Confident steps
Her hands lingered on the necklace, adjusting it perfectly, before she stepped back to admire her handiwork, a soft smile still on her face.
I was captivated by the necklace's beauty, its intricate design and sparkle leaving me enchanted.
Despite being a princess who could have anything she desired, I had never seen a piece of jewellery that compared to its ornate beauty.
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I thought, 'How could I be so utterly entranced by a necklace?' But its impact was undeniable.
With burning embarrassment, I thanked her hastily, my words barely above a whisper.
As I muttered my thanks, her warm smile and gentle nod put me at ease, and I felt my embarrassment slowly dissipate.
She seemed to understand my fascination with the necklace, her eyes sparkling in amusement.
With a tender touch, she applied a light dusting of beauty powder to my face, and I closed my eyes, letting her work her magic. And indeed, she did, her skilled hands transforming me with each gentle stroke.
As she finished, I opened my eyes to find my reflection transformed - my skin looked more radiant, with a soft pink glow on my cheeks.
She then reached for a small, dusty container beside the mirror and opened it, revealing a fragrant treasure within.
The scent of roses and lavender wafted through the air as she dipped her fingers into the container, coating them with a jelly-like substance.
Her hands approached my face once more, but this time, her focus was on my lips. I felt a soft, gentle sensation as she applied the substance, my curiosity piqued.
As she worked, I couldn't help but wonder about this new substance - what it was, and what it was meant to do.
My voice barely above a whisper, I asked, "What's that?"
She smiled, amusement spreading across her face, her eyes sparkling with delight.
"It's quite a common product called a lip balm," she said, her smile gentle.
"I brought it here for you, as it wasn't in your drawer. It adds a subtle shine to your lips, enhancing your natural beauty."
A soft "Oh!" escaped my mouth as I heard her explanation.
After taking a moment to absorb my reflection, I realised the lip balm did indeed add a lustrous touch to my lips.
Paired with the necklace and powder, I looked... transformed. More polished, more refined.
Aunty Gloria chuckled, sensing my astonishment. "You look lovely, Sam," she said, her voice warm with encouragement.
Next, she allowed me a moment to savour my new look in the mirror as she fetched a napkin from the drawer and daintily cleaned her hands.
With that done, she stepped back into place behind me, smoothly drawing the chair back to help me rise.
As I stood up, her hands lingered on my shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze.
"Shall we go downstairs now?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
I nodded, feeling a thrill of nervous excitement, as I couldn't remember the last time I had made such a deliberate effort with my appearance.
I was also looking forward to seeing my almost-never-present father, though I was unsure how to react when we met.
I decided to simply take things as they came, crossing the bridge when I got there.
Already, I had donned a pair of high heels, courtesy of Aunty Gloria's impeccable taste, and I could feel their unfamiliar weight on my feet as I moved.
At first, she advised me to practise walking around the room, allowing my feet to become accustomed to their novel weight.
After the short parade, she brought out a bottle with a fresh, gourmand scent.
The aroma wafted up, filling the air with its rich, caramel fragrance as she spritzed a small amount on my wrists and behind my ears.
As the sweet, velvety scent filled my nostrils, my senses came alive, and I felt a surge of confidence seep into my skin pores.
My posture straightened, my shoulders squared, and my head held high, as if the beauty treatment had awakened a newfound sense of self-assurance within me.
I felt transformed, like a different person. Aunty Gloria's knowing smile reflected my inner change.
Softly, she nodded towards me, and with measured gait, I took a last-second glance towards the mirror, savouring my newfound confidence.
With one final glance, I took in the reflection staring back at me - the polished, refined, and radiant version of myself.
I smiled, feeling a sense of pride, ownership, and acceptance of this new persona. 'Maybe I should dress up like this more often?' I thought to myself, still beaming with pride.
As I turned away from the mirror, Aunty Gloria's warm laughter echoed behind me, her voice dripping with amusement.
Chuckling to myself, I felt a sense of joy and lightness flood through me, one I hadn't experienced in a long time.
The thought of discovering, uncovering, and exploring this new side of myself, expressing myself in vibrant colours beyond the usual monochrome I was accustomed to, made me feel more beautiful and actually... loved.
An emotion I had often felt deprived and starving for.
As I reached the door, I paused for a moment, my hand on the handle, and turned to Aunty Gloria. She smiled at me, her eyes shining with warmth and encouragement, her gaze filled with a deep affection that made my heart swell.
In that moment, I felt seen, heard, and understood.
"You got this, Sam! I'm right behind you," she reassured me in a firm, encouraging voice. I nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude towards her, and flashed a confident smile.
She had helped me unlock a part of myself that I never knew existed, freeing my youthful heart from the resentment and self-hate accumulated over the years.
With a deep breath, I drew in the familiar comfort of the perfume's scent and pushed open the door.
As we made our way towards the dining room, ready to face my father and whatever the evening might bring, the soft click of my heels on the floor served as a steady heartbeat.
It was as if my own confidence was pulsing through me, pumping steady reassurance from my limbs to every part of my body.
With each step, I felt more empowered, more myself. The sound of my heels became a mantra, reminding me that I was strong, capable, and deserving of love and respect.