Chapter 7 Awakening
Awakening.
Seven months.
It had been seven months since that first day in class, and the tension in my chest had loosened just a little.
It wasn’t gone yet, but it was easier to breathe.
The days felt a little less like a struggle, and my evenings had become something I could look forward to.
Ma called here and there, and I sent updates where I could.
It was mostly pictures of all the places Esther, Hope, and I have been.
We three hung out a lot together, and in all that time, Hope still hadn’t warmed up to me.
The smell of coffee and vanilla-scented candles filled Esther’s living room, mingling with the R all I needed was a purpose.
“So, what now?” Esther prompted.
“Now. I think it’s time to put my skills to good use,” I beamed, even though my nerves were on edge with this announcement I was about to make. “I want to open my own salon.”
Esther’s eyes lit up. “Yes, yes, yes, Elliot! I love that idea. Are you going to do it here or back in your hometown?”
I shrugged, knowing that my response to these questions was going to shake their faith in me. “I don’t know. I haven’t figured out all the details yet.”
“Hm. Salon, huh?” Hope tapped her chin thoughtfully. “You know, I might actually have a connection for you.”
I glanced at her in surprise. “Really?”
“Yeah. One of my close friends is a real estate agent in California. She has a building for sale in a prime location. It’s in L.A., close to the beach. You should check it out.”
“California?” I echoed. The idea sounded both thrilling and daunting.
I thought of Houston and Phuket as options, but I didn’t consider a third place entirely.
Moving again sounded scary, especially so soon and to Los Angeles, of all places.
I bet the clientele would be high-maintenance.
“Sounds like that location is designed to cater to the elite.”
Hope nodded confidently. “My friends are high-profile and ridiculously wealthy. Trust me—they’d love to be your clients. We could even partner up. I have connections, and you have the talent.”
“Aht, aht, aht! This is Elliot’s thing, Hope.” Esther warned. “You have a habit of getting overly involved and taking over. Just give her the contact and let her decide what she wants to do with it.”
With a pout, Hope grabbed her phone and scrolled through for the number, all while mumbling to herself.
I faced Esther. “You really think I could do something like this?” I asked cautiously.
“Absolutely,” Esther said without hesitation. “You’re talented, Elliot. People will flock to you, with or without Hope. But ultimately, it’s your decision. Just don’t sell yourself short.”
I grinned at her confidence in me. “Thank you. Any chance you’d consider working with me?”
“As a nail tech, right?” Esther cocked an eyebrow.
I giggled and nodded.
She pondered the thought for a moment before replying. “I’ll think about it. Sort out the details and let me know your plans. But just so you know, I may be more inclined to accept if employee discounts are offered for your services.” She twirled a finger around a curl with a grin.
“Don’t be greedy. She already did your hair.” Hope called out from the couch. “Besides, you’d hate California.”
“Probably, but I wanna stick with Ellie.” Esther bumped me with a wink.
Hope rolled her eyes at the interaction and came to me with her phone in hand. “Here, Ellie. I’ll give you her number.”
“Great, thanks.” I looked around for my phone as Hope tapped her feet impatiently. Finally, I found it on the coffee table. As I looked at the date on my phone screen, my cheerful mood faded, and a heavy weight settled in my chest.
Today.
My hands stilled, and I swallowed hard, trying to push the thought away.
Hope’s keen gaze zeroed in on me. “What’s wrong?”
I forced a smile, but it wavered. “Nothing. Just thinking.”
Esther tilted her head. “E, come on. You were just jumping around a second ago.”
I exhaled slowly, the words slipping out before I could stop them. “Today was supposed to be my wedding day.”
Silence blanketed the room.
Esther’s expression softened with sympathy, and Hope’s usual sharpness dulled.
“I’m so sorry,” Esther said gently, reaching for my hand.
Hope’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Damn. I didn’t realize.”
“It’s fine,” I said quickly, though my voice cracked. “Honestly, I’m okay. I just… I hadn’t thought about it until now.”
I could’ve been living an entirely different life today if I hadn’t walked in on Johnathan and Ryan. My brain almost wondered if I would’ve been happier if I hadn’t discovered it, but I pushed the thought out of my head, refusing to acknowledge it.
After a moment, Esther said, “You know, maybe this could be a good thing.”
I blinked at her. “What do you mean?”
“Starting fresh,” she said simply. “You’re not tied down to anyone or anything. You can build something entirely your own. And if that means opening a salon in California, then so be it. Do it.”
A lump formed in my throat, but it wasn’t entirely from sadness. There was a strange sense of liberation in her words.
“So,” Hope dragged, brushing nonexistent lint from her designer jeans and obviously over my hesitance. “Are you in?”
“In?” I echoed.
“For the salon,” she rolled her eyes. “Don’t make me beg, Elliot.”
Please take this money and do something for yourself.
Daddy’s words play again in my mind.
I will do this for myself but in his honor.
A laugh bubbled out of me, unexpected but genuine. “I’m in.”
“Good,” Hope said, satisfied. “Because I’ve already made a group chat with my friend to set up a meeting.”