L. Marie Adeline- S.E.C.R.E.T

pumps.
Matilda cleared her throat.
“We’ll explain later, Cassie, but for now, we have to get you ready. Fast. It’s about to
begin.”
“What’s about to begin?”
“Never mind,” she said.
This was all meant for me? The dress, the makeup. I was going to be on display, but
for whom, and to what end?
“You remember Michelle? From S.E.C.R.E.T. headquarters? She’s your stylist.” I did
remember her round angelic face and easy giggle. Stylist? What were they getting me
styled for?
“Cassie, I’m so excited for you, but we have to hurry. Undergarments rst. O with
them.”
Before I had a chance to react, Michelle shoved me behind a bamboo dressing screen,
and tossed a gossamer silk bra, thong and pale stay-up stockings over the top.
“I bet you thought birds and butteries would be helping you,” she said, laughing. I
had no idea what she meant.
Once I had the garments on, Michelle gave me a bathrobe, then seated me in front of
the mirror. She gathered my long hair into a low chignon at the nape of my neck. Amani
painted my cheeks and lips light pink, then gave the rest of my face a natural glow with
a big brush. After adding a hint of mascara, we were done.
“Time for the dress,” Michelle said, carefully plucking the pink confection o the
hanger and ushering me behind the screen again.
All the while, Matilda kept coming and going from the room.
“How much longer?” she asked Amani.
How much longer for what? I lifted the heavy dress over my shoulders and felt it slide
easily down my body and fall perfectly around my hips. I stepped out to get help with
the zipper, and when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I was rendered
speechless. The dress was beautiful, a pale pink like the lining of a seashell. It cinched
me so snugly at the waist, I realized I actually had one. The sheen was the barest sateen,
and the dress was strapless and cut sweetheart-style across my chest, showing o my
shoulders and arms. The skirt ared out like a ballerina’s, with a soft crinoline
underneath to keep its shape.
“You look … beautiful,” said Matilda.
“But how is this going to play out? People know me. My boss’s girlfriend is still here.
The whole city’s here!”
“Trust us, Cassie. It’ll all be fine,” Matilda said, glancing at her watch.
Admittedly, some of the other fantasies had taken me by surprise, especially Jesse, but
this was dierent. This was the rst time I was around people I knew, in my real life. It
was exciting and dangerous, but it also lled me with anxiety. Michelle gently removed
a tiara, a delicate twist of silver and sparkle, from a small velvet bag. She nested it
across the top of my head, framing my tousled chignon.
Matilda and I looked at each other in the mirror.