Chapter 6.

Averys POV

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I had just gotten out of the shower and was wrapping myself in a towel. The water had felt so good against my skin. I must have been in there for at least 30 minutes. At one point, I had to hold on to the wall so that I wouldn't fall asleep.

Once I got out of the bathroom, I was greeted by a woman in her 40’s. She had a big smile on her face and a long black dress, she pointed to a chair, and I assumed she wanted me to sit. 

I sat down on the chair and looked in the mirror placed in front of me.

”I'm Avery. What's your name?” I asked with a smile as I looked at her through the mirror.

Seeing as the woman didn't seem to make an effort to start a conversation, I took it upon myself instead of sitting in dead silence, which was too awkward and not an option.

”I'm Marlene. It's nice to meet you, Avery I’ve heard so much ab—” 

She went quiet and looked down and around as if she was about to say something she shouldn't have. I heard what she was about to say, however. When she was drying my hair with a dryer and brushing it, I licked my lips and carefully asked,”You’ve heard about me?” 

She froze and looked me in the eyes for about 3 seconds before shaking her head and forcing a smile before saying.

”Oh dear, I'm sorry I shouldn't speak out of place. I've only heard about the events of last night, but please do tell me some more about yourself.”

I realized that she changed the subject, but first I was too tired to care; secondly, it was none of my business,, and thirdly, it looked on her like she was scared of something happening if she miss spoke.

”Well, I'm 18 years old. I live with my parents and my younger sister, I was at a party last night where I met James, and now I am meeting his entire family….” I bowed my head, not wanting to tell her about my miserable love life or the fact that this was pretty much all that my life was. She looked at me with a small smile forming on her face and pity in her eyes as she started to stroke through my hair using her hands.

”Not too excited about dinner, huh?” She asked. I looked up at her in shock as I huffed and grinned at her.

” I don’t know why I agreed. It was like the moment his ha—” I stopped myself realizing what I was about to say to someone who works him. I pursed my lips together and bit my inner cheek, cursing myself. 

” He is quite charming. It isn't often he gets turned down, but he sure is happy about having you here Avery, he has been smiling all day.” She said while giving me a big smile.

Hearing that made me smile as well, and we mostly chatted about our lives after that, while Marlene fixed my hair, she curled and took the upper half of my hair and pinned it back. She then went ahead and started my makeup, I told her that I like it natural and she smiled as she continued. 

I learned that Marlene was 43 years old and she had a 20-year-old son who was in the army, she wouldn't get specific and I didn't prey. She had joined James's family when she was 23 after running away, they took her in and gave her a job as their go-to. She fixed things for the whole family, why she ran away was also a mystery, much about this woman was in fact a mystery, but I didn't mind, she was sweet and caring and I liked her. 

By the time we were done Marlene pointed to the bed where there laid a beautiful short white dress with an open back and lace around the belly, on the floor laid a pair of white and black high heeled stilettos and I turned to Marlene in shock with my mouth wide opened as I pointed to the shoes

”I can't walk in those ?! I’m gonna fall and break my face!”

She started giggling as she went to pick them up and held them out in front of me, I just looked at her and shook my head with a pout on my face, like a stubborn kid.

”Sweetheart listens to me, you're going to be fine. The secret to walking in heels is to walk like you own the place, you walk with a straight back, shoulders back and head up, this way you won't walk like you have a stick up your ass and also you won't wobble, I promise you.”

My disapproving look made Marlene laugh loudly as she told me to get ready.

”I will be back in 15 and take you to the dining hall.”

”Thank you.” I said with a forced smile as I waited for her to exit the room and close the door before I slid of the towel and placed it on the bed. I picked up the dress and slid it on, a little pull was needed seeing as I had a bit more curves than Amber, but still being careful so I didn't rip it. 

Lastly, I put on the high heel stilettos and made my way to the mirror. I stood there in awe as I saw myself, my dark brown hair perfectly pulled back and flowing beautifully down my back, framing my face well. The makeup making my hazelnut eyes stand out and the dress showing my curves like no other dress ever had. 

After 15 minutes Marlene came back as promised and told me I looked beautiful as she took my hand and led me out of the room towards a staircase, as I walked down I saw James and his entire family watching me from the floor beneath me, my eyes locked with James and I could've worn my heart stopped for a second. I felt my cheeks getting warm and flustered, I tried to look away but to no use, I couldn't take my eyes off him.

He was wearing a grey suit with a white shirt underneath and his hands clasped together in his front. His muscular body showed through the suit and I thought the suit was about to be ripped off. His face, his body, his stance, it was as if he was created by the gods themselves. I couldn't help but feel the tingles again as I reached closer to the final step.

As I was about to take my final step, to no surprise, my heel got caught in the carpeting on the stairs and I flew forward. 

I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the impact, already wincing from the pain before it had been distributed.

But before I could wallow in pain, I felt two strong arms hold me up and I was certain that I was going to die of embarrassment, I looked up to see a grin on James face as he leaned in and whispered in my ear 

”If you want, I can lie and tell you that no one saw?”

I quickly took back my arms and shook my head, I pulled down my dress and looked around at James' family's worried faces. Amber quickly spoke up, saving me from more humiliating stares and the need to explain that I was fine. 

”Perhaps we should just get to the dining hall and have dinner?” She said and everyone agreed so we started walking towards the dining hall, me and James walking behind everyone, he still had that grin on his face and I just rolled my eyes at him.

Well, what is it they say about first impressions? I think I made mine pretty memorable.