POV Ella
Krrnnngg!
I walk towards the door, feeling my heart lift with hope.
I grab the lock and pull open the door.
There leaning against the door, with two suitcases on the side, stands a woman so gorgeous she might give Eliana a run for her money.
I start to smile and greet her, but her cocked eyebrow and sardonic smile cause mine to falter.
She gives me a once over, starting from my bare feet, up my pajamas to my face and a smirk twists her lips in mockery.
"Ah, there you are Keith, darling! I hope you don't mind that I came myself! When we were contacted to arrange someone to help your wife, I couldn't contain my curiosity. You dumped me to marry this woman after all!" She speaks at a rapid fire pace, like she is used to being listened to. She suddenly turns to me, "You there— bring my bags in and get me a cup of tea."
I stand there stunned, and humiliation tints my cheeks in red. I gape at her, then look down at myself and at her bags.
As I grab her bags, a thought runs through me. Do I look like a maid?
She walks forward and gives Keith a tight hug and a kiss on his cheek. Then with a dramatic "Oh, your cheek!" She wipes away the lipstick mark.
My cheeks are on fire. Keith and this woman carry on like I'm not there.
"You know we barely dated. You also know we broke up 2 years ago, because someone thought I didn't prioritize her enough." Keith replies to her as he guides her in, arms around her shoulder. "Now you're here to check out my wife! Should I be worried?"
"You know I'm a consummate professional! I wouldn't mess with a client!" Then she gives him a playful smile, "Well, for you, maybe a little!"
Keith laughs then, and my heart sinks faster than the Titanic.
I'm right there, and yet they joke about messing with me like it doesn't matter at all. Like I don't matter at all.
I feel the hope I started the day with leak out of me in a trickle, like it's trying to resist but can't find traction. In its place, a creeping numbness grows, that I don't know how to stop.
I wheel the bags in, and put them to the side. I glance at the clock, and it's 8 am, still early.
Keith leads her to the couch and they start chatting.
I glance around for a moment before heading to the kitchen. I put away my plate and glance at Keith's. He didn't even finish his pancakes. My lips pull down at the sight, but there is nothing I can do.
I clean up the kitchen, and when there is nothing left to do, I grab a glass of water and walk to the couch. I place the glass in front of her. She grabs it without acknowledging my presence and they continue talking while I stand to the side, waiting on them, unsure, unseen and awkward.
I decide to head to my room, because I can't take this humiliation any more.
I wish to sink into the floor and disappear, but even that is not allowed to me.
I start to turn when Keith suddenly starts.
"Ah, it's almost time. Introductions!"
" Kat, this is Ella, your charge. Ella, this is Kat, your stylist. Be nice and co-operate, she is a wiz in the styling department."
I don't miss how he doesn't introduce me as his wife. And when have I ever been anything but nice?
It was his ex who treated me like a nobody, and yet here he is, dressing me down for something I didn't even do. And won't he tell Kat to be nice to me?
Tears prick my eyes, but I won't give in to them. I just turn to Kat with a smile frozen in place, say, "Nice to meet you," and gesture towards my room. " Shall we?"
She inclined her head and we start towards the room. I turn slightly to look at Keith, but his attention is on Kat, face unreadable, a slight twist to his lips.
In that small moment, Kat has already overtaken me, and calls after her, "Don't forget the bags!"
My cheeks burn again, despite myself and I march after her, bags in tow, angry at her, angry at Keith, and most of all, angry at myself, for allowing hope to creep in. For caring. For dreaming.
I'm a fool.
I walk into the room to find Kat walking around and touching everything like she owns it.
I bristle inside, furious at this loss of dignity and helpless to do anything about it. I am at her mercy after all.
I open my mouth to interrupt her, but she beats me to it.
"It's such a cute room. So tiny. I hope your closet is better, we'll be needing a lot of space."
Saying so, she walks to the closet door, walks in and starts setting up by the dressing area inside. She looks around at all the dresses and accessories, eyes glinting in interest and triumph?
" I see you have your own suite. Could you point me to Keith's later? I'll give him a once over and help choose his outfit. He looks amazing in everything and has great taste, which I'm sure you know, but still, a little professional help won't go astray."
She gives me a wicked smile at that. "Free of charge, of course."
"Of course," I reply, my voice hollow to my own ears.
Then, a mask of professionalism slips on, and she starts pulling outfits, and accessories, and in minutes, she has three looks ready.
She scrutinises me like a doctor does a broken bone, before pulling out her cell and placing a call.
" Jessie, I'm sending you the address. It's close to yours. Yes. Get here in 15 min." She glances at me, "You know what, bring the whole team."
She tells me to strip and put on all the three outfits, and makes her choice.
It's a pale yellow slip summer dress, with strings in the back, used to cinch the dress and a ruffled bust. It's such a soft material that it flows over me, highlighting my figure in all the right places. She gives me a light tan jacket on top, in case I get cold.
She rifles through a drawer that contains jewellery, pulling out diamond studs, a slim gold chain and some bracelets and other accessories.
Just then, a woman walks in, hair cut in a pixie cut, ends tipped in lavender. She's followed by two other people, a man and a woman, who look like twins.
"We're here, where's the disaster?"
Then she looks at me and her mouth falls into an O.
She looks at Kat, who nods and says, "the full works, we have an hour."
Jessie and the twins get to work, pulling, primping and waxing before I can get a word out.
They tweeze my brows, wax my hands and legs.
"Ouch!" I wince once again.
One twin wets my hair and starts cutting, and I'm flabbergasted at the speed of this session. I can't help but wince each time they pull the wax or pull my brows out, earning me a sharp rap on the head from the hair stylist.
"Stay still, or I swear I'll chop it all off!"
I freeze as I watch chunks of hair fall to the floor.
After my wax is done, they move to the nails, trimming, buffing and painting.
In 40 minutes, they are done, and I am stunned at the result. I might not be as beautiful as Eliana or Kat but I almost look... pretty. My brown hair is cut and styled in waves that favour my face, with bangs adding an innocent charm. There is light make up on my face, just barely enough to highlight my features. The eyebrows now define and highlight my eyes, which look more prominent somehow. The skin of my hands and legs gleams, smooth and silky.
I move to thank Jessie and her team, only to find that they've cleaned up and left already.
"Put on the dress, the jewellery and the jacket. Wear those strappy brown heels and come out. I'm going to go check on Keith."
Saying so, Kat exits faster than thought, leaving me open-mouthed behind her.
I dress up per Kat's instructions and step out. My feet wobble in the heels, and I'm sure I'll fall on my face. I totter out on my shaking feet, only to freeze up completely.
There is Kat, leaning against Keith in his arms, face turned upwards, lips parted. Keith holds her tight against him, eyes wide.
One breath. Two.
The purse I hold clatters to the floor and breaks the moment. They jump apart as if scorched, and Kat flushes. Keith looks a little hot in the face too, and quickly looks away.
I bend down to grab my purse and hide the tears flooding my eyes.
Four days and a pretty face. That's all it took.
I take a deep breath, mumble a sorry and walk past them, nearly tripping in my haste.
Mortification clings to my cheeks and my shoulders hunch as I feel the world close in again.
The punches just keep on coming, don't they? Bitterness nearly overwhelms me as I punch the button for the elevator, hoping to cling to the last shreds of my dignity.
"Wait," I hear Keith call out in exasperation. He steps out in the hall, a slight frown marring his otherwise handsome face, looking dapper in relaxed dark blue pants and light grey knit cardigan that bring out his eyes. His brown loafers match his hair, and his watch glints silver. I can't help but stare at him, heart racing in my chest. Kat follows him out, but stops at the door. She leans casually against the frame again, comfortable as can be.
"You'll see yourself out?" Keith asks Kat.
" Of course, I'm already familiar with all the spaces in this house that matter."
Keith smirks and rolls his eyes, then turns to walk towards me. I quickly look away as I try to wrestle my emotions.
I won't let them see my hurt.
I hear Kat laughing as she shuts the door to the house, and I straighten my shoulders.
Ding!
I open the doors and step in, looking straight ahead. Keith steps in after me, looking a little uncomfortable.
" Back there— Kat — she tripped. I was just helping her. She might've hurt herself otherwise."
I wait a beat, to see if he wants to add anything more.
I saw the look on Kat's face, and his wide eyes. I remembered all the slights they subjected me to in the last two hours.
Sure, you were just helping Kat. More fool me if I believe that.
I try to make my face and tone as indifferent as my broken heart will allow, and muster the strength to speak one word.
Lies.
"Sure."
I try to inject as much sarcasm as I can to my indifference. Keith frowns slightly. Thankfully, the elevator dings again, and I'm saved from further conversation, and lies, a hopeless voice whispers.
As we walk out in silence, I realise I am not just naive but an idiot. Of course Keith would have other women. What reasons would he have to stay true to this sham of a marriage?
Maybe it would be different if it was someone he liked, like Eliana. But he doesn't like you, you fool. He DOESN'T care about you at all.
I wish I could hug Toto then, or Nanny, even just for a second. The pain that thrums in my heart slices at me, determined to carve out slivers till there's nothing left. As we reach the entrance, a car arrives. The same one from the wedding.
The chauffeur steps out and opens the door for Keith and then me. Keith steps into the car like it's the most natural thing in the world.
As I slip into my seat a haunting realisation grips me.
I'm all alone. And I'm headed to the wolves' den without help or allies.
I'm the meal to be served today, aren't I?