By afternoon, the quiet of the house shifted when two stylish teams arrived, carrying sleek black cases and rolling trolleys filled with brushes, palettes, and bottles that gleamed under the light. Bella, a little startled at first, was gently ushered upstairs to a bright second-floor room that had been prepared for her.
The air smelled faintly of roses and expensive creams. The stylists greeted her politely, their voices calm and professional, yet warm enough to make her relax. They draped a soft robe around her shoulders and sat her down in a cushioned chair before the large vanity mirror.
