Bloom pulled Esther up the stairs and into a luxurious room. She let go of Esther's hand and wrote on her pad, "This is my granny's room."
Esther's eyes widened, and she stepped back towards the door. "I don't think it's right to bring me here."
Bloom shook her head and wrote on her pad again, "It's okay, she's hardly ever here."
Esther felt uncomfortable as she looked into the room. It had dark purple furnishings: dark purple velvet drapes adorned the tall, arched windows; a large four-poster bed complete with a canopy of the same rich purple fabric; and the floor was covered in plush deep purple carpet. The dark mahogany dresser and armoire added to the opulence of the room. Despite what Bloom said, the room didn't look like it was rarely occupied.
Bloom tossed her pad on the couch in the corner and pulled a reluctant Esther towards the dresser. Just then, the door opened, and about four women sashayed in. They wore bright makeup and stylish dresses, also carrying several bags. Esther's brow twitched. Through the dresser mirror, she cast a questioning glance at Bloom. The little girl avoided her eyes with a cheeky grin.
Esther sighed. This was such a hassle. She resigned to her fate, but when one of the women took out scissors, Esther shot up from her seat like a spring and clutched her hair. She stared at the woman as if she were a beast. "NO!"
The woman stepped back in surprise, then turned to Bloom with an amused and slightly helpless expression.
Bloom giggled and scribbled on her notepad. She held it up, but Esther shut her eyes and turned away, still cradling her hair. It was the most important part of her. It shielded her eyes when her anopsia acted up, but more than that, she hadn't cut her hair in nearly ten years. It wasn't very long, but it was, as people had often commented, very soft and silky. She didn't want it chopped off. It would leave her feeling very naked.
Bloom held up her pad for the woman. The hairdresser bent down to read the contents and chuckled. "Miss Bloom says cutting your hair is important for your makeover."
"I don't need a makeover," Esther grumbled, opening her eyes to glare playfully at Bloom.
Bloom rolled her eyes and pulled Esther back to the dresser table. She banged the table, making Esther turn to her in wide-eyed surprise. Bloom huffed and pulled the hairdresser over. She raised her pad and wrote, "make pretty." It was clear she was getting tired of writing.
Esther felt bad for stressing the little girl. Still, when Bloom was distracted, Esther whispered to the hairdresser, "Don't cut off much."
From the top of the stairs, Esther could see Bloom and Mr. Narok seated in the parlor. Mr. Narok had an impatient expression and checked his watch several times. Esther gulped. The whole makeover fiasco had taken more than three hours. Surely, he would be angry. It was also way past lunchtime. Beside him, Bloom had a bored look and swung her legs back and forth, occasionally glancing at the stairs. She caught sight of Esther, and her eyes lit up.
"Ah ah!" She cried, shaking her father, then ran up to meet Esther.
Mr. Narok slowly raised his head and watched Esther climb down. His piercing gaze made her feel self-conscious. She tugged at the seam of her skirt. A cold draft blew, reminding her once again just how short the outfit was.
He stood up when she reached the bottom of the stairs.
"You sure took your precious time, Miss Powés."
Thump.
Mr. Narok winced. Bloom withdrew her foot and gave him a sweet smile, even as her eyes spewed daggers. He rolled his eyes and held out his arm to Esther.
"Shall we?"
The restaurant was not luxurious. Sure, it wasn't a dingy hole in the streets, but it wasn't the aristocratic hangout Bloom made it out to be. Esther sighed in relief as she slipped into the hard leather seats. This was more comfortable. She removed the heavy jacket over her shoulder, revealing the light blue top underneath. She felt eyes on her and raised her head to meet Mr. Narok's bemused gaze.
"You look different," he commented with a tilt of his head.
Esther blushed at the implication of his words. She started to defend herself, "I didn't…"
Mr. Narok raised a hand, silencing her. "I know my daughter plotted the whole thing; let's just have our meal."
He snapped his fingers, and a waiter in a gaudy green apron approached.
"I will have the usual," Sullivan ordered.
The waiter grinned widely. "Sure thing, and the lady?"
From their interaction, Esther could tell they were quite familiar with each other.
Sullivan turned to Esther. She blinked and stuttered, "I'll have the usual too."
The food was served, and 'the usual' turned out to be a sizable hamburger, a basket of fries, and a large milkshake.
Esther's eyes roamed from the food to Mr. Narok. He had already started eating, and while Esther didn't have a small appetite either, she wasn't about to wolf down those tasty-looking hamburgers in front of her employer. Esther swallowed. They really did look delicious.
"You can be at ease, Miss Powés. I don't bite or judge," Mr. Narok spoke as he took a big sip of his milkshake.
Esther still hesitated, but when her stomach rumbled in the tight blouse, she grabbed the hamburger and took a small bite. She shut her eyes and released a contented sigh. It really did taste heavenly. Although the restaurant was dimly lit and empty, she had no doubt it was a popular spot.
She quickly finished the hamburger and grabbed a fry when she felt eyes on her again. She looked up to see Mr. Narok watching her in amusement. She glanced at his plate to see half his hamburger was still left! Did… did she inhale hers??
Her face turned so red she was sure it resembled the ketchup bottle on the table.
She picked up her milkshake to drink, making sure to hold it high enough it covered her face.
The meal was not as stiff or awkward as she had imagined it would be. They got back to the house rather late due to a traffic jam. Esther politely thanked him for the meal and gratefully rushed off to her room when he dismissed her with a wave.
In the safety of the room, she shed the uncomfortable outfit and flopped onto the bed. Three hours with Mr. Sullivan and she couldn't figure out the purpose of this meal. But truthfully, she now felt more comfortable with the thought of being around him. She sighed, and her eyes fluttered closed.
BANG. BANG. BANG.
Esther's eyes shot open, and her heart thudded in her ears.
"Open this door, you sneaky little b*tch!" a familiar voice whisper-yelled.
Esther felt her vision go blurry.