Unshackled

Unpack

"Ow."

"Oh stop it, you're fine."

"I literally can't breathe."

"No one breathes there, you'll be fine."

Ray would have laughed at Ricardo's ridiculous statement, but she figured she might bust out of the corseted top she wore if she did. She had worn literal ARMOR before and been more comfortable than she was right now. The corset was crushing her ribs and jabbing her in the armpit and under her boobs. When she sat down it jabbed her in the hips and the corset pushed her underwhelming bosom up into never before seen heights.

It didn't help that it was atop a suit coat, so not only was she constricted, she was HOT. And in the uncomfortable way. Ricardo had pulled it extra tight to make sure her waist still looked snatched despite the suit coat underneath. He's done the impossible; it seemed like her waist was even slimmer than usual. The coat was long enough that she only wore lacy bike shorts underneath to protect her from any slips or gaps, and over-the-knee boots completed the look. 

"You realize I'm not actually IN the show, right?" she said, exasperated. 

"Mm-hmm, keep whining, miss girl, I'm only halfway done with your hair. I WILL leave you like this."

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," Ray quickly apologized. 

"Good lord," Tommy said as he came in the door, a takeout bag in his hand. "I'm so sorry, did I mistake the headmistress's office for Ray's apartment again?"

"Again?!" Ray exclaimed.

"Heyyy, Tommy," Ricardo said with a sly grin, twisting Ray's hair up into a chignon. "Please keep all role-play for AFTER the fashion show if you don't mind. I gotta get this woman READY."

"Aww," he said, playing up his disappointment. He lifted the bag, changing the subject. "I've got food."

"Well," Ray said, straining. "I'm pretty sure my stomach has been squeezed down into my left kneecap, so I don't think I'll be able to eat."

"Eating makes you bloated anyways," Ricardo added. Ray grinned at the ridiculousness of it all with Tommy. Then coughed as Ricardo sprayed her hair with hairspray to make it stay. But not too hard, because of the corset.

"Alright, well, I'll leave you your portion in the microwave, then. You can have it later." he said, taking out part of the order and taking it into the kitchen. Ricardo gave Ray a look but said nothing. Tommy came out and sat in a chair, watching as Ricardo made some final touches to Ray's makeup. 

"What?" she asked as he watched her, a smile growing on her face.

He shrugged. Rubbing his mouth, he grinned. "I can't say what I'm thinking right now, I'm afraid."

"Ooooooh!" Ricardo called out. "Behave yourself Thomas!"

Ray blushed as she giggled. Tommy merely grinned at her. 

"Okay, you're all ready!" Ricardo said. "Let's go! You're already late!" Ray went over by Tommy to grab her clutch and avoided his grabbing hands deftly, swatting them away. Ricardo headed out the door. 

Ray looked over her shoulder at Tommy. "Just for that you get detention later, mister Tate!"

He jumped out of the chair and chased her out, grabbing at the hem of her jacket, then stopped at the door and watched her walk to the stairs. Ray flashed him a smile as she started down the stairs. 

Ricardo drove them to the event, held in an underground club. Mr K met them out front, fully dripped out in Mr K style, opening the door for Ray and escorting her inside. Photographers were lighting up the dark with their flashes, and Ray was stopped for pictures several times on her way in. She credited Ricardo for dressing her, didn't know any of the designers she was wearing, and quickly moved on. Ricardo was quickly swept up in the event, his services needed in the back with the models.