Squad 6: Royal Blood

Chapter 6- Diana

Chapter 6-Diana

"I can't believe he's not been home the majority of the week. What do you think?"

Diana dabbed some foundation on her client's face, trying not to accidentally shove her hand inside the woman's yapping mouth. "I think he's going to propose," she said.

"Really?" the woman said. "I was starting to think he's cheating. My neighbor told me she kept seeing him around with other girls."

"Come on, working overtime? He's saving for a ring," one of her coworkers said, waving her scissors in the air around another client's head.

"Yeah," Diana confirmed. Or maybe he's planning a drug deal.

She had been working in the hair and makeup studio for the past six months, ever since she and Chloe had decided to move to London. It had been somewhat of a dream job for her when she was in Phi, courtesy of the head nurse and her endless makeup supply. Diana had enjoyed her work immensely, from the creativity and smiles on the girls' faces when she'd finish their prom or wedding makeup, to the gossip. Though the gossip sometimes had a fully different purpose.

"We'll see. We have a birthday dinner next week," the woman said.

"Which colors were you thinking for the eyes?" Diana asked, biting her bottom lip in frustration. If she doesn't calm down, I am going to paint her face green.

"Something subtle, it's a lunch we're attending," she said. "I trust you to make me look good."

Diana smiled politely and got to work, her eyes on the clock. Chloe had an appointment in ten minutes. She was never late anywhere.

Instant panic settled in Diana's stomach and her thoughts raced to the worst possible scenarios. What if someone attacked her? The past year with Snakehead had been filled with bone-chilling fights and constant fear. Diana had grown to cherish the serene and slightly monotonous daily routine. Get up, work, have dinner, sleep.

Weekends were often reserved for activities that helped break the monotony— pubs, and clubs for Chloe, an earpiece, and a surveillance camera for Diana.

The doors opened, a much-welcomed gust of cold wind passing through the store and combating some of the hot air from the hairdryers that were constantly on.

"Hi honey, ready for your make-over?" one of Diana's coworkers said when Chloe walked in.

Diana tabbed a final touch of highlighter on the woman's cheekbone. She wheeled back to get a better look, placing the makeup palette in her lap. "Take a look," she told her, handing her a mirror.

She turned to Chloe, pouting her lips and pointing to them.

"You're needy," Chloe said, pecking Diana's lips and sitting into one of the salon chairs.

Diana watched as Chloe discussed what change she wanted. Her hair had grown longer, falling down to her belly button in soft waves. Diana didn't think Chloe needed to change— she loved everything about her— from her hair to her pale but sharp features, freckly nose, and striking blue eyes, Diana was utterly whipped by the Swedish redhead.

"You promised you wouldn't look if you worked while this was happening," Chloe said, giving Diana a warning glance in the mirror. She wanted to change up her looks but found the familiar environment of Diana's workplace comforting. Thus, Diana had to listen.

She raised her hands in surrender, turning to the woman and poking a blush brush to her nose. "I'm working, see? I can't look if I'm working. You're all done, honey," she told the woman.