Eva

Chapter 11

Today is the day.

It's Alex's birthday and right now, Astrid and I are getting ready.

Before coming, I told Heather about Alex and I tried to scope out more information about him. I got nothing from her but a "good kid" and "has business with your father" comments. I decide to leave the gift thing out because she already has a skewed opinion of him.

Now I'm sitting in Astrid's room with a group of makeup artists, hair stylists, and fashion assistants getting us ready.

When I look over to her, she's in a pink silk robe with her hair in rollers and almost looks zen.

Unlike me.

"Sweetie, I need you to turn your head this way," The makeup artist says. She centers my head with her finger.

"Sorry," I reply. I try to relax my face but I feel it scrunching up. "Eva, please relax your face." She says.

"Sorry," I say again and now I feel annoying. My palms are hot and sweaty and I feel the need to wipe it away, which I do but instantly regret it.

"Eva," the artist snaps at me. She's leaning to one side and has an attitude pose now. I know for a fact she's irritated with me now.

"Please stop moving. You've been anxious the last 30 minutes, your makeup won't be done in time."

I look at her and I don't know what to say. "I..." I start. "Sorry," I say in a small tone. I feel bad now, I don't want to be late but I can't ignore my stomach for the event tonight. I heard the artists and stylists talk among us. There's going to be wealthy, important people there that I don't know and I feel out of place going.

They're going to wonder who I am. What do I even say? Do I use my father's name or my mother's? Ugh.

"Leave us except for hair, please." Astrid says to her team. She motions the stylist to start my hair in rollers and he does just that. She comes to my side and looks at me.

"Sorry about her, she'll be fired, don't worry." I stare at her in disbelief, its that easy to fire someone? "Don't feel bad, she needed to go." She smiles at me and I can't believe she's going to do that.

"Also Eva, you don't have to be scared. Frankly, if you want to ditch it, we can." She smirks but I know I wear worry over my face. It takes a beat before she asks, "What's nagging at ya?"

"I... just..." I keep wondering if I can trust her. "I can't help but think what others will think of me." I sigh.

She takes a breath, "Oh Eva," she laughs, "Who gives a fuck what they think. They're old hags that flaunt how much money they have." She shrugs. "There's more important things to worry about than who has the biggest yacht and house. No way am I going to let you determine your worth by someone like that or anyone in general."

I smile at her statement and start to relax a little more. "If you don't want anyone knowing who you are, you can simply lie." She says nonchalantly and I ponder that idea.

"Maybe," I answer her and we continue to finish getting ready.

I stare at myself in the mirror as Astrid screams for me to come down. "Eva! Get your ass down here!" I smile at her comment because she just wants to see the final product.

I look different.

A good different.

The dress feels nice against my skin.

My hair is curled but up in a loose ponytail.

The makeup is a nice smokey eye look and it complements my complexion.