My eyelids feel heavy from lack of sleep. I slept late last night studying and the few hours I had set aside were interrupted by nightmares.
The sound of my door bell pulls me out of the nightmare analysis I was about to fall into.
I drag myself to the door and a bouquet of of white and pink baby's breath, purple and white orchids and yellow and white carnations filling half of my door welcome me. Besides it lay a big white box with HAZ scribbled across the top. Both of them fill up the door way blocking me from going after whoever had delivered them.
I drag the box inside first, then carry the bouquet in. My whole apartment is filled with a subtle balmy, spicy fragrance which I'm guessing is from carnations mixed with a sweet musky fragrance alike to that of cinnamon and vanilla, definitely. The harmony of their scents is out of this world.
The bouquet itself isn't the best sight so I'm thinking the whole idea was centered on the combined fragrance.
I sit on my mattress and rip the tape off the box, the bouquet doesn't have the sender's name anywhere in it so I'm looking for it anywhere in the box.
I lift out the smallest box inside and rip it open. There's a stunning three piece jewelery set from Tiffany and Co. A necklace of diamonds threaded onto a delicate gold link. Matching earrings and a ring complete the alluring set. I lay them aside wondering whose big money bought all this.
I open a bigger white box which was under the first one. It's tied with a black ribbon, its scribbled Saint Laurent across it. My eyes bulge out of their sockets, I can't believe what I'm seeing. I hastily remove the cover top to reveal blue Anouk ankle strap heels.
I'm eager to find out the contents of the last box. I lift the lid off it. I'm stunned.
A turquoise blue coloured dress lies, neatly folded into a box scrolled Don't waste it, wear it over it. I'm worn out with surprise, this one is from girlfriend collection.
I lift the box and lay it next to the others. I finally reveal a note. Hopefully it says from who this million dollar gift is from.
I reach for it and unfold it.
Wear your beautiful aurburn hair out. Hopefully the things I sent will complement it. Two.
My hand involuntarily flies to my mouth. I'm in shock. I wonder what he is planning with all this.
I flip the note over, hoping to find a clue as to what he is planning.
Diamond hall. 1800hrs. Dress to blind them.
I'll come pick you up.xoxoxo.
A feeling I don't understand washes over me. Is this what he meant when he said he'd make a plan. My wings are instantly cut off from me, 'how am I going to style my hair – there isn't enough time–and my make up'
I quickly get up to go shower. I plan on squeezing out my savings to get my hair done. It'll need professional care, I never gave it too much thought since it was always hidden away.
I get dressed and eat insatant Noddles for breakfast. I'm stepping out my when I notice a green sticky note pasted onto my door.
Armour salon. Go get your hair done.😉
This can't be happening, pampering was the least of my expectations since I left home two years ago. But this boy, whose middle name or surname I don't even know had to come and change everything, turn my world upside down.
I take a cab and head to the address on the sticky note.
It's five hours later when I return to my apartment. Everything has been taken care of. It was more than hair. I was surprised when an attendant led me through glass doors into a massage spar. I received a full body massage, a manicure, pedicure and my makeup was also taken care of.
I feel refreshed, a feeling I had long forgotten of how it felt.
I unhook my dress from the hanger I'd left it on in the morning. It's intricate design is gorgeous. I take a few minutes just admiring it before I step into it.
I admire myself the last time in the mirror, my hair is up in an elegant wavy chignon. The hairstyle leaves room to reveal my sparkly diamond earrings. The necklace sits delicately on my pale skin. The dress has thin straps, slightly dips with a v, revealing a bit of cleavage, the sequin fabric on the front adds an alluring glitter, a slit reveals the side of my waist whenever I move, and it flows to my ankles, the chiffon material keeping it closer to my body. It's turquoise blue is making my eyes pop and complements my hair perfectly– as intended.The heels add a few inches to my height, I'll definitely be an attention drawing machine at that party or whatever it is Two is taking me to.
My door bell rings, ripping me out of my self admiration.
I open the door to a stunning 6'7, apparelled in a burgundy slim fit suit, jet black hair sleeked into a spiky low fade and dazling green eyes staring back at me, sparkling even brighter against the burgundy suit.
"Woow." He mutters in a barely audible husky voice.
I smile back and imitate his 'woow'.
He hands me a white steampunk half mask.
We walk hand in hand to his grey Bentley flying spur mulliner W-12 and we drive to the Diamond hall jamming to Doja cat's Paint the town red.
I'm surprised by the attention we harvest. I'm used to eyes but not the kind that are showering glances at us.
We are walking hand in hand down a laminate flooring towards an arc entryway adorned with a crystal wagon chandelier.
We revel in attention for a while going around the hall to make sure everyone notices us. – It wasn't my idea, it's all Two's doing.
I'm standing beside a chocolate fountain, I'm about to dip a strawberry into it when Two holds my hand and starts pulling me away. "Where are we headed?" I ask, confused by the sudden attack. "You'll see." He replies flatly.
We head towards a couple standing in a dimly lit corner of the hall.
"Mom–dad." Two calls.
I almost shrink into the floor at the sound of that.
"This is my friend Haz, Hazel." He introduces me, pulling me to his side.
His mom, a petite lady, with chestnut hair and warm chocolate eyes, smiles and says, "Oow hie, so you are the Haz." I see where Two got his smile. I cast Two an accusing glance, he has told his mom about me already. I wonder what he said our relationship was.
I master up my most perfect smile and say, "Nice to meet you ma'am." To which she replies, "Oow honey, call me Mariah and I love your hair." She says with a wink. I spot Two smile at her appreciatively from my periphery.
The whole time Two's dad, black hair, green eyes– not as green as Two's though– intimidating build, dressed in an Armani suit is just standing besides his wife. He is curiously eyeing me, his eyes linger on my hair for a good long while before he looks into my eyes and extends his hand in greeting. That's all I get from him, a handshake.
We continue with our evening routine after I had given Two an earful about how uncool his ambush was.
We are walking down a flight of stairs towards a table where an array of food is laid out when I spot aurburn hair.
I'm stunned into place, it's worn in loose curls which run to her mid waist. She is talking to a tall guy, Two's dad, in a hushed tone. She turns around and the blue of her eyes assault me.
The memories of my past dreams flood into my mind. My knees feel like jelly under me and my head feels like it's split into two. Two notices it in time to snake his hand around my waist and steady me.
He walks me to a nearby table and offers me water. He retrieves a handkerchief from his pocket and dabs off the sweat that's beaded on my forehead. Worry is written all over his handsome face, I feel bad for being the cause of it.
"Who was that lady?" I ask, when I finally catch my breath. "What lady?" He asks, confused. "The one with long auburn hair." I try to add more detail to my question. His face lights up with recognition and he replies, "Oow, her name is Kirst, she is my dad's business associate and a family friend, she also owns several businesses around town. Do you know her from somewhere?" "No, not at all." I reply, fixing a smile to my face trying to make him drop the topic.
He stares at me with a question in his eyes, but he doesn't word it, it comes as a relief to me because I'm not in any state to answer questions.
"Let's get you outside for some air." He says, holding out his hand for me.
We are taking a walk in an oval shaped garden behind the hall. Fairy lights hang on trees giving the space a low glow.
"Reign!" A voice shrieks from the hall back door. I look around to see who it's directed at but there's just Two and me.
She walks into the light and I recognize her, the blonde from the gift shop. Even with half of her face covered I could still know who she was from her aura.
Two looks at her and then at me. I suddenly feel small..