“We’re going to measure you, ma’am,” they said to me. I made a face and just nodded, lifting my arms up and out, allowing them to do their thing.
“She’ll need shoes, heels nothing less than three and a half inches. Nothing more than five.”
“Five? I’m already tall for a girl!”
“Ethan’s six foot four.” She said it as if that was the only thing that mattered.
“And if I can’t walk in these shoes?”
“I’ll teach you. Can I continue now?” she asked but didn’t wait for me to reply before going on. “Also get her bedroom and bathroom slippers, monogrammed IC. For the clothes, enough for at least a month. I’m sure Grandmother will settle the rest. Have those sent directly to the mansion. She’ll need at least a week’s worth here. That includes nightgowns, underwear, and a few dresses. Our biggest priority now will be the gowns for Ethan’s party. I want those custom. Contact whomever and tell them we need them for Saturday. Any questions?”
No one spoke.
“Brilliant. Now please save her.” She smiled at me, leaning back in her chair.
“This way, ma’am.” The first three, in charge of the waxing and all that, said to me as they led me to the bathroom.
I couldn’t help but wonder.
What the hell had I signed myself up for?
And what in the hell would I look like after this was over?
NARI
“Well?”
Sighing, I poured myself a glass of scotch.
“Nari.”
“She’s not Callahan material,” I told him truthfully, looking out at the city lights. “That said, she’s not a pushover and has no problem speaking her mind even if she’s a little scared. And even though she’s scared she’s determined to do whatever she needs to do. Will she be loyal after she gets what she wants? I honestly don’t know. But she isn’t like other women, in that she’s blinded by the money. I could tell she was pretty, which is proof that she’ll look gorgeous when I’m done with her.”
“I hardly care about that.”
“You’re lying,” I muttered, sipping the liquid slowly. “Whether you realize it or not. There is no man who doesn’t want a beautiful woman on their arm. Especially the one who will be theirs permanently.”
“Anything else worth noting?”
I glanced back at the room. “She’s…”
“Are you going to finish your sentence or should I wait with bated breath?”
I faced the city again, replying, “She has no idea who you are. She knows the Callahan name. I’m sure she has some idea about the family, but other than that, she doesn’t understand the severity of it all.”
“Then explain it to her. I don’t have time to baby her.”
“No, you don’t…but you’re going to have to find time for a lot of things because she’ll be your wife, and that means for the rest of her life people will be after her. We all know how lonely the mansion can be.”
“So nothing else worth noting. Good night.” He hung up.
Putting the phone down, I finished off my drink and put the glass down.
“Ma’am?”
I turned around to see the hairstylist. “You’re done?”
“As much as I could do for the night. She demanded to sleep. She’s in pain,” he said.