Page 32 of What Happens in Dubai

‘Factor fifty,’ I replied.

‘Good god, it’s like toothpaste!’ she winked at me jokingly and I immediately felt at ease. She was warm and laid-back, and right now I had to trust her. ‘The other girls are ready, so I have a bit more time with you. They’re popping champagne in the bedroom,’ she giggled.

‘I honestly don’t think I can do this, Stella. I’m freaking out. I have no idea how to pose or look pretty,’ I admitted. I could feel my breathing getting shallow as my mind raced, and I felt dizzy.

‘Hey, hey. Stop it! You look pretty all on your own. You will be holding the product like you would every day. You’re not there to look like a model, you’re the practitioner, which you already are. Plus, the photographer is the one who tells you how to pose. That’s his job description, girl.Hey,trust me, he’ll be more worried about easing off that guy.’ She pointed across the room to Raj, sitting on another chair, getting pampered, seeming restless and profoundly uncomfortable.

Stella continued to paint my face. Her laid-back manner helped me relax, and she convinced me this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. My face was bronzed, and she gave me smoky golden eyes with a clear glossy lip. I felt like a beautiful sculpture and somewhat unrecognisable from the beast who roamed the beach. Next, Franco, an Italian hairdresser, blow-dried my hair, leaving it bouncy and alive. I felt like a different person.

When their work was done, Stella escorted me through to the bedroom, where the influencers were relaxing, sipping on their drinks.

‘Hey girls, this is Zara. She’s the aesthetics nurse.’

I waved shyly to the three picture-perfect girls perched on the bed.

‘Hi!’

‘Hi, Zara.’

‘Come and sit with us. Champagne?’

The girls were friendly, and I immediately liked their vibe.

‘Erm … sure.’ I shrugged and smiled at Stella as I joined the three blonde bombshells. My eyes skimmed around the surroundings but I couldn’t see Raj. Huh, probably away looking for someone’s arsehole to kiss, I thought.

‘Wardrobe will be with you guys soon. Don’t get too wasted,’ Stella called out as she left.

The girls cheered and poured me a drink.

‘Zara, I’m Indie. This is Laureen and Skylar.’ All three girls smiled with their pristinely white veneers.

‘It’s so lovely to meet you all. God, I’m sorry.’ My voice was shaking and I lifted my glass, downing the champagne. ‘It’s just that I’m so nervous. I’ve never done this before. I’ve had the worst day in history, and I had no idea I’d be part of this shoot, surrounded by you three absolute stunners.’ I was babbling with nerves.

‘Oh my god, you poor thing. Tell us what happened.’

Indie rubbed my shoulder and the other two listened in as I spilt my guts about Tom and how shocked I was to see him today. They sympathised and immediately took my side. Before I knew it, I was on my third glass of fizz, discussing and scrutinising Indie’s manipulative relationship with her ex, Chris, because she made an OnlyFans account. The girls were so kind and fun that after a while, I completely forgot that I was working.

‘Costumes!’ the small man with the turtle neck bellowed as he came speeding into the room with a dress rail, looking even more harassed than he had earlier. The girls flew to the clothes with enthusiasm, while the overwhelming dread of fitting into anything filled me with complete terror.

‘You.’ The small man pointed to me, as I was building up the courage to walk over. ‘Could you pick something, please? Come on.’ He guided me up from my safe spot on the bed, and I cautiously approached the rail. Everything was red.

‘Oh, Zara, this would look lush on you,’ Indie said, holding up a stunning velvet skintight dress.

‘I like this one for Zara,’ Skylar said, throwing a one-shouldered jumpsuit over my shoulder.

‘She’s got to look the best ever, girls. Tom will see these pics!’ Laureen reminded them. ‘This is the one,’ she announced. She held up a wet-look knee-length dress. It was incredibly eye-catching and very low cut.

‘Wow. It is beautiful. I just don’t think I could wear something so … out there. It’s so … sexy and—’

‘Hello! You’re sexy! Get it on you!’

Laureen passed it to me, and I held the dress in my hands. The other girls stripped naked so confidently and pulled dresses on and off. There’s no way I could do that. I slid into the bathroom to try mine.

My swimming costume was still on from the beach club, and I looked down at my lumpy figure.Why am I even doing this?I thought. But I had to do it for the clinic. I had to do it for Raj, even if he was in my Burn Book right now. I took a deep breath and pulled on the short, sexy dress.Thank fuck,it fit. Very snugly, but I was sure it was supposed feel snug. I tugged on the tight synthetic material to haul it down and gazed in the mirror.Wow,I actually looked decent. I felt voluptuous and sexy. I took my phone out and sent a quick selfie to Ashley.Hope you’re feeling better! Check me out a pure model! Please say we can go out tonight! I’ve had a shitty day?xx.

Send.

I opened the door of the bathroom to my three new friends, who were in the next room adjusting their outfits.

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