HATE LOVE

The make-up artist smiled. “There’s nothing to it.” Pushing me down in the chair, she scrutinized my facial features carefully. “That’s surprising actually. With this kind of bone structure, I can’t believe you haven’t worked before.”

Blushing, I looked at myself in the mirror in front of me. Wow, the compliments were coming fast and furious today, I could barely keep up.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

And Gina got to work then like a real professional. The woman had really cool dangly earrings that lightly swept the tops of her shoulders. As she put makeup on my face and fixed my hair, the woman was all business, wielding dozens of little brushes to magical effect. I had no idea what was going on, succumbing to the treatment because this was not my old life at all.

I closed my eyes and thought about how much had changed in a short amount of time. My hefty salary would help my mom out, letting her cut back on from seven shifts a week at the hair salon. And I was actually working while getting college credit at the same time. Jerks like Roger would kill for an opportunity like this.

But then my mind wandered to Theo. My stomach dipped with anticipation, thinking about seeing him later. Where was he? What was he doing right now?

Just then, Gina gently tapped me on my shoulder. “All done, honey. Ready for your big moment?”

Opening my eyes, a woman with long blonde dreadlocks smiled at me holding up a golden shimmering gown and black leather patent pumps.

“You ready for this?” she asked with a smile. “It’s going to look smashing on you.”

I gasped. The gown was work of beauty, like something you’d wear on a Hollywood red carpet. Not something Mia Smith wore in her day to day life.

“Um, really?” was all I could manage in choked words. “Really?”

Both women smiled at me.

“Sure thing, hon,” spoke Gina again. “It’s going to be amazing, you’ll see.”

And the ladies were right because when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, a stranger looked back at me. Loose ringlets cascaded over my shoulders in a chestnut wave. I had dark plum lips and dramatic black eye makeup making my eyes look even bigger. Gina had contoured my cheekbones accentuating them like that of a supermodel.

And there was still the dress. In my hands, the gown glittered and sparkled.

“Where should I change?” I asked shyly.

The wardrobe lady named Tania smiled.

“Right here. We’ll help you.”

The look on my face must have been one of horror because I detested changing in front of people. In any locker room situation, I always quickly got dressed and undressed in a bathroom stall while my heart pounded like a drum from stress.

Tania assured me, “We’ll be quick. Don’t worry sweetheart. Now let’s get started.”

And I gave in to the process, letting the ladies help me undress. Unzipping my hoodie, Tania said gently, “A few more of these shoots, and you’ll get used to it.”

I shook my head, puzzled. “A few more?”

Tania and Gina exchanged looks. “You’re the new Marc Janow girl,” Gina said unbuttoning my jeans. “Don’t you know?”

What? No, I didn’t but the ladies hadn’t even paused in their movements. It was incredibly strange to have these women I’d just met dressing me, but I was too stunned by what Gina said to make any voluntary movements.

“Come again?” I mumbled.

A man with a clipboard and earpiece walked into the conference room. “Mia, I’m Andre. I’ll be running this shoot.”

“Eek!” I cried, hands trying to shield my assets. “Can we get some privacy please?”

But Tania and Gina didn’t even blink an eye, moving swiftly and silently.

“Almost done,” encouraged Tania, pulling the zipper up tight. “She’ll be ready in a jiff, Andre.”

The man was just as unperturbed by my nakedness, holding a clipboard my way. “I have the contract here for you to sign. I forwarded it to Theo’s assistant. Did you get it?”