Overlooked(1)(155)

I drop back down onto my pillow. For a wild moment, I contemplate not going. I contemplate doing something insane, like calling in sick or something. I wonder if I should call off this lie. But I can’t, I have too many people depending on me. My mum, my brother, Cade.

I sigh and reluctantly drag myself out of bed.

I can’t call in sick to life, although sometimes I wish that I could. I wish that with all my heart. I put on the coffee machine before making my way to the bathroom. I need a shower – a long one. I also need to look my very best for this meeting, whether I am invested in it or not.

I need to look like I really care about this. In a way, I really do care. So I start by putting a mask on my face. I grab a shower scrub and a razor and get to work. Once I have scrubbed and shaved every inch, I feel a lot more polished than I have in quite a long time.

I wet my hair, next lathering it up with a sweet smelling shampoo. A condition follows and I try to let the product sit in my hair for as long as possible. When I finally rinse it out of my hair, and step out of the shower, I feel more put together than I have in months.

I rinse off my face mask with cold water in the sink, the blast of ice helping me wake up a little more. I wash my skin and put on lotion.

My face is first, followed by a moisturizer all over my body. It leaves my skin feeling fresh and soft and it adds a glow to it that I haven’t seen recently. It’s usually masked by a haze of exhaustion and lack of time.

Now, my skin is glowing and I have to admit that I love it. It’s been far too long since I’ve taken time to do this for myself. I run some product through my hair and twist it into a soft towel. Once I am all wrapped up in my robe, I move to the bedroom and bring out the hair dryer.

This part I am good at. I style my hair simply, blasting it with the dryer until it’s mostly dry. A gentle comb through and a few moments with the curling iron, and my hair is looking good. I spray it with a bit of product to keep it in place and check that it looks polished.

Next, I make my way over to my wardrobe where my latest outfit sits. It’s very rare I splurge on new clothes, but I did buy one outfit with the credit card from Cade – a neat new one for the meeting today. It’s professional and I am confident in my choice. I slip into it – a simple black dress that hugs my curves and stops just above my knee. It shows some skin, but not enough to look trashy.

I smile and put on a simple necklace. The ring that Cade got me is next. I have not put it on since the night of the engagement, and I admire the sparkle. I hadn’t worn it as I didn’t want to expose it to the chemicals at the salon or get clients’ hair caught in the setting. Tasteful earrings, stockings and low heels complete the look. I apply my makeup, taking care to keep it subtle, before grabbing my bag.

I flick off my coffee machine with a sigh of disappointment – I didn’t get a moment to drink it – before I head out of my apartment, locking the door behind me.

The pain from before has eased to a low ache in my chest, but I am still worried about my meeting with Cade. I haven’t seen him or spoken to him since our last coffee break, except for him to relay the details of the appointment. I feel nervous, despite myself.

We’re meeting at a cute little restaurant about a block away from the meeting. I know the shop, so I catch a bus into the heart of the city. I consider what Cade has told me about today. We’re meeting a lawyer. He’ll be handling the trust fund settlement.

Cade has a suspicion that the lawyer has just been hired to dig up the dirt on us. We can’t let that happen, obviously. My stomach twists at the thought and I wonder what the heck I have gotten myself into.

I arrive at the restaurant early and find a seat in the corner, at the far end. I order myself a coffee. After a moment of debating with myself, I order Cade a coffee too. They arrive at the table before he does and I sip mine slowly, letting the caffeine seep into my system slowly.

Cade arrives soon after and I offer him a small smile. He sits and glances at his coffee. “Thanks.” He smiles, smooth as ever, but there’s an edge to his voice and I wonder if it’s got something to do with me. It’s probably just about the meeting.

I nod, “It’s going to be okay.”

We sit in silence for a moment as he sets down his briefcase and takes a long drink of his coffee. Double espresso. It seems like I guessed right.

“You ready?” he asks, glancing my way.

“Sure.” I shrug, sounding far more confident than I feel.

He nods and looks me over, “You look lovely.”

His compliment sends little shivers down my spine, though I shrug it off. I’m also forced to consider the fact that he’s looking rather handsome himself. Freshly shaven, neat hair and a crisp suit, pleats pressed so perfectly they look like they could slice through stone.