"Um, what are you doing here?" I questioned, seeing the unfamiliar man and about three ladies flocking around the living room.
There were several clothing racks, jewelry cases, makeup kits, and many other things my eyes couldn’t take in all at once, and it was colorful, a heavy contrast to the dark aesthetics.
The man whipped his head to me, and I noted his hair was dyed pink, and he had ear gauges and a nose ring.
"Oh my, Mrs. King!" he exclaimed, placing a hand on his chest in wonder, and I caught his beautiful nails that match his hair. "The pictures lie. You’re incredible."
I appreciate his compliment, but I’m still wondering what the heck he was doing here. I came to make cereal for breakfast, and I’m stunned to see there was company.
Did I step through a portal on my way down?
"Who are you?"
"Oh! Where are my manners? I’m June June. Your stylist for the Masquerade Ball. I can’t wait to transform this..." He emphasized to all of me. "To a star you only see once in a lifetime."
Masquerade Ball? Does he mean the same ball I know? W-We were attending?
"H-How did you come in?"
"Mr. King let me in."
"Did he?" I asked in shock. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. So we should get to work! No time to waste!" June pulled me along, and there was no escape for the next three hours.
They took my measurements, checked my hair, my shoe size, and my face. It felt as if I was under some sort of exhibition and the lights placed me in the spotlights.
They chatted, made jokes, tested a few jewelry pieces on me, and some samples.
"This, this, this! You’re so perfect!" he praised, snapping his fingers. "Bright that silk over here, and be very gentle with those rhinestones, they are Swarovski!"
My stomach growled.
He turned to me with a baffled expression. "Was that a beast?"
"I’m hungry!" I growled. "But I haven’t moved for the last hour because I’m seated like a sample."
He laughed as if I had made a joke before they dialed out completely, and he said with a far too serious expression. "I think it’s best to skip meals for the whole day, we need that stomach as perfect as it is now."
"What?!"
The sound of a sharp click-clack pulled my attention, and Athena emerged.
"Oh, look, the party has already started. What did I miss?"
"Athena!" June rushed to her, and they each gave air kisses.
"Mua! Mua!"
"You two know each other?" I asked, not having a good feeling about that.
"Yes! He’s my personal stylist, and you’re in big luck to be styled by the famous June."
Now that I think deeply about it, I think I have heard that name before. Tori watched the Gala once, and there was—!
My eyes widened. "As in June June?"
"Yes, darling," June said with a smug grin.
He styles celebrities! No wonder everything was over the top.
"I recommended him personally to Ares."
"Or I could have just gone to the mall to buy something. This is too much."
"A mall?" June placed a hand on his chest, as I had insulted him.
"Excuse us," Athena said to June.
"Ladies! Let’s work with what we have over here. There is no time, timeliness is our best friend!"
He gathered his assistants in a corner as they discussed the dresses, getting to work on the mannequin.
June was famous for his speed when it comes to styling, and I wasn’t surprised he was about to create one right one.
Athena came towards me and took off her sunglasses, revealing her steel blue eyes. "Is there something you wanna ask me? Ask."
"No. Your presence proves my day is gonna get only worse."
She rolled her eyes. "You sounded like you don’t like this when it’s the best you can get. Ares is never intentional, not until you."
"As much as that sounds terrifyingly sweet, I feel like this..." I motioned to everything that had turned the living room into a mini dress-up space. "It’s a way to keep me from going out."
"You catch on quite fast."
"So I’m right... that explains why I can’t leave this house without him."
It all made sense now. The past week, I only leave when Ares does.
"You see, after the accident, Ares is just being careful." She shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal.
"Yes, an accident," I clarified, "It’s not like I was targeted or something." I got off the stool, and the look in Athena’s face made me backtrack. "Was I targeted?"
She forced a smile on her lips. "What made you think of that?"
"Athena..."
"We have so much to do, and the ball is tonight. If you want Ares’ jaw to drop on the floor, you’d better look like a goddess. Of course, I’m the goddess, but I’ll let you take the title tonight. Capice?" She walked to June.
She deflected right there. What could she not want to tell me?
"I need to pee or something!" I pitched while walking up the stairs.
"Don’t take too long!"
Great! I’m gonna spend the entire day with them. I would rather work at the office and bear the pain of walking on those heels for hours or having a staple prick me.
I headed straight to Ares’ office, knowing he would be there. However, I slowed down my steps when I heard voices, and I neared the door, peeking at the crack.
Ares wasn’t alone.
Reed was present, and they were discussing something, and their voices were low and measured as if purposely done.
What are they talking about?
I angled my ear to catch anything.
"It’s getting harder to keep close tabs," Reed said.
Tabs? Was he spying on someone?
"Pull out. The security will be in full swing because of tonight," Ares said to him.
Reed nodded, and their conversation seemed to end there.
Gulping, I leaned away and knocked, pushing the door open.
"Mrs. King."
"Hey! Where have you been? I miss my bodyguard."
"I—"
"That will be all, Reed," Ares interrupted.
"Yes, Mr. King." He spared me a look before he left.
"He’s not your bodyguard anymore."