Chapter 7

SIX YEARS LATER

“It looks gorgeous!” Freya Evergreen had a broad smile on her face when she saw her make-up. Her smoky eyes, defined cheekbones, and nude shade lipstick offered a rich as well as attractive allure.

She turned to me, her smile remaining. “I love your work! If you weren't such a busy bee, I would have hired you as my personal makeup artist.”

I chuckled, skimming my finger through the dark strands of her hair. She was ready to walk the runway and I was glad my job was almost done. I checked the time on my watch, my anticipation growing. One more hour and I'll be done.

"Luna! Need your assistance here!" Josh Murray, the virtuoso of design world called. I pardoned myself from Freya and advanced toward Josh. The behind the stage region was ablaze. Models were basically running, along with their stylists.

“Contrasting, not too bold and colorful. Okay?” he acquainted. I nodded with a smile and he went for the other model. It was Josh's big day today. He was launching his most anticipated collection of the year. I assessed the model, taking my time to decide what color would blend well with her skin and also, it should compliment the dress she wore.

“Dry skin type?” I asked her. Her brown eyes met mine and she shook her head. “Oily actually.”

"Got it." I picked the right base, the right tone of foundation and my cosmetics blender. I worked preferable with the blender rather over a brush.

“Luna!” Josh yelled again and I fastened my work, making sure the makeup was perfect.

“Close your eyes and lean back” I instructed the model and she obeyed. The murmurs inside the room packed with people seemed to fade when I worked, dabbing dots of foundation all over her face and neck. With the help of a beauty blender, I smoothed the layer. Her bronze skin glowed.

I was mostly done when Josh's voice boomed once more. I moaned inside, keeping myself quiet. He may be a major name in the style business, and a God when it came to fashion, however, this man was some of the time an aggravation in ass.

"I'm practically finished!" I hollered back, keeping my eyes focused on her face as I applied a highlighter to her cheekbones.

Ten minutes more, she was done. “Part your lips a little,” I said, coasting the pencil lipstick on the blueprint of her pouty lips.

“Josh! Have a look!” I called him, searching for him in a room where more than forty people dwelled, all doing their jobs in a hurry. Josh appeared magically from my behind and examined my work for a minute before giving me a thumbs up.

“The show is going to start in ten minutes and the models aren't even ready! Goodness God, I am blowing a gasket!"

“You got this, Josh! Take deep breaths and flush out the negativity. Everything will be ready in time” I assured him. Even though it wasn't his first time, he seemed apprehensive as if it was his first time. Josh Murray had done runways all over the world.

I remembered the first time I met him four years ago. He appeared intimidating but with time, I discovered he was the complete opposite. We weren't friends but we worked better than before.

“Yeah.” He spruced up his geometric design tie and led me to the last and final model to do her makeup. Gosh, where were Lily and Mandy? They were my assistants, yet I was the one to do it all. “Are you nervous? Wager not” I prodded the model named Darcy McEwen.

Her eyes were closed since I started with her eye makeup first. “Oh dear, I am practically floating” she quipped.

Ten minutes later, I watched as the models stood in a straight line, ready to hit the runway with Josh standing beside them. The announcement started and one by one, the ten models made their way to the front hall.

“Oh god, how debilitating!" Mandy thudded on the seat, letting out a tedious breath. I positioned an eyebrow at her.

Seriously? What did she do anyway?

“Where were you?” I questioned, folding my arms before my chest. It was only us and a few of the stylists left to collect accessories that were needed.

“Working, where else?” she shrugged, avoiding my gaze. Lily appeared guilty as if she was conscious that it was a lie. I chose them because I thought they were capable, and that they would help me when needed. They made me realize I didn't have good observant skills.

“Don't forget you are my assistants. You were supposed to help me. I was looking for you two” my voice was firm, and the frustration from prior was rising. "Tell me, Mandy. Why did you come here?"

She sat straight, gnawing her lower lip as she mumbled something. "I came to work. To acquire insight."

“And what were you doing?”

“We were doing our job. Ask Lily. Kimberly Hale asked us to get her manager while we were doing her makeup. I denied in light of the fact that clearly it wasn't my work, however, she started to yell at me” Mandy said, a flicker of anger marking her expression. “So we went to get her manager who for fuck's heaven he was on the fifteenth floor!”

I eyed Lily, asking her if what Mandy said was true or not. She bobbed her head, her ponytail bouncing. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Alright. But if something like this happens, notify me first, okay?”

“Yes, Ma'am!”

_

I was never letting Mandy sit beside me on a plane. Ever! That girl literally sat on my lap rather than on her seat. God, I was drained. Three hours of the flight made the muscles in my body sore but I was happy to be back. With a smile on my face, I unlocked the door and pushed it in.

“I'm home!” I singsonged. Removing my heels which fucked my soles badly, I sauntered into the living room, passing the front hall. The living room was empty. I dropped my satchel and the packages on the blue couch, going to the kitchen.

“Darling, where are you?” my voice was loud enough to be heard by anyone in this house. No sound.

The kitchen was vacant too so my last resort was to check his room. I should have known he would be in his room. Reaching his room, I noticed the room's door slightly open and heaved a sigh. “Darling” I called again, snickering in my head because I knew he must be rolling his eyes right now.

Pushing the door open, my eyes landed on my cute son who sat on the bed, his eyes glued to the iPad. He had headphones, so that's why he didn't answer me. Wait, he was talking to someone.

He noticed my presence and smiled wide. Peeling off his headphones, he came to hug me tightly. “You are back, Mommy!”

I giggled, planting kisses on his face. I love him so much.

“You are here at the right time, Mommy. Aunt Amelia is on the call” he said. “She wants to talk to you.” Nice one, boy.

“I have gifts for you. Go check in the living room” I ruffled his jet black hair. Before leaving, he gave a peck on my cheeks when I crouched to match his height.

After he left, I grabbed the iPad and the familiar face of my best friend greeted me. “No wonder, Jaime left!” she pouted, before breaking into a smile. “So how are you, Missy Busy?”

“Don't ask me that question anymore” I rolled my eyes, lying on the bed. I haven't slept in twenty hours, worked continuously for fifteen hours and the moment my back touched the soft mattress, I never felt this relief. “How are you? Wait, why do you have that stupid grin on your face?”

My curiousity developed the more her grin extended. She said nothing however rather showed me her hand, which at first felt typical however at that point I took note. My eyes zeroed on that sparkly stone that was nestled on her ring finger.