Page 34 of Glass Wings
“Okay, I’m coming out.”
Hadley pulled back the curtains and stepped out from the dressing room onto the runway. Reign stood up, and the attendant was beaming.
“We’ll take it.” Reign smirked and turned out of the dressing room. “Hang on a moment. I’ll be right back.”
Hadley turned to face the large full-length mirror, and, at first, didn’t recognize herself. Between the dress and the makeup, she was a completely different person. This person, this woman who stood before her in the mirror, was someone to be intimidated by, someone who knew their worth.
The dress itself looked more complex than it did on the hanger. The sequins and beads were now highlighted, stretched into forming constellations that gleamed like distant galaxies. Delicate straps, adorned with motifs straight from the night sky, crisscrossed over the open back, adding an extra layer of mystique. The feathers, as ridiculous as she thought they originally looked, made her waist appear phenomenally tiny. Hadley suddenly had a full hourglass figure. She truly embodied a vixen, a queen of the night.
Too bad you can’t grow fangs.
Minutes later, Reign stomped back in, holding a pair of nude open-toe heels that matched the height of her own, and a simple yet lovely black lace mask.
“I think we should do some light curls, add a little volume to your hair, but other than that, I’d say we are ready to go,” she announced,walking straight up to Hadley and grabbing her ankle, trying to force a heel on her foot.
“I’m not wearing these,” Hadley said with an authority that surprised her. “I cannot walk in heels, and I think I look just fine without them.”
She happily grabbed the mask from Reign, holding it to her eyes to test it.
“You really should consider learning to wear heels, Hailey. They’re a power move,” Reign said.
After fluttering her lips, Hadley sat across the velvet green chaise and allowed Reign to put the heels back on her feet. Hadley stood and gazed at herself again in the mirror. She did feel powerful. She did feel beautiful. She felt a little dangerous.
Reign and Hadley drove back to Grant’s garage. Pulling a bag from her trunk, Reign was armed with heated rollers, combs, hair oil, and hair spray.
“My friend would freak out if he knew what kind of party he was missing out on here. Maybe I can start getting him to drive me to jobs. His car barely runs but I’m sure soon I’ll be able to buy something,” Hadley said, mostly to herself, letting her guard down while sitting on the couch as Reign held large tufts of her hair.
“Hailey,” Reign started after continuing her work in silence. “I was curious if I’ve ever met your mom. What was her name?”
“Where would you have met my mom?” Hadley turned her head and winced, her neck hitting the heat of the curling iron.
“Sorry about that,” Reign said. “Tell me your mom’s name.”
Hadley sat up straight instantly, pushed under Reign’s command, unsuspecting.
“Allienna. My mom’s name was Allienna Kin, the same last name as me,” Hadley answered. Reign paused for a millisecond but recovered, keeping her hands moving as her suspicions were confirmed.
“Did you know her?” Hadley asked, suddenly feeling insecure and small again, under Reign’s intensity.
“I did not. I was thinking of someone else,” she said before moving out from behind the couch.
“You will not tell anyone you work with your real last name. Okay, you’re ready, and now it’s time for me to go to my appointments for the night. You’re going to do great,” Reign said, opening her arms and hugging Hadley quickly before taking off.
Once she heard Reign’s new car back out of the driveway, she pulled her phone out of her purse, laid down on the couch, opened up the camera, and began exploring the best angle to capture the entire ensemble.
Once settled on above her and slightly to the left, she sent a selfie to Hector.
My boss is hosting a Halloween party tonight and I got to get ready with his other assistant.
Wow, you look amazing. This isn’t a filter?
Only if a couple of pounds of makeup counts as a filter. I’ll be home pretty late tonight. I assume you have plans?
I will not throw a Halloween rager at my best friend’s apartment tonight.
Hadley’s eyes widened, not sure if he was joking or serious. If he was serious, should she care? How much trouble could he get in?
Before she could type back, Grant burst through the garage side door, his mouth hanging open but smiling.
