The Single Mother

Talla Knight- Chapter 9

After I had admitted that I didn't have the right dress or had the talent to do make-up I felt embarrassed and relieved. Shouldn't the daughter of a million dollar company be able to have the money to buy the dress? Shouldn't she be able to do all the girly shit that other rich people do like hair and make-up? Truth is, I get no income from my parents now that I'm disowned and after giving birth to Sianna, I stopped trying to look pretty because I no longer felt like everyone was breathing down my neck or watching my every move. 

Within half an hour, three of the best stylists were at Phoenix's house dragging in plastic cosmetics bags, long black garment bags, huge ring lights and medium sized wooden boxes. Seeing all the team members and the preppy girly stuff caused my feet to tingle and my mind to cloud up. I wasn't made for this life anymore and seeing all this just reminded me of my horror story that just happens to be my not so distant ago past.

"Mr. King?" A small voice squeaked, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Hi, my name is Valentine Thorpe. I'm the representative Ms. Wang sent out and I'll be taking care of your lovely fiancé. Ms. Wang selected these dresses herself based on the type of party you're hosting and the description of your betrothed."

Upon hearing that my mouth fell open. Vera Wang... as in the THE Vera Wang was the designer that I was going to wear tonight.

Before I could process anymore of this a man walked up to Phoenix and vigorously began shaking his hand. "Phoenix King, nice to meet you. I'm Hugo, your make-up and hair stylist for today and these are my two team members: Sarah and Louise. Sarah will be helping me with make-up while Louise will be tackling the hair. Anyway, we better start soon as we need a lot of time, so where do you want us to park up?"

Phoenix grabbed my hand and led myself and the designers to his huge room which was equipped with full floor mirrors and walk in wardrobe that I could change clothes privately into.

"So I'll just get a chair and be right back. But in the meantime... here's what you're working with." Phoenix gently pushed me into the arms of the awaiting designers and before I could object or say anything the designers began talking in hushed tones about what they had planned for me.

...

So when Phoenix claimed that he had people that owed him favors, I expected them to be female friends of his that dolled themselves up every night to go clubbing or something of the sort, not professional make-up and hair artists and designers who happened to design some of the outfits that all the celebrities see at Milan, New York and Paris Fashion Week.

And yet here I was, sitting in a bathrobe that Valentine had found in the bathroom, so I got nothing on the beautiful, deep blue dress that I was going to wear tonight and having my hair strategically curled and placed over my shoulders while also getting dabs of foundation, eye shadow, concealer and highlighter on my face.

Sitting here and getting this done made me uncomfortable as all it reminded me of was my past life with my boyfriend and best friend. What they did to me was wrong and, even though years have passed and I haven't seen a glimpse of them since that night, I will forever hold a grudge against them. It was because of them my parents and I don't get along. It's also because of them that I was disowned from my family and now have a shitty job. And it's their fault that I was a mother at such a young age.

Tears of anger and sorrow formed in my eyes and the feeling of longing ached in my heart. Because of all the hardships I've gone through, all the pain I've endured and all the suffering I've done alone, I just want to make sure that my own daughter never has to go through that. I want her to feel loved-even if she's just gone through a break-up, I don't want my daughter to ever feel lonely in her life- even if her friends abandon her, and I don't want my daughter to have to live through sorrow-even if she's looking at me, in our sad little home surrounded by poverty, and be depressed about her life.

A tissue was passed into my lap and I looked up to find Valentine smiling down on me. "Don't cry. You look fantastic and all the photos that are taken of you and Phoenix tonight will be proof of that."

Dabbing my eyes with the tissue she handed me, a watery smile found its way onto my face. It's best that the world thinks that I'm marrying Phoenix out of love and not because it's my parents way of paying off my debts because they're feeling sorry for me and finally, after two years, warming up to their granddaughter.

"Thank you so much... all of you have done a great job tonight." I blubbered as the team group-hugged one another, each person congratulating another one their job well done.

...

As I made my way to the top of the stairs, I spotted Phoenix talking to his parents, as Sianna roughly yanked his tie.

At least she's having fun and isn't throwing a tantrum... My thought began before my mind took me to later in the night when she would throw her hissy fit and everyone would look at me, silently judging me while doing so.

As I stood at the top of the stairs attempting to find my parents in the crowd, whimsical music filled the air and a large spotlight found its way to where I stood. All eyes were on me and I wanted to turn around and run back to the master bedroom. Instead, I graciously put one foot in front of the other and descended the stairs, looking at the ground the whole way so I didn't trip over my dress or my own two feet and so I didn't make eye contact with anyone.

As I stood in the middle of the room, all eyes still on me, I felt a hand gently clasp my upper arm. "You scrubbed up well." Phoenix whispered in my ear with a hint of humor lacing his tone.

***

Hey Guys. Sorry it took so long to release this chapter, I've just been a bit busy lately and have been worried of finishing my other book: The Fighter.

Anyway, I hope you're enjoying your morning/afternoon/evening/night and if you enjoy this chapter please remember to add it to your reading lists, vote and share it with your friends.

-OceanBlues