The first lady had a wild pixie cut withbright burgundy red hair, red lipstick, and looked to be in hermid-fifties.
“Hello,” she said with a smile and a verythick Russian accent. I was sure that was the extent of herEnglish. The other woman had long brown hair, was probably in herlate thirties, and honestly looked a little nervous if not verytimid. I nodded and smiled at both of them and opened the door widefor them to enter. They smiled and came into the room, immediatelysetting up at the table in the corner of the room.
Scott followed in after them, but only justentered the room before addressing me.
“I don’t have timeto sit here and babysit you through this, so follow the rules andthey won’t end up dead,” he scowled, nodding over at the women asthey began to set up shop.“Got it?”
“Yeah,” I said, turning away bitterly andleaving him at the door. I heard him shut it behind him.
The older women laid down a thin tarp-likesheet under one of the chairs and gestured for me to sit. I obligedher, and she quickly started to brush my still damp hair. Isuddenly decided to try something I knew couldn't be too suspiciousto Darren. I just wanted to be polite, right? I turned to the womanbrushing my hair, and she stopped to look at me.
I placed my handonmy chest and said my name. Then I pointed at her andwaited to see if she would respond. She let out an exhale throughher nose and gave me a tiny smile.
“Irina,” she finally spoke.
I smiled brightly and nodded, letting hercontinue brushing and spraying my damp hair with water. I turned tothe other one and did the same thing. She was not so inclined torespond, but eventually she did.
“Anya,” she whispered without looking atme.
These women were obviously scared, and Isupposed they had good reason to be. Darren must be paying themwell to be here, but I could tell they knew something wasn’t rightabout my situation.
Once Anya was finished setting up, she heldher hands out to accept mine and put them in the bowl of warm waterin front of me. She let my fingers soak while Irina sectioned outmy hair and started snipping. Good. Chop it off. Less hair forDarren to pull.
Once Anya finished pushing back my cuticlesand buffing my nail beds, she pulled out the acrylic nails from herbag. Surprised, I instantly pulled my hands back and startedshaking my head. I did not want fake nails. I hated them for theirannoyance, and I knew I would surely break them. I thought theywould just polish them and be done with it. Anya looked over atIrina nervously, unsure of what to do with my protest. Irina camearound to me and smiled, clasping her hands together, unsure of howto respond.
“Ehhh ...” she started, “no choice.” Shesmiled at me as if she had no idea what she just said.
That motherfucker! Well, fine, if he wantedto give me claws that I didn't give a shit about breaking, thenthat would be his stupid-ass mistake. He was just making it easierfor me to rip his goddamn throat out.
“Fine,” Isaidand gave my hands back to Anya.
Both women continued their work, and by thetime they were done, my hair was about an inch shorter, perfectlylayered and styled, and my nails now had fake flawless French tips.Even my toes displayed a perfect French tip. Thankfully, the nailsweren't super long so I might be able to manage with them.
By the time they left, escorted out byScott, it was two o'clock, and it took everything I had to let themwalk out of my room without a single plea for help. I thought aboutmaybe slipping them a note, hoping maybe someone they knew couldread English, but it wasn’t worth the risk of Darren finding outand killing them.
With the women now gone, I only had an hourbefore Darren would be home. I redid my makeup, which took meforever since I now had an extra set of bullshit on my nails todeal with.
Feeling the anxiety in my blood, I decided Iwanted to feel that wonderful ocean breeze in my hair and headedfor the balcony. As I opened the beautiful French doors, I stoppedmyself just before the threshold. Did my perimeter include thebalcony? I really hoped it did as I slowly put one foot in front ofthe other, waiting for the warning shock. It never came. Breathinga sigh of relief, I walked out and rested my armsonthe white stone railing. It truly was abeautiful sight as I found myself at ease just taking it allin.
I found solace in the rays of the sun thatpeeked through the fluffy white clouds, warming my skin. Thenumerous amount of green trees bent to the wind of the ocean, and Iactually had a small twinge of excitement as I noticed a few palmtrees out in the distance. I had a perfect view of the beach, and Ihonestly thought about how nice it would be to feel the salty watersplash against my skin. Maybe one day Darren would let me goswimming if I earned it.
After a while, the door to my bedroomfinally opened and I turned quickly to find Darren walking towardme. My stomach instantly tightened with hatred and I didn’t evenbother to hide the scowl on my face as my eyes locked on his bigmoving body; the one that exhibited more grace and agility than aman of his size should be able to. He moved like a shadow – a verybeautiful, confident shadow. Ugh.
“Daddy's home.” He smiled wickedly as hesauntered toward me.
Eww.
“Did you really just say that?” I asked,crossing my arms over my chest, my stomach now revolted by his sickjokes.
He chuckled as he came closer, looking quiteamused. “Did you behave yourself while I was gone?”
“Obviously,” I said, holding up my hands andspreading my fingers for him to see. “Though I don't know why youbothered with these. You've essentially just given me claws andthey're only going to get broken.”
Darren's eyes darkened as he leaned againstthedoorframeof the balcony.“Jaden, not a single nail is to be broken. Do you understand me? Ifyou find yourself in a situation that may cause one to break, thenI suggest you remove yourself from that situation.”
I gave him a look as if he’d lost hismind.
“That would technically be everything Ido.”
