Scarlett
Tonight is the Gala at the Bellini's, and I think I'm going to throw up. I'm so nervous.
Lauryn woke me up from my sleep at seven this morning and took me to the Bellini Estate for some pre-gala pampering. I've never had this much attention given to me before. Lizzie had masseuses, hair stylists, and makeup artists all come to transform the Bellini girls and me for the night. Lizzie made sure that the hairstylist and makeup artist for me were black women, because and I quote she wanted to 'make sure that no one fucked me up tonight.'
"Oh, Scarlett honey...You look so beautiful." Lizzie gushes as Andrea zips my gown up. I never got around to looking for a dress and a week before the gala I was freaking out because I couldn't find anything that was worthy enough for this occasion and that I could afford. Lucas must have told his mother that I was panicking over this because he texted me out the blue with a cryptic message that simply stated 'Dress already bought.' I need to figure out a way to pay her back.
"Can I look now?" I ask, my eyes still closed. I'm a little nervous because if I look a hot mess, it'll be too late to fix myself up.
"Yes, honey. You look so gorgeous."
I open my eyes and almost lose my breath. Lizzie is right. I do look gorgeous. Absolutely stunning. It almost doesn't look like me. Ahmari, the hairstylist, got me right with a lace frontal that she laid the hell out of so well that it looks like the hair is growing from my scalp. The loose curls are almost down to my waist but are pinned so that the hair is only over one shoulder. Jackie, the makeup artist, beat my face so good that I don't think I ever want to take it off. My complexion has never looked so even. I was a bit hesitant to be barefaced because I was afraid that Lizzie or the girls would ask about the scars, but no one said anything.
The dress, however, is the real show stopper. It's a gorgeous deep red sequin dress that pools on the floor. There's a high slit that shows off my waxed leg and black red bottoms that Lizzie insisted I wear. I don't know how Lizzie was able to get the perfect fit without my measurements because this dress hugs my curves perfectly as if it were made specifically with me in mind.
"Wow, I look...wow." I'm at a loss for words. "I don't think I've ever looked this good, not even at my prom."
"You're so beautiful," Ava states looking up from her phone for the first time all day. "And you have a shape to die for." I check myself out in the mirror, and I see what she's talking about. The dress makes my ass look phenomenal.
"Yes, you do." Andrea nods in agreement. "I see why Lucas can't keep his hands off of you."
"One last thing." Lizzie passes me a small Tiffany blue box. I open it and inside is a simple but elegant diamond drop necklace. It's the most beautiful piece of jewelry I've ever seen.
"Oh no Lizzie I can't accept this." I know that this necklace probably cost more than all my jewelry combined and I can't take it from her, especially after all she's done for me today. "You already let me borrow your earrings," I gesture to the diamond drop earrings, that I just now realize match the necklace, "and you bought me this beautiful dress and the shoes. At this rate, I'll be paying you back for the rest of my life."
"Pay me back? Oh no honey, everything this family does for you is considered a gift. We don't expect nor want payment for it. We do it because you're family. Besides I didn't get you any of this and the earrings aren't mine, they're yours. I was just told to make sure you get it." Lizzie states as she takes the necklace from me and gently places it around my neck. "It looks even better on you than in the box."
"You didn't?" If Lizzie didn't buy me this stuff, then who?
"You don't know?" Ava chirps up as she adjusts her diamond tiara on her head. "Lucas bought all this for you."
