85. Beautiful and Edible

Erica

It took close to an hour when they finished with my makeup and hair. One of them held out the tube of red lipstick for final touch up.

As I stood there taking in my reflection in the mirror, I tried to shrug off the tension coiling in my muscles. But it seemed that Antonio was hell bent on keeping me bare for the public eyes since he had brought me here. Before him, I had never worn anything like this. I preferred my full sleeved hoodies and loose pajamas, and if occasion called then something that would be socially acceptable but not these clothes that shouldn't be titled such. These looked something for someone who was proud of her body or confident in showing it off, I wasn’t either of those.

There was a soft knock on the bedroom door, making me jerk. But my shoulders went down when I saw it was just Ephraim. The feeling that went through me was half relief and half disappointment like I was hoping to see someone else. I shrugged that thought off and turned to face him.

Ephra