Bridget Bundy - The Secret Weapon

Malie met him in the hallway on her way to Coraset’s room, and she had a woman with her. Malie asked him, “Is she up, Xavier?”

“She’s up and not in the best of moods,” he confirmed.

“Would you be under the same circumstances?”

“Just get her ready for tonight. She has to be chosen, or this plan is dead in the water.”

Malie and the woman continued to Coraset’s door. After a knock, they entered into the loft not even waiting for an answer. Coraset rolled her eyes upon seeing Malie and the woman. She figured it was someone new to piss her off even more.

“Coraset, this is Parion Middleton,” Malie introduced. “She is here to prepare you for this evening’s ball.”

Parion was in her late fifties. She had jet black shoulder length hair, and her face was heavily made up. Her blue eyes were marked with thick eyeliner, and her lipstick was bright red. She was shorter than Malie but taller than Coraset.

She sauntered over to the bed, and she stared at Coraset taking in her facial features and size. The woman commanded, “Stand.”

Coraset cut her eyes at Malie who was still standing behind the sofa.

Parion remarked smartly, “Lets not begin this day on the basis of rudeness.”

Malie smiled at Coraset, and without saying a word, Coraset did as she was told.

“Thank you,” Parion remarked as she stepped closer. She touched her chin, moved her head side to side. She moved Coraset’s arm making her twist from one side to the other.

“You’re right, Malie. She’s quite beautiful, almost frighteningly too thin, but Chancellor Erato will not choose her. She’s too old. He wants women under thirty.”

“But she does look like she’s in her twenties. Don’t you agree?” Malie asked as she approached the women.

“Yes, I do agree. She does look younger.”

“I can make the necessary changes in the database to reflect she’s under the age requirement. I just need for you to make sure she doesn’t get passed up at the ball.”

Coraset crossed her arm and sat back down in disgust.

“I’ll bring in my team. We don’t have much time.”

“What team?” Coraset asked as she stood back up.

Malie quickly added, “It’s a beauty team, not an assault team.”

As soon as Parion opened the door, ten people burst in. They were all carrying thick briefcases, linens, a hairdryer chair, or other contraptions Coraset never seen before.

A rectangular table with a white cushion top was unfolded, and two other large briefcases were opened up. Coraset went over to peak at what was inside, and she was instantly pulled away to sit in a chair. Her hair was pulled from its rubber band restraint, and fingers dashed through her hair and scalp.

For the next three hours, Coraset was the center of attention for ten different people. One person did her hair. Another picked at her face destroying every pimple he could find. After that was done, a woman did her makeup. Two people waxed her legs. The other five people took out and hung numerous formal dresses on portable racks.

Parion was watchful and very direct in what she wanted Coraset to look like. Twice the hairdresser had to redo the hair because it didn’t fit Coraset’s features. She tried on countless dresses until Parion settled on a gorgeous black mermaid style dress that was lined with diamonds across the sweetheart bodice.

By the time Coraset was completely dressed and ready to go it was late in the afternoon, and she was irritated and exhausted from all the poking, pulling, and prodding.

Parion circled her with pride, like she created Coraset herself. She straightened the diamond necklace, and lightly tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear. She checked the make-up to make sure it was flawless. No streak lines, no lipstick on the teeth, and no running mascara. As a finishing touch, Parion handed Coraset a silver clutch and nodded with satisfaction. Malie was amazed. She saw a completely different woman.

A full length body mirror was rolled in front of Coraset so she could see herself. She was absolutely stunned. She’d never seen herself so dressed up before. She was afraid to move, afraid to breathe.

“What do you think?” Parion asked Coraset with pride.

She couldn’t form a single word, but her silence spoke volumes.

“Mm-hmm,” Parion remarked with a nod. “I know.”

Coraset turned to see the back. She smoothed her hands against the sides, and she looked at Parion. Despite the reason for dressing up, she loved the way she looked.

“Thank you,” Coraset remarked, truly meaning it.

“You’re welcome, my dear. Well,” Parion clapped her hands together, and her team began cleaning up and preparing to leave. “I wish you luck, Coraset.”

She only smiled.

The beauty team started filing out one by one, taking everything they came in with, and Parion was the last to leave. Malie looked at Coraset impressed with her finished look.

“I have to go get ready myself. I’ll be back to get you within the hour.”

Coraset sat down on the sofa being careful not to slouch or step on the back hem of the dress. She was uncomfortable, but she didn’t want to mess up herself. Sometimes Coraset stood and paced just to practice walking. Other times she simply stood.

Eventually, Malie showed up. She had on a one shoulder red silk dress that stopped at her knees. Her blonde hair was swept around to her bare shoulder in cascading waves.

“Are you ready, Coraset?”

“I supposed so.”

Coraset walked carefully, making sure she kicked out the front part of her dress. They met Brochudo in the foyer who whistled his approval. He opened the front door for the ladies, and he continued his gentleman gestures by opening the back doors to the car.

They rode in silence as Brochudo sped through old L.A. to the outer gate of the Utura Region. As soon as they entered, the royal palace with its majestic glimmering domes, towers, and beautiful Greek Doric temples began to appear in the distance. The closer they got, the more nervous she became.

Usually, Coraset was a cool person. Nothing bothered her too much, but the enormity of the situation was getting to her. She felt her face warming up, and she began sweating on her back and shoulders. She shifted in her seat, pulled and adjusted her dress trying to find some kind of comfort.

“What’s wrong with you?” Malie asked as she looked at her strangely.

“Nothing,” Coraset quickly answered.

They reached the northern gate to enter the Erato Government Center, and Coraset took in a deep breath. The royal palace loomed higher in front of them set within its own set of walls. Brochudo got into a long line of limousines and cars as they waited to be checked at the palace gate.

Coraset readied herself. She wondered if she would be able to pull it off. She wasn’t so sure.

“Scan your forefinger,” a brunette commanded from behind a table.

Coraset placed her finger on a square fingerprint machine. It beeped an agreeable jingle.

“State your name,” the brunette remarked after she read the name on the screen.

“Coraset Prescott,” she answered as she looked around at the entrance hall.

Bureaucrats were dressed in their finest attire from majestic headdresses of feathers and sequenced appliques, flowing gowns and suits, to equally expensive heels and leather shoes. People stood in lines awaiting their turns for their identifications to be confirmed so they may enter the great hall of the first Doric temple.

A black woman name Sekai came from behind the brunette signifying for Coraset to follow her. Coraset took one last glance back at Malie, who had a subtle smirk on her face, before rounding the table to follow the woman.