A Step Closer

Era looked around the room she's in and swallowed the nervous chuckle that wanted to escape her throat. She blinked her eyes and focus them on Dommie–the emancipated man, wearing a pink jumpsuit who's removing the goth makeup she was wearing.

"What trash have you been putting on your face, girl?" She asked, putting his bony hand on her hips, surveying her bare face.

Era grinned impishly and replied in a guilty tone.

"Well, I attended an event…"

She apologized inwardly, trailing her voice to avoid more explanation.

Dommie is a sweet soul. She didn't want to lie to her.

When Berry said she needed a change of makeup and outfit that would fit the party and the man's taste who she's going to escort tonight at the party she was hired to attend, she had considered changing her mind for she had no clothes that would be appropriate for the kind of party Berry was telling her.

However, Berry diminished her worries by telling her someone would help her prepare and everything would be provided.

Era blushed a little when she remembered how she asked Berry if the clothes and everything else would be deducted to her pay and Berry laughed at her naivety.

Berry told her that everything she needed to look pretty was paid by the client.

"You have a beautiful skin. You should take good care of it if you want to stay longer in this business."

Era's reminiscing was cut off by what Dommie said. She gave her a soft smile and nodded but at the back of her mind she was thinking, 'I can't afford to take care of my skin the way you're saying. Washing it with soap and water is enough.'

But she didn't voice out what she was thinking because she had a feeling that Dommie would scold her if she would.

"Okay. All done. Now go on and put on this dress," he said, handing her a little black dress with a nod of approval.

"This client of yours has good good taste and very generous in taking care of you. I would advise you to take good care of him. You can't easily find this kind of client. Not to mention, he's pleasant to the eyes and not a complete airhead. It's hard to sit next to a man with nothing between his temple for l an entire night. Although, he won't expect you to entertain him. He just wants an arm candy that will be the envy of the other men in the room. And my darling, you are sight to behold!" Dommie said, clapping her hands, whistling to make a point of her statement.

Era smiled awkwardly with how the dress fit her. She was listening to Dommie's litany while she shimmy the little black dress which happened to be a bit too little for her taste.

"Pull back your shoulders, relax your head and don't forget to lower your lashes every time you speak."

Era released an amused chuckled with the way Dommie seemed to be preparing her for a big production.

"What? You're not satisfied with my job?" She asked in incredulity.

"Look at your self in the mirror and tell me what is it that you find funny," she said with hurt in her voice.

"No, I -I'm not laughed at you or…or the way you work," she said, trying to think of something to pacify Dommie.

"I-I," she stumbled with words and looked at the mirror.

"HOLY SHIT! WHO AM I?!"

Era had been avoiding looking at the mirror while Dommie was putting on her makeup. She didn't want to see how she was fixing herself to fit the taste of some man she hadn't met.

She felt disgusted with the thought of being here, being dolled up like some kind of product to be sold.

The only thing that kept her here was her promise to her younger brother that she was going to take back his computer. And the idea of those hoodlums who had been harassing her family to come back in the middle of the night at their house again.

For her to make it happen, she needs cash. And cash won't just fall from the sky. She has to do something she hates to get it.

"I told you. You're a sight to behold. You don't trust Dommie's work?"

Era looked closer at her reflection on the mirror. She touched her cheeks because she couldn't believe of what she was seeing.

She knew that she's prettier than other girls. However, she didn't think of herself to be this pretty.

The woman in the mirror is indeed a sight to behold.

She had to agree with what Dommie said for the lack of words on how to describe her shock on seeing her looks.

Era had been using makeup to hide herself. She was used to covering herself to alter her looks. But this looks, she was seeing was something she didn't expect.

"I don't recognize myself. I look amazing!"

Dommie laughed at the amazement in her words.

"Darling, you're geourgeos! I wish this client loves you and to ask for you again because I will look forward to dressing you up one more time."

Era chuckled in amusement.

"I have to survive this night first."

"Darling, you don't have to worry about anything. All you have to do is nod and smile. The rest is fine."

A shrill giggles that Era would share didn't come out of her mouth was heard in the room as she surveyed herself one more time in the mirror.

The idea of nodding and smiling like an airhead for some men is something that she abhor but she must let go of her biases if she wants to bring home some cash tonight.

Era grimaced inwardly when the idea of receiving cash won over her conscience. Never in her wildest dreams that she would swallow her ideals and values for money.

She hoped to God that it would not come to a point where she would sell her morals as well.

'You will never let that happen,' she vehemently admonished herself, shaking her head and turned her attention to Dommie who was openly admiring her that Era couldn't help but blush.

"Are you ready?"

Era exhaled a deep breath.

"I'm never ever be ready but let's go!"