Page 68 of What Happens in Dubai

I couldn’t tell her. I couldn’t ask questions. I was in shock. I didn’t want this to be the truth.

‘OK, let’s get crackin’ with this bottom lip, eh,’ I said, not knowing how to act or what to do.

I turned my back to Laura and faced the silver sterile trolley. I had to take a moment to compose myself.You can do this.I lifted the pre-filled syringe and watched my hand tremble, then immediately sat it back down. Quietly, I inhaled a large, deep breath, squeezing both hands into tight fists, and then slowly releasing them, watching my tremor disappear. I turned back to Laura and smiled.

‘OK, you ready?’

I finished off the last few injections, making sure her lips were perfect. Laura continued to chatter while I nodded, taking nothing in. I couldn’t think of anything; my mind had turned dark and hazy. Maybe the next person to touch these lips would be Cameron. How could he do this to me? How could I go away with him now? I wanted to bombard Laura with a million questions, but I couldn’t risk losing any more clients for Raj. Not now. And to be honest, I was too embarrassed to confront her. She was stunning, far more attractive than me, and her energy was so uplifting, it was impossible not to connect with her. If it came down to it, I knew who Cameron would choose. How could I be so blindsided again?

Laura stood up from the bed, pouting and examining her face in the handheld mirror.

‘Ohhh, thank you so, so much, Zara!’ God, she was so lovely and bubbly. I attempted a smile back. ‘And gosh, good luck in Dubai! I can’t wait to stalk your Instagram and feel completely jealous!’ she added, gathering her things.

‘Yes, thanks for coming. Ashley will square you up and any issues, just give us a call.’

I felt Laura’s arms wrap around my neck, completely unaware of the grenade she had thrown into my life. I gave her a light hug back.

When she was gone, I shut my clinic room door and lowered myself onto the ground. What the fuck just happened? My heart was pounding. I felt sick and dizzy.

‘Zara! Zara! Your nine thirty’s running late, can you still take her?’ Ashley called out from the hallway.

‘Erm … yes. Erm … no, actually. Tell her to reschedule. I need a minute.’

My body was stiff, and the room was spinning. I couldn’t go out and face everyone. Not when Tom was there, not when I’d been boasting about my perfect life. Every single thing was just a lie.

The door bounced open, and Raj burst in. ‘I’m sure you could still fit the client in …’ He trailed off when he saw me sitting on the floor. His eyes darted around the room. ‘Zara, are you OK?’ He squatted down on the floor next to me.

‘I’m fine. I just don’t feel well. I don’t think …’

Ashley walked in and gasped. ‘What’s happened? Are you OK?’

Tom’s voice was close behind Ashley’s. ‘Is everything OK in here?’

I shut my eyes. ‘For fuck’s sake, Raj, get them to leave,’ I whispered.

‘She’s fine. Tom, I’ll pop round to yours later with the final paperwork, and Ashley, can you man the desk? I’ll sort Zara! She’s just feeling sick.’

‘Yes, see you later then. Hopefully it doesn’t have feet, Zara!’ Tom added, and I heard him and Ashley giggle together, their voices growing fainter in the distance as they walked off.

Raj sat beside me and grabbed hold of my hand.

‘Is this because Tom was here?’

I shook my head, feeling my face turn damp with tears. ‘Of course not.’

‘What’s up then?’

I sighed, feeling humiliated that I’d allowed myself to be in this situation once more. ‘My client, Laura. The one who travels from Edinburgh. She’s been loved up with a guy from the army for a while now, and I was telling her all about moving to Dubai, meeting Cameron and all that. Anyway, she was telling me how her boyfriend is back home next month, and that his name’s also Cameron.’

Raj’s head swayed to the side.

‘I asked to see a picture and …’

I watched Raj’s eyes pop from his head as he realised what I was about to say. ‘Fuck.’

‘It’s him. He’s been lying to me. Mr Fucking Perfect is a liar and a cheat, and I’m the fucking fud that fell for it all.’

Raj wrapped his arms around me tightly. ‘We all fell for it, Zara, not just you,’ he said gently.

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