Chapter 10
1593 Words
ARIA
The receptionist’s words felt unreal. I stared at her for a moment, certain I had misheard. “She… she will?”
“Yes,” she said with a small smile. “Go on before she changes her mind.”
I whispered a quick thank-you and hurried toward the office but stopped just before the door. My heart was racing too fast. I didn’t want to walk in looking frantic or frightened. I took a slow breath, pressed my palms against my dress to smooth it out, lifted my chin, and gently pushed the door open.
Rose Miller sat behind her desk, composed and elegant. Her gaze lifted toward me, expressionless.
“Good morning, ma,” I said, trying to sound calm. “Thank you for agreeing to see me again. I’m grateful.”
She rested her elbows on the desk. “Do not misunderstand,” she said in a steady voice. “I did not reconsider because of you. I agreed because I am a public figure, and it would reflect poorly on my brand if I treated a young applicant harshly in front of witnesses. That is the only reason you are standing here.”
The truth stung a little, but I nodded. “Yes, ma. I understand.”
“You will not have my trust,” she continued, “until your work earns it. And earning it will require discipline, skill, and consistency. Not excuses.”
“I will do my best,” I said, meeting her eyes. “And I will not fail you.”
She studied me for a moment, then gestured toward the chair. “Sit.”
I sat down carefully.
“Tell me,” she said, “why did you choose makeup? There are far easier careers.”
I took a breath. “Because makeup has always felt like a language to me. I like the way people’s faces brighten when they see themselves after a transformation." I was already smiling. "I like helping them feel new, even if it’s only for a short moment. It makes me feel useful.”
She did not smile, but her eyes softened slightly. “What do you hope to achieve?”
“I want to learn from people who understand this craft deeply,” I said. “I want to stand on my own feet and build something that belongs to me. I want to grow in a field that feels natural to me.”
She leaned back, fingers tapping lightly against her armrest. “Ambition is good. But ambition without steady work collapses immediately. We will see how well you handle pressure.”
I nodded.
She stood, then said, “Follow me.”
I followed her through the hallway. She walked with confidence, and it felt as though she expected everyone around her to keep up or fall away. Still, I was excited and privileged to be walking alongside my role model, who was now going to become my mentor.
We stepped into the main studio space. Brushes, palettes, models, and mirrors filled the room. Several mentees were already practicing on clients.
“Everyone,” Rose said, her tone commanding yet calm, “this is Aria. She will be joining the mentorship on Monday.”
People looked up, some curious, some friendly. Benny smiled widely and waved, and her friend beside her lifted his hand with an easy grin. Their warmth steadied my nerves.
I smiled back. “Hello. I’m Aria. I can’t wait to learn with all of you.”
We moved on, and Rose guided me to the product room. Shelves of palettes and foundations lined the walls.
“These are the products we use and study,” she said. “Learn their textures, formulas, and purposes. A good artist understands their tools.”
We moved to the sales section next. Staff were busy helping customers choose products.
“This area is where you will learn customer engagement,” she said. “Respect, communication, confidence. All three matter.”
“Yes, ma.”
She turned toward me. “Explore the building. Familiarize yourself with the environment. Mentorship begins on Monday, and I expect punctuality.”
“I will not be late again,” I said.
Without another word, she walked away.
When she disappeared down the hallway, a long, shaky breath escaped my chest. I turned and walked quickly back into the main workspace. Benny and her friend waved excitedly when I came near them.
“So you did it,” Benny said, smiling. “I’m proud of you.”
I laughed softly. “Thank you. Your kindness earlier helped more than you think.”
Before Benny could answer, the atmosphere in the room changed. A cold hush passed through the space. I turned and saw a tall woman stepping inside. She wore sharp heels and carried herself like someone used to having power. Her expression was controlled, distant, and unwelcoming.
Benny leaned toward me slightly and whispered, “Oh no. Here comes the devil." She quickly stood up straight and continued working on the face of the model in front of her.
The woman walked straight toward us. She didn’t slow or look around. She stopped in front of me and folded her arms.
“You,” she said. “Why are you standing here doing nothing?”
I tried to answer politely. “I just joined today, so I…”
She raised her hand sharply, cutting me off. “Being new is not an excuse to be idle. You should know how to attach yourself to someone who can guide you.”
“I am attaching myself to someone,” I replied calmly. “I’m standing with her.” I gestured boldly toward Benny.
The room went silent. Even the brushes seemed to stop moving.
The woman’s eyebrows lifted slightly, shocked that I had replied. But she said nothing. She simply turned away with a stiff posture and walked off.
Benny stared at me, her eyes wide. “Oh no,” she whispered. “You are in trouble now.”
Her friend, who was beside her, nodded. “She doesn’t like being corrected. Not by anyone.”
I blinked, confused. “Who is she?”
“You’ll find out soon,” Benny whispered nervously.
---
When the day ended, the three of us left the building together. The evening air felt warm, and I felt strangely lighter after everything that happened.
“I’m sorry,” I said, turning to the guy. “I didn’t catch your name earlier.”
He smiled. “I’m Tom.”
“Tom,” I repeated. “That’s a lovely name.”
Benny gasped loudly. “So his name is lovely and mine is what?”
I laughed. “Your name is beautiful too. I’m sorry I didn’t say it earlier.”
Tom smirked. “She’s jealous.”
Benny pushed his shoulder. “Stop.”
The three of us laughed as we walked.
“Have you two always lived in Aveline?” I asked.
Tom nodded. “I grew up here.”
“And I came here when I was little,” Benny said. “My family moved, and I’ve been here ever since.”
“How did you meet?” I asked.
“At a makeup competition,” Benny said proudly. “We both entered as teenagers. I was terrible and nearly stabbed a model with an eyeliner pencil, and Tom saved me.”
Tom laughed. “She didn’t almost stab her. She just held the pencil the wrong way.”
“I was dramatic,” Benny said. “But he saved me. That’s how we became friends.”
“And why makeup?” I asked softly.
Tom answered first. “I like art and faces. Makeup allows me to combine both.”
Benny nodded. “And I like seeing people become the best versions of themselves.”
I liked how the sound of their answers soothed me, and it reminded me of some of the reasons I chose makeup.
We reached a small restaurant glowing with warm lights. Benny stopped in front of it and smiled.
“How about our first dinner together as a trio?” she asked.
I nodded happily. “I would love that.”
Inside, after we ordered, I finally asked the question that had been on my mind.
“Earlier today,” I said, turning to Benny, “you said I was ‘so dead.’ Why?”
They exchanged nervous looks.
“It’s because of that woman,” Benny finally said. “The one who confronted you.”
I frowned. “Who is she?”
“Her name is Stephanie,” Tom said. “But we call her Stephanie No Good.”
I blinked. “Why?”
Benny laughed. “Because she is always up to no good. She considers herself more important than everyone else. She sees every newcomer as competition. She has been here for years and believes she runs the place.”
Tom nodded. “She’s talented, but she’s jealous and unpredictable. She can make life difficult for you if she dislikes you. And she dislikes people very quickly.”
“So avoid her,” Benny added softly. “At least until you understand how she works.”
I nodded slowly, trying to stay positive despite the warning.
We talked, ate, and laughed until my cheeks hurt. But deep down, a small uneasiness settled in my stomach.
I tried to ignore it, but I couldn’t stop wondering if Stephanie No Good was about to become a problem in my life.
- Writer
