Chapter Ten: Colette

"I love love love this colour on you! Your new hair compliments the red perfectly."

I was on the fence when Ali suggested I enlisted Tiffany's help to do my hair and make up for tonights party. I spent the afternoon in her salon, dying my hair from the faded pink to a brown into blonde balayage. She's curled it into perfect big ringlets and painted my face in nudes with a dark red lip to tie my face in with my dress. I stand in front of the mirror at the back of the salon, looking myself over in the wine-red dress. The spaghetti straps lead down to a satin cowl neck. The dress hugs my waist before flaring out slightly to cover the podge of my stomach. With my heels on, the bottoms of the dress no longer drags on the floor and the sexy slit that ends half way up my thigh adds a little more 'va-va-voom' as Tiffany calls it.

"You are so lucky. Not only to be going to the Mayor's birthday bash, but to be going with Felix Kang. Ugh. I swear there isn't a finer man."

"You know Felix?" I question, brushing my fingers through the front curls in my hair, breaking them apart to make them a little less harsh.

"Do I know him? There isn't one woman in Diane's friend circle who doesn't know him. Tall, brooding. The complete opposite of his brother, Malcolm."

"His brother is called Malcolm?"

She nods, a grin on her filler-filled lips.

"You didn't know?"

"No. I knew he had a brother but it's not exactly been a conversational starter."

"Hmm. Well, in my opinion, Felix is the better-looking one. Felicity said he was the one Diane originally had an interest in, but he made it perfectly clear that he didn't like her that way. So she moved on to his brother instead."

"Interesting," I mutter under my breath.

"I tell you, the three months the brothers have been here, they've garnered themselves quite the fan club."

I guess that makes sense. You can't be so strikingly handsome new guy in this town and not get attention from the opposite sex.

"Oh shit. We best call you a cab to get back to the shop. Its already 6:34pm."

Tiffany grabs a perfume and squirts over me, waving her finger to tell me to spin.

"Now you're ready! I feel like the fairy Godmother in Cinderella. But obviously younger and prettier."

"Did you just compare yourself to a cartoon?"

She doesn't give me an answer, instead she ushers me out the door to the sidewalk and frantically waves her arm to flag a passing cab.

"Have fun tonight. I've popped the make-up and perfume in your bag so you can top it up. And I expect a detailed low down next time I see you."

"I can't thank you enough, Tif."

She pulls me into a hug, I swear there's tears in her eyes.

"Make mama proud. Go get your Prince charming." she lets out an over exaggerated sigh.

A black Mercedes Benz is parked outside of the shop when the taxi arrives. Stood dressed in a velvet black tux with a deep red shirt and hair immaculately slicked back is my date. He checks his watch, unaware of me climbing from the back of the cab. My heart beats wildly in my chest as I just stand there, taking him in. He looks up from his watch, turning his head in my direction. He double takes, those dark eyes raking over me as if I'm the most beautiful thing in the world. His lips tug up in satisfaction, revealing those adorable dimples. Taking small steps, I move closer. The way he looks at me has me feeling… exposed. So much has happened in the last week and a half. From observing this seemingly perfect specimen of a man for months, to now accompanying him to a high-end party.

"Mr Kang. I hope you weren't waiting long."

"Looking the way you do, I'd happily wait all night."

I'd think he was joking if the smile that once occupied his perfect face hadn't faded. We now stand face to face. Even in these heels, Felix towers over me.

"I'll take that compliment," I smile shyly.

"Shall we?" he offers me an arm. I practically jumped at the opportunity to touch him in any way possible. Holding the car door open for me like a true gentleman, he takes my hand to help me inside before moving around to the driver's side. He flexes his hands a little before placing one on the wheel, another on the gear stick. I notice how veiny his hands are, the skin slightly callous on the underside. He spins the wheel with one hand. Something so simple seems sexy when Felix does it.

"You're staring."

"Oh! Sorry," I whip my head round to the front. "You just look very handsome. Not that your don't always look handsome." I talk fast in a panic. I jump a little when his hand reaches over and rests on top of mine. Its feels warm against my flesh, or is that just my body about to explode from his touch?

He drives in silence, occasionally removing his hand to switch gears but always returning it to mine after. We reach a stretch of road out of town that leads to where all the rich citizens of August live, and of course the house Mayor Richards occupies is the biggest one here with a Grand Drive leading up to its big white doors and red brick work. Multiple cars are parked along the driveway, and all I can hope is there will be a space closer to the front so I wont have to try and walk up the incline in these heels. Its as if my wish had been granted as Felix reverses into a spot not too far from the entrance. I sit there a moment, taking in everything I see. Memories come flooding back of when Howard would make me attend parties of the rich and famous, acting like the doting husband while threatening me to be on my best behaviour when no-one was looking. I was constantly reminded that I was his property and if I did anything to upset him, certain rumours would be leaked to the press. I wonder at what point I no longer became scared of not being a performer anymore.

"Are you alright?" Felix squeezes my hand, snapping me out of my daze. I give him a bright smile and nod.

"It's just a little daunting. Is it really ok for a nobody like me to be here?"

His thumb gently runs back and forth over the side of my hand.

"Let us show our faces since it was my brother's lady that invited us. Then if you want to leave, I will take you home. There's no need to stay if you're uncomfortable."

There's a sweetness, a reassurance in his low tone as he tries to put my mind at ease.

"I'm sure I'll be fine. Its just nerves."

He gives my hand a squeeze before releasing it and climbing out the car. My door clicks open and he stands there, smiling widely, his hand astretch.

"Shall we, Miss Callahan?"