Babel Novel
Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Jerry was having none of it. He waved a polished nail at Cynthia's comfy get-up and let out a dramatic sigh. "This won't do," he griped. "Can we get a little help here?" No sooner than he spoke, a team of assistants whisked Cynthia away to get changed.
Liam made to follow but Jerry boogied in front of him, wagging a finger. "Hold up, big guy," he chirped. Jerry checked him out and gave a nod. "That suit's sharp. Stick with it. Just need to whip your hair into shape."
Now, Liam was all about his business suits-tailored ones at that. Fancy shindigs were his
playground. Jerry's finger was still poking at Liam's chest when he stepped away, Liam's voice cool as ice. "I got this."
Jerry huffed and backed off. "Alright, you insist. Then I'll go see my masterpiece." He sashayed to the dressing room, rear end jiggling in his tight pants.
Jerry was a Clusian. As the international stylist, his rule was simple: nothing but his own creations. And when he first spotted Cynthia, his mind was buzzing with plans for her glow-up.
When Cynthia twirled out in that dress-shoulderless, sky blue with a deep blue fade at the bottom-she was like a fairy tale come to life.
Jerry was gobsmacked. She was a dream in that dress until he saw the tell-tale marks dotting her arms and neck.
Cynthia turned beet red.
Jerry was practically crying over spilled milk. "This is all wrong," he wailed. His flawless vision was in tatters.
Liam, catching wind of the drama, strolled in. "Problem?"
Jerry was on the verge of a fit-hands on hips, voice hitting the high notes. "She's got to rock a dress tonight. Did you have to leave your mark all over?"
Liam's face turned stone cold, icing up the whole room. Jerry folded like a cheap suit as soon as he felt that stare. "How's she gonna show up to the ball looking like someone's snack?" he whimpered. Liam checked out Cynthia, then dropped his verdict. 'Get her a shawl.'Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
Jerry stamped his foot. "No way!" He was fixated on his design, and wouldn't budge for extras. His creation was sacred.
Liam just jammed his hands in his pockets and stared Jerry down. "Sounds like someone doesn't want their big sponsor anymore."
"Man, money talks," Jerry sighed, stuck between a rock and a hard place. He finally draped a light shawl over Cynthia's shoulders, careful to cover the marks without hiding her skin. Just as he was prepping to do her hair, there was a ruckus at the front door.
'Jerry's got to be here. I need a makeover, stat! And what about that blue dress from the other day? I want it.'
'Sorry, miss, someone's already wearing that dress. And Jerry's booked for the day,' explained the receptionist, all calm and professional.
"What if I pay them off for the dress and Jerry's time?"
Cynthia knew that voice but she couldn't remember it was who.
"Good faith in business, miss. Maybe you can make an earlier appointment next time." The receptionist lowered her head, neither servile nor overbearing.
'I'm Yolanda Wilde," the voice pressed on, "big deal from the Wilde family in this city. Mess with me and you'll regret it."
Hearing this, Cynthia remembered it was Roseanne from that big-deal Wilde family she'd met at the Sullivan residence. She knew Roseanne was not to deal with. Just as she wanted to remind Jerry, Jerry swished past Cynthia, diving into the drama. He picked his team well, and he wasn't about to let them get bullied.
Roseanne tried to tone down the diva act when Jerry showed up but she still had an edge.
After hearing the receptionist's words, Jerry wasn't having any of it though. "Rules are rules. Doesn't matter how loaded you are."
"But business is business. Just name the price-I'll double it," Roseanne shot back, all confidence. Jerry wasn't buying her at all. He just smirked, 'Ms. Wilde, the person inside has offered more money than you could match-heck, even half as much. You might as well take your pocket money and scoot. Let me tell you, that lady's looks and aura? Outclasses you by a long shot. Finding a second one like her in the whole country is like looking for a needle in a haystack. For us stylists, scoring a model like her is hitting the jackpot. She wouldn't have to pay me a dime and I'd still be psyched to do her styling today."
Roseanne couldn't believe it and made a move to barge in, but the staff held the fort.
Jerry couldn't hide his disgust. "Ms. Wilde, that's no way for a lady to act. Please leave," he told her firmly. After he sent her off, he returned to Cynthia.
He chose a simple updo to work with the shawl. Cynthia had the kind of face that made any hairstyle look good. Once the make-up and hair were all done, she was a knockout.
When she turned to Liam, his jaw dropped. She felt weird all dolled up and fidgeted with her dress. But then Liam pulled her in close, his voice deep and soft. "Cynthia, you're gorgeous. Can't even picture you on our wedding dress without losing my mind."