A cLiChÈ lOvE sToRy

9 - NoW i LoOk LiKe A hArLoT

"What's wrong with your face?" Oscar sneered as I got into the passengers seat of his Ferrari.

"Nothing." I looked at him, confused.

"It's so plain."

"I don't do makeup."

"I'm not letting you perform a hostile takeover without makeup."

"Look, Oscar, women don't need makeup-"

"You consider yourself a woman?"

"- to feel more confident or better about themselves. We already have to deal with a lot of things your gender doesn't have to deal with like periods-"

"Don't mention that word around me!" Oscar covered his ears like a child.

"What word, period?"

"Stop!" he yelled.

"Oh my goodness, how did you pass biology?"

"Shut up."

"You made a nerd write your exam? Don't you have a sister? You've never seen a pad before?"

"Don't say that word either!"

"Pads?"

"Get out of my car, Aberdeen."

"Okay fine, I'll stop mentioning it. Jeez."

"Thank you."

"You're acting like a child by the way."

"Can we just go and get ready?"

"If I have to get my makeup done, I'm not going to stop saying those words."

"You seem to think you have a choice here."

"I don't?"

"Not if you want your dad to get his job back."

"All right. I'll get made up like a whore for you."

"You mean made up like a human being."

"Trust me, make up doesn't work for me."

"Why am I having this conversation with you?" He started the car, swerving out and speeding off.

~*~

Once he parked at the beauty salon & spa, I almost choked on my own spit.

"What are we doing here?" I spat out.

"Doing your makeup. like I told you."

"But... here? This place is frickin expensive! 200 dollars for a manicure."

"200 dollars is expensive?" Oscar laughed. "What cheap world do you live in? Are you like, poor? Do you like, buy only the things you need?"

"No, I am not poor. I spend my money wisely."

"Ok so you're middle class. Get down."  He got down from the car.

I got down quickly, pulling down my dress. Oscar locked the door and headed towards the entrance, not even bothering to check if i was being attacked by a crazy old lady. Nevertheless, I walked quickly after him, well, as quickly as I could in these 6 inch heels.

Once we entered the spa, I was hit with a fresh scent of lavender and my knees began to feel weak.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Bdight." A lady in pink robe walked up to us and spoke in a soothing voice. Then she turned to me, "Oh hello. You must be one of Mr. Bdight's girlfriends."

"Girlfriend?" I coughed, "Excuse you! We are not sleeping together!"

"Oh, so it is romantic then. Well done! I never thought someone could get him to settle down."

Oscar began to chuckle.

"Do something!" I yelled at him.

"Janis darling," he picked up her hand, "Aberdeen and I are not involved and I hope you'd pray for me that that is never the case. We are more or less... business partners. She needs a touch up or two in her facial area."

"Oh.." Janis looked at me, " I see it now.. dear, your face is a mess and it needs to be fixed up - quickly. Come with me."

I followed her only because I wanted them to stop talking about my ugliness and bringing down my self - esteem. Even Flaca Dains wasn't this bad... ok she was.

Once they were done violating my face, they spun me in front of a full length mirror and smiled behind me. I felt like i was in a beauty commercial... for whores.

"Now I look like a harlot." I whined.

"You mean princessa." One of the people who worked on my face smiled behind me.

"No, " I got up, "I mean whore."

She rolled her eyes. I walked out of the room to Oscar and Janis. Oscar fake gasped and brought his hands to his cheeks.

"Now you'll fit right in!" He gushed... actually gushed.

"I'm sure I will." I rolled my eyes.

"That'd be 1500 dollars." a lady walked up to me.

Suddenly. the room was spinning.

"I'm sorry, what?" I managed to say.

"Dear, put in on my card," Oscar handed her his card, " Forgive my moneyless friend over here - I don't think she's ever spent that much cash at a go."

The girl nodded, glanced at me, and took the card.

"That's expensive!" I yelled at Oscar.

"Like my lifestyle." he retorted. He took his card and then opened the door, stepping back for me to pass.

I walked through, ducking to hide my ruined face from the public eye as I headed for the car.

"what are you doing?" Oscar overlooked me while casually walking.

"Stopping people from thinking I'm a hoe."

"You know you really need to stop using that word. It's very offensive." he unlocked the car.

"Why do you care?" I entered the car. " Whores are what were destroying today - you know that right?"

"I asked Janis to do her best for you." He started the car. " She gave you the makeup she did for her daughter's wedding day and you just kept calling the look hoeish. You indirectly told her she looked like a hoe at her only daughter's wedding."

There was silence.

"Oh no. I feel so bad." I gasped.

"Yup. You're officially a savage."

"Reverse. I need to go back and tell her how sorry I am."

"It's too late to apologize."

"Stop with the bloody song references! Turn around!"

"What song references? Seriously, I'm not going back. Don't worry, I told her you were acting."

"Thank goodness." I leaned back, "wait, did you really?"

"Nope but we're too far gone to turn around."

"Oscar!"

"Oh come on - if I had taken you back you would've made the situation a whole lot worse."

"Yeah..... and you probably weren't supposed to tell me."

"Oh no. I asked her if I could tell you and watch you have a massive breakdown." he laughed.

"Oscar!"

"Calm down Aber. Look we're at the party. time to get your groove on."

As irritated as I was, I knew he was right.