Taming Cinderella

Chapter 7 : Manicures and happiness! :)

Ella:

I was counting days until the 31st of December, absolutely nothing was affecting me, neither work nor Mary’s jibes nor Bridget’s obsession with being Mrs. Holt.

Fridays in December were equivalent to actual holidays with no-one responding to calls or emails. As I end another business development call, Helen whistles signaling over for lunch. Popping a fry into her mouth, Helen orgasmically concluded, “I have died and gone to heaven!”

“You will in a few years if you continue eating fast food” I replied chewing on a bunch of dressed lettuce leaves amongst baby tomatoes, olives and feta cheese.

“Yeah yeah, my new resolution is to go vegan!! What about your's?” she exclaimed, rolling her eyes.

“Getting a permanent contract with Accent would be great!, but if not, I might be getting engaged this weekend...Eeeeeee! I squealed with excitement.

Helen’s expressions suddenly grew tense, “Ella, you do realize that you’re treading on choppy waters, don’t you?” she said, wiping her mouth with a napkin and placing it on the table.

“I might be, but for the moment can you please please be happy for me?” I replied, joining my hands and praying to her.

She smiled reluctantly nodding, “If that’s what you want, I am happy for you!”

Later that night, I was completing Beatrice’s project on the photosynthetic process, when all of a sudden Mary barged into my room. She sat on my bed and examined the surrounding tiny space with deep interest, she then narrowed her eyes asking, “So, Ella what are your plans for this week?”

I tilted my face towards the window staring into the blue skies, “It looks like this year isn’t for me Mary! Joe is still being treated at the hospital and might be discharged by next week so I shall probably visit him in the morning!”

I lied through my teeth because I was sure she would’ve found ways to ruin my special night had I told her about Joe’s proposal. I would make up something later on the day to go out.

“Oh you poor little thing, that’s really sad, can I do anything for you?” she said without meaning it of course.

“Not really! If you need something let me know, I’m home all week!” I pretended to look as depressed as I could.

“Awwww there is so much work to be done but since you’re feeling so low, you can take this weekend off to feel better in the spirit of the season. Bridget will be sleeping over at her friends’ as she has to prepare for an important event. Me and Beatrice are going to visit the Dunphy’s in the Hamptons to celebrate New Years’. We shall be back by Monday.”

Mr.Andrew Dunphy was a rich widowed entrepreneur based in the Hamptons and Mary was on the hunt for a third husband. With her out on most weekends, it looked like Mr.Dunphy had bitten the bait.

“I would take you along as well but you don’t really fit into the high class society you know” she sneered sympathetically. 

“I know, don’t worry about me, I will be alright, you go enjoy yourself!” I replied just as sweetly as her, rejoicing mentally that the entire house was going to be mine for the weekend :)

The following morning, I got up earlier than usual, feeling so elated I scream out loud after it further dawns on me that nobody’s home . Mary won’t barge in shouting orders at me. This was my house again and today was the 31st, my first anniversary with my first boyfriend! Joe had hinted he had a huge surprise for me in store.

I imagined how the whole night was going to pan out. He would pop a ring into our glass of champagne and when I would find it in my last gulp, he would get up and go down on one knee in front of everybody and ask me to marry him!! I cry softly even thinking about it!

After brushing my sparkling white teeth, I drop in for a shower. I want to pamper myself to the hilt today and look super special for the dinner tonight. After pouring in some bath-salts, I soak my Five feet six inch body in the tub and lather myself with The Body Shop’s Tea-Tree Shower Gel. 

“Hmmmmm, this will help rub off all of Mary’s antics and last week’s gruelling office schedule. Thank God, Joe works in her team, dating your colleague does have it’s benefits. He understood my workload, virtues and the situation at home.” 

Dating someone with virtues in the 21st century especially in New York was definitely not as easy anymore. My friends would claim relationships don’t work if it lacks s*x. I would call it lack of commitment. I had seen how several of my girlfriends were dumped after one night stands or even long-term relationships after giving up their virtues.

“If someone truly loved me, they would rightfully propose and then we would consummate our marriage.” No matter what Helen said, I had found that someone in Joe, I mattered more to him than just my body. This is why he did not force me to get physical with him again after the file room incident.

See? I would be lost in my own thoughts for hours if left to my own devices. I look at my badly chipped nails and realize how badly I needed a manicure especially tonight, after we changed our relationship status on social media.

I quickly head out of the shower and slip into a plain white tee and distressed blue jeans, my staple go to outfit and a life saver. Once I’m dressed I wear my comfy wedges and comb through my long curly dark-brown hair. The weather seems fine, it’s warm and bright so my hair will dry itself in no time. I need a hair serum though to not look like a floor-mop!

We lived in a fairly modern neighbourhood so all the convenience stores, salons, restaurants are in close proximity to each other. As soon as I enter the salon, I see Daisy, my favourite manicurist and psychologist, every girl needs to have one.

Daisy was my mother’s best friend and soul-sister. Mary never lent even a single cent to me. After college, I worked part-time at her salon to afford my day-to-day expenses. She was quite a business savvy lady and even had a designer boutique besides her salon.

“Good afternoon Miss Ella,” she says with an endearing smile.

“One quick French manicure Dr.Daisy” I replied back with a huge smile. This day was going to be beyond awesome :)