Chapter 10: Rags Or Riches: Part Two

Esme paused, raising her cup of peppermint tea, her head whipped to the side. "The.. owner?" She frowned, "I thought Niko was paying.."

"Well, that's what I thought as well. That's what Niko told me, but I arrived before twelve and heard the end of their conversation. Doll, you are so darn lucky.." She gazed at her face like she was a work of art. "you have no limit to what you can spend today! Oh," She waved her hand, nearly sloshing the champagne down her jeans. "But don't worry, they do this for all their staff.. Well, we all had a ten 'k limit, though."

Esme stared at Hana even as the room went silent. It was bizarre; she'd never met the man in charge. The only thing Esme could recall was spying on Niko's conversation the night before. But she didn't let herself think too much about it.

Who would want their staff looking like they lived in the slums? ONYX appeared to be like the nightclub equivalent of a palace to a royal family; all human and vampire staff were good-looking and never looked shabby. Then Esme arrived and definitely looked out of sorts.

"In rags or riches, we still outshine everyone," Isana winked, making Esme snort aloud and covered it up by fake coughing on her drink.

Hana patted her back, "Drink went down the wrong hole!?"

Esme nodded her head, then sipped on her tea and sighed, "I doubt I will be going over the ten 'k limit set for you guys anyway. Hell, we're already saving with the discount from their rudeness."

Hana stood up and tutted, "Don't worry about the prices, chica, we will get your money's worth out of today! Seriously, use this to your advantage! I'm not a gold digger, but these guys could buy ten islands in a day and still have a ton of money to last them five lifetimes! Honey, I think Niko only works there for the fun of it; he's also minted!" She walked to the rails and pulled out three dresses, passing them to Esme to try on.

That was very true, and it wasn't like she would take the clothes with her when she would leave. It was just a little more unbelievable, considering she was a werewolf.

"I think we should be past the stage of shock right now. You WORK IN A VAMPIRE BAR!" Isana screamed in her mind as Esme winced and walked towards the smaller room.

"Hey, no need to be shy; you can get changed here. There's a lot more room here than in there anyway," Hana smiled, closing the door and gesturing for her to get unchanged. "I'm just gonna be drinking my champers on the couch anyway!" She flopped back down and put her feet up on the rest of the love seat, crossing one leg over the other.

Esme looked at the curtained space and the room Hana was chilling in. "Where's the fun in that? At least, you will be more surprised when I walk out the curtains!" She exclaimed before shutting the curtains behind her.

Esme clung onto the shut curtain for a moment, her head bent over as her hands shook slightly, a long sigh escaping her lips. Her body was disgusting, and Hana would be shocked by the sight of it asking her questions she was unable to answer. She gulped and spun around, ready to try on the first of many clothes that day.

Three hours later, the pair left a coffee shop after eating a small meal and people watching. They held many bags full of high-end clothes and shoes.

"I feel like we are missing something.." Hana pouted as she looked deep in thought. They continued to walk down the high street until Esme felt her arm dragged into another store again. She didn't get the name of it, but by the strong smell of cosmetics, the number of make-up brushes spread on counters and the flawless faces of women smiling at them, she knew they were in a make-up store.

"Eeek! This is what we were missing!" Hana squealed and jumped up and down, clapping her hands before grasping Esme by the shoulders. "You just have such natural beauty that I forgot you aren't actually wearing make-up, right?"

Esme looked at the women in concern, but Hana came back into her line of sight. "Let's make you look like a star!" Hana smiled as Esme pursed her lips.

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She glided her hand across the black counter surface and along the clean make-up brushes lying in wait to be used. Her brows pulled together as she felt her heart pick up its pace at the sight of it all. She was nervous; there was no need to be, but how could she push past a habit instilled in her?

Before she knew what was happening, Esme had been sitting in a chair while an attendant 'painted' her face. A little while later, Esme felt eyeliner being brushed onto her top lids. "This will accentuate your eyes more! And this, if we did a smokey eye look, no one would dare to look away from you!"

That wasn't exactly what she wanted. "Erm, please, I think the eyeliner is enough," Esme muttered before being shushed so her lips could be painted. By the time her face was coated in their products, she was finally able to look at what they'd done to her.

Esme held the mirror in front of her, instantly inhaling sharply. Her make-up was still kept quite natural though the light freckles on her nose could no longer be seen under the foundation, not that others would see them anyway. But the eyeliner was winged on her top lid, with the mascara truly did make her eyes more noticeable. Tears began to blur her vision, not because of how she looked but because there was nothing and no one now stopping her from wearing it.

She covered her nose and blinked rapidly, trying not to let the tears fall down her freshly done make-up. A piece of tissue was thrust before her face. "Honey, don't cry! Your make-up will get ruined! I know they did a good job but come on.. You know you're all it!" Hana blabbered on, trying to cheer her up. Esme sniffled and took the tissue from her, dabbing under her eyes and smiling, making sure her make-up was indeed not ruined.

"Sorry," Esme lowered her face.

"Sweetie, don't worry about it," Hana rubbed her back, and the she-wolf looked up at her. "Now your liner matches how fierce your personality is!" She winked, making her chuckle and shake her head.

Hana really was something else; she reminded her of Ruby, a girl she met within the first six months of escaping that hellhole. Ruby was just as energetic and bubbly as Hana, their friendship was genuine, and she helped Esme overcome a lot. In fact, if Hana met her two years ago, she would be unrecognisable.

"Should we go?" Hana interrupted her thoughts.

Esme nodded, feeling a little worn out from a day of overcoming such minuscule things. If anyone told her she would cry about make-up six years ago, she would find them utterly ridiculous. Yet, another lifetime ago where she lived a completely different life.

The pair left the store with the newly brought make-up purchases, which Esme felt a little guilty about. But she at least got herself some lingerie insisting she could buy her own underwear and not have the bill show up on their boss' statement.

Rich or not, she wouldn't take advantage of one of the most dangerous beings on earth. She wasn't suicidal!

By the time they returned to ONYX for her evening shift, everyone had stared at her more than they usually did. She walked in, holding several bags, hair swept back in her usual do, wearing a black midi skirt, long-sleeved skin-tight black, shimmering polo neck top, her heels clicking against the floor, her flawless features much more radiant and compelling. Her large dark eyes of earthy hues captured the hearts of any who looked her way.

Unaware of her beauty, Esme wondered if her clothes made her stand out more. Was it because she had the appearance of fitting in? Up until now, Esme had been the club's entertainment, the new girl who didn't take any BS from anyone, no matter their status. She was the club's 'ruffian'. Which she found entertaining herself considering the number of vampires using the place for fresh blood.

She shook her head and pushed past her angst at being stared at. They would soon get used to her dressed up and grow bored at her new attire. People did start to calm down as hours passed, but Esme couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. Their presence was too powerful to ignore; it was the same man from before.

Once again, she found herself searching the room with her eyes, her hand paused, holding the knife slicing into a half-cut lemon, her other hand holding the fruit down. But she could not see him, and the feeling soon passed, so she returned to slicing up the lemon. This person would at some point reveal themselves unless they wanted to keep playing hide and seek.

"You know, you're quite fascinating, kid."

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