CHARMING OUR HAIRSTYLIST

ISLA The stage is sparkling and everyone is holding their breath patiently watching the nominations on a huge screen. A brief video of the actors and big shots whose hair I styled played, captivating all the guests and live stream viewers alike. The rest of my competitors' work seemed to pale in comparison to mine, I crossed my fingers as the host opened the envelope that held the winner's name. "And the award for the best hairstylist goes to ......." she paused, her eyes casting a long glance at the audience, a nice way of building up suspense. And she was successfully proven by the way my heart picked up speed in bumping blood. A thin sheet of sweat glimmered in my forehead and I nervously rubbed my palms on my dress. "And the winner is........ Splash! "MOMM," I jolted upright, dripping, the award snatched away for the third time this week "You woke me up again before I got the award and this time I wasn't even announced as the winner," I complained bitterly, wiping the water off my face. "Well if you are not ready and out of the house in thirty minutes, you might not even have a job as a hairstylist , forget about winning awards," Mom rolled her eyes and walked out of my room. "You are unbelievable!" I shouted after her as I got up roughly and walked to the bathroom. Once in the bathroom, I sped through my morning routine and rushed to my closet. I hurriedly wore a denim skirt and a white blouse and left the first button undone. I then removed the overnight curling sponges and let my hair cascade down my shoulders in beautiful curls. I brushed my hair and sprayed dry shampoo before brushing my hair then applied a red lipstick before sprinting out of the house with my pre packed handbag. I am grateful that I place everything I need into my bag the night before or else I would be so late now. I hopped into my car and smiled when I saw the lunchbox placed on the passenger seat. "I love you Mom," I shouted with a smile and drove away. Soon I arrived at our office and tried to walk in without letting my mentor notice. My mentor David Robinson is a world renown hairstylist. Rich and affluent people all over the world vie to be styled by him and it is nothing short of a miracle for me to be accepted first as his intern and then assistant in hairstyling. When I was hired by him in the interview, I felt years of hard work finally paid off. I have wanted to be a hairstylist since I was a little kid. I started with the dolls my mom bought me then my friends and classmates before working as a part-time hairstylist in a salon and finally going to college to study Cosmetology. "Good of you to finally grace us with your presence, cough cough, " a voice taunted sternly jolting me out of my thoughts. Startled, I turned to David and smiled sheepishly before realizing he looked pale. "What happened to you? David, are you feeling sick?" I asked worriedly walking towards him. He backed off and lifted a hand up gesturing for me to stop. "Don't come near me , I am down with the flu," he said, putting on a mask. "Follow me, you have an important task today," he continued walking towards his office. I nodded and trotted after him. Soon we were in his office and he signaled his personal assistant to leave before gesturing for me to sit in front of him. I took a seat in front of him and worriedly gazed at him but I refrained from saying any words of concern as that irritates David more than anything. "You have been working for me for two years now, right," he began after taking a sip of the glass of water placed in front of him. I nodded wordlessly and he continued, " I believe you have it in you to do extraordinary work and you are ready to do your first solo styling assignment." I sucked in a gust of air and looked at him excitedly. I have been working with David for two years and even though I have assisted him in styling many people, he has never allowed me to do it on my own. I almost thought I won't have the opportunity to style on my own for as long as I am working with David. But who knew I would finally have the opportunity so soon. "Don't be excited yet, because this is your make or break chance," he leaned back on his seat, "if the clients are satisfied with you then you will get to go solo with me backing you otherwise no need to come back to this office," he continued calmly. I nodded seriously, " I will make sure the clients are satisfied, this opportunity means the world to me ." He slid a blue file across the table to me, "Well ok then, this is the information of the clients." "You must have heard about the Hendrix quadruplets," he asked as I skimmed through the file. "Yes, I replied." The Hendrix quadruplets are the four sons of the wealthiest family in the country. They are the most eligible bachelors in the Country driving thousands of girls crazy with their different personalities and striking looks. "This evening they have a party to celebrate them taking over the business from their father and so you will style their hair and make them headlines throughout the country," he informed me calmly. "I promise I will not let you down," I reassured him seriously. "You better not, now go and prepare and make sure to arrive at exactly at 5 pm just like stated in the contract, " he said rubbing his temples. I closed the file and walked to the door happily. "Finally my chance to make it is here!!." I screamed inwardly. "Remember to arrive at exactly 5 pm,"David shouted after me. I nodded at him before walking out. I know he is worried about me going late as I sometimes come late to the office but he has nothing to worry about. Because I wasn't going to be late. Not today. In fact, I'd get there early and make the perfect first impression. What I didn't know was that arriving early wouldn't just change my career. It would change my life. If I knew what arriving early would make me walk into, I would just arrive on time, maybe even late!!!!