Afterlife - Stephanie Hudson Page 0,149

want to go for length, fullness or curl?”

“What?”

“Here, go with this one, you already have the length and fullness, you lucky cow!” She said handing me the one with a blue lid that had the words curl and waterproof written down one side. Well I guess that was good considering the amount of strange things that had happened to me while working the VIP, tears seemed to be an everyday occurrence...well at least I wouldn't look like a panda if anything else went wrong tonight!

“Thanks and you’re sure I don't look...well I don't want to stand out and look like a plonker,” I said as she shook her head saying,

“Kazzy if anything you will stand out for being beautiful, you look great...and look at that skin...flawless.” She said laughing when I cringed at the compliment. I applied the mascara making my lashes even blacker and curl upwards slightly. I examined myself, pulled my shorter bits of hair down over my face putting them to one side and looked at myself feeling different.

I felt exposed.

Chapter 26 – Dangerously Exposed.

I got to the club with plenty of time to spare, knowing I would never make the mistake of being late again. I walked through the main doors after saying my regular ‘Hellos’ to Cameron and Jo but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to be very wrong about this evening. I crossed the massive hall snaking in and out of the early arrivals for the band that was going to be playing. It was one of the better known ones but no matter how many times RJ had told me I just couldn't remember the name of them. I noticed my friends sat ready at their usual booth and they waved when they saw me. Jack looked shocked at the sight of me and I suddenly felt self-conscious. I should have just stuck with my regular look.

I ran up the stairs before I chickened out and pushed open the door. For some reason it seemed busier tonight than any other night I had worked. I was about to walk round the back out of view when Akako the Japanese waitress stopped me and said,

“Sorry no go, have to walk round.” She said and then dipped her head leaving me feeling less than happy about it. I had already taken my jacket off and had it over the strap of my bag so I would look strange now putting it back on when I was already here. Some of the scarier clientele were starting to stare at me so that made me move my feet in the direction of Draven's table.

I purposely remembered how mad he had made me last night, which made me hold my head high instead of letting it hang down pathetically. So when I walked past, I finally looked as though I had some balls! I couldn't however help looking at him for a split second but it was enough to catch the different look he was giving me. I had never seen this look and I had to say I liked it. It was a mixture of surprise and shock with the smile adding a different want in his eyes. The look he gave me made me feel...well, kind of sexy. But as soon as I passed so did the feeling.

“Umm hi Keira, you’re looking...good,” Karmun said clearing his throat. I felt my face get hot and I wished I had changed before leaving the house like this.

“Thanks.” I said as I walked past, going to put my bag in the little room. I dropped it on one of the chairs and threw my jacket not caring about where they landed. I just wanted to check the mirror, worried that there was something else on my face apart from mascara. But there was nothing but my pale face with the hint of red cheeks and very dark blue eyes that were now framed with thick lashes. I could see that there was something different about me and it wasn't just down to the lashes, but I couldn't figure out what. Giving up I went out there and started my shift.

Sophia was waiting for me when I walked out and she too did a double take at me, which made me blush even more.

“Keira, you’re…” I interrupted her saying,

“Yeah I know I'm early.” I said in a loud voice and unbelievably Draven shot me a look as though he'd heard.

“That's not what I was going to