Chapter 28: The Hero, The Heroine, and The Villain
The Hero, The Heroine, and The Villain.
RAYNE’S POV
Morning
I woke up and found that my bed had been surrounded. Rubbing my eyes thoroughly, I wondered what was going on.
“Good morning Mrs. Rayne,” A red-haired lady said, offering me a smile. “I’m Lizzy, a fashion director. On Eric Arnold’s invitation, my team and I are here to help you get ready for the tea party.”
Help! Why was I needing help with getting dressed all of a sudden?
“Is that necessary?” I asked her. I mean, I wasn’t some sort of a kid who needed help with getting dressed.
“I hear you barely like the stress of being dulled up, but your husband already paid us. I promise you that we’d take out time to make you look good.”
I sighed inwardly. Here it was again. A wonderful moment in the bathtub was snatched from me.
“We’ll start with a warm bath in lavender and rose water.
“No!” I immediately countered her. “I’m allergic to Lavender.”
After the bath in rose water, they put me down on the dressing desk and started working on me like I was some Barbie who couldn’t get herself dressed up.All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.
First of all, a brown-haired girl started by applying an ointment on my face. I asked her not to apply so much, but she didn’t listen.
“Can you please not apply any makeup on my face?” I pleaded with the makeup artist when it was her turn to ‘adorn’ me.
“Every woman needs the confidence to stand up to her fellow woman, especially in the midst of the wealthy and influential. Their confidence comes from wearing expensive dresses and dulling themselves up. Makeup is one confidence booster. You’ll see what I mean when you get to the event.”
I listened to the girl. She seemed to know a thing about these affluent people.
“You seem to know a lot about the rich,” I said and saw a trace of a smile form on her lips.
“We fiction lovers tend to know a lot. In this billionaire subgenre of your romance story, you’re the Female lead. The heroine with whom the hero is interested in. Mr. Arnold is the hero. In every story, there is a villain or villains in most complex ones.” She said while carving my brows.
“The villain might be from your side. Probably an ex who never thought you’d elevate, or she might be from the hero’s side. An obsessed woman who still is in love with the hero. She’ll do anything to snatch him from the heroine, and that includes public embarrassment to try killing the heroine’s confidence. The reason why the heroine needs to be always prepared. Event’s like a tea party is one opportunity for the Villain, therefore the heroine should be prepared enough, by dressing to awe everyone else, for the sake of her pride, and the hero.”
I stared at the girl awestruck by her story. She had an amazing voice, plus her narration seemed so real, that my mind had already started to discern who the villain was.
“I’m done, Ms. Lizzy.” She announced, taking a few steps away from me while Lizzy came forward, assessing the job done.
When she had finished, I opened the wardrobe and fetched out the dress Mrs. Lawn had gifted me. While they helped me into the dress, a brief rasp came on the door, and Elaina walked in.
When we were done getting ready, the chauffeur drove us to the Lawn’s Villa.
“Are you nervous?” Elaina asked me as we stepped out of the car. “You seem nervous.” She noted.
‘Was it that obvious that I was anxious?’ I wondered to myself. Elaina suddenly stopped walking and stood in front of me.
“Look at me,” she said once she was standing in front of me. “Now breathe. It’s your first tea party. You look great, you’ll do great.”
I smiled at her words of encouragement. Those were exactly what I needed to hear. I gave her a nod and she giggled at me. Together we were led to the party’s venue. The garden.
The moment I stepped foot into the garden, I felt my soul leave my body. Didn’t Mrs. Lawn say this was going to be a small party? The garden was filled with sophisticatedly dressed women and I couldn’t help but feel thankful to Lizzy and her team for dressing me up to fit into the occasion. And also, to Mrs. Lawn for picking the dress. It was as if she had carefully considered all the guests, before picking the dress.
“Rayne dear.” I heard Mrs. Lawn call from behind me and when I turned around, I saw her hazel eyes smiling warmly at me. “Why are you girls standing? Come, dear, I’ll introduce you to my friends.” She said and I nodded and followed her.
Audible chattering and laughter filled the air as we walked into the garden. Mrs. Lawn immediately called the attention of everyone.
“Ladies….” She said, drawing everyone’s attention to herself. I immediately felt Bianca’s gaze sharpen as soon as she saw me. I averted my eyes from her, I had more important things to focus on, like trying to control my nervousness amid these many women.
“I would like you all to meet my new daughter-in-law, Rayne. She recently joined the Lawn family.” The moment Mrs. Lawn said that, I noticed everyone’s shock, then all the attention turned in my direction, like a flashlight. And I felt my heart begin to race dramatically.
Come on Rayne, why the shyness? This is something you can handle.’ I told myself. I could feel my palms sweating and it wasn’t good.
“Hello everyone.” I greeted, forcing a smile to my face. I would have preferred to stay back in Eric’s house. This place was just so nerve-racking. How did these wealthy women get to do it, and to what was the essence of all these gatherings by the way?
“Come sit my dear.” Mrs. Lawn beckoned, helping me to a seat. “Feel comfortable.”