“I see my new friend wasn’t kidding about your high spirits.” Picking the grape off the polished marble, I pop it into my mouth and chew thoughtfully, “Does throwing temper tantrums make you feel better or is this in preparation for your wifely duties?”
“If you insist on calling me a bitch, why do you bother visiting?”
“Because I happen to enjoy your presence even when you’re being a bitch.” Casting my eyes around the empty room, my lips peel back into a smirk, “And I don’t see anyone else willing to tolerate your mood swings.”
Tahira sighs, pressing immaculate fingernails into her tired eyes.
“You are too sensible for this early in the morning.”
“It’s almost noon.”
“Like I said, too early in the morning.” Smearing the perfect lines of her makeup, Tahira looks at me with eyebags heavy enough to trigger concern, “Though I suppose someone must bring sensibility to this place.”
“My sentiments exactly.”
She lets out a snort, a mild sound of amusement that’s about as close as I’ll get to Tahira Malik’s real laughter.
“Thank you for coming, Calista.”
“You are most welcome.” Glancing around the bedazzled room, I purse my lips together, “Your father truly does have the worst taste in decoration. Contrary to popular belief, gold does not look good with everything.”
“An argument I have lost too many times to count.”
She lets out another sigh, casting a glance around the trinkets dangling from every corner of the room. Lanterns and lamps of every shape and size adorn an entire wall while a fleet of magic carpets decorates the other.
“Come on. I’ll show you the dresses I brought for the gala tomorrow.”
We leave the ostentatious display of wealth to enter another. A mansion dubbed as a bedroom, Tahira’s residence occupies the west wing in its entirety. Twelve foot ceilings, arched doorways and more coiled snakes slither past the paradise that resembles an empty keyhole.
A lock still searching for its key.
“I wasn’t sure what shade you would prefer, black or your usual black, so I played it safe and brought both.” A smirk creeps across her breathtaking features as we come to a stop in front of the wall dedicated to her clothes, “Figured you’d want more than a few options to reject.”
“I do love shooting down your suggestions.”
Tilting my head, I study the hangers dressed in the world’s finest silk. Bursting with colour and strips of fabric, Tahira’s closest is better suited for women with taste than the likes of me.
“It is a shame leather isn’t welcome at mother’s gala.”
“You would be the only person to think that.” Reaching up, she grabs a couple of hangers and pulls them out for my inspection, “How do these look?”
“Not quite what I had in mind.”
“I thought you’d say that.” Shuffling the mounds of clothes further down the line, Tahira resumes her search, “Which is why I brought plenty of backups.”
My heels click along the floors as I make my way to her bed. Lay back and watch the tycoon’s heiress do what she does best.
Find a way to dress up and play the part.
“Have you found a suitor? My invitation arrived a couple of days ago.” Rearranging her pillows, I make myself comfortable, “Sounds like it will be quite the affair.”
“No, though it is due to no fault of my own.” She gives me a pointed look, “My ideal suitor is still undecided-
“The answer is still no.”
“Then I am no closer to finding a suitor than I was six months ago.” Distress flutters past her expression like a leaf caught in the wind.
Gone just as quickly as it arrives.
