Chapter 22

Allison POV

It's 7:00 AM, and I am already up and about, wandering around Hussain's studio, staring at his drawing of me. He was indeed a talented man, and I can't take that away from him, I don't think no one can. The lines on my body are well defined, curves of my hip dips, my small, frigid breasts, my face... It looked exactly like me. Brushing my fingers over the canvas, I continued to admire it along with others, this room was probably now the most favorite part of the house for me, it's not like I have been in the other areas, but this room made me feel as if I know another part of Hussain, a part of him no one else seems to know.

The loud ringing of my cell phone filled the room, echoing down the halls, disturbing the quietness.

"Shit," I mumbled, hoisting the hem of my sleepwear, it didn't have pockets, so I stuffed my phone in the waist of my panty, it seemed to be a good idea at the time but now I know for sure it wasn't. Fondling over the device, I quickly slid up the dancing, green icon on the screen,

"Hello?" I whispered,

"Allison is everything alright? you didn't even call me, I am starting to feel a little bit jealous of Hussain now," Toniann chuckled on their other end of the line, "You're my friend, he is someone that I am having sex with, there is no comparison there,"

"Whatever you say, did tell him what you tell me?"

"No, Hussain can't know, I won't tell him,"

"Won't tell me what?" His voice roared behind me,

Pulling the phone from my ear, I twirled around to face him,

"That I don't like heavy makeup,"

"You were on the phone with someone—"

"It's Toniann,"

"Ok, you're on the phone with Toniann whispering about makeup, Ok," judging by his facial expression and body language, I could tell he didn't believe me, and the situation was making us both uncomfortable,

"It's beautiful," I shifted my gaze to his art, the one with me, "They all are actually,"

"You have told me that before, but I am starting to think for the remaining months in our contracts, you will spend a lot of time here,"

"You haven't given me a full tour of your home yet Hussain, so yes this is my favorite room,"

"You should see the garden," he chuckled lowly, "it's breathtaking,"

"Maybe you can take me there sometime, "

"How about after breakfast? I haven't been around there in while and it will be good for both of us, in a matter of hours, this place will be crammed with stylists,"

"Oh, "I mumbled, " Tell me something, last night when you were drawing, what did you think about?"

Stepping further into the room, he stared at the sketch, sighing before answering me, "Honestly... Yours was different, oddly... It was like my mind was directing my hands, it's like I already knew how, and trust me this is only one attempt, you're the easiest person I have ever drawn, and don't take offense to it, it means you're the perfect model,"

"Or," I pouted my lips, "It's because you've seen me naked many times,"

"Perhaps,"

"We," I cleared my throat, "we should freshen up and get ready for breakfast,"

"I am not a breakfast person,"

"Oh," I mumbled "But since you insist, it can't hurt, right?" He chuckled, "Race you to the breakfast table,"

"Or we can eat outside? In the garden like you promised?"

"Well, I have never eaten there but... If that's what you want," he nodded walking away, "And I promise when I get back, I will finish it," he pointed to the drawing of me,

Chuckling under my breath, I hang my head low, walked out of the studio and back into the guest bedroom. Digging through my small luggage, I picked out a simple dress, before heading to the shower. I can't believe it, I thought, I liked Hussain... Maybe it's his hobby, the sex... I don't know what it was, but I like him... A lot. Stepping out of the bathtub, I dried myself in an extra towel that hung from a metal rack, it was soft, and it smelled fresh too. Rinsing my mouth out with a full cork of mouth wash, I spit it out in the sink, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. Staring into the small mirror, I noticed how different I look, a month ago before I met Hussain, I was pale... malnutrition even, but now I look healthier.

Slipping into the dress, I marched through the halls, down the staircase, seeing Hussain and his maid whispering lowly, but it looks heated as if they were arguing,

"Is... Is everything ok?"

Shifting both of their gazes to me, Hussain rubbed the back of his neck, while Maria... I think that's her name glared at me with eyes of scorn, "Everything is... Is fine, Maria here wants to go out with a friend, and I am trying to explain that I need her today, right now actually," he explained,

"Let her go," I paced down the stairs towards them, "she must be tired of this house, we can do breakfast ourselves, it's not hard, plus you said it, you're not a breakfast man so how else she would have known... Don't her cancel her plans for us,"

"I guess you're right... Go," he nudged his head towards the door,

Rushing past me, Maria bolt through the front door, slamming it shut behind her, "I don't think she likes me much," I chuckled,

"That's just Maria," he hissed, "Please..." Motioning his hand towards the table, "have a seat," he muttered, pulling out a chair,

"Garden... Remember?"

"Oh yes, do you want to wait for me out there or..."

"I want to help,"

"Allison just let me treat you for once, we are friends remember?"

Swallowing hard, I bit my inner cheek, my stomach swiveled with anxiety, I wanted to be more than that I thought.

Hearing the car horns, Hussain hurried to the window, peeping,

"I guess we will have to skip breakfast,"

"Why so?"

"The stylists... They are here."

It was nightfall, and these women and I have been upstairs for hours. I swear if they have me try on another dress, I am going to collapse. I haven't seen Anthony since they separated us, I was told we both were getting pampered for tonight's dinner.

"Come now honey, close your eyes, this might get a little dusty," one of them warned me,

Following her instructions, I closed my eyes right, feeling the sponge being patted against my face, taking a deep breath, I began to cough uncontrollably, gasping for air, as the dust settles in my nostrils,

"What the—what the hell was that?"

"You'll be fine dear," she smiled while the rest chuckled,

"I have been sitting in this chair for hours now," I pleaded, "I need a break,"

"Too late for that dear, it's almost time for you and Mr. Myers to leave,"

Handing me a sparkling red dress, one of the three middle-aged women, flash me a friendly smiled,

"I don't remember trying this one," I mumbled, admiring the dress,

"We know, it came late... Well, it was last minute, Mr. Myers choose this one himself,"

"Ok,"

"We will be right outside that door, tell us when you're ready, they all gave me thumbs up before leaving the room,

Hoisting up the dress, I stared at it, it was indeed gorgeous, slipping into it, I walked over to the mirror, my jaw dropped when I saw myself, my hair was styled into loose curls, my make was light, with penciled brown eyebrows, red-stained lips, glowing cheeks, and nose tip If I ever have a reason to doubt my beauty, tonight I am certain If it. The high slit at the side of the dress showed thin thighs, it falls loosely from my waist down with plain red material, but from the waist up to it strapless less top glistened with glitter, and stone, squeezing my small breast together to make them appear bigger than they were. Crouching, I buckled the straps around my ankles, from a pair of gold heels,

"Ms. Parker are you..." I stood as one of the stylists pushed opened the door, "Wow...Ms. Parker," another added, "You lovely,"

"Thank you," I muttered, "You guess are talented, and I..." I stammered trying to hold the tears back,

"Oh no Ms. Parker don't cry, you will ruin your makeup, Mr. Myers had us pulled out of every booked appointment so you can look good, don't let him have our heads,"

Chuckling lowly, I blinked a few times, "I am not crying,"

"Good. Because now he has summoned you downstairs,"

Picking up my cell phone, I began to tuck it away in my purse, walking towards them,

"Oh no, Ms. Parker," she snatched the purse from my grip, dipping into it for my cell, lowering it in a gold one instead,

"This one looks better," she smiled.

Slowly, I paced through the halls, my heart racing, nervous about Hussain seeing me, would he find me attracted then. Standing at the top of the stairs, Hussain's back was turned to me, talking to Aiden, who was outfitted in a black suit and blue bow tie. Wearing a white well-tailored, fancy suit, it wasn't strange to see him at all, he was always dressed down anyway. Shifting his gaze to me, Aiden's lips parted, inciting Myers's gaze to follow. Turning around, Hussain's eyes traveled to the tip of my toes right back to the top of my head.

"Wow... You look... Good,"

"Thank you," I marched down the steps, "You're looking pretty fly yourself,"

"Shall we," he took my hand in his, leading down the remaining steps,

"Of course,"

Finally, after forty minutes of driving, we came up to a mansion, it was similar to Hussain’s, but it was five times bigger. Driving through the auto gates, the car came to stop in the driveway, parked behind two cars, I guess we were the last to arrive, I thought. Stepping of the vehicle, I stared up at the house, admiring it, while Aiden and Hussain share whispers, perhaps one day, I too will own something this big and glamourous.

"Ready, " Hussain came up to me, smiling "Sure,"

Knocking the front door, we waited for a few seconds before a man holding a tray of champagne glasses, let us in,

"Welcome Myers, and guest,"

"Thanks, Jim," I heard Hussain mumbled, "Poor man must be saying that all evening,"

Chuckling, I gawked over the wooden interior of the Myers family home, it was surely exquisite. staring further up ahead, I could see a young woman, in short, white dress, chuckling to the blonde-haired man in front of her, and a couple of feet away stood two men in matching grey suits, deep into a conversation as well, but the one who's back was turned to me sported brown hair... Familiar brown hair.

"Well... Hello sister, brother, and guests," Hussain spoke loudly, Gaining their attention.

Keeping my eyes on the brown-haired man, my jaw dropped, when he turned around, locking eyes with me,

"Allison?"

"Gary? What are you doing here?"