Page 64 (1/2)

The dressests that I try on all three dresses, but I already knohich one I want She helps me put on the pink dress and positions th mirror The dress looks as if it wereup the heh-heeled silver sandals and aThe outfit is perfect

After pinning the hem, she helps me remove the shoes and the dress I put on a robe over my underwear and installroom for the makeup trial that follows next

The makeup is heavier than what I usually wear, but the black eyeliner, smoky eyeshadow, and nude lipstick are suitable for a for The hairdresser takesdown my neck When the makeup artist and hairdresser are done and ask if I’m satisfied with the end result, Lena translatesthem I’m very happy They both wear broad smiles as they pack up their equipment

Lena stands at attention like a dru room while they clip their cases closed She watches my reflection in the mirror as I wipe off the makeup with cotton swabs I don’t want to be rude, but the way she’s studying me makes me uncomfortable

“I won’t keep you any longer,” I say, trying to dis”

She lifts her chin “I suppose grace is inherited and can’t be learned”

I pause with my hand in midair “Excuse me?”

The ladies wave and take their leave A guard waits outside the door to escort the their cases and persons searched before entering and exiting the house, they don’t show it

When it’s just Lena and own and subtler makeup would’ve been more appropriate”

I pull ht “I liked the way I looked”

“Well” She sniffs “Just make sure you don’t e, “The whole of Russia will be watching the event”

“You can go now,” I say in a fir an effort to be polite

“You’re not done yet” She waves a hand toward the door “What about the beautician?”

My se”

“As you wish,” she says, turning on her heel and leaving

I’m definitely not Lena’s choice of a partner for Alex I suppose not being from royal ancestry doesn’t help

The beautician has already set up her ivese After aparty

It’s not quite noon, but the sky is gray and it’s snowing outside Once again alone in the big house with no patients to treat, I put on my swimsuit and do a few laps in the pool When I surface for air after swi underwater, I come face to face with a pair of fancy black dress shoes