I’m speechless.
My brow furrows; this is not clubbing wear. Why on earth would I wear such a classy dress to a club?
What is Nik thinking?
This is a three thousand dollar dress. I know this because I’ve looked at this dress many times.
The girls are ready and waiting on me. Nat does my makeup. A little more than what I’d normally wear. She applies a smoky grey shadow around the eyes and lots of mascara.
Lola does my hair. She leaves it mostly natural in my long, dark waves but slightly curls the ends and finishes with some product to keep it from frizzing.
Mimi slips the dress over my head, careful to avoid my makeup covered face. Then Nat and Lola hold my arms while Mimi slips on my stunning new black Valentino pumps.
They all stand back and look at me as if assessing me. I feel flushed and I’m nervous.
What the hell is going on?
Every time I ask questions all I get is “Patience is a virtue. ”
Screw patience! I’m dying of curiosity. They won’t even let me look in a mirror until what Lola calls the final reveal.
I think I’m just about ready to go when Mimi comes up behind me and takes out my earrings.
Curioser and curioser.
I feel like Alice in Wonderland. Maybe The White Rabbit is the perfect place for me to be tonight.
Finally, I’m allowed to look in the floor length mirror. So I do.
And my heart stops.
I’m dying.
I’ve died.
Am I dead?
That woman in the mirror is not me. It can’t be. I’ve never been sexy. Not like this.
My three dearest friends are getting choked up behind me. Even Mimi fights tears. Unbelievable.
I take a closer look at myself.
I look like an actress at an awards ceremony. The long black dress has a small train at the back and this dress was definitely made for my measurements. I’m a little too bootylicious for these types of dresses to fit me properly. I look like a dark angel. The way Nat has done my makeup makes my normally light green eyes pop a vivid green apple color. Lola has parted my hair at the side. It falls in long, dark, sleek waves which end in curls at my hip. Thanks to Mimi I wear no jewellery but I look good.
They all silently cheer, clap and I hug them all tight and thank them.
When your friends are happy because of your happiness…those are true friends.
The doorbell rings and I look out the doorway to the direction of the front door.
All the girls squeal and jump up and down.
Now I’m really confused.
I’m even more confused when I’m blindfolded. I hear Max enter the apartment and whistle long and low. I feel him press his body to my side, kiss my cheek and he whisper in my ear, “T, you sure you’re with the right Leokov?”
I giggle at his silliness.