I showered and changed into a basic pair of jeans and a T-shirt since I would have to change and get my makeup done photo shoot anyway. DeLuxe Cosmetics had a car waiting once we got down to the private entrance. Within thirty minutes of arriving at the hotel, I was on my way back out.
“Don’t be mad when I say this.”
“That sentence never ends with any good news.” I turned to Demetria in the back of the car and stared.
She pinched her lips. “Maybe I should wait until we get there.”
“Maybe you should finish what you started to say now,” I suggested.
“Your parents found out about the photo shoot and will be there today,” she rushed out so fast it took me longer than it should have to process her words.
“What do you mean they found out?” I asked once I got my thoughts together. “How?”
She let out a sigh. “I might’ve let it slip.”
I slumped my shoulders and peered across the backseat at her. “How? You never speak with my parents.”
“It was a complete accident,” she defended. “Your father called out of the blue, asking about next month’s payment, and that was when I mentioned that you’d be back in the City.”
Sighing, I turned forward again. I ran my fingers over my hair, smoothing out the bun I wore it in.
“It’s fine,” I mumbled. “At least it’s not Nate.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
The remainder of the thirty-five minute ride was mainly silent.
Lo and behold, my parents were already there once we arrived at the location of the photoshoot.
“It’s about time you showed up,” my mother said before even saying hello. She pulled me into a quick hug. “Your father told everyone you were going to be a no show,” she told me as we entered the large room where the photographer had set up for the shoot.
On one end of the room sat the white backdrop and all of the cameras and lights, while at the far end of the room was a huge table complete with a variety of foods, including meats, cheeses, fresh fruit, chips, water, and sodas. It was a typical New York loft but probably triple the average size of someone’s home.
Assistants to the photographer, along with personnel from the makeup company, buzzed all around the room.
Someone pulled me by the arm and led me to a chair for the makeup artist to begin beating my face.
“Don’t you think that shade makes her too dark?” My mother frowned as she stood over the makeup artist.
I smiled at the woman doing my makeup.
“Ma, she knows what she’s doing. This concealer and foundation are formulated for darker skin tones, remember?” A fact which made me happy to sign on as one of the celeb models for the brand.
“Could you grab me a bottle of water?” I asked my mother. “I’m a little parched.”
She scrunched her face up and sucked her teeth. “That’s Demetria’s job. What else is she here for?” she yelled across the room, “Demetria, my daughter’s thirsty. Bring her some water. And not that faucet water they put in a bottle and try to sell as spring water,” she said as she walked in Demetria’s direction.
Squeezing my eyes tightly, I clenched my fists before relaxing. “Sorry about that,” I told the makeup artist.
She winked at me and continued applying my makeup.
“Thanks,” I told Demetria when she handed me a bottle of sparkling water. Even with my eyes closed as the artist applied my eyeshadow, my parents’ presence felt overwhelming. I could hear them bickering across the room.
“Can you tell them to keep it down?” I whispered to Demetria. “Remind them this is a professional shoot.”
She tensed but nodded and headed over in the direction of my parents.
