Drowning

Chapter Twenty-Two

They were already doing Mariana's makeup when I got to the apartment. I just said a quick hello to everyone and went straight for the shower. I took a long ass shower, I don't care how late we might be, I needed that shower, and plus you should always be fashionably late. I put on my contacts and skip my skin care knowing the makeup artist will put everything my skin needs, so I just put some lotion in my body, put on my silk robe and head out of my room.

I didn't pay much attention when I got here, but they transformed my living room. There are at least seven dresses in a hanger, two body length mirrors and two makeup and hair stations. Now I really need to give Alice a raise.

"Took you long enough." Mariana says from her makeup chair as I eye my living room. I hope someone is putting everything back how it was, because I really can't think about it now.

"Hi I'm Lana, I'll be doing your makeup." A young woman who apparently is named Lana approached me. "Why don't you pick a dress so that we can get started." She said pointing me towards the hanger.

There are three stunning options: gold, a navy and a red dress. I tried all three of them but when I got to the red dress, I was left speechless. It was a stunning strapless cherry red dress. The color goes amazing with my skin and dark brown hair and the form fitting corseted bodice, makes the curves I've worked so hard for, show off. It has a black streak running down its side and a thigh high slit on my left leg that makes my legs look toned and long. There is a small train long enough to be elegant but short enough that I can dance. I look incredible.

I turn around to show it to Mariana, looking for the same reaction I just had. "Babe, you look gorgeous." She tells me with a bright smile. "She's wearing that." she says to Lana who is prepping her work station.

I quickly slip the dress off so that I can get my hair and makeup done. When I sit down, I tell Lana that I want a very subtle look, I'm not big with makeup and when I finish speaking Mariana instantly says, "Tell me what happened."

Was I that obvious?

"Definitely." Mariana says again. Apparently I said that aloud and didn't notice. "You have been awfully quiet since you got here. Which dont get me wrong you do to everyone to freak them the fuck out, but not to me, never to me. Unless there is something wrong." That's true I like keeping quiet around strangers, it usually either makes them tell you their life story or freak them out. And the life story can come in handy when trying to find what you want from someone. Especially in this business. It's crazy how much people can talk after they meet someone who they think is actually willing to listen.

"Now tell me, do we skip this and get ice cream in ball gowns, do you want to sit and watch tv or read a book with me or do you want to talk about it." This, this right here is why I'm grateful to have her as my best friend.

"It's just the Millers." I say in one big sigh as Lana, the makeup artist starts applying what I assume is concealer, yeah I'm going to need a lot of that. "I'm so sorry. Honestly we are in this mess because of me."

"Don't apologize and tell me what happened."

"They upped their price. They want fifty million now." This shouldn't have ever happened and I have no one to blame but myself. I should've prepared us better, hired better people.

"Damn." She says blowing out a breath.

"I'm sorry Mariana. I truly am."

"Do you want me to beat your ass, because I will if you keep apologizing. Now answer me this. Have you talked to your grandparents?"

"No,"

"Did you know they were doing this?"

"Obviously not."