“Dean is not unkind. He has the ability to love just as strongly; he is just scared of letting himself go.”
I wasn’t sure why she was pleading Dean’s case so strongly, but it didn’t matter. How could I go back to hating a little boy that had found his mother’s body? A little boy who had grown up much faster than he was supposed to.
“Okay, lets stop with all the sadness. Today is supposed to be a happy day.”
“Where to?” I asked, forcing a smile, but my thoughts were already on all those nights Dean had tried to open my door. I’d watched the handle dip down slowly. My body had reacted to that every night. My pussy had pulsed and my nipples had hardened, but I’d kept it locked. But maybe I shouldn’t have. Maybe I should have let him use me as an outlet. It had not been bad when he’d used me. I’d enjoyed it until the end, until hearing his cruel, belittling words.
“Opal?”
I blinked and looked at Lea who was standing beside me.
“Sorry, what?”
“Where did you go?” she asked with concern.
“Nowhere interesting.” I stood up. “What did you say?”
“I said it’s time for our mani-pedi and make-up session.”
“Oh!” Now I felt a surge of excitement. “I’ve never had my make-up done before.”
“It’s going to be fun.” She extended her arm for me to take. “Lets go.”
We sat across each other in a dimly lit room. A rainforest tapestry hung on the wall and a rainforest soundtrack played above. It was completely relaxing.
“You know,” she said as the woman started to paint my fingernails red. “You’ll have to tell him the truth eventually.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, looking up. I was unable to see her face though as a woman was standing in front of her, doing her make-up.
“That you’re not Opal,” she said with such an even tone that it sounded like she was making casual conversation rather than dropping the biggest secret I’ve ever had.
“I - I -” I stuttered. “How?” I finally asked. I couldn’t insult her further.
“I’m a psychotherapist and you have none of the normal addicts tells. You have never been an addict. I’m guessing you’ve never even taken any drugs.” She sighed. “You’re also much too reserved and shy to be a sex worker. A simple compliment makes you blush.”
The woman doing my nails looked at me curiously before starting to work on my nails again.
“But I've seen how fiercely you love that child. He is like your son and he looks a little like you. Who are you?”
I closed my eyes as silent tears started to fall down my cheeks. I was going to lose my boy. “I’m Amber, Opal's younger sister.” Despite my state of despair, it felt good to come clean. Lea liked me. Maybe she could help me see him when Dean took him away.
“Where’s Opal?” she asked.
I took a deep breath. “She’s dead. She died of infection a couple of weeks after giving birth.”
“I’m sorry, Amber.”
I was glad I could not see her. If I could see in her eyes the compassion I heard in her voice, I would break down.
“Why did Dean think you were Opal?” she asked.
“I - I’m not sure. But he did and I panicked. Opal’s name was not really Collins. We don’t have the same father, but she’d used that name. I -” I sighed, looking down at the woman working on my nails.
“I won’t tell him.”
“Why?”
“Because I understand why you’re doing it and because I like you. But you have to tell him.”
I closed my eyes. “But what if he takes Timmy from me?”
“Do you know why my brother is horrible to you?”
I didn’t reply. I figured it was because he blamed me for his brother's death, as he has repeated a million times.
“He hates that he doesn’t hate you. He loathes that he cares.” She chuckled. “I saw it that night, the jealousy. It’s so evident and you’re both so clueless. I always thought Dean needed a strong-willed woman to beat him into shape, but I might have been wrong. Maybe he needs someone soft and gentle - someone that will make him more careful and appeal to his fierce protectiveness… Someone like you... And more specifically, you.”
I wanted to deny it, to say it was ridiculous, but the idea of Dean being jealous… Of Dean wanting me... My stomach felt like it was hosting a million butterflies. I just wasn’t sure I could survive a man like him.
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
“I know you don’t and he doesn’t either.” When the make-up woman moved from my face, I looked at Lea. Her hair was styled in nice waves over her shoulders and her make-up was very discreet, only enhancing her natural beauty. She smiled at me. “I just hope he will figure it out before it’s too late.”
I simply nodded because I was not certain what she meant.
I turned toward the mirror and couldn’t believe that the beautiful woman looking back at me was actually me.
“You made me beautiful,” I whispered to the woman responsible. She bowed with a smile.
Lea came to stand behind me. “No, she didn’t. She made you sophisticated, yes, but not beautiful. You were beautiful before, Amber. You are and always will be beautiful.”
Turning toward her, I pulled her into a hug. “Thank you for this beautiful day and for not being mad at me for lying to Dean.”
She rubbed my back. “Of course I’m not mad. You were scared and fear makes you do things you never thought you would do, and now there’s even more at stake.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, pulling out of her hug.
“I see the way you look at him.” She sighed. “But this day is not done, my lovely girl. Now it’s time to go find a dress that will bring my brother to his knees.
I shook my head. “Oh, no, no. I have a dress. It’s the one I wore at dinner and Timmy -”
She rested her forefinger on my lips. “No. You will have a beautiful dress and you will shine just like you deserve to.” She winked at me. “Mrs. James and Dean are with Timmy. The kid is fine, but give them a call if you want.”
Lea's excitement for the evening was spreading to me. I was so relaxed but one thought followed me all day, on every stop we made.
What would Dean Beaumont think when he sees me tonight?
I was getting restless. Forced to make idle conversation with the people congratulating me for the achievement, all I could do was nod as I scanned the room, looking for Lea and Opal.
Lea had texted me a couple of hours ago, warning me that they would probably be late, but the party had started almost an hour ago.
I was not comfortable with Opal being with Lea and telling her all the things I've said and done.
I turned toward the door again. As a vision in red walked into the room, all the air left my lungs. I didn't notice if Lea was there too. To be honest, I didn’t notice anything or anyone.
All I could see was Opal, dressed in a silky red off-shoulder, pin-up pencil dress, which molded her body like a second skin.
I was mesmerized. Instantly dropping the conversation I was having with one of the board members, I left to meet her at the doors.