IX: Change

Maya’s eyes brightened. The word ‘ogre’ just suddenly popped inside her head, and it seemed as well it was the best visual reference for her moving forward so she won’t be so distracted by    

Alexander’s handsome face.

She could not help but giggle like a fool when she imagined him with an ogre’s head but a human body.

As for the party, Maya knew that if Sicilia were to ask for the world at that moment, Alexander would deliver, with no questions asked.

Maya thought that he didn’t have a heart, but it turns out he had the most sensitive one. He was just guarding it. She understood him because she was doing the same thing.

He was really pitiful for a little—only a teeny-weeny bit.

Maya just needed to enjoy the fruits of her labour later.

At the end of the day, Sicilia was already choosing her dress for the party. She called Maya to her room to ask her for her opinion.

“What do you think of this one?” Sicilia asked as the maid was holding a royal blue dress in her hands.

“Hmm, I think too classy,” Maya answered truthfully.

Sicilia hummed as she nodded, “You’re right, I need to leave it for a ball. Dear, bring the other one,” she then asked the maid who pulled a beautiful black dress.

“I think this one is perfect,” Maya said, her eyes lit up.  Black always goes with everything and with any age as well.

Since she was a sous-chef of a restaurant with a Michelin star, Maya could see high-class events making her fashion sense decent.

She loved her chef outfit, but Maya still appreciated the pretty dresses, just like any other woman. So Maya could not help but imagine how Sicilia would prettily move with it.

Maya was still thinking about this when Sicilia suddenly spoke.

“I think so too, well good then. I guess I have a dress now. What about you?” Sicilia looked at Maya with a raised brow.

“Me?” Maya asked in a bit of a surprise.

Sicilia laughed, “Yes, of course. You, who else would it be?” She asked while looking at Maya with amusement.

“But, that’s beside the point. I don’t think it is appropriate for me to go, right? I mean-”

“Hush. You are my assistant. Who else will help me later?” Sicilia questioned with a raised brow. 

“But, I... I don’t have a dress,” Maya replied awkwardly. She was just making excuses because even though Sicilia insisted that it was part of the job, Maya still felt like she was not supposed to join the party at all.

“Silly, I have a closet full of dresses. We’ll find you something pretty. I’m not that fat; you know we can find you something that fits,” Sicilia joked.

“No, you don’t have to. I can go buy something,” Maya hurriedly said. She felt like crying without tears. Any more excuses would sound so lame in front of Sicilia, so we might as well try to cooperate.

“Maya dear, we both know you can’t afford it. I still didn’t give you your paycheck, so we’ll find you something. Don’t worry; I have a good style,” Sicilia said seriously.

Sicilia Brought Maya inside an alternative universe, the place was a dream for every girl.

A very big walk-in closet, that was full of beautiful clothes and dresses, a place where you could actually live. Maya could not help but uncomfortably winced when she saw an area of the closet room that was only designated for the display of jewellery pieces. She felt like she was at Tiffany’s, not in someone’s closet.

“Now that dresses are done, it’s time for my second favourite part,” Sicilia grabbed her phone and called someone. Half an hour later, a full team was in her house, hairstylist, makeup artists... everyone you can ever need.

Two large tables were fully stacked. The first one had hair strengtheners, hairdryers, curling irons... and they stacked the second table with makeup, foundation conceals, lipsticks, eye shadow palettes, blushes...

There was nothing missing.

Maya felt like she was getting dizzy because of the turn of events.

Then they did everything, manicure, pedicure, makeup, hair... they took care of everything.

After hours of hair-pulling and face powdering, both women looked almost wholly different. Sicilia looked even younger in age, and her makeup was done perfectly.

As for Maya, she couldn’t even recognize herself in the mirror. She kept waving at herself in the mirror to make sure that it was really her.

“Is that really me?” She asked herself and everyone around.

“Yes, finally, under all that hair, you could finally find your true lost self,” Mark’s stylist said. He had a specially hard time with Maya’s face and hair, and her eyebrows were just a completely different story. He stood behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder, “Don’t be afraid to show yourself to people. You have a beautiful face, be proud of it.”

“Thank you,” she said; feeling extra emotional, she hugged Mark.

“Now, don’t ruin Bianca’s makeup or, she will kill you,” Mark jokingly said. His eyes, however, were severe. 

“I’m sorry,” Maya said, titling her head back to keep the tears from going down.

‘It’s fine,’ he mouthed to her.

Sicilia and Maya stood next to each other in front of the mirror, proud of their results.

Both women were ready to take over that party.

Maya looked at herself in the mirror. They put her shoulder-length brown hair up, allowing her entire face to be noticed immediately. Because of this, they could see as well her attractive neck and flawless shoulders.

This was her first time in a very long time wearing a dress and looking like herself, a beautiful woman, carefree and glowing.

Maya was wearing a Jennifer Winget inspired red dress that suited her to perfection, and it brought out curves even she never knew she had.

“You look wonderful!” Sicilia said happily as she stood next to Maya. Sicilia was also looking like a queen in her long black dress.

“Thank you,” it embarrassed Maya. Looking beautiful wasn’t something she was accustomed to hearing.

She looked at her face one last time. Maya’s lipstick made her lips look fuller, and the eyeshadow made her eyes bigger, intense.

Maya knew she changed, and not just her looks. Something else changed too within her. It was baffling cause Maya realize it was all the outfit, yet there was something else, and she couldn’t place her hand on precisely what it was.

The two women left Sicilia’s room after hours of preparation. They both looked happy and excited to show off their beauty soon.

As Maya went down the stairs, she could not keep her eyes off Alexander, who was impatiently waiting for them to go back and forth. However, this impatient man looked killer in a black tux that complimented his body well enough he looked even more handsome if that was possible, and in his case, it was.

Alexander hated to wait, and it was clear from his pacing. When he heard his grandmother’s call, he spoke with displeasure before even looking at them clearly.

“It was about time, grandma-” However, whatever he was about to say halted when Alexander’s eyes moved to Maya...