Page 34 of Mafia’s Dirty Secret

“There is.” Marie nodded, not sure what else she should say.

“Let’s go in there.”

Marie took Amy into the kitchen and sat down at the table. She saw the woman had several bags and boxes with straps on her shoulder. Amy placed those on the table, and Marie noticed that the woman was tall, slim, and dressed all in black. It looked good on her, but Marie wasn’t sure she could pull it off.

“Alright, let me know what you like? Up, down, curly, straight?” Amy stood behind Marie and pulled at her hair. The locks were shiny, healthy, and long, but straight as a board.

“I’ve never had my hair done, I don’t know.”

“What’s the dress look like?” Amy asked and Marie picked up her phone to show her the picture Matteo sent.

“Hm. Up, I think. You don’t want to hide the dress with all this gorgeous hair,” Amy said and then got to work. She plugged in curlers, straighteners, and pulled out several bottles of stuff Marie didn’t recognize. Then she took out pins and a few other fasteners before she opened the boxes.

“Now, I think, as you’re such a lovely lady, all we really need to do is camouflage that bruise and the cut and highlight those amazing eyes of yours.” Amy turned Marie to look at her face more closely. “God, you’ve got gorgeous skin.”

“Thanks.” Marie felt her cheeks go red and looked down. “I don’t know anything about hair or makeup, so I’m at your mercy really.”

“Don’t worry, you’re in good hands. I won’t overdo it, you don’t need much, really.”

“Thank you,” Marie whispered it this time and wondered how long it would all take.

Amy started to explain everything she did, as she did it, and all Marie could do was agree. “These are all samples,” she added as she went along, “so you can keep what’s left.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks,” Marie said as Amy sponged something over the bruise below her eye.

Something else went on the cut, and then Amy sponged something different from that across Marie’s skin. Marie started to wonder if her skin would be visible at all when this was all done. There seemed to be a lot of blending, sponging, and more blending going on than she’d like, but she did have two places to hide.

The makeup around her eyes might have been the most difficult part. She had to sit with her eyes closed as Amy daubed, lined, and then daubed some more. Mascara went on, and Amy finally stepped back. It had only taken ten minutes but felt like an hour to Marie. Amy nodded and then held up a mirror.

Marie’s eyes went wide as she looked at herself. She was… pretty! “Wow!”

“Thanks, stunned was the reaction I was hoping for.” Amy smiled and nodded her head happily. “Let’s do your hair.”

Amy sprayed, curled, pinned, and then curled some more. Marie winced a few times as the curler pulled at her hair, but it was mostly just a matter of waiting. Amy looked one last time, moved a curl, and sprayed. “That’s it, I think.”

She held up a mirror and Marie gasped all over again. “That’s all my hair?”

“It’s all yours.” Amy had pinned Marie’s hair up into a loose chignon, curled the ends into a swirly cascade, and left a few romantic tendrils to rest against her cheeks.

The look wasn’t overdone at all. It was romantic, sensual, and Marie couldn’t believe it was her! “Thank you so much. I definitely couldn’t have done this.”

Marie couldn’t stop looking in the mirror, but a knock at the door said it was time for Marie to dress and go. Regina walked in but stopped as soon as she saw Marie.

“Wow!” She drew the word out on a long syllable. “You are gorgeous!”

“Oh hush.” Marie ducked her head down, but was pleased with Regina’s reaction.

“No, really. You’re beautiful anyway but like that? You’re just, wow. I feel like a proud mom on her daughter’s wedding day.”

Regina choked up a little and her eyes glistened.

“Aw, Regina, thank you!” Marie took her hand, and Amy started to pack up.

“My job here is done. I hope you have a lovely evening, Marie, and take care. I’ve left my card if you need anything or would like to have me work on you again.”

“I just might,” Marie said with a smile and thanked the woman one last time.

“Well, then, my gorgeous little friend, get dressed and get out of here. I’ll take over from here.”