by W.J. May
***
“Lise, come on. You look great. The limo is probably outside waiting for us.” Natalie turned off the light in the room.
“Hey, turn that back on.”
Natalie flipped the switch back on. “I don’t want to be late.”
“Alright, I’m done.” Lise blinked a few times in the mirror. She walked up to Natalie and fluttered her eyes at her. “What do you think?”
The tiny rhinestone crystals sparkled against her eyelids and the smoky eye shadow. “They are hideous.”
“Ugh. Thanks.” Lise put her hands on her hips.
“I’m kidding. They are really cool. Your eyes are going to really pop from behind that mask.”
Lise held up her feathered gold and black mask to her face and glanced in the mirror. “I think you’re right.”
She lowered the mask and turned around, making sure the fringe on her black see-through hoop swung freely.
“Let me help you with that.” Natalie reached forward and fixed it. “I have to admit, you have an eye for bold fashion.”
She winced slightly. “Do you think it’s too much?” She twirled, allowing Natalie to get the full picture of her short black and gold corset style body suit.
“No. As long as your boss is okay with it.”
“My boss totally loved it. She’s so cool. She may work us like dogs but she sure knows how to reward us. Can you believe she bought this for me?”
“That was nice of her, not to mention the limo ride. Did you know she also paid for Ryan’s tux rental? Which reminds me; I better let him know we are about to leave.” She typed him a text.
“No, I didn’t know that. Too bad the company didn’t offer to pay for all the interns’ outfits for the party. I guess those of us in marketing were lucky.”
“Yes, but you all deserve it. I can’t believe how many hours you and Ryan put in this week.”
“Tell me about it.” Lise rolled her eyes.
Natalie fluffed out her petticoat from underneath the heavy tapestry dress. “I don’t know about this outfit.”
“What? I love the gold ribbon that outlines the emerald green paisleys. I’ve always wanted to wear a full corset dress. I love the nineteenth century era. Can you imagine the balls they use to attend wearing dresses like that?”
“I don’t know if I could get used to all of this. It’s a little much for me. I can barely breathe in this thing.” Natalie took a deep breath and adjusted the restrictive bodice.
“I think you look gorgeous in it. It totally accentuates your boobs. Ryan is going to drool when he sees you.”
Natalie pulled up on the dress, trying to cover her breasts.
“Don’t. Flaunt what God has given you.” Lise pushed Natalie’s hands down.
Natalie stopped fidgeting and exhaled. “Can you hurry? I haven’t seen him all week and he’s waiting for me.”
“Yes ma’am.” Lise saluted her. Lise’s cell phone rang. “That must be the driver.” She turned around to get her phone. “Hello? Yes...okay, we’ll be right down.” Lise hung up the phone. “The limo’s here. Let’s go.”
Natalie and Lise checked themselves in the mirror one last time, grabbed their purses and headed out the door.