134
"You didn't bring someone into the room, did you?" Chloé says, making me widen my eyes with exaggeration.
"What?" I exclaim, feigning indignation at her words. "Of course I didn't! Surely the smell came from someone outside and since I left the window open, it got in here."
"I know, doll, I'm just kidding," she replies with a laugh. "But just so you know I have no problem with you wanting to, you know, have fun in the apartment. As long as you know damn well who you're doing it with."
"Oh, okay?" I stammer, looking for the sensible response to this. "Let's change the subject."
"Okay." She lets out a chuckle.
"You know, I think I'm going to need to go shopping, I don't have a lot of formal clothes and starting tomorrow, I'll need them."
"We can go out now, and while we're at it we can go eat."
"Sounds perfect," I replied.
"Then I'll wait for you outside," she says, leaving the room.
Once I make sure Chloé is no longer nearby, I run to where I have my perfumes, and start spraying one of them all over the bedroom. Damien can't come back here.
About an hour later, Chloé and I wander into some clothing stores looking for clothes suitable for my new job. She was the one who helped me pick out most of these, which were also the ones that I consider a little too sexy, for the use I will be putting them to.
But she said I shouldn't dress like a seventy year old librarian either, and that it was okay for me to show some skin. So I really hope I don't have them.
I also bought two new pairs of high heels, it wasn't much, but at least I'll have something to choose from until I have a paycheck.
"Tomorrow you will be the greed of the whole company, Juliette," says Chloé as we walk with the bags down one of the most famous avenues in Toulouse.
"I'll just be another employee," I reply. "Besides, when I went, I got to observe lots and lots of really beautiful women."
"So are you, and you have something they don't."
"What is that something?"
"The simple fact that you're you, so you've romanced everyone you've come across. You're the deadly weapon," she winks, making me laugh.
"You're crazy, Chloé," I say as I shake my head.
"But not for you, good thing I don't like women or I would have already managed not to succumb to your charms," she says, causing me to burst out laughing.
Already on our way to get the car, but to go home again, my eyes fell on a hairdresser's shop. Through the glass I can see some of the girls getting their hair done.
I stop right in front of it, and an idea crosses my mind.
"Julie?" calls Chloé to me as she sees me lagging behind.
"I think I want to cut my hair," I say, grabbing a lock of it.
It's been almost a year since I've cut it, and now it's so long it's almost brushing my butt. I like long hair, but maybe it's time for a change and to experience something new.
"Are you sure?" she asked me.
"Yes, I want to cut it."
"Well if you do, let's go," she encourages me, placing her hand on my back to guide me into the living room.
"Welcome, how can we help you?" a friendly girl greets us as we enter.
"I needed a haircut, but I don't have an appointment."
"Actually, we have a spot available due to a client who canceled," she indicates with a smile. "You can go take a seat and someone will take care of your cut."
"Thank you," I reply, heading over to where she indicated, leaving Chloé in a sitting room of sorts.
As I position myself in the chair in front of the mirror, immediately the stylist arrives. She asks me what kind of cut I want, and all I indicate is that I want it above my shoulders.
As she begins her work and I notice the first few strands of hair falling out, I begin to have doubts as to whether this was really a good idea. For as long as I can remember my hair has been long, and now it will be the opposite of that.
At least I hope I look good.
Almost halfway through the process, the stylist turns the chair around, preventing me from seeing the rest of the cut, and all I see is almost all of my hair lying on the floor.
My fingers start twitching uncontrollably due to the anxiety this is causing me, and until about an hour later after I've had my hair cut, and a few waves, she finally lets me know she's done.
Before I turn around so she can see me, I ask the girl to call my friend so she can be the first to see me. And the moment she comes back to her, and she focuses her eyes on me, the gesture she emits makes me
makes me scared.
Her eyes almost pop out of their sockets in bewilderment and she has technically frozen.
"Juliette," she exclaims in a way that terrifies me, holding a hand to her mouth.
Damn.
"What's wrong, do I look bad?" I question, but she doesn't answer.
"Doll, I think the gates of hell opened, because what I see is FIRE!" she says this last word, raising both her arms in the air. "You look sensational!"
Suddenly she turns me around so I can see myself in the mirror.
Looking at my reflection, I struggle to take in the image shown. I bring both hands to my hair, and my mouth half-opens in amazement.
My hair is short just above my shoulder. It looks amazing. The slight waves in it give it another touch, and it really looks like a radical change on me.
"You look so pretty," the stylist says to me and without thinking, I go over to give her a hug.
"Thank you, I love it." I smile, turning to look in the mirror once again.
I still don't believe this is me.
"You really look amazing," Chloé smiles, "You look like a rebellious princess now."
She's actually kind of right in what she says. I don't know, I think it even makes me look more grown up. I like it.
After paying at the salon, we both left the place and headed towards the apartment. When we get there, Chloé and I talk for a while and then we each go to our rooms.
Now I find myself lying in bed unable to fall asleep. I am anxious about what will happen tomorrow, and what finally feels like a new beginning.