Kimmie's Awakening: Desire For Two Mates

Chapter Four

I awoke the next morning with a groan. I almost rolled over to let sleep overtake me again when the ball popped into my mind. I cracked open one of my eyes to glare at my digital clock and realized that it was 7:45 in the morning.

Remembering that my hair and nail appointments were at 9:30, I jumped up from the bed and ran into the shower. For some reason, I wanted to look my best at the ball, so I took the time to shave everything necessary. Today was a big day for Tara and I should look my best since I was her employee. I brushed my teeth and left my hair to air dry.

Wrapped in a towel, I walked to my room to dress but paused when I saw myself in the mirror. My oval-shaped face held wide hazel eyes and a bow-shaped mouth that had a slightly larger top lip. My nose was somewhat pointed, and light freckles dusted my nose and cheeks. I had wavy auburn hair that clung to my neck and face. I stood at an average 5'6 with a slim frame. I had slight curves but most of my weight lingered around my thighs and hips. I wasn't sickly but I did get comments about how I needed to eat more during puberty. I shook my head at such memories.

I dressed in seamless, nude underwear, leggings, and a flannel. I figured if I was to wear such an elegant dress then I didn't need to go all out on my underwear. I quickly scarfed down a bowl of cereal and grabbed my keys and purse to leave the house.

As soon as my hand was on my door handle, my phone rang. I answered without looking at the caller I.D.

"Hello?"

"Kimmie? It's Tara."

"What's going on? Did something go wrong? Did you need my help?"

"I'm sorry this is so last second but I won't be able to help you get ready today. I don't have the time. The florist is running late, and the caterer called to make a last-second menu change." Tara spoke loudly on the phone as I heard numerous voices in the background.

"Uh, don't worry about it, Tara. You have bigger things to handle." I answered. Since she was no longer helping me, I did wonder how I was going to put on that dress all by myself.

"I can call Anna and Sebastian. They made the dress so they know how to put you in it." She said as she shouted to someone else.

"I don't kn-"

"Kimberly, you and I both know that you barely wear dresses as it is. You will struggle like a newborn trying to roll over. I will call you once I have spoken to them" She hung up before I could say anything back to her.

I sighed in frustration, but I knew there was nothing I could do but obey her. I turned back to the room to grab the dress bag and then locked up my apartment. Despite my emotions, I made sure to carefully place the dress in the backseat. It was too beautiful to wrinkle.

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Around 5:15 in the afternoon, I sat outside of the 'Stitch and Fix' shop. I decided to get a French manicure and pedicure with the salon spa special. I was irked at the nail salon and figured that I should pamper myself accordingly since it was on Tara's dime. I then met with the hairstylist. She was around my age and very friendly. She trimmed a couple of inches and natural highlights. She curled my hair and then pinned it into a loose updo. My hair not only looked gorgeous but also healthy and vibrant. She went on to do my makeup but went with a more natural look. I made sure to leave her a generous cash tip. After seven hours and two granola bars later, it was time for the final piece: the gown.

Carefully cradling the dress bag, I exited my car and lightly jogged to the entrance door of the shop.

"Kimmie!" Anna squealed as she closed the cash register. Sebastian waved from the other side of the store while speaking to a client.

"I'm so sorry to do this to you at the last second." I apologized but Anna waved it off.

"No need. I'm going to see my creation being worn on the actual day of the event. Come," She said as she began to walk ahead of me. I followed quietly. Once we were in the changing room, she got to work. Although I hated to admit it, it was much easier getting the gown on with help than if I did it alone.

Once every button was fastened, she led me to the platform. I finally raised my eyes to look at myself. I almost didn't recognize myself. I was still me but I seemed more elegant. Almost as if I were a princess.

"Do you have the shoes with you?" Anna asked beside me.

I wanted to slap myself. How could I forget? What was I going to do? Walk around barefoot?

"Don't fret," Anna turned to comfort me, "I'm sure we have something here you can borrow. What is your shoe size?"

"Anna, please you've done enough for me already."

"Oh, hush. Now is not the time to moan and groan. The ball begins in about thirty minutes. Shoe size?" She raised her eyebrow at me. Daring me to argue with her.

"Seven," I breathed out defeated.

"I thought so," I turned to see Sebastian holding a pair of pumps covered in crystals. Sebastian lifted the gown as Anna knelt to help place the shoes on my feet. The heel was not too high yet comfortable. My pedicure was showing in the open-toed shoes.

Now I truly felt like a princess.

"You look beautiful, Kimmie."

Both Anna and Sebastian smiled at me through the mirror. He wrapped an arm around her waist as they stepped away from me.

"Thank you both so much! I have to repay you somehow." I honestly could not take such kindness without giving something in return. I have butted into their business a lot and they had been nothing but gracious to me.

"Promise me one thing then," Anna asked, "Keep yourself open tonight and follow your heart. It won't steer you wrong." Although I didn't understand her message, I nodded my head. It was a simple life lesson. I could follow that.