章 32: Chapter 32

Paige turned around in the room to find Beverly there, unpacking one of her suitcases. She looked at it and luckily it wasn't the one with her safe.

"Hello, Beverly, how have you been?" Paige asked. Beverly looked shocked and then smiled.

"Miss Everett, I have been well. It is a pleasure to serve you again. I was told Master Donovan had asked you to stay indefinitely and I asked to be assigned to assist you," she said cheerfully.

"I'm glad you've been well. Beverly, please only unpack that suitcase. The second one is just in case and I don't want it unpacked to pack it back up," Paige said, trying to sound casual. She wasn't lying; it was just in case. She just let them assume what the actual scenario for that suitcase was.

"Of course, Miss Everett. I also placed a robe and some towels for you in the bathroom so that you could shower. The team that is going to come and help you get ready will be here soon," Beverly said, bowing her head slightly.

"Beverly, please call me 'Paige'. Thank you for the towels and the warning. I'll go shower now," Paige said, heading into the bathroom. She went inside and locked the door behind her. She quickly grabbed the toiletry bag and got her necessities out and turned the water on after she placed them inside the shower. The water warmed instantly and Paige went inside. She examined the burns on her chest. She was told that they would go away, but she was self-conscious of them. 'Oh well, it can't be helped. It was either burns or death, and I choose burns,' she thought. She quickly showed and dryer herself off, getting into her robe. There was a knock at the door.

"Miss Paige, the team is here," came Beverly's voice. Paige unlocked the door and was slightly shocked at the amount of people in the room. She let them in the bathroom and they had her sit in a chair and started setting up. Her feet were placed in a basin, someone was putting something in her hair and another person was putting her hand in warm water. Paige felt overwhelmed and tried her best to be helpful in her positioning.

"Hi sweetheart, we met when I did your makeup last time. For your hair, I see you hair this beautiful natural curl, but what about styling it straight today?" she asked nicely.

"If you'd like? It takes me a lot of time, so I normally don't," Paige said hesitantly.

Bridget's eyes lit up. "Oh, I am so excited for this. We're doing it," she said excitedly, grabbing a large round brush and her blow dryer then getting to work.

"Thanks, Bridget," Paige said, trying to keep her hands, feet and head in the right place. She just stayed still and moved when someone wanted her to.

"Miss? What color would you like?" asked one of the women doing her nails. She had a tray of colors out. Paige's eyes instantly went to a deep red shade. It seemed like it was calling her, but she didn't know why.

"How about the deep red?" Paige suggested.

"Of course, Miss. Do you want a design? I can mix in some other colors that compliment the shade," she asked.

"Sure. Surprise me," Paige said. This was overwhelming, but kind of nice. She appreciated their effort and the fact that she didn't have to do this.

Bridget blocked the mirror from Paige's view while she finished her hair with a straightener. The ladies that had done her nails were finished and Paige thanked them repeatedly. Her nails looked really cool with silver, black and white patterns on one, white with deep red and silver swirls on another and the deep red on all of the others. Her toes matched.

Bridget and Paige decided that a classic wing eyeliner look with some shimmer beige eyeshadow would be best for makeup. Bridget also convinced Paige to go with a deep red lip to match her nails. Paige asked her if she could conceal the burns, and Bridget obliged.

"There, all done," she said, smiling. She moved away from the mirror and Paige gasped. Her hair was straight with loose waves at the end. It was silky smooth and almost looked black. Her makeup was flawless and accentuated her features magnificently.

"I look amazing! Thank you so much, Bridget!" Paige said excitedly, getting up and hugging her.

"Of course, sweetheart. Make sure you call me for any other big events," she said with a wink. "They have outfits in the other room for you."

Paige walked into the other rooms and it looked like a small boutique was set up in their. There were a variety of dresses, shawls, coats, shoes and handbags displayed for her. An attendant stepped forward.

"Hello, Miss Everett. I'm here to help you pick an outfit," the woman said. She eyed Paige's makeup and went to one of the racks of dresses and started pulling a few out. She displayed them on an empty rack near Paige. "May I suggest you start with these? Though any of our dresses would suit you, those I think may be best for tonight. They have a very classic cut that would compliment your makeup and hairstyle well."

"Thank you," Paige said, looking at the dresses. She looked through them and settled on a strapless chiffon bodycon dress that had a corset top. It looked like it would cut off a little higher than her knees. "I'm going to try this one on," she said.

"I suggest these undergarments with that dress," the attendant said, quickly handing Paige a lacy, black strapless bra with a matching thong. Paige took the undergarments from the attendant and hurried into the closet. She changed and put on the dress. She couldn't manage the back, though, so she opened the door and asked the attendant to assist her. The attendant made quick work of the back, pretending not to notice Paige's scars or just not paying attention, and let Paige look at herself in the mirror.

"If I may be so bold, Miss Everett, you look amazing. Honestly, you have an amazing figure and would look good in anything, but this accentuates your figure very well," she gushed. Paige looked at her and smiled.

"Thank you. That's very sweet of you. Do you have some heels for this? Height is the one thing I lack," Paige said laughing.

"Of course. I think a strappy heel will go really well with that dress," she said rushing to the shoe rack. She brought a few pairs over and Paige selected a pair of black heels that looped over her toes and then crisscrossed up her foot until they looped around her ankle. They were about 4 inches high and she could walk in them. The attendant helped her choose a black chiffon clutch with silver embellishments and a long black coat. She then opened the door and a man came in with jewelry boxes. The attendant selected a pearl choker with a diamond clasp and matching earrings. She put these on Paige and had Paige look at herself in the floor length mirror.

"Thank you so much! I look great!" Paige said, shaking her hand. The woman smiled and handed her a business card.

"Come by any time. Mr. Donovan has become my best customer in the past few days because of you," she said smiling. Paige looked at her confused but she exited the room. Arthur was outside of the door and entered after the attendant left.

"Miss Everett, Master Donovan is waiting for you at the base of the main staircase, whenever you are ready," he said formally, bowed and exited the room. Paige grabbed her normal purse and threw her phone, wallet, compact and the lipstick Bridget left her inside. She took a breath and opened the door, excited to face Nathaniel. She hoped that he didn't know what hit him.