9. When life gives you lemons #2
“Ohhhh, It’s your dress for tonight,” she cries gleefully, nudging me aside and pulling out a card.
“There’s another note. ‘Wear this at the Awakening, and whatever order you emerge as, this dress will showcase it.’” Her tone poorly mimics a male.
“I’m not going to lie to you, Kyra, I omitted the thought.
But whoever sent this, remembered. You have a secret worshiper, and I know who it is. ” she teases.
“A secret worshiper?”
“Yeah, someone who does things for you in secret. Do mortals not have those?” She is as perplexed as I am.
“Yeah, we call it a secret admirer. But moving on, who sent it?”
“I’m forbidden from indulging your worshiper. If they didn’t disclose their identity, it’s not my place to say.”
“Admirer, and why bring it up? That’s just cruel.” I frown.
“You carry your secrets, and I hold mine.” She folds her arms, hinting at my bruise, or lack thereof. But her point remains, no sense in pressing further.
Angie drapes my dress over the back of my chair and reveals an even smaller box inside the original package.
“May I?” she asks, then proceeds to unwrap it in haste. “It’s a pair of heels.” They are a deep ebony with a slim strap going over the top arch of my feet, showcasing a sparkle to match the dress. “I like these; they’re beautiful,” she says, handing them over.
Thinking of who could have sent this, I rule out Raine.
Despite the map app telling him where I stay, it doesn’t disclose which room I’m in.
Alise, since we met last night, is unlikely to have sent me a gift.
Even if she did, it’s like Raine, she is unaware of my room.
And I’m sure as hell they’re not from Ethan, because fuck him, that’s why.
It leaves Angie and Elizabeth. But unless Angie is lying about forgetting…
“I may have figured out who sent my gifts.”
“Do tell.”
I place the heels down and run my fingers across the dress. “Elizabeth.” Her amiable disposition beacons an action such as this. Once I have access to my accounts, I’ll repay her.
“Interesting guess. You might be correct, or perhaps you’re wrong. In either case, I’ll leave you to it. The Awakening starts soon, and you have about two and a half hours to prepare yourself. Text me once you’re done, and I’ll pop over.”
My shoulders drop as I stare at the last fragment of the sunset.
“Do you think I’ll awaken any abilities?”
“Regardless of tonight’s outcome, nothing bad shall come to pass. You have my word.”
Her demeanor morphs, pursing her lips with a slight furrow to her brow. Grabbing my hands, I feel tingles prickle my palms.
“What’s this?”
“Heavenly Oath. It can’t be broken nor annulled.” She shrugs.
“And what happens if either one comes to pass?”
“I’ll die.”
No expression. No hesitation. Just a one-sided promise.
“Why the fuck would you commit to something like this?” I snap, retracting my hand as if it could stop the already done deal. I can’t afford having someone else’s life in my hands. But instead of answering, Angie looks away. Another secret .
“Don’t worry, nothing’s going to happen anyway. It’s for tonight only, so focus on getting past the Awakening. Now, go get ready and let me know once you’re done.”
She summons a white sigil beneath her feet, and with a heavy sigh, I retrieve this evening’s attire and head into my bathroom as the light from her sigil fades.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror, I press the dress against my body, and my mind begins wandering.
Not sure how it’ll look on me exactly, I place it on the door’s hook and proceed to the shower.
Doubt arises, festering behind the uncertainty plaguing my potential failure tonight, but I wash briskly, saving time for my hair and makeup while smothering my insecurities. It’s going to be fine.
Stepping out, my reflection judges me in disappointment as water drips from the tendrils of my hair. Small beads escape down my chest, and I avert my gaze. I’m becoming more anxious as time dwindles, and a part of me feels guilty for having such a moment. She’s not here.
Another sorrowful reminder of Rosie, but if not me, who else will hold her memory? Will her essence be wiped away if no one carries on her existence? Will there come a time when my wandering thoughts cease from such guilty emotions?
A chill brings me back to reality as I catch the reflection of my watering eyes.
“Rosie, I’m not on par with you when dealing with girly things, so let’s hope it’s enough to not gain malice from the liminal lands,” I reference the place mentioned in one of the studied books.
Letting my towel drop, I turn on the vanity lights and get to work.
After spending more than an hour taking care of my hair and face, I’m ready to get dressed. My hair is silk-pressed and wrapped, and I hold the fabric away from my face as I carefully don the dress to avoid ruining my makeup and hair.
It slides past my head, falling down my frame, and stops mid-thigh, fitting me skin-tight, but at least I can breathe.
It hugs the curves of my breast, and around my waist with a thin, silver seam going down both sides.
The dress’s back is cut low into a V-shape, ceasing right at the top of my ass with a string tying around my neck to keep the front up.
Facing the mirror, I twist, watching glimmers of light bounce off the perfect threads, making it sheen from different angles. Subtle, yet still eye catching.
Unwrapping my crown of wrapped hair, silken, thick hair cascades over my shoulders and down my back, setting my features in a darkened frame, allowing my makeup to pop.
Stepping into my room, I perch with caution on the edge of the bed. Sliding my feet into the heels with ease, I notice this entire outfit is tailor made for me. Elizabeth may be sweet, but now something tells me it wasn’t her who gifted this.
“Damn it, Angie knew I was wrong.” Who the hell sent these gifts?
Procuring my phone and letting her know I’m ready, Angie wastes no time responding with a white sigil. The adjacent walls of my hallway glow brightly before vanishing as her sigil fades, and I embark towards the living area.
I gasp with a broadening smile, seeing her attire.
An all-black dress appears to be painted on, ending right at the nip of her ankles and flaring out.
A split from the base goes up the middle of her thigh and stops before exposing anything.
The top of her breasts are on full display, and for the first time, I realize how incredible her physique is.
Angie’s small frame doesn’t seem so small in this attire as she stands there, resembling a gothic angel.
Her hair lies atop her shoulders in curls of white and black with a subtle glow to them. Black lipstick pulls the focus to her face, complimenting her soft ‘V-shaped’ jawline, and the black eyeshadow over her double lidded eyes strengthens their teal-blue hues. She is beautiful.
“Well, fuck me twice, Kyra, you look absolutely stunning.” Her eyes damn near pop out of her head once she catches sight of me.
“Angie, what?” I snort, but feel the waves of heat blushing my cheeks and giggle. “You look amazing yourself.” She waves a dismissive hand and advances, holding a small black box. “What’s that?”
“A special gift for tonight’s function.” The clicks of her black pencil heels echo as she approaches. I grab the box and open it.
Inhaling deeply, I whisper, “This is beautiful.”
“Turn around, and I’ll put it on.” She smiles.
Raising the hair from my shoulders, I turn and feel its cooling touch on my skin once she places it around my neck.
I release my hair and enter the bathroom for a better inspection.
A slim, silver chain houses a peculiarly cut diamond, which hangs from it, and I clasp the jewel between my fingers, feeling an intimate surge of energy pulse through my hand.
“Do you like it?” Angie asks, peaking around the doorframe.
“I love it. By far the second-best gift anyone has given me.”
“Second? What’s the first?”
“A dear friend of mine once gave me a bracelet…” I peer down at my empty wrist, holding back a birth of tears. “And it meant the world to me.”
“You speak as though you no longer have it,” she says, stepping inside the bathroom.
“I don’t. Well not here at least.”
Memories of when I first opened Rosie’s gift play like a silent movie, and my view remains stagnant on the blank space of my wrist as I watch. Fuck I miss her.
Angie lingers in silence, understanding the meaning of my words, and stillness embraces the room coldly, until the warmth of her voice returns me to the moment.
“Wait until you see what it does.” She nudges me, smiling through my mirror. “And before you ask, you’ll have to wait and see.”
“Fine,” I titter, wiping a single escaping tear before she sees it. “Is there anything I should change or do before we head downstairs?”
“Nope, you look amazing. I wouldn’t change anything. However…” she pauses, “there’s a small, itty-bitty, teensy-weensy, little change to the evening.”
“I’m listening?” Facing her, I prepare for the worst.
“Ethan demands he escort us to the Awakening. I’ve already messaged him so he should be down there waiting–and you can’t get mad at me–nor back out or try to pick a fight with him.” Angie rushes, speeding through her entire spill without taking a breath between words.
Okay I lied. I was not prepared at all. The worst my ass.
“You’re aware he wants to kill me, right? Like actively trying to kill me. Why can’t he meet us there?”
“He doesn’t want to kill you,” she says, her eyes sticking to mine. “Okay, maybe a little, but he won’t. Ethan swears he’ll be on his best behavior tonight.”
“Sounds promising.”
“See, you get it,” she grins, and I release a huff of annoyance. It isn’t like I have a choice in the matter, might as well get it over with.
“Is there anything more I should know before we leave?”