Chapter Twenty-Three

"Domino…”

I didn't move, I didn't care, all I knew was that I didn't want to be woken up.

"Domino?!" the voice whispered sharply in my ear. I groaned.

"Wake up!"

I threw my arm towards the direction of the voice, but it didn't go away.

"I said, wake up!" the voice said, "Before I make you get up." I groaned again.

"Fine." she said.

I shot up the instant a handful of water was dumped on me. I shivered, grabbing my blanket, wiping my eyes, but realized it was moist too.

I wiped my eyes with my bare hand and pushed back my hair. Tiffany.

“Are you bloody insane?”

“I’m…”

“You’re what?!” I barked, enraged. “I take all sorts of rubbish from you bitches and you think it’s an avenue to be disrespectful. Are you insane?!”

“I’m sorry…”

“You’re my staff for fuck’s sake and yet I treat y’all like my best girls, but you’re just going to let it escalate to lunacy and an unnecessary frenzy?”

“I didn’t mean to-”

"Oh, you are so fired after this!" I said, balling my hands into a fist. “What the hell are you even here for?”

"To get you ready." She croaked. “We are shopping today for the party.”

I groaned and followed her down to the bathroom we always used. Everything was prepared already.

"Do you really have to doll me up, just for shopping?" I asked.

"You have to look perfect every time.” Tiffany said, her voice took a low humble tone.

I got into the bathtub and Rachael started messaging, Priscilla started applying cosmetics on my face and Tiffany started setting up the makeup kit. I groaned.

Everyone quietly carried out their duties and I enjoyed the ambience and regard they accorded.

"Beauty has to be perfect.” Tiffany murmured, adjusting the lashes. I rolled my eyes.

A comfortable silence ensued.

"So how is everything going, miss?" Autumn asked.

"You mean Jaden?" I whispered, feeling my stomach tighten. She nodded and I shrugged.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Rachael asked, shrugging just like me.

All their voices took really low tones and they spoke with respect and regard.

"It means I don't really know if you could call our relationship good or bad." I said.

"Are you kidding me, miss?" Tiffany asked, turning around to face me as she crossed her arms.

"What?" I frowned.

Tiffany sighed, subtly rolling her eyes. "You were so close to falling for him."

Priscilla sighed and groaned.

"Really?" She started squeezing my muscles a tad harder.

"That hurts." I winced as I shot her a glare.

“I’m sorry.” She apologized immediately.

"You were so close.” Tiffany commented, throwing her arms in the air. "And now, it’s all messed up.”

I sunk a little lower in the tub.

Tiffany sighed and hopped onto the sturdy vanity.

I sat up. "Hey, wait, how did you guys know I was falling for him?" I flushed, but I was glad that the facial cream was covering my face.

"It's pretty obvious. And also, it's pretty obvious you guys kissed." Autumn said. Rachael chuckled and continued the massage.

"Hey. You were spying?” I exclaimed, flushing more.

"No, but word gets around very quickly." Autumn said. I sighed, sinking lower into the bubbly tub.

"Oh, come on, we need to hurry up." Priscilla said to the girls. I was liking this new version of them.

**

"Do I have to?" I said, twisting my aching feet from the four-inch high heel, and shoving the designer bag back into Autumn.

"Yes." she said, pushing the bag back to my hand, as she tried to convince me. "It matches your outfit.”

"No, please, I lose bags so easily." I said, trying to come up with a good excuse.

"No, it's ok, we can always order more. It's almost like it's for free." Autumn said, smiling slightly.

I sighed. "But this bag is super expensive, I can't afford to lose it."

"Ok, then take very good care of it." Autumn said, motioning me to the door with the bag in my hand.

"Fine, if I take the bag, I have to change shoes." I said, trying to make a deal.

"No, now let's go. We are almost late." Autumn said, leading me down the steps and to the front door.

The door was opened and surprisingly, the sun was out, strong.

I squeezed my hands together with my bag between my wrist and my elbow. I really hoped Jaden wasn’t there, I prayed to the heavens. I had no intentions of seeing him anytime soon. I nervously rubbed on my fingers.

“Grow up and be a strong woman! You have to apologize and I can't believe you guys are fighting just a couple of days before the engagement.” Pandora chastised.

I sighed and frowned at myself.

“But… I’m really sorry… and I feel scared, what is he going to say to me?” I thought, as I slowed down my walking speed.

“Just apologize to him and he is going to forgive you.” Pandora said.

“But-”

"Domino, honey, looking beautiful today and I love that bag!" Wanda cooed, flashing a bright smile.

I just stood there awkwardly, gawking at her.

"We're going to have a wonderful time shopping! We are going to find you the perfect dress." Wanda said, linking her arm with mine and dragging me towards the front door. I crossed my fingers.

I hope he wasn’t there!

“We just agreed that you would apologize!”

“I'm sorry, but I am really not ready and I am really scared.”

“When are you going to apologize to him?”

“I don't know, but next time?” I asked rhetorically.

“It's not that bad, just apologize and it will be the end of it.”

“I don’t think I am going to.” I said defiantly.

“Why?”

“He made some pretty hurtful comments.”

“That doesn’t.”

“Yes it does!” I shunned Pandora.

I took a deep breath and held my head up high, while my heart beat thrice it’s usual speed.