It's all far too chaotic. Too real and messy.
Not at all like the perfectly laid plans Atticus intended.
I change quickly, glad the dress covers all the fingerprint bruises on my hips and thighs from how I spent my evening.
I slip the pointed heels onto my feet and tug at the dress, trying to get it to settle against my curves as I walk out from behind the divider.
"Oh, good, it fits." The petite woman claps her hands and then turns to the dude with the spiky hair. "Focus only on those circles under her eyes and getting some color in her cheeks. We don't have time for anything else. I've got her hair."
Once I've been colored and coiffed and forced to suffer through inhaling what I have to assume is a near-lethal amount of hairspray, Linette is back, and the tension ratchets another degree higher.
"Time to go."
My feet wobble in the stiletto heels as I stand, but I get my footing after a few steps as Linette takes me by the arm to hurry me along through the halls of the luxury hotel building Ambrose chose to host this official conference.
Somehow, I'm cold and sweating all at once, and when Linette drags me to a stop outside of a space already buzzing with the drone of conversation and bright lights, I only have a second to compose myself before someone touches my shoulder.
I spin and almost trip in my heels, finding Ambrose himself emerging from the shadows. "You're here. Good. You look lovely. I'm so sorry for this, Aurora."
His hands cup my shoulders, and I tense beneath his touch. I fumble for something to say, and land on, "It's not your fault."
"I wish that were true, but it's looking more and more like the leak came from someone on my legal team." He heaves a sigh. "I'm dealing with that, but nowwehave to deal with the fallout."
"Mr. De La Rosa," Linette's nasally voice interrupts as he pokes her head around the corner. "One minute."
"Thank you, Linette."
His hands mercifully fall away from my shoulders, and he straightens his jacket and then pivots to check his reflection in a mirrored panel on the wall.
"Are you able to stay after the conference?" he asks me, smoothing a hand over his trimmed beard. "I'd like to speak to you about next steps."
"Next steps?"
Another sigh. "Yes, things may have to change, but I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure those changes happen on your terms."
The words should be reassuring, but they’re not.
Because I’m starting to understand that with Ambrose, there are no terms but his. He sure does like to give the illusion of choice, though.
My throat goes dry, trying to imagine what he might mean by things changing. We've gone over several possibilities for what Ambrose will want now that this secret is out, but I still don'tknow,and if I don't know, then I can't plan how I should respond.
The mask I've been wearing can only do so much when things are this unsteady.
I can't just wear the mask for this to work. I have tobethe mask.
I need to become Delilah De La Rosa.
"Aurora?"
I slip into that persona now, as best I can, and nod, biting my lip nervously, making Ambrose tsks at the anxiety I've made clear on my face, and he wraps me into an embrace that I willingly return.
"It'll be all right. Don't worry. I'll take care of everything."
I nod against his stiff jacket.
"It's time," Linette calls, and Ambrose shifts away, standing tall with a hand at the small of my back.
He nods.
