Page 5 of My Destiny
“Up?” I reply, unsure. “But if you don’t have much time, I’ll settle for a wash and blow-dry.”
“The dress is strapless you say?”
“Yes.”
“Then up will be perfect.”
I smile because I have every confidence in him.
“You know I’ll always make time for you, Chérie. Do you have a style in mind?”
“No. I trust your judgment.”
“So, you’re giving me free rein?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, goodie.” He claps his hands in excitement, and my smile widens. “I think slicked back into a high bun will only highlight your beautiful facial features.”
“Sounds great.” Maybe I should ask him to give Jake some lessons on how to compliment a woman. I chuckle to myself at the thought as I relax back into my chair while Pierre works his magic.
When he’s finished with my very stylish up-do, I admire his handiwork in the mirror. I can’t believe how great it looks. After pulling it back into a ponytail on the top of my head, he curled the loose hair before carefully pinning each one into place to form a large bun.
“You like?” he asks, holding the hand mirror behind my head.
“I love.” When he removes the cloak, I stand and turn to kiss him on the cheek.I don’t do air kisses.“Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome, Chérie.”
After I pay, and we say our goodbyes, I head to the bus stop. I feel a bit silly travelling home on the bus being so casually dressed with my hair like this, but since we only have one car, and Jake takes it to work every day, I don’t really have a choice. I guess I could get a cab, but I’ve spent enough money today. With only one income now, there’s no point in wasting money.
Stepping out of the bath, I reach for my towel. I wasn’t brave enough to shower and risk messing up my lovely hairdo. A long relaxing soak in the tub seemed to do wonders for me anyway. I feel rejuvenated.
After slipping into my black lace underwear and matching strapless bra, I take a seat at my dresser so I can apply my makeup. Mascara and lip gloss are usually my limit, but I decide to go all out for tonight. I’m not stupid enough to think that looking my best for Jake tonight is enough to fix this growing rift between us, but it might help to reignite some of the passion we used to have, and that’s a good start.
Once I’ve finished, I gaze in the mirror and hardly recognise myself. Thanks to a makeup tutorial I watched on YouTube on my bus ride home, the smoky dark eyeshadow I applied really makes my eyes pop, and the shimmering powder I applied over my foundation gives my skin a healthy and youthful glow. I decide on a nude gloss on my lips, since my eye makeup is so dramatic. All I need to do now is get dressed and I’m good to go.
I almost feel jittery as I slip into my gown. So much is riding on tonight; well, in my mind at least. I’ve built it up to that. Jake is my life and I don’t want to lose him. Since my mother has passed and I don’t have a relationship with my father, he’s the only family I have. I don’t begrudge him working in the slightest, but I hate how unimportant and insignificant I’ve become to him since he started his new job. I want that healthy balance of work and play back, which isn’t too much to ask.
Sitting down on the side of the bed, I gather my dress up around my knees and I slip into my silver heels. When I lean forward to fasten the ankle strap, another sharp pain like the one I had earlier radiates across my abdomen.
“Jesus,” I softly cry out as I stand. I inhale a large breath as my hand gently rubs over the offending area. This can’t be a stitch like I’d initially thought when I was running. With only one shoe on, I hobble back into the bathroom to grab some paracetamol. By the time I’ve swallowed both tablets, the shooting pain has subsided to a dull throb. I don’t want anything to spoil tonight for us.
Once my other shoe is on, I put on the diamond earrings Jake gave me the previous Christmas, followed by the matching pendant necklace. The chain is so fine, it looks like the small diamond is sitting freely against my skin at the base of my neck. I smile to myself as thoughts of that day enter my mind. Gift giving hasn’t always been one of Jake’s fortes, so when he handed me the small jewellery box that Christmas morning, I actually got teary. I’d never owned anything so exquisite before. Even my wedding ring is just a simple gold band. Since I was in my last year of uni when he proposed, and he’d only recently entered the workforce, we didn’t have a lot of money to splurge on a ring, but it didn’t bother me in the slightest. I came from humble beginnings, so I’ve never been the materialistic kind. His love and companionship was all I wanted.
Reaching for my favourite perfume—it’s my mother’s scent, the one she always wore—I spray a small amount on my wrists and behind both ears, just like she used to do. The familiar smell gives me comfort. It sounds silly, I know, but I feel like she’s with me when I wear it. I take one last look in the full-length mirror before heading downstairs.
After ordering a taxi, I shove my lip gloss, mobile phone and some money into my silver clutch. Butterflies swarm in my stomach as I head towards the door. I’m nervous about arriving at the function on my own, but hopefully Jake will be there waiting for me when I arrive, like he said he would. I hate that I can no longer trust what he says.
As I’m locking up, another wave of dizziness, like the one I got this morning, comes over me. “Whoa,” I say, gripping the doorknob and resting my forehead against the wood as I wait for it to subside.Please not now.I must be coming down with something.
I stand by the kerb to wait for my ride. It’s a warm evening, with Christmas only a few shorts weeks away. It will be our first summer in Melbourne, which will be a nice relief from the cold we’ve had of late. Even spring hadn’t been as warm as I’d hoped.
By the time the taxi arrives, I’m feeling like myself again. “Where to, love?” the middle-aged driver asks, eyeing me through the rear-view mirror once I’m seated in the back.
Sliding my phone out of my clutch, I pull up the message Jake sent me earlier. “The Dome, please. 333 Collins Street.” That’s all the message read. NoI’m sorry I can’t make it home.OrI’m looking forward to seeing you tonight.Just the address and starting time. Leaning back into my seat, I ponder that.
I send him a quick text before placing the phone back into my clutch.
