Page 33

As I sat still while Olivia did my make up all I could think of was how fast the last two days went by. It was almost as if I closed my eyes and opened them and it was today.

I spent the entire of yesterday doing my braids and my scalp feels like it’s on fire but it is the price I am willing to pay to make sure today is perfect. I wanted to use blond but I didn’t exactly want people to say it was too loud so I mixed the colors dark brown and blond for my goddess braids.

After I was done; I drove with Miles, Olivia and Marissa to Rhode Island. Nathan and his crew went by themselves but we all agreed to meet up at the hotel and leave together.

“I am done,” Olivia pulled back from my face to look me over, “You look great; I am a miracle worker. ”

“That you are,” I chuckled softly, “Can you help me get into my dress?”

She nodded and helped me out of the chair. It took careful maneuvering to get into the dress without ripping or staining it. The material is so delicate that the wrong move will probably rip it or bend it out of shape.

Once I was done, I put on my heels and Olivia guided me to the mirror so I could take everything in. The dress was made from the most beautiful aquamarine lace. My mum was the one who bought it actually; a cousin of hers was at the market in Nigeria and sent my mum a picture.

My mum thought it was beautiful and decided to get the lace for herself. The day it arrived, I was at the house and when I saw it, I knew I had to have it so I pleaded and begged and pulled out all the cards that I could until my mum finally agreed to give it to me.

The dress had intricate patterns and was designed to stick to my curves like second skin and it was decorated with glistening stones that wove themselves around the torso and formed a single strap at my left shoulder.

Another band of shimmering stones wound around my waist over my right hip.

Even with my heels, the dress reached the floor but it was sheer.

Not completely see through but sheer enough that you could see my skin which is why I wore nude underwear because the last thing I need is someone analyzing the color of my bra.

Because of how intricate my dress was, my makeup was on the simple side. It was more natural with thickly layered lashes and lined glossy lips. To finish it up, I tied my hair in a half up, half down look .

“I think we’ve left the men waiting long enough,” Olivia said as she led me out of the room and down the stairs.

Miles was waiting by the foot of the staircase and when he saw me I saw an amused look cross his face.

“Is it horrible?” I asked and he shook his head.

“Quite the contrary actually,” he smiled to himself and helped me descend the final steps.

Marissa and Nathan were sitting in my living room; the latter was backing me but Marissa had a direct view of the stairs. She was wearing a long black gown with a thigh high slit and her hair was tied up into a slick ponytail.

“Oh my gosh, Adira,” her mouth fell open when she saw me, “I love your dress.”

On hearing my name, Nathan turned and for the first time, I saw him lost for words. His mouth fell open and his eyes widened before he finally caught his composure and stood to his feet. He slipped his phone into his pocket and smoothed out the invisible wrinkles on his dark blue suit.

“The long hours paid off,” he said softly, “Your dress is exquisite.”

“Thank you,” I don’t know why but I responded in an equally soft voice.

We just stood there; on opposite ends of the room, staring at each other.

“We have to leave now so we can make the show.” Marissa’s voice broke whatever spell I was in and I slowly made my way into the car .

Marissa sat up front with Miles while Nathan and I sat behind. Nathan’s bodyguards and the camera crew were in another car. He took only two guards and two camera men since he wasn’t going to be filming. I had no idea he actually got tickets for himself and each member of his camera crew.

The drive was over before I even realized and the clamor of the paparazzi was almost deafening. I caught Marissa’s eye through the mirror and she gave me a wobbly smile but I didn’t miss the rapid rise and fall of her chest.

“You’ll be fine,” I mouthed, “We’ll go in together.” She nodded and shot me a grateful smile.

Nathan’s security came to help out and as soon as the door opened; the screaming began. It wasn’t until I got out that Miles opened Marissa’s door. She latched onto my palm with a tight grip I never would have thought her capable of.

Miles stood in front of us while the other two stayed behind us. We were almost at the confinements of safety when I noticed one of the photographers bent over in a weird angle and it took me a while but I finally realized what he was trying to do.

I quickly switched spots with Marissa and when he saw me, he stood to his feet.

Marissa shot me an inquisitive look, but I ignored her and turned to the photographer, “How disgusting do you have to be to take a picture up a woman’s dress?”

“It’s all part of the business honey; if I don’t do it, someone else will.” He gave me a sleazy smile and I wanted nothing more than to knock it off his face .

“If you release any pictures of her dress I swear I will find you and stab your eye out with my bluntest heels.”

He started to laugh when Nathan placed a hand on my shoulder. I shot him a death glare but he kept his face devoid of emotion and subtly steered me so I would walk away. I reluctantly let my feet move and caught up with Marissa.

As soon as I got to her; she started to ask what happened but I didn’t respond. The last thing she needs is an extra reason to be self conscious and hate the event more.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Nathan whisper something to the photographer that made all color bleed out of his face.

Nathan rejoined us just as we made our way into the building. I waited until we got to our assigned seats before I leaned in and asked the question that had been plaguing me.

“What did you tell him?”

“That isn’t important; but you should try to calm down your homicidal tendencies.” He whispered, “The man probably thinks you’re a closeted serial killer.”

“He deserved it; but don’t change the subject. What did you tell him?”

He finally turned to me and I didn’t realize how closely I head leaned in until he was facing me and our faces were so close that our noses were almost touching. I cleared my throat and moved back a little.

“It’s not important,” he said after a beat of silence, “Francine is coming this way.”

I looked up and sure enough Francine was coming our way.

She pulled me into a short hug and thanked me for showing up then showed me where the other judges were sitting.

She kept us as far away from each other as she could.

I wondered if that was because she didn’t want us influencing each other’s decisions or for other reasons. I’m betting on the latter.

She handed me a small pad with all the contestants names printed out and what categories I was going to judge them based on. I thanked her and she turned to Nathan and exchanged pleasantries with him for a few minutes and as quickly as she came, she left.

“How are you feeling about this?” Nathan asked just as the event was about to start and I shrugged.

“Are you really doing this here?”

“Just answer the question.”

“I’m nervous but I’m also excited. It’s a really big event.”

When I said that I instantly thought of Marissa; I turned to make sure she was fine but she was deep in conversation with a lady next to her. I didn’t recognize her but I let out a sigh of relief that Marissa was having fun. At that exact moment, the lights went out and the show began.

It was four hours before we went on the first break and I decided to get a drink. When the show was starting I thought it would be a piece of cake but I was wrong.

I didn’t realize judging would be this hard but then again, I should have realized. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and everyone is bringing out their best. The people here are so talented and it is overwhelming. It is going to be so hard picking a winner at the end.

Marissa went with me to get drinks but went ahead when I was stopped by one of the judges- Emilia Anderson.

She was in a silver dress fit for a queen and her hair was in a perfect chignon at the base of her neck.

It was so good to talk to her and in the short conversation I realized why people referred to her as a sweetheart.

She spoke like she was living in the clouds and her voice was like a breath of fresh air. She made a lot of gestures as she spoke and she spoke with a childlike wonder. The highlight of the conversation was when she complimented my dress.

I barely had time to thank her when she was whisked away into another conversation. I decided to use the opportunity to catch up with Marissa. I didn’t find her but I noticed one of the judges- Mark talking to a contestant.

From her body language, she wanted to be anywhere but there so I quickly injected myself into the conversation.

“Hi, Mark right?” I stretched out my hand to his, “It’s nice to meet you.” He eyed my hand with distaste but finally took it, “Can I borrow her for a second? I promise she will back soon.”

He waved us off and I pulled her to the nearest bathroom. As soon as the door clicked shut, the tears she was holding back finally broke free and she buried her face into my shoulder. I wasn’t sure how to react so I just held her and let her cry.

“I’m so sorry,” she sniffled as she pulled away after a while, “I don’t know why I’m crying.”

“It’s okay; it’s a tough competition.”

“It’s not the competition,” she realized what she said because she cleared her throat, “I mean you’re right; it is a tough competition.

“What did he say to you?”

She hesitated and started biting her nails, “I don’t want to be a snitch. ”

I gently pulled her hand away from her mouth and she offered me an awkward chuckle, “I’m listening.”