelyn, her curls brushing her shoulders as she leaned close. "Hmmm... my sweet Evy," she purred, her voice slipping into that familiar rhythm, the one that always made Evelyn's heart slow and soften. "You remember how to ask nicely, don't you?"
 
Evelyn blinked once, twice, her breath catching faintly. Her voice came out slow, careful, laced with that new gentle cadence. "Please..." she whispered.
 
Molly smiled, tender and triumphant all at once. "Good girl," she cooed, smoothing a hand over Evelyn's golden curls. "That's exactly how a lady asks. So polite, so proper."
 
Evelyn's gaze lowered to the bundle, the colors glowing softly beneath her fingertips. "Please," she repeated, her voice barely above a sigh. "Please... may I wear my outfit?"
 
Molly's laughter chimed like bells, full of delighted pride. "Oh, my perfect Executive Evy," she sang. "Of course you may. You've asked so sweetly."
 
She gathered the garments in her arms, the silk and satin gleaming in her embrace. "Let's dress you up," she whispered, stepping closer, her tone slipping into a dreamy murmur. Molly's laughter lingered, soft and musical, as she gathered the garments in her arms. "You've been such a good girl, my sweet Executive Evy," she cooed. "So polite, so patient. And now you mustn't lift a single finger more. You've done enough for now."
 
Her voice dropped to a tender whisper, low and melodic, like a lullaby that melted into the hum of the dome. "Molly will take care of everything. Close those pretty eyes, darling, and just drift for a little while."
 
Evelyn blinked slowly, her lashes heavy with the rose light. "Drift...?" she murmured faintly, as though testing the word.
 
"Yes," Molly breathed, brushing a lock of hair from Evelyn's temple. "A little nap, just until I've finished. You'll wake up all ready, all dressed, all lovely. Doesn't that sound nice?"
 
Evelyn's lips parted on a small, hazy sigh. The idea felt impossibly kind. "It... does sound nice," she whispered.
 
Molly's smile deepened, fond and maternal. "Then hush, my darling," she cooed, her voice barely more than a breath. "Sleep for Molly now. Dream of soft silk and pink ribbons."
 
Her hand traced slow circles across Evelyn's scalp, each motion sinking deeper, each breath drawing her further away. The dome's light dimmed to a hazy blush, pulsing in time with Molly's voice. "Down you go, sweet Evy," she whispered. "Down and down, all calm and pretty."
 
A soft sigh escaped Evelyn's lips, her body slackening, her hands resting quietly in her lap. The last flicker of thought faded from her eyes before they fluttered closed, her face serene in the rose-tinted glow.
 
Molly watched her for a long moment, her expression melting into something almost reverent. "That's my good executive," she murmured, brushing her fingertips over Evelyn's cheek. "So peaceful, so pliant."
 
With a delighted hum, she turned to her trolley and began to prepare the outfit, smoothing the blouse, unfastening the belt, and setting the heels neatly by the chair. "Now then," she said softly to herself, her tone bright as a secret song. 

 

"Let's make you perfect, my lovely sleeping doll..."

 

 

Evelyn stirred with a soft inhale, the scent of roses and powder clinging to her breath. Her lashes fluttered once, twice, before her eyes opened fully and the world around her shimmered in a dreamy blur of pink and gold. For a moment she did not move. The air hummed gently, the dome's light glowing in time with her heartbeat. 

 

Her gaze drifted toward the mirror. 

 

The woman staring back at her was exquisite and strangely familiar. Golden hair swept high into a perfect bouffant, sprinkled with a faint shimmer. Pearls glimmered at her throat, a satin bow gleamed atop her curls. Her lips were glassy pink, her cheeks dusted with the softest rose. The woman in the reflection was exquisite, untouched, like a doll arranged for display.

 

Evelyn blinked. So did the woman. 

 

Her pulse stumbled. She leaned closer, her breath shallow. "What..." The sound barely left her lips, light and uncertain. The voice in the air was too soft, too sweet, not hers. 
 
Evelyn blinked once, her brows furrowing. The reflection copied her. "What..." she whispered. Her voice came out softer than she expected, lilting and unfamiliar. "That's not..." Her fingers lifted, trembling, brushing the silk at her collar. It was pale pink, not lavender, not hers. Her gaze fell lower. The white skirt, the sheen of her pantyhose, the glossy pink heels waiting below. Every inch perfect. Every inch wrong.

 

She swallowed hard, her throat dry. "What happened?" she whispered, her voice trembling in the rose-scented air.

 

Behind her came a sound like laughter wrapped in ribbons. "Oh, my darling, you woke up beautifully."

 

Evelyn turned, the movement slow, her curls swaying.

 

Behind her, Molly gave a delighted little clap, curls bouncing as she twirled toward the mirror. "Oh, you woke up beautifully," she sang, the words bubbling with joy. "And just look at you, all pink and polished, just as you were meant to be."

Evelyn's lips parted. The words tangled in her throat. "Meant... to be?"

 

Molly's smile widened, warm and knowing. "Of course, my lovely Evy," she said softly, brushing a stray curl from Evelyn's shoulder. "You asked me so sweetly, remember? You even said please."

 

Evelyn blinked, confusion flickering through her eyes. "I... what?" Her voice was small, trembling at the edges.

 

Molly's smile did not waver; it only grew brighter, her eyes wide and shining. "You asked me to dress you all up, silly." she cooed. "How could I resist such an eager subject."
 
Evelyn froze, confusion flickering behind her anger. Her lips parted. She could almost hear her own voice echoing faintly in her mind, that soft, polite word she barely remembered saying.
 
Molly leaned close, brushing a golden curl back into place. "Such lovely manners," she whispered. "It makes everything so easy when you ask so sweetly."

 

Evelyn opened her mouth, but no sound came. "I..." she tried again, faltering as the haze in the air pressed closer around her, thick with warmth and light. 
 
Molly giggled, tipping her head as she admired the view. "See, Evy? You are already shining brighter than ever. Oh, don't frown like that, it will wrinkle your pretty face."
 
The name slipped from her lips like a caress. Evelyn flinched just barely as though it had brushed across her nerves. Evy. The sound was wrong, and she tried to push herself up, but her body didn't listen. Her legs felt heavy, her hands weak. The chair held her like a cradle, and the dome's glow pressed down in gentle, rhythmic pulses.
 
Evelyn's hands tightened on the armrests, the edges of her anger melting under the gentle hum that filled the air. "You can't just..." she began, but the words trailed off, tangled in the haze that wrapped around her thoughts.
 
"Shh, of course I can." Molly soothed, her voice syrup-smooth, a sing-song hush that wrapped around every syllable. "All the hard work already done. You only needed a little help remembering who you are."
 
Evelyn's breath quickened. "Who I am," she repeated faintly, her reflection swaying softly in the pink light.
 
Molly's giggle rang out, bright as bells and full of delight. "My Executive Evy," she whispered, her tone as sweet as spun sugar. "The prettiest doll in the boardroom."
 
Molly's eyes gleamed, warm with admiration as she traced the back of her hand lightly down Evelyn's cheek. "Oh, I do love how that sounds," she murmured dreamily. "Executive Evy. So proper. So polished. So perfectly pink." 

 

Her smile widened, soft and adoring. "It's what you were meant to be, don't you think? All grace and poise and pretty manners."

 

Evelyn blinked slowly, her pulse fluttering beneath her skin. "Evy..." she echoed under her breath, as if testing the name. It didn't feel like her. It shouldn't have felt like her. Yet the sound of it lingered. "That isn't... my name."

 

Molly giggled, the sound light as lace. "Oh, it is now, darling. It suits you far too well to ignore. Evelyn is such a serious name. Such a busy, bossy name. But Evy..." She sighed, almost wistfully. "Evy sparkles when you say it. Evy smiles when she speaks. Evy wears pink silk blouses and pearls and knows how to make everyone in the room adore her."

 

Her voice lowered into a playful whisper. "Don't you want that, sweet one? To be adored?"

 

Evelyn's mouth opened as if to protest, but her words fell apart before reaching the air. Her muscles trembled faintly, every motion sluggish. As she tried to speak, her voice broke. "I'm not... I'm not yours."

 

Molly's smile softened into something patient and fond, the way one might smile at a child who's forgotten her bedtime. "Oh, darling, of course you are. You just don't remember yet. None of them do at first." Her touch glided over Evelyn's shoulders, smoothing invisible wrinkles from the silk as if she were polishing away defiance itself. "That's why I take care of you. I help you remember how to be soft again. How to be pretty again."

 

Her lips curved brighter, her tone bubbling with girlish delight. "Every dolly in my dollhouse has a special role. But yours, my sweet, is the most important. You're my little manager, my shining star, my beautiful polished Executive Evy."

 

Evelyn's lashes fluttered, her breath hitching as the pink light above pulsed brighter, bathing her skin in warmth. She felt her muscles tremble, but not with fear, but with something unfamiliar, something slow and heavy that curled beneath her ribs.

"Shhh," Molly whispered sweetly, her fingers sliding into Evelyn's curls, giving them a delicate twist before smoothing them back into place. "No more thinking now. Just let the light do its work. It loves you already."

 

Evelyn blinked, dazed. "Light...?"

 

Molly giggled, brushing her thumb gently over Evelyn's cheek, tracing the faint pulse beneath her skin. "The dome is very clever," she murmured. "You'd be proud, darling. Your assistant sent me all your little secrets weeks ago. Every chart, every file, every loop your clever mind ever designed." 

 

Her nails grazed the edge of Evelyn's jaw, tipping her chin upward toward the glowing dome. "Your precious AI training data. Feedback loops, dearest. You taught the dome everything about you. Your patterns, your tone, your logic. And now..." She tapped the glass lightly, her nail clicking against it like the chime of a clock. "...it's teaching you."

 

The hum deepened at her touch, the glow thickening in the air. "I only had to feed it back, you see. Every phrase, every rhythm, every thought you left in its code. A perfect little mirror. You trained yourself to obey the sound of your own mind."

 

Evelyn's lips parted, her breath catching in her throat. The dome's pulse seemed to sync with her heartbeat, slow and steady, pressing through her chest. "You're lying," she whispered, though her voice quavered.

 

Molly's laughter rippled through the room, soft and indulgent. "Oh, my proud CEO," she said, brushing a fingertip along Evelyn's lower lip. "Always so stern, so busy, so sure of herself." She tapped the dial again, and the dome responded with a gentle, enveloping hum. "All that strength, all that control... it just melts away now."

 

Evelyn tried to rise, hands gripping the armrests, but her limbs trembled. The chair seemed to cradle her, the light pressing her down with invisible hands. "You can't make me..." she began, but the words dissolved into a breath.

 

"Shhh..." Molly cooed, her touch feathering over Evelyn's temple in slow, soothing circles. "The feedback loops know better." 

Evelyn's breaths came shorter, shallower, her body trembling between fury and surrender. "No... no..." she whispered, but the sound had lost its edge, falling like a plea instead of a command.
 
"That's it..." Molly murmured, brushing a thumb lightly across Evelyn's lower lip. "You've trained yourself to respond, to adapt. And now you're adapting to me. Just let it happen."
 
Evelyn's gaze flickered, unfocused. Her head swayed once, twice, the golden curls bouncing faintly with the motion. She tried to summon her steel. The boardroom glare, the cutting edge in her voice, but nothing came. Only a soft, helpless sound escaped, more sigh than speech.
 
Evelyn's fingers twitched against the armrest, a faint, aimless movement. Her eyes, once sharp, drifted between the mirror and Molly's face, pupils wide, unfocused. The dome's slow pulse filled her ears, her chest, her temples, until it felt like she was breathing it in. The commanding voice in her head... the one that always urged her forward, demanded more... was only a distant echo now, fading with every steady beat.
 
Molly stroked her curls again, the motion slow, soothing. Her voice moved with the dome's rhythm, each word a gentle brushstroke across Evelyn's scattered thoughts. "Shhh...," she whispered, thumb tracing the edge of Evelyn's glossed lip. "You've carried so much for so long. All that power. All that work. All that stress."
 
Evelyn's lips parted, the faintest tremor escaping.
 
Molly's smile deepened, bright but tender, almost conspiratorial. "And you don't have to carry it anymore. Every doll deserves someone to care for her. Someone to keep her flawless. Someone to lift all that weight from her shoulders." 

 

She brushed a strand of golden hair back from Evelyn's temple, her fingertips gliding as light as feathers. "Doesn't that sound nice, darling? No deadlines. No meetings. Just being looked after, polished and pretty."
 
Evelyn's brow furrowed faintly, the thought settling somewhere deep. It was strange... unfamiliar... yet wrapped in Molly's voice it shimmered with a soothing relief.
 
Molly leaned closer, her breath a warm whisper in Evelyn's ear. "Every doll needs someone," she crooned softly. "Someone to love her. Someone to keep her shining. Wouldn't it be easier... lovelier... to let someone else hold the reins for a while?"
 
Evelyn's eyes flickered, heavy-lidded. Her lips trembled as if to form a protest, but what came out was only a soft, dazed murmur. "Easier..."
 
Molly's fingers slid beneath her chin, lifting her face gently toward the mirror again. "You're so beautiful when you're cared for," she whispered. "So beautiful when you let go."
 
Evelyn's chest rose sharply and then fell, the fight leaving her body in a single, unsteady breath. Shoulders that had always been squared in command softened into an elegant slope. Her hands, once poised to clench, unfolded delicately atop her skirt, palms upward, as though offering themselves. The sharpness in her gaze dulled into a hazy glow, pupils wide, soft, unfocused. The thought of resisting flickered... and then simply wasn't there.
 
Molly saw it he exact moment the last thread of Evelyn's will gave way. The subtle slackening of her jaw. The perfect tilt of her chin. Her own heart fluttered with a rush of delight; she clapped her hands together softly, like a girl unwrapping a present. "Oh..." she cooed, leaning in so close their noses almost touched. "There you are. My beautiful doll. All that stress, all that sharpness... gone."
 
Molly's eyes softened as she watched Evelyn's glossy, vacant gaze linger in the mirror.

 

"Mm, my perfect doll," she whispered, her fingers brushing through Evelyn's golden curls. "You don't need the dome to keep you pretty now." With a dainty twist of her wrist, she turned the dial, and the pink light faded into silence.
 
For a heartbeat, the room held its breath. Evelyn's reflection remained motionless, porcelain-still. Molly's eyes gleamed as she cradled Evelyn's chin between her fingers, her voice unfurling in a silken, sing-song murmur. "Now then, my darling doll... give me a smile..."
  
At once, Evelyn's lips curved, a glossy smile blooming across her face. It didn't flicker, didn't fade. It held there, polished and perfect, as if it belonged to the reflection now, not to her will.
 
The sight made Molly's dimples deepen with delight. "Mmm... yes. That's how a doll smiles. Always sweet, always ready." She tapped gently beneath her chin, coaxing her higher. "Now sit pretty for me. Shoulders back, chin proud. Fold your hands neatly on your lap like a proper little executive doll."
 
Evelyn obeyed without hesitation. Her shoulders, once squared in command, softened into a graceful line. Her chin tilted compliantly upward, no trace of defiance in the angle, only polish. Her hands folded delicately atop her skirt, wrists crossing with dainty precision. The smile stayed frozen, glossy and bright, as though her face had forgotten any other expression.
 
Her reflection glowed in the mirror: not the hard, calculating CEO who once commanded boardrooms, but a dolly executive made to be admired. The difference sent a hazy ripple through her thoughts, yet no protest came. Only stillness.
 
Molly circled her slowly, skirts swishing, her voice bubbling with girlish pride. "Ohhh, that's perfect. My Evy sits so pretty, so representable. A dolly boss, polished and proper, just waiting for her Molly." 

 

Molly's free hand slid down to squeeze Evelyn's full breast through the pink silk blouse, fingers digging in firmly to feel the plush give of the flesh. She massaged it with deliberate strokes, thumb circling the hardening nipple beneath the fabric, pinching it lightly to draw out a faint, dreamy sigh from Evelyn.
 
Evelyn's fixed smile didn't waver as she was being played with. 
 
Molly giggled, her dimples deepening as she gave Evelyn's chin a playful tap. "Mmm, such a perfect dolly... you don't even need the stage anymore." She moved to the trolley, her motions graceful.
 
One by one, she folded the mirrors back on their slender arms, closing them until their tender pink frames clicked neatly into place. With a girlish hum, she slid them into her case, the latch snapping shut. Then, with a gentle twist, she dimmed the dome completely, lifting it from its stand and lowering it into its velvet-lined slot. Evelyn remained poised and smiling, her form bathed in the lingering warmth of the room, utterly at peace. 
 
Molly spun back around, her giggle bubbling freely now, eyes alight with playful intent. "Time for some dolly business fun, my precious Evy! You'll be my perfect little boss lady, all shiny and commanding in the sweetest way. Let's pretend, darling, you've got this super important meeting ahead. The directors are all seated, papers piled high, every single eye glued to their fabulous CEO. You'll stand tall, give a cute curtsy, and lay out today's agenda just like the star you are."

 
Molly leaned down, brushing a fingertip over Evelyn's glossy lips. "But this time, you're not the stern, frowning executive they remember. No, no... this time, you're the dolly boss extraordinaire . You lead with a smile. You make every decision sound sweet. You look so polished and pink that they can't even think to argue."
 
Evelyn's glossy smile brightened at once, her lashes fluttering in dreamy assent. "A dolly boss..." she murmured softly, as if trying the title on her tongue, finding it warm, pleasant, inevitable.
 
Molly straightened, her dimples deepening as she clapped her hands once, crisp and girlish. "Now, up you get. A dolly boss should always stand tall for her Molly."
 
Evelyn rose at once. Her pink silk blouse shifted softly with the motion, the crisp white pencil skirt hugging her form as she straightened. 
 
Molly guided her lightly with two fingertips along her arm. "Now, before you speak, a dolly boss always curtsies. So polite, so proper. Go on, darling, show me, my blank little doll, let me see how deep my hold goes while you imagine those directors watching you bend just like this."
 
Evelyn pinched the hem of her pencil skirt as though it were a gown and lowered herself into a dainty curtsy. The fabric stretched and settled back into place as she rose again, her smile glossy and serene, her arms falling primly to her sides.
 
Molly's eyes lit up like fireworks, her hands pressing to her cheeks in thrilled surprise. 'Yes, exactly! And what's the first order of business, my clever girl?' 
 
Evelyn's dreamy gaze lingered forward, her voice light and airy. "Today's agenda is pink."
 
Molly's eyes lit with delight. "Yes! And the first order of business?"
 
Evelyn's curls shimmered as she tilted her head. "Point one: Pink is power."
 
"Ohhh, perfect," Molly squealed. "And the second?"
 
Evelyn's lashes fluttered sweetly. "Point two: Pretty smiles close every deal."
 
Molly pressed her palms together. "Flawless! And the third, darling?"
 
Evelyn's chest rose and fell softly, her glossy smile never faltering. "Point three: Every doll must make Molly proud."
 
Molly clapped her hands again, her delight bubbling over. "Ohhh, how interesting!"
 
Her eyes sparkled as she leaned closer, brushing a fingertip under Evelyn's chin. "And every dolly boss adores her tasks, doesn't she? Always neat, always complete, always with a smile."
 
She tilted her head sweetly. "And now, darling, your next task is ever so important. You must write your resignation letter. Log in to your computer, Evy. Let's do it together."
 
Evelyn's glossy smile held as she nodded. "Yes... I will log in."
 
Silk whispered as she moved to the desk, her blouse gleaming faintly in the light, her crisp white skirt hugging her form as she sat primly before the keyboard. Her pink-tipped nails danced obediently across the keys, entering her password, opening her email.
 
"That's my perfect dolly," Molly cooed, her hands resting lightly on her shoulders, giving them a gentle, coaxing squeeze. "Now type it, just as I say."
Evelyn's lips parted in a dreamy smile as she repeated each line softly, voice sing-song and dollish, while her fingers tapped it neatly into place:
 
Dear Members of the Board,
 
After much reflection, I have decided to step down from my position, effective immediately. My time in this role has been one of growth and transformation, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me. Please respect this decision and do not disturb me in what comes next.
 
Sincerely,

 

Evelyn Dove
 
Her hands folded back into her lap the moment the last line was typed, curls swaying faintly as she tilted her head toward the glowing screen.
 

Molly leaned closer, her lips brushing just behind Evelyn's ear, her voice a silky murmur laced with eerie delight. "Now press send, darling. A dolly boss always finishes her tasks so prettily for me."

 

As Evelyn's finger hovered over the button, Molly's hands slid up from her waist, cupping the full swells of Evelyn's boobs through the soft pink silk blouse. She squeezed them gently at first, fingers sinking into the warm, yielding pearls, then massaged with slow, naughty circles, thumbs teasing the stiffening nipples until they poked visibly against the fabric. 

 

Evelyn's glossy smile brightened as she obeyed, pressing the button with a dainty tap, a soft whimper escaping her lips from the intimate touch. ''Task complete,'' she murmured sweetly, her tone hazy and untroubled, her body arching instinctively into Molly's kneading palms.

 

Molly's laughter bubbled out like fizzy candy, her fingers pinching Evelyn's nipples with a playful twist that sent little jolts through her. ''Ohhh, perfect, my lovely little Evy! You're swelling so nicely under my hands, aren't you? Your mind all fuzzy and pink, just like these gorgeous tits, eager to be squeezed, molded, owned by Molly's loving touch.''

 

She leaned in deeper, her breath hot and teasing against Evelyn's neck as she massaged harder, lifting and rolling the heavy boobs. Evelyn's eyes glazed over further, a dreamy moan slipping free as Molly's hands worked her relentlessly, the silk blouse bunching under the firm, loving gropes.

 

The office door gave a low groan as the wooden panels swung open on well-oiled hinges, the sound slicing through the humid air like a playful interruption. The wooden door eased open on oiled hinges, gliding with quiet grace before a familiar voice slipped through.

 

"Miss Dove?" Adelaide's tone carried apology, quick and hushed. She stepped into the office, smoothing her blouse as though to steady herself. "I'm so sorry I didn't respond to your calls earlier. I was caught up with the scheduling backlog." 

 

Her words faltered as her eyes rose, widening at the sight of Molly's hands still fondling Evelyn's chest, the boss's face flushed and vacant.

 

Evelyn sat perfectly composed in her chair despite the ongoing massage, her pressed pink blouse now slightly rumpled from Molly's naughty attentions. The glossy, unshakable smile, soft and serene, bore no trace of the sharp, commanding woman Adelaide worked for.

 

Adelaide stopped short, her breath hitching. She herself looked immaculately arranged, her rosegold silk blouse buttoned to the collar, sleeves pressed to perfection. A slim white skirt hugged her hips, ending just above the knee, paired with pale stockings and glossy nude heels. Even her hair was styled into a neat, soft bouffant that gleamed faintly under the office lights. 

 

The sight of her boss with her stylist fingers visibly squeezing those full breasts, seemed surreal.
 
'Miss Dove... what's... happening?' she said out loud, her cheeks flushing at the erotic display.

 

Molly turned with a delighted squeal, her hands reluctantly releasing Evelyn's boobs with one last lingering pinch, dimples flashing as she clapped them together. 'Ohhh, Addie!' she cooed, her voice bubbling with fun

 

"Just in time, darling. Come play with us, Evy here was just getting her special massage to keep that brain all blank and bouncy!''

 

Adelaide blinked, confusion stirring at the name, her eyes darting between the two. ‘'Addie...?''

 

Evelyn's dreamy gaze wavered faintly, a crease touching her brow as though the name tugged at something she hadn't known was missing, her nipples still tingling from Molly's touch.

 

Molly leaned down once more, lips brushing close to Evelyn's ear in a sugar-sweet whisper, her hand sneaking back for a quick, teasing squeeze of one boob. 

 

''Mmm, yes, darling. Addie has been under Molly's care for quite some while now. She's such a polished dolly already, just like you. You didn't know... did you?''

 

Evelyn's chest rose on a shaky breath, curls swaying as she gave the faintest shake of her head, a soft sigh escaping as Molly's fingers danced over her sensitized skin.

 

Molly giggled, reaching into her trolley with her free hand. Her fingers closed around a silver-handled bell tied with a satin bow. With a playful flick, she set it ringing, the bright, crystalline chime spilling into the air like glass threads of sound, naughty and inviting.

Adelaide's breath caught instantly. Her lashes fluttered, her shoulders slackened, her spine softening into graceful stillness. That glossy, dreamy smile unfurled across her lips, matching her polished outfit perfectly, her body swaying as if eager for the same loving, eerie attention.

 

Molly clapped her hands, delighted, finally pulling away from Evelyn to eye her new plaything. 'Perfect! My Addie and my Evy, two polished dollies, side by side. Oh, the fun we'll have teasing you both until you're dripping and empty!' She set the bell neatly back into its slot, her eyes sparkling with triumph.
 
Adelaide's dreamy smile lingered as she lowered her gaze, her fingers smoothing the soft rosegold silk of her blouse before tugging the hem of her crisp white skirt into place with a prim little flick, then dipped into a dainty curtsy, her glossy heels clicking together as she sank low and rose again with polished grace. When she straightened, her hands folded neatly at her waist.
 
Molly's eyes sparkled as she clasped her hands together with a girlish squeal. "Ohhh, look at my sweet Addie standing so pretty! You're the perfect dolly assistant, aren't you, my darling?''

 

She walked up and reached out, brushing a fingertip along Addie's cheek before turning to Evelyn with a conspiratorial little hum. "Do you know, darling Evy, Addie hasn't always been this sweet? When I first found her, she was just like you, rushing, fretting, trying so hard to please a boss who never noticed how pretty she could be. But Molly saw it."
 
Molly giggled, twirling a lock of Evelyn's golden curls. "And now she's my Addie. My polished, perfect Addie who does everything I need, always with a smile. She takes care of every little duty, every tiny task, so Molly never has to worry. Isn't that precious?"
 
Evelyn's lashes fluttered faintly, her glossy smile holding steady.
 
Molly leaned close, her whisper warm against Evelyn's ear. "Evy, you wouldn't be here at all, smiling so sweetly for me, if it weren't for my Addie. She handed your data over like the prettiest ribbon-tied present, so I could buff and polish you into the dolly boss you are now."
 
Her dimples deepened, voice bubbling with delight. "So don't you think you should thank her, Evy? A dolly boss should always show gratitude to her perfect assistant."
 
Evelyn's curls shimmered as she dipped her chin in the faintest nod, her glossy lips curving with that soft, unshakable smile. Her voice drifted out airy and sweet.

"Thank you, Addie," she murmured dreamily. "For making me Molly's perfect doll."
 
Adelaide's eyes glowed, her hands folding primly before her skirt as she curtsied again, her voice lilting with dolly pride. "Of course, Evy. Good dolls always help other dolls love Molly."
 
Molly clapped her hands together softly, her dimples deepening in girlish delight. "Gosh, perfect! My dolly boss and my dolly assistant, side by side." She brushed her fingers along Evelyn's curls, then across Addie's cheek, her gaze shining with pride. 

 

The two ladies stayed perfectly in place, obedient and poised. "Such treasures you both are. My pink Evy, my rosegold Addie. Always smiling, always pretty, always mine."

 

Molly lingered between her two treasures, her eyes sparkling with a secret she had been waiting to unwrap. She leaned ever so slightly against Evelyn's chair, her eyes twinkling with joy as she hovered between her pretties. With a girlish hum, she reached for Addie's rosegold silk blouse first, her fingers deftly popping open the top two buttons with a soft, teasing click. The fabric parted just enough to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of smooth skin and the gentle swell beneath.

"There we go, my Addie," Molly cooed sweetly, her voice laced with affectionate heat. "Now you're not just proper. You're irresistibly attractive, showing off that pretty neckline just for me. Doesn't she look delicious, Evy?"

Evelyn's breath hitched ever so slightly, her glossy smile widening as Molly turned to her next, fingers nimbly undoing the upper buttons of Evelyn's blouse with the same light touch. The material gaped open, exposing the creamy curve of her collarbone and a hint of lace beneath, turning her dolly boss vibe into something steamy and magnetic.

 

Molly's touch lingered, brushing the exposed skin with a feather-light stroke that sent a warm flush blooming. "And you, my golden Evy. Oh, perfect! See how that makes your curls pop even more? Hotter than ever, darling, like a total treat!''

 

Addie and Evelyn both flushed under the attention, their postures shifting just a touch, chests rising a bit higher, smiles turning shyly sultry as the opened blouses added that extra layer of charming allure. 
 
"Now then, my darling Evy," she sang, her voice lilting like a nursery rhyme. "Do you remember what today was all about?"

Evelyn blinked slowly, her lashes fluttering like the wings of a sleepy butterfly. Her glossy smile stayed in place, but her tone was soft, uncertain. "I was waiting... for something?"

Molly gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in playful shock. "Oh, Evy, not something, someone! Someone very important."

Evelyn tilted her head, curls bouncing faintly as though the name danced just out of reach. The faintest crease touched her brow, but Molly brushed it away with one tender finger. "There, no frowns. You don't need to worry about remembering. That's what Molly's here for."

 

Evelyn's lips parted, her voice no more than a breath. "You'll remember for me?"

"Of course," Molly cooed. "That's what I do for my dollies. I keep their pretty heads clear and light."

She turned in a slow little circle, tapping her chin as if thinking deeply, her curls bouncing in rhythm with her hum. "Now, who was it that my Evy was supposed to meet today?" she mused aloud, then gasped again, her eyes sparkling with childlike glee. "Oh, that's right! You were waiting for an investor. So serious, so important, all those numbers and charts."

 

 

Molly's laughter bubbled through the air, bright and fizzy, like pink champagne poured into a crystal glass. "Oh, my sweet Evy, you were so busy, weren't you? All those spreadsheets and speeches, all that fuss about the perfect presentation." 

 

She giggled, brushing a curl from Evelyn's cheek. "You wanted to impress someone important, didn't you? Someone who could see your worth."

 

Her tone softened to a coo as she leaned closer, her perfume filling the air with sugared roses and vanilla. "But you see, darling, you didn't have to do any of that."

 

Evelyn's lashes fluttered, her lips parting slightly. "I didn't?"

 

Molly shook her head slowly, her curls swaying, her smile gleaming with delight. "Not at all, my love. Because I already saw it. Every bit of it. Every clever thought, every graceful move, every little sparkle that makes you you."

 

She sank gracefully to her knees before Evelyn's chair, skirts pooling like spun silk around her. Her fingertips lifted to cradle Evelyn's chin, holding her gently but firmly. Her eyes shimmered with excitement, almost fever-bright. "Do you want to know something wonderful?" she whispered, her voice lilting like a secret song.

 

Evelyn hesitated, the answer forming without her will. "Yes, Molly..."

Molly's lips curled into a smile so sweet it was almost dizzying. She leaned closer until Evelyn could see her reflection mirrored in those sugar-glazed eyes. "You don't have to wait for your investor anymore, my darling," she whispered. "Because your investor is right here."

 

The words drifted through the room, soft and glittering, sinking into the air like perfume.

Evelyn blinked slowly, the faintest trace of surprise rippling across her polished calm. Her lips moved before her thoughts caught up. "You..."

Molly nodded eagerly, her dimples deepening. "Of course it was me, darling. Who else could it have been? I'm your Molly, after all. And I've already invested so, so much in you. Just look at what I have given."
 
Her hands fluttered lightly, drawing invisible outlines in the air. "Your lovely hair, spun into golden perfection. Your soft pink lips, your darling lashes, your polished little smile. All my time, all my care, every sparkle of my attention, poured right into you."

 

She leaned close between them, her perfume sweet and soft, her voice no more than a whisper. "The deal is sealed, my darlings. You're perfect for Molly now."

Evelyn's lips parted faintly, her voice dreamy and small. "Molly's..."

 

'Exactly,' Molly murmured, pressing a feather-light kiss to the air beside her cheek before turning to do the same for Addie, her touch lingering with maternal tenderness along her jaw. 'My perfect Evy. My sweetest Addie. Now, let's make sure my dollies are feeling all cozy and content before we settle in for the evening. I've got the prettiest surprises waiting there, you know.''

Her voice brightened with a gentle excitement, eyes sparkling with love as she guided Evelyn with a soft touch under her chin, tilting her face up with care. ''Evy, my beautiful dolly boss, stand up for Molly, won't you? That's my good glowing girl, let me hold you close and see how you're doing inside.''

 

Evelyn rose gracefully at the sweet command, her golden curls swaying softly, her skirt brushing against her thighs as the open blouse shifted to reveal the delicate lace cradling her curves. Molly's hands moved with affectionate slowness, one gliding down Evelyn's back to cup her bottom in a supportive hold, while the other slipped gently beneath the hem of her skirt, fingers easing aside the soft fabric of her panties to trace the warm, slick folds of her jewelry box. 

 

"Mmm, oh, my sweetheart," Molly breathed, her expression blooming with delighted tenderness as she felt the welcoming wetness there, Evelyn's body responding with a subtle quiver under her nurturing touch. 

 

She stroked lightly along the sensitive length, her thumb brushing the swollen nub with feather-soft circles that coaxed a hushed whimper from her dolly. ‘'Feel how lovely and ready you are, my Evy. So warm and open, just like a good dolly should be for her Molly.''

 

Evelyn nodded, her breaths coming in soft, uneven waves, her cheeks glowing as she pressed into the gentle caress with sweet submission.

 

Molly let out a soft, melodic laugh, full of warmth and joy, easing her fingers away with reluctance and bringing them to her own lips for a quick, intimate taste, her eyes never leaving Evelyn's trusting gaze. "That's my precious girl. I adore when my dollies get like this, all soft and responsive."

 

She turned to Addie, drawing her near with a loving smile, her slick fingers tracing a light, affectionate path along the other dolly's collarbone. 'And you, my rosegold darling, I can tell you're feeling it too. We'll make sure you're both tucked in just right soon, all snug in those darling dollboxes I have waiting at home.''

Addie trembled delicately beneath her touch, her lashes fluttering as a blissful smile softened her face. "Yes, Molly..." she breathed, her tone light and dreamy, devotion melting through every syllable. 

 
She turned first to Addie, her curls swaying, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Addie, darling," she sang, "you'll take the trolley for Molly. So careful, so steady, my rosegold helper." 
 
Addie's dreamy smile deepened. "Yes, Molly," she chimed, dipping into a dainty curtsy before taking hold of the trolley's polished handles. The soft light glimmered across her rosegold blouse as she began to pull it forward.
 
Molly's attention shifted to Evelyn, her tone lowering into something tender and teasing. "And Evy," she whispered, her fingertip lifting Evelyn's chin just enough to make her glossy lips part in a smile, "my dolly boss carries Molly's case. Such a proper little executive."

 

Evelyn nodded with mechanical grace, her smile gleaming softly in the light. "Yes, Molly," she murmured, reaching for the case with both hands, holding it neatly against her side. 
She turned toward the door, her voice floating like a lullaby. "Come along, my loves," she sang. "It's time to go home."
 
Evelyn followed, her heels tapping in perfect time to Molly's dainty steps. Addie trailed behind, the trolley wheels humming a soft, contented rhythm against the marble floor.
 
The great wooden doors swung open, spilling a wash of golden light into the corridor. As they stepped through, the fading sunlight caught their curls and polished shoes, casting three graceful silhouettes across the floor. There were no more Evelyn and Adelaide. Only Evy and Addie, two perfect dolls in Molly's care, smiling sweetly as they followed her home. Together they stepped into the light, the door closing behind them with a soft click.
 
For a moment, the world was quiet again. Only the faint scent of roses lingered in the air, and the echo of Molly's humming faded like a lullaby into silence.