You're the One: Take Two!
Prologue: Chapter 2: Rude and sharp
Published: 02.13.21.
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My body jolts.
Shaking my head, my eyes widen as I bolt up in bed and dash from underneath the covers. Because I couldn't catch my balance in time, my legs stumble into a chair and I go tumbling down.
With only my hands to brace my fall, I hit the soft carpet.
I notice it's a peach color and very comfortable to lay on.
My head aches from the sudden disruption and I sit up, running a hand through my locks. Before I could look around properly, a yawn leaves my mouth.
Standing up, I peak around and notice many beautiful things scattered around in the medium-sized room. It's quite a sight to see so much packed into a tiny space.
Of course, there's a large balcony with sunlight drifting through the sheer curtains.
Immediately, my thoughts of this room brighten. It's light and airy, with soft undertones mixed into the accents. There's not much clutter on the dressers or chairs, save for the bedside tables. I return the chair I stumbled into to its rightful place while inspecting the room further.
As unique as it was, I noticed how awfully expensive it is.
Before I could question myself aloud, there's a soft knock on the door. I couldn't speak before it opens and in slips a maid. She's a brunette and very petite. She looks no older than fifteen.
When she raises her head, I note how her uncomfortable expression turns into shock.
"Miss Beauregard!" She exclaims, covering her mouth. "You're awake."
I swallow.
Who the hell is she talking about? My name is Esmerelda Kaylie Smit!
"What?" I scratch my head, confused.
I'm suddenly startled by my own voice. Why did it sound rude and sharp?
The little girl opens her mouth like a fish. "I— I— I apologize, Miss. I disrespected you over a trivial matter."
She bows with a straight spine and walks directly to the door adjacent of us. Before I could ponder what she was doing, the maid throws open the double doors and I'm bewildered by the sight.
Frilly dresses. Audacious dresses. Dauntless dresses. Lolita dresses.
My face pales.
Where the hell am I?
While the maid begins to pull out three pairs of dresses, I begin to gag at the sight. She patiently stands besides the mirror, holding a dress to the front.
She stares at me confused when I don't do as she expects. "Miss Beauregard," she swallows.
"Hm? Me?" I question the girl.
Am I Miss Beauregard? Who is Miss Beauregard?
"Yes, Miss Beauregard. Let's dress you in your favorite style and color. The Master and Mistress are returning today." The petite maid answers with a soft expression, yet her eyes are hiding trepidation.
Confused by her sudden willingness to be thrown in the fire and burn, I walk up to the dress and the mirror. My eyes cannot escape the horror before me. Not even the dress's ugly ruffles could tear away my eyes.
There, as my reflection, is a girl appearing to be no older than eighteen. Her soft facial expression is icy due to the guttural stare that pierced through one's soul. Her eyes— my eyes! They're a sparkling golden citrine color that reminds me of afternoon sunlight.
I have to stop myself from gasping.
The flowing waves along my shoulders are a silvery moonlight and don't stop until the dip of my hips. They're curly towards the ends and seem to tickle my arms with every twist of my head. I blink several times at my reflection, wondering if this was my reality.
Didn't I have brown hair and blue irises? What the hell happened to me?
"Miss Beauregard?" The maid's sweet voice drifts through my thoughts.
I'm pulled back down to earth— or wherever the hell this is— and turn to look at her.
"Burn it."
The maid, who's name I have yet to learn, stares back at me with a gaping mouth and bewildered eyes.
"Are you.. are you sure, Miss?"
I nod with confidence. There's no way I could wear such an obnoxious and loli— little girl— outfit! I have more pride than that.
"But.. but, Miss!"
So, I end up turning away and searching through the closet myself. I don't bother looking at the two other dresses she's pulled from the closet, so I dive in for myself.
I come across several beautiful gowns but they mostly seem to be too revealing or skimpy. My eyes linger on the fringe of one dress when a soft color comes into view.
I jerk it out by its hanger, inspecting the elegant piece.
Ash rose. It's the color of the dress.
To me, it's a silky ash rose gown that seems to scream 'lovely.' It reminds me of a bohemian style wedding dress that has an airy tulle skirt and delicately intricate embroidery done into the corset. I marvel at the sweetheart neckline and the sleeves adorning the sides. They're not attached to the rest of the dress, but I couldn't help but wish to try it on.
"This one!" I exclaim with a bright smile.
When I face the maid again, her smiles has vanished and she's silently debating what to say. Eventually, she sides with me and my wide smile.
The maid doesn't say anything more. She neatly folds away the dresses before I tell her to burn them too. Her wide, owl-like eyes make me giggle, and I can't help but pat her on the shoulder. She tenses up under my touch, otherwise doesn't do anything else.
Soon, she dresses me up and slides the dress over this slender body I wish I could have had in my past life when it donned on me.
I'm dead.. Esme is no more.. and what. What am I supposed to do now? Play this character? How! I don't even know a 'Miss Beauregard' from my past life. What the hell is this?
My anger and frustration dampens my mood while the maid puts on the final touches. I have no time to view myself as she guides me to slip on the sleeves to the strapless dress. They're exactly like the tulle skirt and are slightly bunched at the wrist with a pretty ribbon. The maid fastens the ribbons accordingly before she pushes me in my chair.
As grueling as it is at a hair salon, the maid brushes through my tendrils until they're deranged. She pins back several pieces of hair with ornaments and pins adorning pale pink gems dotting my hair. One side is left down and drapes over my right shoulder.
My nerves begin to pick at me until I pick at my nails, which doesn't help the situation.
"You're done, Miss Beauregard," the maid says, surprisingly a bit cheery.
When I glance up into the mirror I've been out in front of, I can't fathom a response. My crystal-like eyes stare back at me with uncertainty and sparkle. She had done a simple look with an uncanny beauty resemblance to a moon goddess. The makeup was extraordinary in itself!
"Oh, my.. thank you..." I gasp.
She seems not to notice my blatant pause for her name, so I disregard it. The maid guides me away from the room and I walk through a wide and elegant mansion I've only read about in books. Everywhere I look, I see exquisite pieces of work and several engraved scenes along the ceiling.
I vaguely remember where I can recall this information at, but it flies away as soon as I've tried to grasp it.
The maid directs me down a staircase that leads to what seems to be the front door. We walk until we're outside and the blazing sun flitters on my skin, warming me to my bones.
I smile at the sunshine and bask in its ever-loving heat.
When I open my eyes again, I see the maid and a man, whom I can only assume is a butler, staring at me with pure disbelief. I blink twice at them, raising my brow, before either of them glance away to continue their jobs.
I'm beginning to notice just how unfriendly this 'Miss Beauregard' is.