Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Come on, Symphony. Think. What will look nice?”
I cover my face with my palms, feeling like I might burst into tears. I never put this much thought into what I wear, but it’s been so long since I’ve seen Michael, and I want to look my best.
“Knock, knock. Do you need help in here?” Annabella asks as she peeks her head into my room.
“Yes, please. I don’t know what to wear. How should I do my hair?
“Should I wear makeup? Does he even care? I’m so nervous.”
“Relax, love. Of course he cares. He came all this way to spend time with you.
“Let’s see what we’re working with first. You should definitely show off that cute little body and those long legs. Oh, how about this?”
She holds up a soft-pink dress I had passed over a few times. I thought the color was childish. However, now that she’s holding it up, it does look cute.
“Oh, wait. No, not this one. I think you should go with this one. It will look great with your skin tone and hair,” she says as she grabs another dress; this one is a burnt-orange color.
I groan as I remember the day Ximena talked me into purchasing the garment. She wanted me to go to a party with her. I never made the party.
Adriano saw me in the dress and grumbled about it under his breath. When it was time to leave, suddenly all the cars had flats or some other issues. I was relieved and called Ximena to beg off from going to the party.
I never put that dress on again. It’s a few years old, but it might fit. It might look nice.
“I will try that one on. It is certain to make me look like a woman. Yes, that is the one.”
I take the dress and slip it on over my black lace bra and panties. When I turn for the mirror, my mouth falls open. The stretchy fabric fits my body like a glove.
Annabella is right, the color does work well on me. I look … I look like a woman. I’ve never thought about that before. I’m no longer a fourteen-year-old bride.
I’ve become a woman and my husband is here. Will Michael notice too? I reach for the band holding my locs up in the front and pull it from my hair, allowing it all to flow freely.
The front of my hair falls into my face. I push it back out of my eyes. A couple of locs fall back into my face. I’m grateful that I just washed and freshly retwisted it yesterday.
“Wow, you look gorgeous. Here, put these on.”
She hands me a pair of nude heels from my closet. I take them and slip them on. I’m in even more awe of my reflection. My eyes look brighter, and a smile is on my lips.
Annabella pulls my hair over my shoulder. “This looks great on you. You’re so pretty.
“Don’t be nervous. You will take his breath away. Things are different now.
“You are a grown woman. He will see that. You should tell him how you feel,” she says with a playful smile.
“I … I don’t think I wish to do that.”
“Why not? You have always been in love with him.”
I begin to pop the band on my wrist. I can’t look her in the eyes. I’ve never told her about my feelings for Michael.
I didn’t know anyone else could see this crush I’ve been carrying. I start to pop the band faster as I wonder if Michael knows. Is that why he stays away from me?
My heart drops. My mind begins to swirl, causing me to chew on my tongue. What if being an assassin isn’t enough?
What if he sees through me and knows what I’ve been up to? Will I lose him forever this time because he figures it all out and he doesn’t want me the same? What if my best isn’t enough?
“Oh, Sim, love, look at me,” Annabella coos. “It’s all right. You don’t have to tell him. It’s fine.”
I look around me and realize I’ve spiraled into a meltdown. I’m sitting on the floor with my head between my knees as I rock and whimper. I’ve even started to twist one of my locs and can feel it tightening against my scalp.
If I keep twisting it like this, it will snap. I dart my gaze around, trying to find something to focus on. Annabella climbs behind me and cradles me between her legs as she wraps her arms around me.
I sag into her tight embrace and try to focus. My eyes finally find a crack in the tape in the corner of the wall. I keep my gaze there and begin to count in my head.
Annabella leans into my ear and begins to whisper. “You’ve got this. Breathe; you don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for.