Chapter 3: Change your style
Emme.
<< Ah okay I don't see what the big deal is I'm used to this kind of assignment often. >>
<< Wait before you accept. >>
<< What? >>
Nicolas gets up and comes to stand in front of me.
<< This mission is a little different from the others... >>
<< Why? >>
<< You'll have to provide security for a singer. >>
<< No problem, I'd just have to make sure nothing bad happens to him, I'd check his dressing room, his car, I'd look for everything. >>
<< No but will you let me finish? >>
I would raise my hands to the sky in approval. You'll have to do more than just keep her safe. You'll also have to find out who is sending him all these threatening letters and why.
<< Nicholas so far, I don't quite see where the problem lies. I say while going to serve me a glass of water. >>
<< The problem is that you're going to have to pretend to be his girlfriend. >>
I freeze a moment, I turn to my brother. I look at him surprised, he must surely make me a joke. But when I see the serious expression on his face, I immediately understand that he is not joking.
<< What? What is this story again? >>
<< Look, he says with a sigh, this person is close to him. Do you realize that these threats go all the way to his apartment where the person comes and goes without being bothered ? His mother called me in a panic because Matthew is taking it lightly. >>
<< Where do you know these people from anyway? >>
<< It's a long story. >>
I come back and sit across from him to make it clear that I have plenty of time. My brother lets out an annoyed sigh, he knows it will take more to scare me.
<< After I came back from Afghanistan I had how to say traumas. The slightest noise frightened me, I never put my nose outside anymore. Then we heard about this very effective therapist and the parents convinced me to go and see her at her ranch in Colorado, with her unconventional methods. I spent a whole year there. >>
<< That much? >>
<< Yes. It probably wouldn't have taken me as long if I'd opened up to Rosalie sooner, but us Watts know that talking isn't our forte. >>
I nodded. Nicolas was the only one who knew why I had fled Italy. I asked him not to say anything to my parents, for them Lucas is an angel and it must remain so. I don't want my father to feel guilty that he let his daughter live with such a monster.
<< I was finally able to open up to her because of her son Matthew. They nursed me through their happy campfires through which they spent hours and hours singing. It was magical. It's hard not to open up to such warm people. This therapy really helped me, my nightmares were not as present and the noises were not scary anymore. >>
I look at my brother and wipe a tear from my eye. Damn sensitivity! When I think of what that monster made me lose, I could have been there for him. Nicholas was going through such a hard time and I wasn't there for him. Because Lucas kept me cut off from the world.
<< I actually wanted you to meet her but you are so stubborn you wouldn't even listen to me. She's done so much for me and Matt too. So if I can help them in any way, I will. >> m<< I will do it for you. You know I can't deny you anything. >>
<< Thank you, he says, handing me the file with the client's information. >>
Nicolas walks me to the elevator, I enter just as the elevator doors are closing and he tells me.
<< You will go shopping with Ingride, to change your style. >>
I look down at my old pants and sneakers that have seen better days. He's right, if I'm going to be the girlfriend of a super star, I need to change all that. I nod my head in agreement.
<< Oh and I almost forgot. You'll have to move in with him. >>
<< What? >> I say as I look up at him.
Too late, the elevator is locked. Words that are better left unsaid because they are not very attractive coming from a girl's mouth come to my mind. The bastard! He tricked me, he knew I would have refused if he had told me so he waited for me to accept. Shit! Moving in with a man, no but why did he give me this assignment? I get out of the elevator and get ready to go home.
There's no way I'm doing this. I'm going to send a message to Nick to tell him my way of thinking before I tell him no at all. Ingrid intercepts me at the reception, she takes me in her arms with a smile.
<< Ah, there you are! I was waiting for you. >>
<< Why? >>
<< What do you mean, why? We are going to go shopping. >>
I release myself from the embrace of my beautiful sister.
<< Ah that! Well... >> I say, crossing my arms over my chest. I refuse to accept this mission.
<< You already accepted. >>
<< Yes, but that was before I knew I had to move in with him. Your husband tricked me. >>
<< Right away the big words, she said as she pushed me out the door. He didn't set you up, he was just smart, that's all. >>
<< Don't tell me you're okay with that? >>
<< Of course I am and besides, I was the one who suggested the idea to him. In addition to being beautiful, you are also one of the best people in the agency. I also totally agree that you should get out of this bubble in which you have locked yourself, you are twenty-four years old and you live like a sixty year old granny while you are young and so beautiful. >>
<< Ingrid... >>
<< No, listen to me. Your brother doesn't sleep at night anymore because he's worried about you and me too. It's time for you to move on, it's time for you to move on. >> She's right, I've come to a point where I'm living with my brother, he's never talked to me like this, but I can see he's worried about me. It's time for me to move on if only for them and if I have to go through this mission then I will.
Ingride takes me to a store, where we choose clothes, everything from underwear. Then she takes me to the beauty salon where they give me the full treatment, haircut, moustache waxing, underarm waxing and bikini waxing. It hurts like hell, I had forgotten this pain. Now comes the moment I was dreading, we have to buy shoes. Ingride takes me heels, I haven't worn them for years, I'm sure I'll fall down with these things. She makes me walk in front of her. I parade like a mannequin who had a broom shoved up his ass the day before. When the day is over, I go home. My blond hair is loose, usually I untie it to be able to work, it's more practical. They put pink varnish on my nails. Pink like I was a little girl! And I had the right to bottles of perfume, well that on the other hand it is cool it smells super good, clothes and shoes, it really put the package for this mission. I put my precious luggage on my bed, before going to play with my niece. Once this is done, I grab the file that my brother gave me, I have to know a minimum about this guy. So Matthew Baxter, twenty-nine years old, professional singer... His favorite food is beef bourguignon. That's a French dish, right? He is allergic to daffodils, penicillin and rosemary essential oil. Seriously, are some people allergic to that? He lives in New York on the Upper East Side.
<< You bet, he must be one of those snobby, shallow stars who think they're the navel of the world. >>
He has siblings who live in Colorado. At the end, there is a photo of him, I linger a moment on it, his eyes are piercing, it seems that he is looking at me and not the camera. He has a proud, authoritative posture and he exudes confidence, something that I sorely miss in recent years. He has laughing eyes. I find myself dwelling too much on this picture.
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