Birdcage

Chapter 15 Lila...

My nerves are all over the place as I look at myself in the mirror. I know it's me, but the reflection I see staring back, couldn't be more of a stranger. I'm dressed and ready to go to the nightclub with Maisie, but I needed to make myself unrecognisable and I feel I have achieved what I needed. I'm wearing a navy blue, satin slip dress with spaghetti straps and a drooping neckline. It reveals far more cleavage than I would normally show, and there is a slit up my right leg that does not leave much to the imagination. My blonde hair is piled on top of my head in an up do, with a few rogue curls hanging down around my face. I've gone to town on my make-up, giving myself smoky eyes and dark red lips. It's too much for my liking but definitely does the job.

I think of myself as having an alter ego, and I begin to get a little carried away by practicing sexy, confident poses in front of the mirror. This then turns into extending my hand, pretending to introduce myself to nobody, until suddenly I have an accent that I'm sure originates from the depths of my warped mind rather than an actual country.

There's a knock at the door that causes to me to jump out of my skin and I hear Maisie's voice shouting through the wood saying, "Who are you talking to in there?"

My cheeks flush a bright red in embarrassment and I quickly compose myself replying, "I...I was just on the phone. I'm ready...I'm coming now."

"Okay, I'll be downstairs." I can here in her voice that she thinks I'm acting weird, but I just shrug it off, grab a pair of strappy stilettos and exit my room.

I meet Maisie downstairs and see that she has a glass of red wine poured and waiting for me. I pick it up eagerly and take a big gulp, trying to calm my nerves. I look at Maisie and take her in, blurting out, "Wow, you look amazing."

She gives me a twirl and a wink, as well as a thank you, before taking a drink from her own glass. She is wearing a gold, sequined mini dress, with matching strappy heels - the straps wrapping around her ankle and tying in a bow at the back. Her hair is poker straight, reaching right down to her bottom. I never see her with her hair straightened and loose; she looks beautiful. We stand and casually chat, while we wait for our car to arrive to pick us up. Apparently, Pierre is sending a limo for us - whether he will be in it already I don't know. I have never been in a limo before, and I have to admit, I can't help but feel excited. This evening is purely to see what information I can get - business if you will; however, it wouldn't hurt to maybe try and enjoy myself a little bit would it...

I still haven't told Dane what I'm doing tonight, and that has been made easier by the fact that I have barely spoken to him. It's fine though, he told me he wouldn't be able to speak much while he was there; I can't help but miss him though. At least I have been preoccupied about my own little mission. I have even packed my taser in my clutch, although if I had it the way I really wanted; it would be strapped to my thigh like the women you see in action movies. Wow, I've reached a new low, I chide myself, before finishing my drink off in one mouthful.

Maisie eyes me incredulously, and I can tell her head is full of questions. "So, everything going okay with you and Dane?"

"Yeah, it's great- why do you ask?" I know it seems like a simple, innocent question, but the look on her face tells me she is asking something else.

"Well, look at you...you don't look like someone in a happy relationship; you look like someone who is out to pull..." she smirks at me, from the top of her wine glass and I look down at myself feeling self-conscious. She must notice because she continues, "No, you look amazing, don't get me wrong - like, really amazing. It's just I've never seen you look like this before so figured something must be going on."

I suppose I should have expected some questions. We have lived together long enough for her to know me pretty well and that this isn't the norm for me.