After spending time on vacation, they returned to Dublin. As usual they would start working. In the morning Eldrick would be busy doing his work in the office. Now and then he would check the restaurant because his two best friends didn't have time to do it. In the afternoon he would try to keep picking up Ozora. But not always because often he had urgent business to attend to. For example, having to meet a client suddenly, or there was an important task that required him to be out of town.
Ozora was waiting for him on the sofa because half an hour earlier El had promised to pick her up. It's useless if the woman refused because Eldrick would insist on coming if he has promised.
"Sorry I'm late. There was a file that I suddenly had to check."
"It doesn't matter. Next time if you're busy, don't pick me up. Your job is much more important." Ozora stood up when El was already there. She wanted to go home soon.
"Yesterday I didn't pick you up because I had a meeting with a client. I can not ignore you again."
"Thank you, El. You are indeed a good friend." Ozora already felt more attention from Eldrick but she always insisted that their relationship was just friends. The woman didn't want Eldrick to misunderstand their closeness.
Since Ozora was raped, the woman decided she would never have a romantic relationship with a man. Especially when she remembered her stepfather's treatment of her biological mother. Always drunk, hitting, and uttering harsh words.
"Are you hungry?" Eldrick asked before the car's engine started.
"Not too."
"But I'm so hungry. Let's eat first then I'll take you home."
"Whatever you say." It's useless to refuse because the man would do it too. Eldrick was always pushy. Why did it happen? Because Ozora refused his invitations too often.
"El, Do you remember Geona's message? She told you to make a cake. Maybe it might work to help you change and be more flexible." Ozora reminded Eldrick.
While they were on vacation, Ozora told Geona about Eldrick's problems. Her sister suggested them to make a cake with an emotional therapist.
"I will go if you want to accompany me." Eldrick wanted to recover but he also wanted to take this opportunity to be alone with Ozora.
"Yes. I promised. But…."
"I know. You will join me as long as I pay for your cake too. I didn't forget your condition."
"Who knows, Nicko's forgetful habit has transferred to you."
"You really are annoying!" Eldrick said while stroking Ozora's curls.
Not accepting being said like that made Ozora reply. "You're also very talkative!"
***
Daphnee entered Ozora's room and saw her eldest sister getting ready. "Where do you want to go?"
"I want to accompany El to the cake shop. It was also on the advice of Geona. She said the cake shop is for therapy. It's called art therapy cake."
"Oh, that. Yes I know. Some of daddy's patients also joined therapy there. Actually not much different from what Geona did. It's just that Geona uses play art using clay, sand, or toys, if they direct patients by making and decorating their own cakes." Daphnee's explanation made Ozora nod her head.
"Don't you have any makeup tools?" Daphnee looked at Ozora's dressing table. There's nothing there except comb and hair tie.
"Why do I have to buy makeup? I've never used that. It's a waste of money," Ozora replied nonchalantly. The woman had never been interested in that kind of thing. Living in the outback for three years made her neglect appearance even more.
"Follow me to my bedroom!" Daphnee gave the order and grabbed her sister's hand who was actually ready to go.
The two of them stood in front of Daphnee's dressing table. Even though she was still 19 years old, Geona always taught Daphnee to take care of herself so that her little sister looked clean and beautiful. Besides pleasing to the eye, it was also one of the proofs of respecting herself.
"Now you sit down!" Again the younger girl ordered Ozora, and her eldest sister could only obey. Everyone in the house knew that Daphnee would do anything to make her wish come true. She felt privileged because she was pampered and protected by her entire family.
"Your dressing table is very full with makeup." Ozora looked at her little sister's dressing table. There were three types of perfume with different variants, lipsticks with some colors, blush on, lip balm, and many other types including vitamins for skin and hair.
"Brother-in-law bought it for me."
"Othniel?"
"Yes, Ozora. Do I have another brother-in-law? So the day before they got married Othniel asked me to accompany Mely shopping. He asked me to buy all of Geona's needs. He's afraid that if I don't accompany Mely, then the butler doesn't know what Geona likes and doesn't like."
"Why should you? Doesn't he know what Geona likes?"
"They never dated. Brother-in-law immediately brought his family to our home and proposed to Geona. They said dating after marriage is more fun."
"Oh."
"Why are we talking about Geona? I brought you here so that your face will be fresher when you meet Eldrick." Daphnee cleaned her hands first and then dripped the serum on Ozora's face. After spreading it all over Ozora's face, the young girl polished her sister's face with powder, blush and colored her lips with lipstick.
"Look at your face in the mirror!" Daphnee gave the order.
Ozora followed her sister's advice. Her face reflected in the mirror was fresher than before. The color of the powder that was polished by her little sister also blended in with her skin which was not too white.
"Beautiful, right? Now we go down. Don't let El wait too long."
Ozora was still staring at her face. "It was true what they said. I'm beautiful," Ozora said in her heart and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
Eldrick was already in the living room talking with Jacob and Rachel. "You are too long." Jacob scolded his two children even though it wasn't their fault because Eldrick came earlier than the promised time.
"Ready?" El asked Ozora who sat down on the sofa.
"Yeah." Ozora gave a short answer. She was still embarrassed by the makeup on her face. She was afraid that the people would laugh at her.
"Sir, Ma'am, we are leaving." Eldrick asked permission to bring their daughter.
"Be careful."
Eldrick and Ozora were already in the car. Earlier the woman had kept her face away from Eldrick. She was too embarrassed because of her makeup.
"Why don't you want to see my face? Is it because you wear blush on and lipstick?" Eldrick immediately suspected that the woman sitting to his right was embarrassed.
"I'm ashamed."
"Why are you ashamed?"
"I was afraid of being laughed at by you and the others."
A smile grew on the man's face. In his eyes Ozora was indeed unique. At the age of 26, the woman was embarrassed just because she wore makeup on her face.
"Look at me!" Eldrick's palms cupped Ozora's cheeks so that her face was right in front of him. "You're beautiful. Don't be shy or afraid of being laughed at. If they do that, then they have to prepare themselves to confront me."
"Is it true that I'm beautiful?" Even though Ozora saw her change in the mirror, Ozora still didn't believe in herself.
"Yes, you are beautiful. Moreover, your curly hair makes you even cuter. Are you ready to go?"
"Yes," Ozora answered with a smile.