Chapter 2

Putting back the necessary stuffs inside my bag, I was really ready to take my leave and visit Alyssa, but it seems like this boss of mine had other plans on mind.

"Ms. Parker."

"Yes, sir?"

"Contact the third girl on the list. What was her name again?"

"Uhm, for a while, sir. Let me check," I placed down my bag back at my desk, taking out the copy that I had since Mr. Pierce was way too lazy to check the original copy.

Bastard.

"Melissa, sir. What do I say to her?"

"Tell her that I would like her to accompany me as my partner at the Charity Ball tomorrow."

"Noted. Uhm, let me contact her now."

Pressing the numbers, it seems like the other line had no intention of picking up the phone.

Mr. Pierce looked impatient as he watched me wait for the other line to pick up.

I kept on dialing the number, but still, nothing.

"Ms. Parker?"

"I- I'm sorry, sir. The other side seems like they don't want to accept the call."

"Then go."

"Huh?"

"Don't 'huh' me. Go to her place."

"Err- Sir, my work shift is already over. I don't think I'll be able to do that. Plus, wouldn't it be more pleasant if you invite her yourself?"

"You can't say no to me. You also have no right to tell me what to do. I'll be paying you extra for this, so, you, foolish girl, should do what I ask of you."

"But I still have to pick a dress for tomorrow..." I mumbled with a very low voice, looking down, not wanting to meet his eyes.

"What was that?" He asked, his eyebrows were furrowed, and his eyes looked sharp.

"No, nothing, sir. Of course, I should do as you say. Then, I'll be going now. Good bye, sir. Have a pleasant evening ahead."

Mr. Pierce didn't give me a reply as he went back inside his office.

Shit. It was already 6:53 PM, and yet, I still have one more task to accomplish.

I should dial Alyssa.

Right before I could dial her, my phone rang, and her name was plastered on it.

"Hey, Alyssa."

"Bitch, you no longer have to search for the dress. I found the perfect one."

YES!

"Really? That's a relief. I was also about to call you. I can't come to your place. My boss asked me to do extra work."

"He's a total douche."

"Yeah."

"Also, I got the perfect heels to match the dress. I mean, I don't think it's gonna get seen, since the evening dress is really long, but yeah. I prepared the right shoes, just in case. Now you can save more money."

"Thank goodness. I'll treat you some food, yes? Saturday's good?"

"Anytime," I could literally hear her squeal on the other line, and she replaced it with a laugh.

"Alright, bye for now. I still have one more task to do."

"Yeah. Careful, okay?"

"Yes, mom."

"I'm too pretty and young to be a mom, duh."

I couldn't help but laugh at her remark. I ended the call, placing the phone in my bag, walking my way out of the building, and to the penthouse of Miss Melissa.

======================

"Yeah. Miss Melissa is indeed so pretty, especially when you see her personally. Girl- you'll see a goddess," I said.

"Girl, she's not a supermodel for nothing."

"Uh-huh."

"Okay, now, time for us to start the make up session. Now, get those glasses out of your face."

"Then how am I gonna see clearly at the party?"

"Bitch, please. Trust me, and trust yourself. You'll be fine. Plus, it's just one night. Not even the whole night, actually."

"Fuck. Is it really necessary?"

She looked at me with disbelief. She took a deep breath before opening her mouth.

"No. It's not necessary, but if you want to be the very bland drink at the party full of expensive wines, I won't force you. But as a concerned bestie, I want you to chin up, breast out, and be confident when you get to the place. You're beautiful, Lauren. You just refuse to let your beauty bloom, that's why."

"I... fine."

"Okay, good! Now, let me remove these glasses for you," she took off my glasses, "and, TADAH! Now let's clean your face with some toner so that you'll be fresh."

I took my phone and played with it. I was very much aware that doing makeups would take hour, or even hours.

I was kinda getting impatient with the layers of cream being applied on my face, but knowing Alyssa, I know she doesn't own a Hair salon and Spa for nothing. I just have to trust the process.

"Okay, now, can you bite in your cheeks? I have to do some contour."

I did as she asked, and she brushed the brush against my face gently, on each side.

"So, is someone gonna accompany you, later?" She asked, her voice sounds like it was teasing me.

"Uh, no. I'll be there because I have to accompany my boss. Although, yes, he has a partner, but I had to help him figure out some other businessmen and other important people."

"Dang. Can't he do it by himself?"

"Well, if he can, then I believe I would be jobless right now."

"That sucks."

"I know. My life does."

"Girl, you sound so defeated."

"Yeah, yesterday, he called me inside his office just to tell me that there's nothing special about me, and that I don't deserve to be admired by someon-"

Shit. This dumb mouth of mine just carelessly spat things out, huh?

"What did he do?"

Shit, shit, shit. That tone...

"No, it's nothing, Alyssa."

"THAT SON OF A BITCH! HE'S HORRIBLE! HOW CAN HE SAY THAT?!"

"Girl, calm down."

"O-ho-ho. He started this, now let's get you deadly gorgeous! Let's see if his jaw won't drop once you fucking enter the party!"

I could feel my tears pooling in my eyes.

"No, honey, no. Hush. Why are you crying?"

"I just... I'm just happy. You know... that I have you as my best friend."

"Aww. Of course. We're fucking sisters! And I don't mind fucking up someone's head for you! Now, don't cry. You still have a party to rock," Alyssa smiled at me as she wiped the tears off of my face.

"Wait, let me fan you a bit," Alyssa stopped for a while as she pointed the small portable electric fan right at my face. "Okay, now, let's continue. Hush now."

I just nodded, getting my thoughts occupied with something funny so that I won't find myself crying once again.

After some time, Alyssa finally came to work on my eyes and eyebrows. She started on my eyebrows, emphasizing the shape and making it appear thicker.

"Now, close your eyes. I have to do the eye shadow."

I obediently followed her words, getting sleepy, feeling good with how the material she used was gently rubbed against my eyelids.

"This feels nice," I commented.

I can hear Alyssa's gentle chuckles as she did the same process on the other eye.

"Okay, open your eyes. I want to see how it looks like."

I opened my eyes, and she looked at me with those eyes that she has when she wants to thoroughly look at something.

"Good, good. Now, we'll do the eyeliner. I want to go for the fox eye. Is that okay?" Alyssa asked me.

"I guess. I don't have any whatever with styles, so, I'll leave everything to you."

"Fox eye, it is."

I closed my eyes again, and I could immediately feel the cold ink at the edge of eyelids where my lashes are. Alyssa also applied some on the side of my eyes towards the nose direction. She did the same with the other eyes.

"Don't open, yet. The eyeliner's still a bit wet. Wait."

I could feel the cold air from the portable fan on each of my eye, and after some time, Alyssa told me to open my eyes.

"Your eyes looks so beautiful. And to polish that, let me add some fake lashes and mascara. This will be the last time I'll ask you to close your eyes, now, close."

I did as she said, and then I could feel the sticky feeling on the roots of my lashes. It took her a while to finish putting the fake lashes before she transferred to my other eye.

"Now, open. Time for the mascara."

I slowly opened my eyes, my eyelids felt a little bit heavier than it should be.

Alyssa applied some mascara, and after that, she added some finishing spray or whatever that thing is called.

Last but not least, she applied some lipstick.

"And BOOM! You're fucking stunning," she said as she took the cloth off the mirror.

As I looked at my reflection, it doesn't feel like I was looking at myself. It was more like another girl looking straight back at me, copying my every action, even the synch of my breathing.

"Let me get the dress, okay? Wait here."

I couldn't even give any reply to Alyssa. I was still shocked with how I looked like. I look... better. So much better.

'If I always looked like this, would my life be a lot more easier?'

I can see Alyssa coming back with a dress through her reflection on the mirror.

Wait.

"The dress is red?!"

"Yep, yep, yep. Why?"

"The theme's supposed to be white, gold, and silver..."

"Holy... I didn't know. What are we gonna do?"

There was literally no time left to search for the right dress. I still have to travel towards my place and to the venue. Crap.

I could see Alyssa's face looking sad.

Right. Her effort is wasted.

"You know what? Who cares about the theme? I'm just attending there as my boss's secretary, and I don't think people would give attention," I said, and Alyssa's face lit up. "I'll wear what you prepared," I gave her a smile as I took the dress from her.

Since I was wearing my buttoned pajama top, I no longer have to take it off through my head. I also just had to slip down the pants.

I wore the dress from the bottom.

"Alyssa, can you zip me up?"

"Yeah, yeah. Sure!"

She immediately went behind me as she zipped the dress up.

"Okay, now let's fix your hair." She grinned, taking out a curler.

Oh no.

==========

I could tell that I was at the right place when I could see that almost all of the cars in the parking lot screamed luxury. And here I am, parking my mini van beside another limo.

Shit. I know I was already late. Judging from how full the parking spot looked like, the party has definitely begun.

Mr. Pierce won't be that mad, right? He got his partner beside him. Plus, he can't get mad at me with all the professional people surrounding him.

Running, I clutched on the black luxurious purse that Alyssa lent me.

The doors were luckily opened, and I could already hear the classic musical echoing throughout the whole place.

"Okay. Chin up, breast out, and walk with confidence. Chin up, breast out, and walk with confidence," I kept reminding myself as I started walking inside the venue, my eyes thoroughly looking for Mr. Pierce.

I could already feel the stares from people. Holy fuck. I knew that I should have sticked to the theme, but this is what I have left. I had no other choice but to wear this. I also don't want to hurt Alyssa's feelings. I knew how much she wanted to help me, and it would be rude if I won't be wearing what she prepared.

"It's okay. Just smile. Just smile. Smile..." I whispered to myself.

I smiled at the people looking my way, and they smiled back.

Just when I spotted Mr. Pierce and Miss Melissa, a guy blocked my way.

"And who might this stunning lady be? Out of all the flowers in the place, I believe you're the most beautiful."

A guy with brown hair and hazel eyes who looked like someone around Mr. Pierces age came to stop before me. Offering me a drink.

"I- I'm someone's secretary. Thanks for the drink, but I can't enjoy myself. I have duties."

"May I get the honor to know your name?" He asked as he took my right hand, bringing it in his lips, kissing it.

"I... I am Lauren."

"Lauren. That suits you. It's pretty."

"Thank you. But seriously, I have to find my boss. May I go now?"

"Well, if that's the case. Then, okay," he gently smiled at me.

I was about to leave when he grabbed my arm.

"Wait. Uhm... may I dance with you later?"

"I... I don't know. Maybe, if my boss will allow me, then I guess," I smiled back at him.

"Then, I shall find you later."

I just nodded at him, smiling before I turned my back against him, walking towards Mr. Pierces direction, who was talking to Cole, his best friend.

"Mr. Pierce. I'm sorry for being late. The traffic was crazy since there was an accident happening at the 17th avenue."

"Woah. Are you... Lauren?"

"Yes, Mr. Miller. It's me," I smiled at him.

"Bro. No." He said, not believing me.

"Uh, yes?"

"Yo, you look stunning! Hey, Lucas, do you mind if I'm gonna have her as my partner? You know that my sister didn't come right?"

When he asked Mr. Pierce, I also turned to look at him, and our eyes met. He looked mad.

I already said sorry. What the hell is he mad about?

"That is not the fucking theme," he growled at me.

"I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't able to find the right dress since you told me about it at Wednesday night, through email. I was also busy working with your schedule and doing some works you asked me to prepare. Plus, I wasn't able to shop yesterday because you wanted me to visit Ms. Melissa."

"Are you blaming me for it? You're supposed to find time. I don't care how, you idiot."

"I... I'm sorry."

"Everett, stop. You're scaring the poor little girl," that voice was from Miss Melissa. I knew that she was being sarcastic, and it was confirmed when she glared at me when I turned to look at her.

"Lucas, she already apologized. Stop with that foul mood," Cole hissed at Mr. Pierce. "Anyway, I don't think that Lauren staying with the two of you here would give her comfort. Now, I'm gonna borrow her. Don't even think of thinking of excuses. We already met all the important people. What else do you need her for?"

"Everett, just let her go with your friend. Plus, we can enjoy ourselves with no third parties around," Miss Melissa said, seductively rubbing her palms against Mr. Pierce's chest and arms, kissing the corner of his lips.

Mr. Pierce didn't say anything. He just turned around, bringing Miss Melissa beside him.

Well, I think we know where this shit is going.

"Thank you for saving me, Mr. Miller."

"You can call me Cole, now. Lucas is no longer here."

"But there are still many people around."

"Oh please. They can mind their own business."

Okay. Cole and I became friends. With all his visits in Mr. Pierce's office, while waiting, Cole would initiate a conversation between us, and unlike his best friend, he was a gentleman. He was patient, he was not the type of person who judges you, and he's really polite and respectful towards women.

Opposites definitely attract.

"I'm very impressed to see your hair down. For the last two years, I think I've only seen you with the low bun. And yet, here you are. Your hair is down, and it's perfectly curled at the end."

"Stop. I don't wanna piss my pants."

"Can you even see clearly? Where's your glasses?"

"Uhm, my friend told me to take them off just for tonight. She said it will ruin the whole outfit."

"Well, yeah. But safety comes first. I know how much your eyes are damaged. Are you wearing contacts?"

"No."

"What the- Lauren, are you kidding me?" Cole asked me in disbelief.

"No? It was a last minute decision, okay? I was really planning to wear my glasses, but then, Alyssa forced me not to wear one. She wanted me to rock this outfit."

"Wanna take a seat?"

"Yes, please. The heels are killing me."

"Okay. Hold my arm," he said, lending me his arm, and so, I wrapped my arm around his.

"What happened to your sister? Why is she not around?"

"Well, she told me that she has to finish some task. You know, college."

"Yeah. Makes sense. We don't want her to fail, right?"

"Yeah."

We finally arrived at a table. Luckily it was empty.

I think this is the very same table that Mr. Pierce and his partner is also using.

There are already different foods plastered, so you no longer have to go to the area where foods are.

"Do you wanna eat?"

"Nah. I'm not yet hungry."

"Okay. Uhm, I have to excuse myself for a while. I have to take a piss. Sorry," Cole give me a sheepish grin.

"Go on."