Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 33 - A Man is Much Like a Puppy

Inside the spa everything was sumptuous. The furnishings were all pale creams and beiges and suitably understated. Soft music played subtly through an integrated sound system, and the air was ripe with fragrant scents. Abe had promised us an afternoon of bliss, and by all accounts, this would live up to expectations.

"Mrs. Mazur?" a human woman addressed my mother. "You're so very welcome! Your husband said you and your daughter would be attending today with a group of friends? Do you each have an idea of what you'd like?"

Mom looked stumped, although I'm not sure whether it was the 'Mrs. Mazur' or being at a day spa that was causing more consternation. Lissa, always brilliant in an awkward situation, stepped in.

"Could you perhaps start by giving us an overview of your services? We'll probably each want different things, so then we can split up?"

It turns out as well as a full menu of spa, massage, and beauty treatments, there were also pedicures, manicures and hairdressing services on offer. Looking at the lengthy menu, Lissa and I decided to start with some beauty treatments. She wanted a facial, whereas I thought some more basic 'maintenance' in the form of waxing might be in order.

Flicking through the pamphlet, and having already decided on legs, underarms, and eyebrows I pondered, "Do you think Dimitri would like it if I had a brazilian wax?" I asked Lissa.

"I'm not sure I want to think about that Rose," she laughed.

"Oh come on! Have you had one? What did Christian think?"

"Yes, and he loved it, although I can't be bothered doing it all the time," she admitted, her face flaming.

"Right – I'll try one of those too, then."

Ten minutes later I was cursing Lissa and her lack of full disclosure. I understand 'beauty must suffer,' but I am pretty sure this bordered on the damned sadistic! After thoroughly checking out the beauty therapy room, two Guardians had been stationed on either side of the door while I went in to have everything done. All was going well as the warm wax was applied to my nether regions, but as the first strip was pulled off, I was shouting profanity at the top of my lungs.

"Novice Hathaway?" a panicked Guardian was calling out through the locked door. "Are you alright?"

"Yes! It just hurts like hell!" I called out quickly before either of them got any ideas about kicking the door in! I couldn't swear to it, but I think I heard a snicker from the other side of the door. After that I controlled my shouting, instead thinking murderously of how I would exact revenge on Lissa!

Before too long I was all done. Putting my panties back on, I had to admit it was quite a different feeling. I'd have to see how Dimitri liked the look.

Lissa must have heard my shouting because she had the good grace to look contrite.

"Sorry – I did forget to mention that part," she admitted sheepishly. "So what else do you want?" she said quickly, looking at the menu. "I was thinking maybe a cut and a hair treatment, and then we could have our nails done?"

"I don't have any nails, Lissa," I reminded her. Long nails on a Guardian was not a good idea with the amount of physical sparring we did.

"I know, but you could still have them shaped and buffed," she replied. I didn't need to use the bond to tell she was mentally rolling her eyes at me. The necessity of cuticle care was just one more area where my ideas were wildly different from Lissa's!

We headed to the salon part of the spa and were soon seated side-by-side getting our haircuts. Knowing Dimitri loved my long dark hair, I was sure to only get a trim, but I had to admit it looked so much better once they'd finished. Instead of the blunt straight across and not always even trims that Lissa gave me, they'd opted for a trim with subtle layers towards the ends. According to their promises, this meant I'd be able to pull my hair out of a ponytail and have it sit perfectly. I was yet to see it in action, but it sounded good in principle!