Eliza Ali is a famous makeup artist along with her fashion model younger sister Mona Ali in exotic Dubai, UAE. On the eve of her 30th birthday surrounded by elegance and opulence Eliza is forced to confront everything she has done to rise to the to...
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My phone slipped from my limp fingers and I heard the screen shatter as I picked it up still shaking. Faysal has no reason to surface now after all these years I assumed he was either in prison or dead hoping for the latter. The picture message didn't come with any words or message but the meaning was clear, it was a threat. He can't touch me here I wrapped my arms around myself despite the heat I felt a chill as I stumbled inside the studio. I grabbed my purse and jacket from the vanity and ran to the bathroom while my assistant called after me. I sobbed once I reached the restroom and slammed the door behind me. "Liza?" Mona called out rapping on the door clearly concerned. "Liza, whats this?" "the cars just about here we've got to wrap this up and thank the team for their hard work.." Mona's soft voice trailed off and I splashed water on my face careful not to smudge my makeup. The door knob rattled once more and I composed myself enough to open it. "Nothing Mona" don't be such a neg I hissed, she arced a sculpted brow at me crossing her arms. "I thought the retrograde was over" she shot back as I strode over to thank the team.
I felt a pounding headache starting once we got into the cool exterior of the car as I slid into the leather seat. "Shut that off at once!" I snapped at the driver playing an old Noor Jehan song the sounds of Wanjli Walareya fading with the orange sun with the automatic response of "yes madam" from the driver. I wearily watched Mona reach for the aux cord eyeing me once more but saying nothing and soon the noise of rap filled the car. "Wonder when he's in town next, eh?" Mona smirked while looking at the rappers social media. "Shut up Mona" I all but whispered leaning my head back remembering how she used to blush and barely be able to look at boys. Was this all my doing? "We've got to shower and change for dinner so don't die yet Eliza" Mona said cooly as she faked a smile and recorded a Snapchat video of herself.
The stupid dinner. I had totally forgotten because of Faysal and the photo. I took my phone from my purse and decided to save the number to see if there's a WhatsApp profile that would tell me more. Mona noticed my broken phone but choose not to bring it up as we pulled into the tower valet of our apartment. After instructing the driver to pick us up again in 45 minutes we rode in a tense silence in the lift. I removed my high heels slowly with a sigh of pleasure after being in them for hours as Mona went to shower. I clicked on the lights as I walked through our luxury high-rise decorated tastefully in creams and delicate pastels. Far from how we...no "I" grew up I used to dream of such luxury I thought bitterly. Why now? I sunk exhausted into the couch looking at the class view. I felt frozen and immobile which wasn't like me. Usually I am quick with any response, excuse and even lie in conversation.
I had carefully constructed this life of two socialite sisters brought up in London boarding schools and now living in Dubai. My makeup career took off the moment we left the United Kingdom as if the heavy fog and black clouds that followed were lifted. Everything was much better now. Everyone bought it and in time Mona stopped faltering and picked up the posh accent and backstory. Okay maybe their accent isn't perfect but people here can't tell the difference and the ones who can are usually too polite to say otherwise. I moved to take a quick shower and change.
"Why's your hair still wet?" Mona asked in the lift looking perfect as usual. I stared absently out the glass window and avoided her gaze. "Because I washed it" I retorted running my fingers through my still damp hair. I barely had the strength to shower and redo my makeup keeping it light and simple, it was a miracle we weren't running late. "Can't we just cancel on them" I said rubbing my temples my headache dulled but still there. "It's been arranged months ago before the lockdown" Mona reminded touching up her powder. In the car ride to the city I couldn't help but remember how much Naz made me uncomfortable and I hated dinners with him but he would be bringing Harris Jung along. I shuddered as I remembered Naz tracing my shoulder resting his fingers on my neck, "Help me out, yeah Liza? "It's best for you and me ain't it don't forget about Mona" his voice echoed in my pounding mind as he pressed his lips to my neck. My hands were clenched in my lap I felt like screaming.
"Eliza....whats going on with you today?" Mona voiced filled with concern.
