Vulnerable

Makeover

The sun was starting to set by the time Ophelia and Martha made their way back to the estate. The Driver had been extremely accommodating throughout their long, tiresome journey through the upper end shopping district. 

There were close to twenty different shopping bags stacked on top of one another on the passenger seat, and every time the car lurched or came to a sudden stop due a bump in the road, the driver would reach out a hand and grab the bags as if they were a delicate human. 

The thought made Ophelia giggle, and for a second, she was overwhelmed by the change in her life. Only days ago, she was terrified for her life. Now, as they entered the long gated driveway towards the palatial estate, she didn't know if she should be at ease or remain on guard. 

It seemed the easier option to always be on the lookout. One could never be too careful; Ophelia had learned this lesson the hard way. 

Earlier, Martha had dragged her from one designer store to the next, finding her different outfits to try on. Clothing that cost more money than she had ever laid eyes on; by the end of their shopping trip, they had spent a small fortune. When she had asked the maid whose credit card they were using, she'd been told it was all coming from the estate's accounts. In other words, the Rossi family was paying for her new wardrobe. 

Let's get all your new clothes upstairs into your wardrobe, and then we'll choose the perfect outfit for tonight. The maid's voice was full of excitement. 

Martha's eyes were shimmering again, watching her as if she were a new doll that she couldn't wait to play dress up with. Ophelia did her best to show some excitement, however, deep down she was trying hard to hold herself together. She hadn't felt truly nervous about something quite like this before. Scared, anxious, and hurt yes, but never on edge like this. 

The driver came to a stop and opened her door to help her out, and she took a deep breath as she looked up at the grand building in front of her. She thought back to old Mrs. Rossi. That was the kind of woman who fit into this environment, someone who oozed nobility and sophistication. 

Looking down at her faded blue jeans and stretched out sweatshirt, she grimaced. 

She did not belong here. 

Just then, she felt Martha's hand gently guiding her forward and into the big, double door entrance. Her footsteps rushed her along and up the stairs. 

Today was supposed to be a big deal, Martha had explained earlier. Mr. Rossi was a very busy man, and therefore, only made time to come back home on a rare occasion. These moments were anticipated by the entire staff and everyone would spend days in advance preparing for their employer's arrival. 

The large house was cleaned from top to bottom, staff was instructed to be on their best behaviour, and the finest cuisine was prepared. 

There was also the gala. 

Ophelia had been told about the gala while she was trying relentlessly to get out of their shopping trip in the morning. Martha had gone on to educate her about the renown charity function that was held at the Rossi estate twice a year in order to raise significant donations for the charities the family had organized. It was all for a good cause, the maid had declared; however, looking the part was just as important. 

It just so happened that this season's Rossi Gala was held the same night as Dante Rossi's arrival home. 

Now, standing in the middle of the bedroom, Ophelia watched as Martha paced back and forth with a finger on her chin, staring at the array of dresses she had hung on the canopy of the bed.