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Ella
Once the house is silent, I pack my purse with a few essentials. Thankfully, I don’t need a dress, so sneaking out of here will be a lot easier. I head to the hall that leads to the front door as quiet as a mouse, crossing my fingers that I won’t run into anyone. As soon as I step out the front door, I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.
My mind swims with what could happen at the masquerade ball tonight along with all the questions that have been taking root lately. Like what is my step-mother up to? Is she really looking to find husbands for my step-sisters or are they hiding something bigger? Hopefully, tonight will bring me one step closer to the truth. Looking up, I find myself standing on the street in front of the bar. I close my eyes and pray that this is another step in securing my future, not a one way ticket to my demise.
“Hey, Amber,” I call as I walk deeper into the bar.
“Back here,” she yells as she looks up from whatever she’s working on and gives me a soft smile. Just seeing her calms the nerves that have been floating around in my stomach.
“Come on, let's get you princess ready,” she says, leading me to the locker room where the strippers get ready for their shows.
This plan still seems so crazy. I’m not convinced that no one will recognize me. Doubts start to run rampant, and my body freezes in the doorway.
“What are you doing? Stop standing there and come sit down so I can get started. You can do this. You are stronger and smarter than you think.”
Shaking my head, I reply solemnly, “I’m not sure I can. I don’t feel brave right now. I’m not pretty enough to be a princess. My dad was the only one ever to call me princess.”
Amber leans over my shoulder, as our eyes meet in the mirror. “Ella. Don’t say that. You are one of the bravest people I know and prettier than any princess. Don’t let anyone ever tell you anything different. You hear me?”
I roll my eyes at her but a smirk graces my lips. “Okay, Amber. I hear you.”
Her grin and easy going personality returns. When she starts to fluff my hair, she gives me a wink as she says, “Tonight you can call me your fairy godmother, Ella. But I have one condition: you can’t see until I’m done, no peeking.”
I return her smile, her strength and confidence seeping into my body. I place my hand on her arm. “Don’t worry. I won’t look. I promise. And Amber…”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.” I just barely manage to hold back my tears.
Amber gives me a wink and gets work on my hair and makeup. We talk about everything, getting to know each other even more. We talk about how the bar has turned around since she took over as manager and she tells me a little more about her childhood, and how she was taken from everything she knew.
I open up to her, telling her more about my life and how it turned upside down when my father remarried. Amber already knew about some of the things I’ve dealt with but she didn’t know how bad it really was and still is.
The conversation keeps flowing between us like we’re old friends. A warmth settles over me. I haven’t felt this close to anyone since I met Suri. Suri and Amber will love each other. I should introduce them to each other. Maybe I could have some real friends and find a way for us to spend some time together.
Maybe it's wishful thinking…but it gives me something to fight for. A reason to go along with this crazy plan and try to get out from under my step-mother’s thumb.
Amber brings me back to the present when she taps my shoulder. “All right, lady, let’s put that beautiful dress on you. I think you're going to like it. Carly brought it just for you.”
I follow her eyes to the blue sparkly gown hanging up in the corner of the room. My hand brushes against the fabric when I whisper, “It’s beautiful. This is for me?”
Nodding, she helps me put the dress on, slipping on the shoes that go with it. “Are you ready to see how you look?” she asks as she looks me up and down with a twinkle in her eye.
I smooth my hands over my dress and take a deep breath. “I’m ready.”
Turning to look in the mirror, all thoughts leave my brain.
“Ella, you look gorgeous!”
I can’t help staring into the mirror. I run my hands lightly over my face and the ends of my hair. Fuck, is that me? No, that can’t be, I’ve never seen myself look like this. My hair is softly curled down my back with a simple jeweled headband as if it’s a tiara. My makeup is a simple natural look, with a bold red lip.
“Amber, you made me look beautiful. I look like a princess,” I tell her, trying to push down the lump of emotion in my throat.
Her eyes narrow on me, “Ella, we’ve talked about this. I didn’t make you look beautiful. You already are. Always have been inside and out,” she says, leaving no room for argument.
After what feels like forever, she claps her hands together, breaking us from the spell that we seemed to be under. “Okay, enough of that mushy shit. Listen up, Paul will drop you off at the club, Midnight Blue,” she says as she nods her head toward the bouncer standing by the door. “Here is your mask that you’ll need for the party. I’ll leave your bag here in the dressing room and you can change back into your clothes before you go home.”
I nod, listening to her directions as my fingers skim the gold mask that was handed to me. Amber put so much thought into these plans.
