Getting Dolled Up
Chapter 31
Addison’s POV
The Day of the Event, the first week of April:
As a treat for us both, my aunt had someone come to the house to do our hair and makeup for
the gala. She said tonight was important to our family. We would be front and center at a
table near the front. Since I usually avoid attending events, they have forgotten who I am. I
can’t help but avoid the spotlight, as my greatest fear is that the video will be released. I can
take it, but the shame it would bring my family is not something I want them to deal with.
I disliked being so exposed, as I believed staying home kept me safe. Plus, I was with Corbin
and loved spending time with him. I was okay with being there for my family tonight. It was
just for one night, and it meant so much to them that I was there. I was just not expecting to
look as good as I did. I tried the dress in the store, with the seamstress present. She told me I
looked stunning. I took it with a grain of salt, as I was technically her boss.
Of course, she would tell me I looked good. I wanted to wait and get the full effect, so I didn’t
want to look at myself in the mirror. This dress was important to me. Correction, all the
dresses that I designed were important to me. I put my heart and soul into each of them as I created them. This particular dress was unique because it was made for me. That was my first, as I had never worn an evening gown before. I did not need one. I liked to stay home. I have never attended an event where I would have to dress up.
I sat in the chair as the makeup artist worked his magic on me. My hair was curled and put into a messy bun. I liked how it looked with some tendrils hanging down. I thought about leaving it, but Brice, my hairdresser, told me my dress should be the showstopper, not my hair. He even gave me a quick trim. My aunt was now getting her hair done. Since my eyes were closed, and I wasn’t supposed to talk, I let my mind wander. I usually did that during downtime, anyway.
When Corbin was a baby, it was easier for me to stay home during these events, I had a built–in excuse for him being too young to be without me. The real reason was that I didn’t like being photographed. I still had some body issues to deal with because of Tammy’s incessant comments about my weight. But this time, I couldn’t get out of it. The whole family needed to attend tonight. So, I designed a tiny tux for my son and a dress for myself. My aunt had measured him and emailed his measurements to the seamstress while I created my dress. He was getting a tiny bowtie and pocket square made that would match my wine–red dress.
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Getting Dolled Up
My grandmother already had a gown that I had designed for her birthday at the end of last year. It was the first dress that I created for her. She was so proud of me and was very excited to wear it. She knew what a talent my mother was. My aunt said that I had even exceeded my mother with the dress I designed.
I think that because I was a plus–sized girl, I understood different body types better. I wanted everyone, no matter their size, to look and feel beautiful in my dresses. That is why our dresses look so good on them. Because they are each custom–made, according to their measurements, after they choose their dress. I was very good at knowing what would look
best for each of my clients. That didn’t mean I didn’t take their wishes into account. I also
tried to make sure that they didn’t just look beautiful in my evening gowns but were
comfortable, too.
My grandmother’s gown was a beautiful sapphire blue with an empire waist. She looked
gorgeous in it, and it had a flowing skirt on it. She looked like a queen in it. Her auburn hair
had gray streaks, making her look even more lovely. Her brown eyes shined. She looked just
like my mother. I felt a strong connection with her from the moment I met her. She asked me
to design a tuxedo for my grandfather as a surprise for the gala. She was using the event to
help showcase my talents as a designer.
I started a men’s line a little over a year ago. It had been live for about fourteen months. It was
not as well–known as our women’s line yet, but it was growing, especially with all the local pro
players for the NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLB teams. Some wanted regular tuxedos. At the same
time, others wanted to get some of their team colors infused into their tuxedos and suits. Each time someone is photographed in one of our suits, we get at least five calls to make appointments for more suits. I am now swamped. I am happy that I only have classes three
times a week.
It took a year for the men’s line to start to pick up. I had initially made tuxes for both my cousins and my uncle. They had at least one event a month to go to. Of course, my aunt represents our latest creation when she goes with them. The whole family will be wearing my designs tonight. I was proud that they wanted to promote our boutique and give a nod to us by showing their support. I was nervous but ready to get this night over with.
“You’re done,” the makeup artist told me. My dress was hung up in the corner of the room as they wanted to see what I was wearing tonight for inspiration. I turned in my chair as my aunt was finishing up. I headed into the attached bathroom to change.
I was still lost in thought as I slid into my dress. I was puzzled by how much I looked forward to seeing Phillip tonight. I was also nervous because his family was going to be there. I was nervous because he wanted to introduce me to them. I have a child. I knew that probably
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Getting Dolled Up
wasn’t going to look good to them.
I didn’t know very much about his ex–girlfriend. He didn’t like to talk about her very much. He
only mentioned that she was a user and had only been with him for his money. I knew she hurt him with what she had done, but he had told me, “I think that I was more in love with the
idea of love than actually in love with her.” He was insistent that he was hurt because he didn’t
know who she was, not because he loved her.
I was surprised by how quickly I had become attached to Phillip. He is a wonderful friend, but I
can sense that he is very serious about me becoming his girlfriend. I told him more about
myself on the phone each night. I told him how I had been best friends with Corbin’s father for
a number of years before my feelings started to change towards him. Phillip listens to me and
occasionally comments, but only after I finish speaking. Garrett never let me talk much about
me or my dreams. He always wanted to talk about his dreams. I didn’t notice it before
because I was head over heels for him. Being around Phillip, I now see what it looks like to be
cared for.
Phillip doesn’t try to hurry me along. He seemed to want to know more about me. The fact
that he is happy to match me and Corbin tells me something. He wants to claim me as his.
He wants everyone to know that I am with him, and I have to admit that intrigues me. Garrett
was happy to claim me as his best friend. But he failed in the next part. He didn’t tell anyone
that we were together. He returned to Tammy like he never even said it in the first place.
I am happy that she got five years. Our attorney told me that she would get out sooner. What
she did is considered a low–level crime, but each text sent was a charge. It was still against
the law, but when he added in what she induced Tripp and Alden to do, it added layers to her
original charge. I was glad that they both turned on her. She deserved to go to prison. I just
never wanted to see the three of them again.
My aunt zipped me up after I slipped into my dress. I turned to look at myself in the mirror and
was stunned by my appearance. My dress fit me perfectly and highlighted my hourglass
shape. I stared at myself in the mirror and had to turn my face from side to side. I looked
beautiful, and for the second time in my life, I felt beautiful. Garrett once made me feel
beautiful that night, but I knew he had said it just to get me to sleep with him.
I wanted to touch my face, but I heard the makeup artist cry, “Don’t touch your face!” He
smiled and said calmly, “It will ruin my work, but you look gorgeous. I want you to look perfect
tonight, so try not to touch your face. I noticed you didn’t have any makeup in your bathroom, so I am leaving you some remover to clean your face with when you get home Cinderella. If
you want to, come by my store, and I will set you up.”
He had packed up while I was slipping into my dress. “I would be happy to make an
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Getting Dolled Up
appointment with you. Maybe you can help me learn how to do a daytime look. I rarely go out at night,” I replied.
“I can show you both, honey. I have to say that you were built for glamour. You look like Jessica Rabbit tonight, except your hair is up. Brice should have done an old Hollywood look on you and put it off to one side. You should go out more, Addison: I would be glad to come back and help you get dolled up for the next event, too,” he replied with a smile.
“I did her hair up, Marc, for a reason. I was trying to show off her beautiful dress. She looks confident and sexy, drop–dead gorgeous. I didn’t want the photographers to miss an inch of that dress, so I made a judgment call, Marc. I stand by it,” Brice replied with sass. It was clear that they worked well together. They spoke to each other as they worked. They were friends but acted like siblings. Both were very attractive, but Marc was dating someone right now, while Brice was single.
“You are right. Maybe next time we can do an old Hollywood look for her,” Marc said thoughtfully.
“It’s a deal then. I will design a dress for the next event with that type of look in mind,” I told them. Their reaction was priceless. They were more excited than I was about it.
“You know, Addison, we have our company’s award ceremonies next month. It will be held at the same hotel. You can do it for that event. I will send you two details to let you both know when to return,” my aunt was quick to mention it. I guess I will be doing this all over again next month.
