Chapter Ten
Aylin returned to the dressing rooms wearing a wide smile on her face.
Joanie grinned as soon as she walked into the room. “Aylin. I don’t know how you did it, but I have a feeling that you’re going to have the gratitude of the entire Loughlin family for Lara’s transformation.”
Aylin pursed her lips. “I only pulled off the hair and wardrobe. The real Lara was always there beneath the mask. She just hasn’t been hearing what she needed to hear to have confidence in herself, Joanie.”
“Still. I can’t believe how great she sounded,” Joanie replied, wiping away a few stray tears. Everyone had rushed from the dressing rooms to watch Lara’s performance. “I’d love to have a hug and say thank you.”
“Of course,” Aylin replied, startled as she was yanked into a tight embrace.
They laughed, finally disengaging.
After assisting with reorganizing the costumes and making sure everything was properly put back in place, Aylin gave Joanie a smile.
“I guess I’d better get back to the boutique,” Aylin said, holding her hand in the air. “It was really nice meeting everyone.”
“You too, Aylin,” someone called out.
As she was unlocking the employee door that led into the boutique, Desiree sent her a text.
‘ Did u c performance? Wasn’t she gr8?’
‘Amazing! So happy 4 her. What a reaction from family. Just what she was hoping 4.’
‘She’s in a daze. I think she’s going to perform with mom and sister 2night.’
‘GR8! I’ll c you later. Im bck at Rene’s finishing gowns. Shouldn’t take more than 2-3 hrs.’
‘ok.’
There wasn’t too much of a mess to clean up after Lara’s transformation, but after wiping things down and putting products away, she quickly swept the floor, making a list of everything she’d used and wanted to purchase from Rene, leaving it near the register.
Once she had the area organized again, she went back to work on the bridesmaid’s gowns. Two of them still needed some work, including new zippers.
A few hours later, she was finally finishing up, returning the fourth dress—the one that she would wear—to the dress form, when none other than Rene walked inside through the front entrance, dressed all in black and looking like the former model that she was, diamonds dangling from her ears and wrist.
“Aylin. I saw all the lights were still on. I can’t believe you’re still here.”
“Geez, you look fantastic, Rene,” she exclaimed.
“Naturally,” Rene replied, giving her a toothy grin.
“I just finished,” Aylin said, smiling widely. “We’re good to go for the fitting tomorrow. I was just getting ready to head upstairs to our suite and get some rest. It’s been a long day.”
“What’s this,” Rene said, glancing at the list near the register.
“Oh. I bought a few things and kept a running total like you asked me to do the other day. And then there was a girl who brought in her mother’s clothes to donate, and I did a makeover-redesign with one of her mother’s gowns.” Aylin grimaced. “I hope that was alright to do without asking? I tried texting you again, but I figured you were enjoying yourself at the event when you didn’t answer.”
Rene looked around, heading toward the clothing bag that was still unzipped, glancing inside.
And then Rene stilled. “Aylin? By any chance was Lara Loughlin the girl you gave the makeover?”
“Yes. I hope that it was okay to use your shop like that? She just seemed so…lost. I couldn’t seem to help myself. She really needed a friend.”
Rene closed her eyes, and when she finally opened them again, Aylin saw tears.
“I saw her out there performing,” Rene whispered. “I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was like a miracle. I don’t know how you did it, Aylin, but I swear, you’ve got to be an angel sent from above, just in time for Christmas. I’ve suspected for a while now that Lara might be…”
“Suicidal?” Aylin finished Rene’s sentence softly. “I know. I saw it too.”
Rene nodded. “Danielle is a very dear friend of mine, and she’s been going through…well, hell is the only word I can think of to describe it.”
“I understand,” Aylin replied, heaving a sigh.
Rene squared off her shoulders. “Come on. Let’s get out of here. I’d tell you to dress and join me, but I know that your father wants you to lay low while you’re here.”
“I don’t mind,” she answered, her smile wry. “I’d rather watch the crowd, which I can do from the balcony of our suite once the dancing begins.”
“You’re an unusual teenager, Aylin. Don’t ever change. Alright?” Rene said as they finally left the boutique.
Aylin laughed as she headed toward the elevator while Rene returned to the ballroom.