Chapter 14: I know who I am

Sophia POV

Angelica leads the way, showing us the way, we get to the back of that huge store, and there is an elevator in front of us, Angelica presses the button and we get in, there is a big mirror in the back and I see my appearance again. There are still black circles around my eyes, but I don't look so tired anymore, but I must say, Angelica served me very well, even though I was wearing very basic clothes.

Alex is a little behind, his expression is solemn, he understood that I don't want to talk and I give a little corner smile, really, Alex is not a guy to throw away, but surely there must be many women who want him?

I take a deep breath, taking my hand instinctively to my belly, feeling that twinge of nausea, if I didn't know myself well enough and hadn't spent two days in the hospital, I would even think that I might be pregnant.

I know this movement didn't go unnoticed by Alex's eyes, or even Angelica's, but honestly, I have a great excuse, after all, I had been released earlier today from a hospitalization in which I had two parades, which reminded me that I couldn't drink....

"Are you okay?" Angelica's voice sounded concerned, just before the elevator stopped at the correct floor.

"I am, just a little uncomfortable." I smiled at her.

"Are you sure you'll be able to get out tonight? Isn't it better to rest?" Alex asked worriedly as well.

"And stay cooped up in my room, the same day I decided to take my vacation? No... I'm fine, just don't drink alcohol and dance too much..." I smiled mischievously. "And maybe end the night in someone's bed."

I heard Alex choke and Angelica laugh loudly, then the elevator stopped and we got out.

It is a corridor with a few doors, which reminded us of a hotel corridor, we stopped at the first door and as we entered I saw that it was an excellent mini lounge, an armchair in white, which was in front of a mirror that went from the ceiling to the floor, there is a white fluffy carpet, all the decoration is in white with some cream details, the bench on the left side of the armchair is in hardwood painted in white, with very light cream marble.

There is an armchair further back, just so that if you came with more people, you would have a place to sit, and that is where Alex headed.

"There is the bathroom, you can shower and change while I call one of our makeup artists," Angelica indicated.

I took my basket with what I had bought and went to the indicated door, as I entered I saw that it is a bathroom not very big, but the decoration screams luxury, also made of white or cream marble, the shower has gold lines, which I can identify as gold. There is a part of a mirror divided in three, with some angles between one and the other, just so I could have a view of the whole.

I took my shower calmly, there were a few types of shampoos and conditioners in the cabinet, and I chose precisely those that smelled of apples, because I loved that flower, a bit cliché, yes, but I liked it nonetheless. I finished the shower and started to get dressed.

At least I had chosen a dress that has a zipper on the side, so I didn't need to call for help, as I completed the look I looked in the mirror I can say with certainty that I am loving the completed look. Even though my hair and makeup were missing, those green accessories helped to brighten my eyes and gave them a special touch.

Furthermore, the sandals I chose did justice to the whole look, I know I am tall, but with these black sandals with dark green straps that were made of turned leather and my ankle, it was wonderful. Plus, with the lace and the pantyhose, it was almost impossible to see the scars I have. I smiled satisfied.

I walk out of the bathroom and I can hear the sound of some people talking, Angelica, Alex and a third voice that I don't recognize, but when I appear in that small private room, all three turn around and I see them open their mouths, not believing it.

"Wow!" Angelica is the first to speak.

"What happened? Did you kill the woman who came before and took her body?" The third girl is the one who speaks, she has black hair with some dark pink streaks on the bottom and is wearing the same uniform as Angelica.

"Ahahaha!" I gave a low laugh and spun around and looked at Angelica again, blinking. "I told you the dress with the accessories would look perfect!"

"When I saw you, you looked lost in the store, but I knew there was something about you! and I'm more than sure!" Angelica spoke excitedly. "Are you going to leave here and go straight to the Silver Claw? And hey! This is Caroline, she's going to do your makeup."

"Pleasure Caroline!" I held out my hand to greet the new girl and then looked at Alex who was trying not to stare at me. "How's that?" I asked more to tease.

I watched him swallow dryly and take a deep breath.

"You look beautiful!" Alex answered me truthfully.

I know he is my bodyguard and what I am doing is not very professional, but he was deserving.

"Um... It's a shame you're on office hours, isn't it?" I lowered my tone of voice a little and spoke more huskily.

Alex's discomfort was visible he stood up and just left the place, I started laughing as he closed the door.

"You're mean!" Angelica spoke, but she was also laughing with me.

I laughed, making a motion as if to throw my hair back and the three of us laughed again.

"But I'm going over there to get Nina." Angelica managed to speak after a while.

"And if you want, I'll wait for you so we can go to the bar together." Then I looked at the makeup artist. "If you want to go... Alex called some of his friends, but I'm thinking it's just going to be more people to keep an eye on me," I spoke sincerely.

"He's your bodyguard, right?" Caroline commented.

"Yeah, and I know he's also passing on everything I do to Hyperion," I commented and sighed. "Anyway...I'm a guest of honor, but as long as I stay in line."

"Mr.Hyperion is probably just looking out for you," Angelica commented. "The town is small by the standards of where you came from, most people here don't like foreigners very much."

"And do you realize how wrong that phrase is?" I looked directly at Angelica. "I live in the big city and work as a nurse... Do you know how many times I've had to treat someone precisely because the community in which the person lived didn't like him? Or because someone went to the wrong side of the street? I lost count..."

I can tell that both women are uncomfortable.

"Yeah... Well... I'll probably only stay a couple more days before I go to Europe, it will be nice to go somewhere where I don't need a bodyguard and don't need to be afraid to be who I am." I completed it and leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes. "I wanted makeup that matches my outfit."

I know the mood has gotten heavy, but that's it, I may not be the best of people, but I can't stand places and people that are that way and I'm realizing that this city is not for me.

I haven't forgotten that I need to talk to Hyperion and that I asked them to get the helicopter ready to leave, but I'm sure that Alex must have already passed on my plans to the bosses.

I listen to the moment when Angelica leaves the salon, probably to buy the perfume I wanted. I can feel Caroline starting the skin preparation and then putting on the foundation.

I know that silence is annoying, but I prefer to be quiet, and I can't say much while I'm getting my make-up done, because I might get in the way of Caroline's work. Just as I knew when Angelica left the VIP salon, I knew when she came back.

I know that good makeup takes time to do, so I just let my mind wander to the games I needed to play, imagining the scenes and their possible ramifications, at least at this I'm good, at simply disconnecting myself from one environment and focusing on something else.

"Done!" I heard Caroline speak after I don't know how long and opened my eyes.

I looked into the mirror and smiled, the makeup looked beautiful, and my eyes are smoky in green and black, but at the bottom, there are small drawings like scales, my lips are with red lipstick and there are also those little scratches to remind me of scales. Now all that was missing was my hair, but when she was about to start combing I nodded and looked at the countertop, seeing the products that she had there, I took the mousse, put it in my hand and started to model my locks, throwing them to the left side and pressing upwards, making small waves.

When I finished I took the perfume that was sealed, opened it, and saw the apple-shaped glass appear, smiled satisfied and splashed a little behind my ears, on my wrists, between my breasts, and behind my knees. It might seem like a lot, but I had only used a little and I know that as I dance the smell will increase since this perfume lasts a long time on the skin.

I turned to the mirror and smiled, very happy with the final result, I'm certainly ready for the night. I grabbed my cell phone and took a picture, posting it on my Instagram: "The night is starting." and also posted it on my friends' group and it didn't take long to receive several notifications and compliments.

"So, are you guys going with me to the bar?" I asked Angelica and Caroline.

"It's just that we thought you wouldn't want to..." Caroline began uncertainly.

"One has nothing to do with the other. I'll wait for you to get ready, I have this salon for the rest of the night, don't I? I replied, smiling at them.

The two nodded and soon left, probably to choose their outfits. I sat down on the couch and realized how comfortable it is, let out a low sigh of pleasure and started to answer the group.

[I'm even jealous! I want to go to this party too! ] Mi

[I'm ready to hit the road!] Me

[I feel sorry for anyone who falls into your embrace! ] Claire

[From what I've seen on the street, I've seen a lot of cute guys... And some women are not to be messed with]. I

[You'll end the night with more than one person! ] Dan

[Hahahah! Let's see... The town here is somewhat conservative, from what I've heard]. I

[So that's why you decided to go like this? ] Mi

[I don't even know what you're talking about. * angel emoji * ] Me

[Like the personification of sin!] Julie

[What? Me? *emoji in surprise*] Me

[kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk] Dan [Go for it girl! Have fun on your vacation! If you need us, we're here!]

[Absolutely! Have fun! And make those conservatives cry! ] Mi

[That's it! Tomorrow we'll want reports! All the details!] Julie.

[All right, love you guys! See you later!] Me

I turn off the cell phone screen and lift my face to meet Alex's eyes, they are serious and thoughtful.

"Alex, did something happen?" I asked.

"Um... I'm just wondering... I know it all sounds weird and very conservative, but when you talk to Mr. Hyperion, things will make more sense." He answered me and I got serious.

"My world is limited..." I started speaking slowly, to make sure Alex would understand me. "But what I know of the world there is nothing to justify a racist action, it would be the same thing as trying to defend Nazism." I stood up, since I am in heels I am almost the same height as Alex and I saw him cringe slightly. "This world of yours doesn't feel right to me and I don't intend to bend to your rules."

My voice comes out deeper and there is a defiance in it that is hard to deny. I will not tolerate being treated less than I am, I will not tolerate being looked at as if I am nothing, and much less will I stop being who I am just because in this place the rules are different. I know this is problematic, I know this causes fuss and mostly I know this puts me at risk.

"I am who I am... I am a very well-decided woman who likes to get laid... You have no idea how much... And I'm not just talking to men." I notice that Alex becomes more uncomfortable again. "I've heard a few times that I'm a slut, that I don't appreciate myself, that I should hold back..." I slowly approach Alex and hold his face so that he can look me in the eyes and I see that he is even more uncomfortable and even a hint of fear. "I don't care."

I let go of his face and move away, returning to my seat, crossing my legs and opening an app for a game and I hear Alex's sigh of relief.