Control

17 - Elliana

The elevator doors open, and I walk quickly back to the office with a smile on my face. I'm so happy, I can help fix the black eye!

I open the door and see Vince reading a newspaper facing away from me. At my entrance, he turns in the chair slowly and raises an eyebrow at the concealer I'm holding and my slightly out of breath stance. I walk towards my bag and bring out my concealer, much paler than Aria's, and my beauty blender.

Squishing it once for good luck, I walk towards Vince as he continues to watch me carefully. Once I'm as close as I'd like to be, I ask him, "C-Can I try to cover up the black eye, please?"

He raises an eyebrow. "You're not going to be able to cover it up at this stage, it's too dark."

I shake my head, and look down after the eye contact becomes too intense for me. It's confusing, with Alexander, I can look at him with no problem. Enzo, I feel captivated, unable to look away. Vince, well, it's like I become overwhelmed; I can feel it in my chest. I speak softly, "Can I please try?"

He sighs. "Make it quick." I start to walk over to him as he turns his chair to be perpendicular to the desk. I step between his legs, putting the concealers and beauty blender on the desk. He spreads his legs further, the material of his black slacks stretching against his large thighs. He rolls the sleeves of his white shirt up, showing off his tattoos. If I look closely, I can see some poking out of the collar of his shirt too.

He puts the newspaper down on the table, making his full attention reside on me. I pick up Aria's concealer, putting some drops on my hand close to my thumb on the opposite side of my palm. I then get out mine, putting more in and use my finger to mix the liquid material. I glance at him, trying to see his skin color. Without looking him in the eye, I ask him, "Can I please move your hand? I-I need to see the skin color better."

What is it about him that makes me so nervous? I suppose it's the fact that he had his hands around my neck half an hour ago. I barely know him, yet he's been so close to me so many times. Knowing that he could take me down doesn't really comfort me. My hands are shaking, and my heart is beating so loudly I'm sure he can hear it.

He doesn't say anything, instead he brings his hand up to mine, palm up. I shakily move my hand up to his, softly grabbing it and turning it over. I release a shaky breath at the warmth of his hand. I blink a few times before continuing to mix, eventually getting a color that resembles his very tan skin.

"Okay," I whisper, turning to him as he puts his hand down on his thigh, "I-I'm going to start applying it now. You can close your eyes if you want, but you don't have to if you don't want to. It doesn't matter too much, not like I'll get it in your eye." I nervously giggle, but his face doesn't move, he just continues to stare at me. I blush and put some of the concealer on the beauty blender. "Sorry, I ramble when I'm nervous."

"Why are you nervous?" His deep voice catches me off guard, making me pause my movements.

"Oh! Um," I try to come up with a lie quickly. "I...I don't know."

Wow, good save, El.

He smirks. "Lying again, Elliana. Is this a habit of yours?"

"N-No."

"Oh, so you just lie around me, then?" I shake my head. He tuts, "You don't wanna be a little liar, do you?" He leans in closer to me as he speaks. He's eye-level with me sitting down, making me gulp as he becomes inches from my face. "Why are you nervous? Come on, sweetheart, you can tell me."

I shift, moving my weight between my hips, feeling my stomach twist and my face become red. "Y-You're too close, i-it makes me feel...anxious."

He smirks, and finally leans back. "Good girl." He doesn't make me elaborate, but I don't think he'd be able to. I wouldn't be able to form a sentence after what he called me. Something about those two words makes my breath hitch for reasons I don't know. He looks at the makeup still on my hand. "You gonna start?"