Chapter 9

 

“Hello, Mae. I need a favour.”

I frowned into the phone. “What kind of favour?” It was Friday just before lunch and I had been surprised when Liam had phoned me. He was at meetings all afternoon, and I knew he was going directly to yet another charity event after that.

I closed the document I was working on and swiveled in my chair to stare out the window, pulling at the cord of the phone nervously. It was a damn good job that I hadn’t made the bet with Russ. I would have been taking him out for dinner at Darnell’s tonight if I had. Liam had been perfectly pleasant Monday morning, and had even apologized for his behaviour the week before.

He had said something about not sleeping well and having a large caseload, before giving me a faint smile and returning to his office. I had sighed and then quickly checked my cell phone, half-expecting that Russ had texted me to ask if Liam had been nicer to me this morning. There had been nothing and I had re-read the text he sent me late Friday night.

Just dropped Allie off at home. Your white knight walked her to the door, gave her a polite peck on the cheek and is headed back to the car alone. Told u so.

“You know I have the charity event tonight.” Liam’s voice was warm and silky smooth.

“Yes.” I replied, wondering where he was going with this.

“My date has cancelled for the event. I know its short notice but could you step in for her?”

“I – what?” I sputtered.

He sighed audibly. “I need a date for tonight. Could you help me out? I’ll pay you overtime for your trouble.”

The extra money would come in handy, I thought. I hesitated and then said, “Couldn’t you just go alone?”

“No, I can’t.” He didn’t bother explaining why. “I’m not going to lie. It’ll be boring and the people there are dull, but the food’s pretty good and the night shouldn’t go that late.”

“Mr. Knight, I don’t think I should go. It doesn’t seem appropriate.”

“It’s not an actual date, Ms. Temple. There’s nothing inappropriate about it.” He said dryly.

I flushed. “Why don’t you call Allie? I’m sure she’ll be able to go with you on short notice.”

He sighed. “I know Allie’s your friend so please don’t take offense to this, but she talks way too much.”

I snickered a little. I couldn’t help it. “Yeah, I know.”

“Can you help me out or not?” He said a bit impatiently.

“Um, yeah I guess. It’s not a date though right?”

“That’s what I said. Listen, Russ is on his way to pick you up.”

“What? Why?”

“Because the event is quite formal and based on the state of your office wardrobe, I’m quite sure you don’t have anything formal enough for tonight. He’s going to take you shopping.”

I sighed. Whatever I bought was going to be way out of my budget. Maybe I could leave the tags on and return it the next morning.

“Ms. Temple?”

“Yes?”

“Russ will be there in about twenty minutes.”

“Alright. I’ll meet him downstairs.”

“Good. And thank you. I appreciate this.”

There was a soft click as he hung up, and I rubbed my hands across my forehead. What the hell was I doing?

* * *

 

“Russ, where are we?” I stared up at the building in confusion. ‘Sunlight Day Spa’ was written across it in bold font and I frowned as Russ took my arm and led me into the building.

“We’re getting you ready for your date tonight, Cinderella.”

“It’s not a date!” I hissed at him. “You’re supposed to be taking me dress shopping.”

“I know and I will. But first – you need to be beautified.”

“I can’t afford this.” I muttered under my breath as he dragged me towards the pretty redhead standing at reception.

“It’s all on Mr. Knight.” Russ said cheerfully.

“What? What do you mean?”

“I mean, Mr. Knight told me to charge it all to his card.”

“He told you to take me to a spa?” I blinked at him.

He shook his head. “Nope, that was strictly my idea. Hey Judy!”

“Hi Russ!” The redhead gave him a warm smile. “How’s Steve?”

“He’s great. Listen, I have a bit of an emergency.” He pulled me in front of him. “This little lady here has a date with the most powerful lawyer in the city tonight. I need you to work your magic.”

Judy walked around the desk and stared down at me. I suddenly felt like a bug pinned to a board as she reached out and gripped my chin firmly. She lifted my face and cocked her head.

“She’s got potential. We’ll need to do something about those eyebrows and the mustache has to go.”

I felt the top of my upper lip. “Mustache?”

She grinned. “Don’t worry, honey. It happens to us all.”

She turned to Russ. “How long have I got?”

Russ glanced at his watch. “I’d say about three hours.”

She sighed deeply. “It’s going to be close.” She ripped the elastic out of my hair and I winced as it pulled more than a few strands of my dark hair with it.

“Ooh, this is good. I can do something with this.” She smiled delightedly as she touched my thick hair.

She stepped back and clapped her hands. Two women appeared beside her. “Sandra, Alice – time to work our magic.”

I gave Russ a desperate look as I was dragged into the depths of the salon.

* * *

 

“Ahhh! Sweet baby Jesus!” I screamed again as Sandra, the mistress of torture, ripped another swatch of leg hair off my upper thigh.

Russ winced as my hand tightened on to his. “Christ, Mae. Ease up a bit.”

“Shut up!” I snarled at him. “You’re not the one having all of your hair ripped from your body, strip by strip.

Sandra made a clucking noise under her breath. “It’s not that bad, dear.”

I glared at her. “Not that bad? I’ve had nearly every hair on my body ripped out. How about you hop on the table and I’ll start ripping your body hair out!”

She laughed. “Try going to esthetician school and having newbies waxing you. Then you’ll know my pain.”

She slathered on another layer of wax. “One last strip. Ready?”

“Yes.” I gritted out.

I was laying on my back on a table in one of the spa rooms. I had spent the last two hours being plucked, waxed, pedicured and manicured. I had to admit the facial had been really nice, and my feet and hands felt like heaven after the paraffin treatments, but the waxing was pure torture. I rubbed my finger along my now hairless upper lip.

“How attractive am I going to be when my face is bright red from having all the hair ripped off of it?” I grumbled to Russ.

He laughed. “It’s called make-up, Mae.”

I winced as Sandra ripped the fabric strip off my leg. “Christ that hurts!”

“It’s about to get a lot worse, sweetie.” Sandra said cheerfully.

“What do you mean? You said it was the last strip.”

“The last strip on your leg, dear. There’s still the girlie bits to do.”

“Oh hell no!” I snapped. “You are not going anywhere near my vagina with that hot wax!”

Before Sandra could reply, Judy entered the room. “How are we doing in here?”

“Just fine.” Russ said cheerfully. “Mae’s about to get her first Brazilian.”

“Oh no, I am most certainly not!” I said hotly.

“Come on, Mae. Just try it once. You’ll love it and never go back. Trust me.” Russ coaxed.

“How the hell would you know?” I glared at him.

Judy laughed. “It’s true, honey.”

She suddenly lifted the bottom of my bathrobe and stared at my naked crotch. “Have you ever waxed here before, Mae?”

“No.” I muttered, blushing furiously as I pushed the bathrobe down.

“I don’t think we should go completely bare, Sandra. Let’s leave a landing strip for her lover.” Judy said.

“He is not my lover!” I gritted out.

Russ laughed. “He will be after tonight.”

“Shut up, Russ!”

“Spread your legs please, Mae.” Sandra was pushing on my thighs and I sighed and spread my legs as she lifted the bathrobe.

“Stop looking, Russ!” I snapped.

“Oh please. Seen one, you’ve seen them all. Besides, you’re the one who dragged me in here to hold your hand.” He said airily.

“Exactly how many vaginas have you seen?” I glared at him.

He shrugged. “I’ve seen enough.” He glanced again at my crotch. “I’ve never seen one that hairy though. You’re rocking a serious seventies vibe, Mae.”

“Not for long.” Sandra announced cheerfully.

I smacked him hard on the chest. “I am going to kill you.”

He laughed again. “Speaking of underwear…”

“We aren’t speaking about underwear!” I grabbed his hand again as Sandra climbed on to the table between my legs and spread warm wax on my crotch.

He pointed to my bra and underwear that was piled neatly on the chair. “You need to get some new underwear. That looks like something my grandma would wear.”

“It keeps everything tucked in.” I informed him as Sandra smoothed the fabric strip over my flesh.

“Yeah, well, they’re granny panties and I’m not letting you wear them on your date tonight.”

“Ooh, you should take her over to Esteem’s. They’ve got the best lingerie in the city.” Judy said helpfully.

“I don’t need new underwear! My underwear is just – AAAHHH!” I shrieked again as Sandra ripped the strip away.

“Oh my God!” I grabbed Russ by the shirt and dragged him down towards my face. “She took skin with that one, Russ! I swear to God!”

“She didn’t take skin, Mae. Stop overreacting.”

“Go and look! I guarantee you I’m bleeding!” I snapped.

When he didn’t move I shook him lightly. “What are you waiting for?”

“You told me not to look.” He replied.

“Now I’m telling you to look!” I pleaded hysterically. “Please, Russ. I think I need to go to the hospital.”

He pulled away from my grip and studied my crotch. “Nope, everything’s normal.”

“You’re lying!” I moaned as Sandra grinned evilly and slathered more wax on to my throbbing crotch.

“I’m not. It looks like a perfectly normal and disturbingly hairy vagina.”

He took my hand again as Sandra popped up from between my thighs and glanced at Judy.

“We’re gonna need more wax.”

* * *

 

“Alright dollface. Open your eyes.” Alice said cheerfully.

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. My mouth dropped open as I stared at the woman in the mirror. The sleek-haired, smooth-skinned goddess couldn’t possibly be me.

“Wow.” Russ whistled.

I turned my head. The woman in the mirror turned her head. I widened my eyes. The woman in the mirror widened her eyes.

“Now remember,” Alice said as she brushed another coat of lip gloss across my full lips, “try not to touch your eyelashes too much. They’re only temporary and the more you touch them, the quicker they’ll fall out.”

I leaned forward and stared at the long, sweeping lashes. “I can’t believe it.” I whispered.

The eyelashes and the eye make-up that Alice had carefully applied had made my dark eyes look impossibly large. “Alice, I – I…”

I trailed off and stared at the plump, grey-haired woman. She grinned delightedly. “I know right? I’m so awesome at what I do.”

“You really are.” I breathed as Judy stepped forward and sprayed something sweet smelling on my hair.

She had given my hair a quick trim, cutting off the split ends, before she had blow-dried and straightened it. I couldn’t get over how shiny and sleek it looked. I continued to stare at myself as Russ handed over a credit card to Judy.

She quickly ran it through and then Russ was holding his hand out to me. “Let’s go, Mae. We still need to get you a dress and the dinner starts in less than two hours.”

I slipped out of the chair and then hugged the three women impulsively. “Thank you so much, ladies. I really appreciate everything you’ve done. And Sandra, I’m sorry I called you a merciless spawn of Satan.”

Sandra grinned. “Come back and see me anytime, dear.”