Page 49 of Cloud Storm

“I accept that sometimes you’ve been right to push me out of my comfort zone, but this is different and you know it.” I’m fine here, in my bakery experimenting or at home making mixtures, but that is a very different matter than letting people take pictures of me to appear in magazines and television interviews. “I want The Sweet Tooth to be everywhere. But I don’t want to be famous only because you’re focusing on my back story. I want to win because we are the best in town, damn it!”

“Would you rather be a laboratory rat?” Oliver asks, a laugh trying to escape from his mouth.

“I’d rather be a kitchen rat. Like that cute thing in the movie,” I answer just before turning around, “and just keep doing what I enjoy the most.”

Roselynn approaches, and putting a hand on my back, waits for my attention to focus on her.

“Is that your last word?” she asks quietly.

“Yes,” I say adamantly. This will be my final word on the matter.

???

By some miracle they don’t insist and leave in silence, giving me the opportunity to finish some tests, before returning home.

Well, today I’m going out to dinner, I have a commitment to someone important and the last thing I want is to be late.

Tonight will be transcendental.

I call a Lyft rather than walk, it will save a good amount of time and also a lot of anguish.

How have I gotten into this mess?

At first it was a mistake, then a game, then so much more. Now it is an important part of my life, one that I have to face and I’m not sure I have the courage.

Shit.

Shit, triple shit.

I think it happens to all of us, don’t deny it, we have a closet full of two things. The first is the infamous ‘I have nothing to wear’ and the second, ‘I’m saving this for when I lose some weight’.

I’ve tried at least a half dozen outfits and I still can’t decide.

What am I going to do?

I can’t call Roselynn. Even if we weren’t in a bad place right now, how would I explain my date today?

Dammit.

I wear my best set of lingerie, just in case he wants all those things he said to me. The place Arthur chose is quite fancy, so I want to dress accordingly. My way, but classy. A beautiful beige skirt made of tulle and lace with a simple white top and high nude heels.

Subtle with a touch of color. I’m adding lots of coral and turquoise bracelets and big earrings to my outfit.

Fortunately, I manage to placate my untamed hair and I leave it loose, sitting on one of my shoulders in soft waves that also highlight the color of my skin. That process was not easy, because after so many homemade treatments, my hair tends to be dry. Going a little bit further, I dust some highlighter on my cheekbones. It shines and makes my face look incredible.

I should be envious of those TV spots where the girls say they’re worth it.

Today I deserve it all!

I take my coral clutch bag and look at myself in the mirror again. I’m ready to kill.

Fortunately, the person I’m going to have dinner with tonight has asked me to meet at a place quite close to the house as I have no time to spare.

Of course I’ve never been there, I could never afford to, however, my lifelong best friend, Saint Google, has given me an exact description of the place, with photos that I’ve been able to take a good look, from menus to what people wear when they go there.

So I’m not going to mess up too much.

Ok, ok, I will be honest, yes. I want to make a good impression, but my hands sweat and I hope that while I wait for the blessed Lyft car to arrive, I will not perspire like a horse.

---