Call me your Master

A Family Affair

"Layla get your sorry butt up right now! I swear if he knew you were still in bed with less than an hour to get ready he would have our heads!"

A pillow slammed into my face, pulling me from my dream. I cracked my eyes and saw light starting to peak through the sky which meant-

I slept in.

I bolted from the bed, head spinning from the hangover, and sprang into the shower. Marla muttered something about fussing over my clothes before I shut the door. The water was scalding as it hit my skin and the fog lifted from my brain. 

Juliet. Andy had muttered her name but... why did the name sound so familiar and yet I knew i'd never heard the name or knew anyone with it? It was like I almost knew the answer but I couldn't place my finger on it. I doubted i'd get any answer from him on the subject but maybe someone else knew her? Today was the day to probe people for answers because, really, who would remember me when i'm sure the house would be packed? 

I dried my hair and, with my robe secured, ventured back into my room. Marla stood there with a smirk, waving me to follow her. She led me into Andy's room and I noted the bed looked like it hadn't been touched all night. He slept on the couch then. I could hear the commotion of the part planners downstairs talking over decoration placement and various other things before Marla slid the door shut and motioned me to the vanity that she must've had set up for today. I sat, shifting as she began brushing through my mess of hair. 

"I've always admired the light in this room, Andrew was nice enough to allow me to get you ready in here. So, tell me, what exactly had you and him sleeping in so late? He looked like a hungover ghoul, what with all the groaning and nursing of his headache downstairs this morning." 

"We might have broken into his bar while watching a movie in the theater."

She paused for a moment, long enough for me to turn and make sure she was still there. Her face was confused but she noticed I was looking at her she moved to make herself busy pulling out makeup and hair ties. 

"Is that so? Well, that room could use some use again. It's been far too long it's been locked away like a crypt," she said as she returned to twisting and pulling my hair back in various sections. "Your hair is so lovely up, I think we will go with something elegant."

She finished my hair and did my make up while I finished touching up my black nails and toes. She was grinning like a mad woman when she had finished. 

"Now, here's the dress you'll be wearing and these heels. There's a full length mirror in his bathroom behind the door." She moved to leave the room but hesitated when she opened the door. "Layla-" I turned at my name. "Good luck today. I'm sure they will love you." With a final smile she disappeared beyond the door. 

Nervously I unzipped the dress on my lap. I gasped as I pulled it out, realizing this was a custom dress i'd saved in my phone months ago. It was a black and see through bodice, with only one long sleeve. The black gave way to rows of long layered gray tulle the fell like a goth fairy's dream. It was pair with a beautiful pair of lace up stiletto heels. I nearly threw myself into the dress, and cursed at how long it took to do the heels. Slowly, so as not to completely break both of my ankles, I approached the bathroom and pushed the door closed. 

Whatever Marla had done, I suddenly didn't see myself in the reflection. There was not way it was me. My hair was pulled back with several braids pulled up into a bun, several curls falling along my neck. She'd given me smoky eyes and matte dark plum lipstick. Damn the woman could contour. 

And the dress.. The dress fit like a second skin. My heart was racing as I emerged, suddenly feeling so much more confident at facing whatever awaited downstairs. I pulled the door open and was met with the smell of whatever they were cooking downstairs, and the chatter of servants. People were rushing around downstairs from room to room like the royal family was expected, but I guess in a way that's exactly what it was.