The Power Of Makeup

Rosette Young POV'

I nodded and got into the car, the soft leather creaked beneath me, enveloping me in a sense of comfort. The scent of leather and fresh air filled my nostrils, a welcome change from the stench of my prison cell.

My head lowered to my legs as I clenched them tightly to suppress my tears, the sound of my own ragged breathing filling my ears.

Caleb's gaze was brief, but intense, like a flash of lightning on a stormy night, illuminating the darkness of my soul. The car ride was smooth, the hum of the engine a gentle purr.

My mind was a jumble of thoughts, my anxiety and fear threatening to overwhelm me. The cityscape outside was a blur, a kaleidoscope of lights and sounds that seemed to fade into the background as I struggled to process my emotions.

Caleb's voice cut through the silence, his words low and smooth, like a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves.

"Where do you stay?" he queried, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. My response was hesitant, my voice barely above a whisper. "I...I don't know," I stammered, my eyes welling up with tears.

The uncertainty and fear that had been building up inside me seemed to burst forth, like a dam breaking under the pressure of a swollen river.

Caleb's expression was unreadable, his face a mask of calmness, but his eyes seemed to bore into my very soul. His gaze was questioning.

I explained briefly." There's a rule for the apartment given to the residents, and that is rents are to be paid on time.

And since I broke the rule,I doubt my apartment would belong to me again."

Caleb only hummed, his attention fixated on the road. I thought he would just leave me on the street after my exclamation but his next words stirred something in me.

"Just give me the address, and I would handle the rest."

I mumbled an address afterwards.

As we arrived at my apartment building, my heart sank. I knew I wouldn't be able to stay there, not after what had happened. The building's facade seemed to loom over me, a monolith of disappointment and failure.

Caleb's questions were like a barrage of gunfire, each one piercing my defenses. "Is this where you live?" he asked, his voice low and demanding.

I nodded, my eyes cast downward. I felt a sense of shame and embarrassment, my body odor and disheveled appearance making me feel like a vagabond.

The elevator ride was swift, the doors opening with a soft whoosh. I stepped out, my eyes scanning the familiar surroundings.

Caleb's questions continued, his voice probing deep into my psyche. "What do you plan on doing next?" he asked, his eyes fixed on my face.

My response was hesitant, my voice barely above a whisper. "Find another job," I stammered, my mind racing with the possibilities and challenges that lay ahead.

The rest of the conversation was a blur, my mind numb with exhaustion and despair. Caleb's words were like a lifeline, offering me a glimmer of hope. "Don't worry, I would have your apartment given to you back...In return, you never stumble into my life again. No attachment,no repayment. Just stay away"

The words seemed to echo in my mind, a promise of salvation, but also a reminder of the price I would have to pay.

I nodded slowly agreeing to his condition. But the feeling that I was loosing something so dear lingered in my heart.

...

As I stepped into my apartment, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. The familiar surroundings were comforting, like a warm blanket on a cold night.The apartment was quiet, the only sound the hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen, a reminder of the mundane routines I had once taken for granted.

I made my way to the shower, the water washing away the dirt and grime of my imprisonment. The sensation was almost heavenly, a reminder of the simple pleasures in life that I took for granted. The night was cool and starry, my favorite time of day.

I stood at the window, my eyes fixed on the moon, its round and fuller nature making me feel a warm but tingling sensation. I made a wish, my eyes closed and hands palmed together, a kind of mantra I did before bed.

The stars twinkled like diamonds in the sky, a reminder of the infinite possibilities that lay ahead.

""

The next morning, I woke up early, my body aching from the previous day's events. I took a morning run around the building, the cool air invigorating my senses. The sun was rising, casting a golden glow over the city. But the stares and whispers of my neighbors were like a cold shower, making me feel like an outcast.

I took a shower, and prepared to head off to Cleveland bar, a new bar that opened recently and we're hiring new employees.

...

At the bar, my nerves were on edge. I had dressed sharply, my pink blouse and cream pants making me feel confident and professional.

But as I stood before the CEO, my heart pounded in my chest, my palms sweating with anxiety.

The CEO's questions were probing, his eyes fixed on my face. My responses were brief, my voice barely above a whisper. But the CEO's words were like music to my ears, offering me a chance to start anew.

"Come here tomorrow at 8pm on the dot," he said, his voice firm but kind. My face lit up with hope, my eyes welling up with tears. I felt a sense of gratitude towards the CEO, a sense of relief that I had finally found a way out of my desperate situation.But just as I was about to leave, a familiar voice sent shivers down my spine.

"Uncle...I finally came, what do you want?" I croaked, my gaze meeting the speaker's.

"Is you, what are you doing here slut."

The voice was like a knife cutting through my peace, making me feel like I was trapped in a nightmare.