Royalty

Chapter 4: The Meeting

I apologetically ask the hairstylist what her name is, as we have been in conversation the whole time.

''I apologise. I haven't asked for your name?'' I said as I stare at her in the mirror in front of me.

''Oh!'' She exclaims surprised.

''My name is Sandra'' She says as she curls my ends.

''That's a beautiful name!'' I exclaim in a high pitched voice. Lorna's voice has already grown on me. She giggles and continues to braid two strands of hair on the side of my head which she pulls to the back and connects the two strands with a white bow.

We continue to talk until she finishes up and advises me that she will be seeing me tomorrow.

I greet her with a goodbye. The makeup artist does my normal day-to-day makeup which consists of foundation, pink blush, pink eye-shadow, false lashes and a light pink gloss.

She is very quiet as she paints my face, and I can't get myself into making an effort to start a conversation. She finishes up and spritz my face with something that appears to be water. I cough as the molecules enter my nose. That definitely is not water. She apologises as she laughs.

''What is that?'' I ask as I continue to cough.

''Oh. This is setting spray''

''Setting spray'' I repeat.

''It's used to set your makeup, so that it lasts longer, and so that it doesn't fade during the day'' She says smiling.

''Okay. My work here is done!'' She advised as she stares at her artwork on my face. I make awkward eye contact and look away several times, unsure as where I should look.

She greets me with a friendly goodbye as I waved at her.

I stare at myself in the mirror, admiring my hair. I love bows. I just wish I could wear less makeup, but Grandma says that I look sick when I don't wear a good amount of makeup.

Peggy will also probably arrive any minute. It's 9:15 am right now. I walk towards the window once again and imagine Lorna, Stefan and myself having a picnic at the rose bush tomorrow and laughing like we did today.

I hear a knock on my door and short after that Peggy enters the room. I don't look away and keep my stare towards the gardener watering the rose bushes. He must be enjoying himself as I take a glimpse at him dancing as he listens to the music on his earphones. I smile. I wonder what he is listening to. Maybe Ariana Grondo as well.

''Are you ready, Emmy?'' Peggy says in a soft voice and a wave of fear rush over my body. No I am not, but I have to.

Just collect your building blocks, Emmy.

''Ready than ever'' I answer.

****

The walk to the meeting is quite quiet, as Peggy barely says a word. I look over to her from time to time, which she then throws together a smile.

With each step I take, I can feel my heart beating faster and faster and my hands are drenched in sweat. I can feel my breathing intensify.

''Are you okay?'' Peggy asks.

''I'm...fine'' I lied. I don't want her to worry about something so stupid. Although Peggy is aware of my anxiety towards people, I don't want her to worry too much about it.

I look up and see the round pergola in the garden. It's nice that they decided to attend this meeting outside. That gives me a little bit of relief. I see a man in a suit talking to a woman with her hair in a ponytail. She also wears a suit and talks to the man with a serious look on her face. I am already intimidated by them. They look so professional.