Page 30 of August and the Night

"You know, you are the first woman Mr. Steele has ever brought here for leisure," she mentions with a twinkle in her eye, her accent endearing. "And I can tell he cares for you deeply."

I blink, feeling surprised by her words. "The first woman?" I repeat, my shock evident.

She nods, her smile warm. "Yes, my dear. I've known him since he was young, and I've never seen him look at someone the way he looks at you. His eyes sparkle every time he sees you."

"Are you related to him?" I ask, wanting to satisfy my curiosity.

Her eyes soften with reminiscence. “No, I used to own a flower shop nearby," she begins, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia.

"August would run away from foster care often and come to me, asking for flowers to put on his parents' graves. He was just a lost boy trying to honor his parents' memory."

"He seemed to be just as sweet when he was young as he is now," I remark, trying to not look at how sad the situation is to avoid crying in front of her. Thirty two year old August still had the same kindness of a child, despite his gruff exterior.

"Oh, he was," she replies with a chuckle. "Stubborn, actually. I used to try and give him the flowers without taking any payment, but he never agreed. No matter how much I insisted, he would clean up my store or carry heavy boxes for me as payment. He had this sense of pride, even in those tough times."

She continues with a smile, "You know, when my flower shop started facing tough times about two years ago, August found out. At first, he offered me money directly, but I refused. I told him I couldn't accept money without doing something in return. And that's when he offered me a position here at the spa. He understood best that I would feel better about accepting his support if I were working for it."

"He's quite the man, isn't he?" She remarks, appearing slightly distracted.

I nod, finding it hard to disagree. "Yes, he's accomplished so much and built an amazing life."

She smiles knowingly. "And have you seen him? Muscles and charisma, the whole package."

I blush, her words catching me off guard. "I mean, he's handsome, yes."

She chuckles, giving me a playful look. "Don't be shy, dear. It's clear he's taken an interest in you."

I fumble over my words, feeling both flattered and embarrassed. "Well, thank you."

She smiles and hands me a mirror, and as I look at my reflection, I can't believe my eyes. She has styled my messy, untamable waves into an incredibly sophisticated bun and I'm not sure how she did it. I thank her warmly, but she just brushes me off, her beautiful smile still persistent on her face before she exclaims, "Oh, dear, you look stunning!" Her eyes twinkle with delight.

Before I can thank her for the third time, there's a knock on the door, and an employee enters, holding a garment bag.

Teresa takes it from her, revealing a beautiful white pant suit with a matching blazer and a crisp white top. Along with it are a pair of elegant heels and delicate gold earrings.

"Mr. Steele instructed us to get this for you," Teresa explains.

I'm in awe of the ensemble, and she encourages me to get dressed and assures me that she will help with my makeup. She warns me to be mindful of my hair before exiting the room and tells me to notify her when I'm done, and I nod.

After carefully donning the elegant white pant suit and securing the delicate gold earrings, I take a deep breath and admire my reflection in the mirror. I can't believe how transformed I look—sophisticated yet comfortable, a far cry from my usual lab attire.

After I finish, I poke my head out of the door and find Teresa waiting for me. She gasps in delight, her eyes widening as she spins me around to get a full view of the outfit.

"Oh, mi niña, it really suits you!" she exclaims, her words a soft murmur of amazement.

I blush, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude at her kind words. She says something in Spanish under her breath, and even though I can't catch all the words, I hear the term "pajarito," which I remember means "little bird."

She swiftly switches back to English and gently guides me to a chair. "Sit, my dear. Let me work my magic," she says with a warm smile.

As she expertly applies makeup to enhance my features, the nerves kick back in, and I start to fidget with my hands. She notices my habit and gently slaps my hands away, chuckling softly.

"Hermosa, fidgeting is not good," she chides playfully, and I smile at her before wiping the sweat on my hands with my pants, trying to calm myself.

When Teresa finally finishes with my makeup, she hands me the mirror, and I admire the soft and natural look she has given me. A genuine smile creeps onto my lips, and I turn to thank her, genuinely grateful for her skill and kindness. "Thank you so much," I say, my voice filled with appreciation.

She hugs me warmly, and I reciprocate the gesture, feeling a sense of connection with her despite our brief interaction. As she holds me, she whispers in my ear, her words carrying a mix of emotion.

"Please, take care of August. His heart has been alone for far too long." Her concern touches me, and I nod, feeling a deep sense of responsibility. "I promise," I whisper back, vowing to protect and cherish the man who has come into my life and made it all the better.

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