Page 107 of Voices

“Seriously Charles. Why must you test my patience so early in the day?” She rubs a golden manicured finger into her temple. “We have a long day ahead of us and Iwill nottolerate your insufferable need to make everything so difficult.”

I look down at the empty spot on the table where my plate was.

I don’t even know what I did. I haven’t even talked to anyone.

“You will look at your mother when she’s speaking to you.” My father’s stern voice has my head jerking up to meet my mother’s green eyes.

“I-I won’t make today any more difficult for you. S-Sorry.”

She waves her hand like she’s shooing away a fly, adding an eye roll. I quickly look back down at the table, which now has a clean plate on it.

Too bad I’ve lost my appetite.

I sit with my hands in my lap and trace the ugly pattern on the tablecloth with my eyes until they’re finished.

The second Benji tosses his napkin on his plate, I’m up and walking away.

I spend a few hours in my room until my stomach cramps and I can’t stand the grumbling anymore. I run into Simon, one of the housekeepers, on my way outside and he tells me Gloria has food for me at their house. So I spend the rest of the afternoon eating delicious food while catching up with everyone.

At a quarter to four, I step into the dressing room that’s designated for me and Benji.

David, my mother’s stylist, is in a deep purple suit that stops above his ankles with a light blue shirt underneath, the first few buttons open. His brown skin is almost glowing as he turns hishead towards me. His gold contacts catching the light. A big smile crosses his face as he opens his arms, walking to me.

“O-M-G! I feel like it’s been ages since I’ve seen you!” He holds onto my shoulders and air kisses my cheeks. “I have the perfect suit for you but I’m dreading that it might not fit your narrow waist.” He pouts before spinning around. “Follow me.” He raises his right arm in the air, waving me forward.

Releasing a slow breath, I approach a navy blue Tom Ford suit with a white button-up shirt. Three ties are hanging next to it. The first one is all red with that weird floral design most ties have, the second is light orange with tiny white polka dots, and the last one is solid magenta.

“I’m thinking the orange or magenta.” David takes them off their hangers and drapes them over each shoulder of the jacket. He tilts his head before grabbing the orange one and dramatically tosses it over his shoulder. “Yes! This color will make the gold in your eyes pop.” He tucks the magenta tie in the collar of the shirt before stepping back. “What do you think, sweetness?”

It doesn’t matter what I think so I smile and nod.

“Perfect! Sasha is waiting for you then.” He holds out his hand to the other side of the room where Sasha’s waiting. She’s standing with her hand on her popped-out hip, eyes squinting at me. I raise my shoulders to my ears and quickly walk over to where she’s standing next to all her hair stuff.

“Charlie.” She points to the salon chair with a comb.

I make my way onto it and look down. She spins me so I’m facing the room instead of the huge mirror. She runs her fingers through my hair, catching on a few knots.

“Hmm. I think a trim on the sides and a little shaping on the top will do.” She lifts my chin up with a questioning arched brow.

I nod.

“Good. Keep your head up for me.” She takes out the clippers and starts on the back of my head. I fall into a numb state at the buzzing through my head. I close my eyes as she works through the rest of my hair.

“All done. I used the light styling gel so you can still run your fingers through your hair. Try not to do it too much though,” she winks spinning me around to face the mirror.

The sight of my pale face has me cringing.

“Thank you, Sasha.”

I walk back over to where David is adjusting Benji’s green floral tie. Grabbing my suit, I walk behind the pop-up wall David has set up. I quickly change into the suit, my heart sinking at how loose the pants are and how much room I have in the jacket.

Shit. It’s been awhile since I was measured but I didn’t think I was this small.

I tighten the belt and ditch the jacket. The waist of the pants is slightly bunched but it’s not too noticeable. I tie the tie into a perfect full Windsor knot with a dimple and step into dark brown Oxfords. I drape the jacket over my arm and walk out from behind the wall. David is leaning against the back of the plush couch, looking like a cover model for Vogue.

I nervously adjust my tie and run my hand through my hair as I get closer to him. He stands up to his full height as he looks at me from head to toe then back up again, tilting his head with his finger on his chin.

“Drop the jacket, sweetness. I need the full effect.”

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