The following day, Constantine did as he said. He picked me up by 6 a.m. and dropped me at a famous beauty salon in Moon City half hour later.
The hairdresser bowed to Constantine. “Good morning. Lord Constantine, right? You come with a new beauty. Let me handle her, and you will be surprised when I have done.”
Constantine nodded. “I want her to look the best but as elegant as possible.”
The hairdresser clicked his tongue. “Naughty! You pick sexy for one and elegant for another. I guess this one is for the lady, huh?”
“Said no more.” Constantine glanced at me. “All said, he is the best. So, I will leave you in his hand. I will pick you up—” Constantine asked the hairdresser, “—when will you finish?”
“By noon is the best. No need to hurry so I can give the best result.”
Constantine nodded. “Okay, I leave now.” Then he patted my shoulder and left.
The hairdresser smiled at me. “Okay, sweetie, what’s your name?”
“Helena, and you?”
“Johnny. Come here, sit and let me look at you.”
I followed what Johnny said and sat on a chair he pointed at.
“Ah, you are beautiful, but you need a polish to make your appearance more sophisticated. Lord Constantine’s eyes are sharp indeed.” He grinned as he touched my hair. “He can distinguish beautiful women from the ordinary ones.” Then he patted my shoulder. “Okay, I am gonna wash your hair first. Follow me, sweetie.”
I let Johnny wash my hair. His hands were firm but gentle, and I enjoyed the massage. Then I recalled what Johnny said to Constantine. “Johnny?”
“Yes, sweetie?”
“What did you mean that Constantine picked sexy for one and elegant for another?”
Johnny giggled. “It’s nothing. As you know, Lord Constantine is a nobleman. He surely knows many beautiful women.”
“Ah, I see. So, has Constantine come with another woman before?”
“Jealous?”
“No, only curious.”
“Can I give you a suggestion?” Johnny said.
“Sure, why not?”
“So, as far as I know, Lord Constantine is a wealthy and influential man. For sure, he is handsome too.” Johnny giggled. “It’s normal for him to be surrounded by many beautiful women. So, regardless of the current situation, please don’t show jealousy toward him. It’s unpleasant for any man if you show the ugly side of jealousy.”
It was like I was gossipping with my female friends now. But, if I were interested in Constantine as my male companion, I might take the advice seriously. So, I giggled too. “Thanks for your advice, Johnny. But I’m not involved with him romantically.”
“Huh? Are you sure? Since he only brought two women here, the red hair and green eyes chick—” Johnny smacked his lips. “Ah, Victoria. Boy, she’s smokin’ hot! No wonder Lord Constantine likes her.”
“Hm, Victoria? I see.”
“Oopsie! I guess I ain’t good at keeping secrets. But anyway, it’s better you know from now. He has only brought two women here, Victoria and you.”
“It’s okay. I’m only Constantine’s friend. I’m glad that he has already had Victoria by his side.”
“You are so sweet and innocent, sweetie. I like you. Maybe it’s why the lord wants you too.”
“Nah, I have already had a boyfriend.’
“Wow! So, why did you come with the handsome lord instead of your boyfriend?”
I smiled a little. “Because my boyfriend is out of town. Constantine only wants to help my confidence.”
“Are you sure you will choose your boyfriend instead of the handsome lord?
“Yes! My boyfriend is handsome, wealthy, and influential too.” I shrugged. “The royalty? He is a nobleman too.”
“Whoa! Interesting!” Then as Johnny finished washing my hair, he wrapped it with a towel. “Okay, back to the chair first, sweetie.”
I walked back to the chair. Johnny wrapped me with a cover, opened the towel, and combed my hair with a comb. Then he stared at me for a few seconds through the mirror.
“I think you should have straight hair instead of curly one. What do you think?”
“Okay, I want to try it. But I love long hair, so don’t cut it, please?”
Johnny shook his head. “I need to trim it a little to make it tidy. But I’ll make sure not to cut it short.”
“Thank you.”
Then Johnny grinned. “Maybe it’s better if you don’t see yourself first before all is finished. It will be a surprise.”
I nodded. “Okay. As you are the expert, I’ll follow what you said.”
“Okay, close your eyes, and don’t peek.”
I closed my eyes.
“So, does your boyfriend know about our lord here?”
“Yes, why?”
“Is he jealous of him?”
“Hmm, I don’t know, but he said nothing.”
“Has he told you not to meet with the handsome lord anymore?”
“Once. Why?”
“Aha! Your boyfriend is jealous of our lord.” Johnny giggled again. “My, my, I wish I could see your boyfriend.”
I smiled as I pictured Ethan in my mind. “He is handsome, more handsome than Constantine.”
While talking, Johnny worked fast. Then he brushed my neck and removed the cover from my body. Later, he sprayed and blew dry my hair.
“Finished yet?”
“For hair. But I should apply makeup, choose a dress and shoes for you.”
“Oh! I thought I would only cut my hair.”
“Nah, it will be a complete makeover. So, we will surprise our handsome lord and your boyfriend too.”
I smiled to imagine how surprised Ethan would be. I missed him badly now.
After fifteen minutes, Johnny said, “Okay, you can open your eyes. Then, I will give you three choices of dresses and shoes. You can try each one and show me. Later, I will choose the fittest one for you.”
I tried each set of dresses and shoes Johnny prepared for me and showed the dresses each time to him.
After finished, Johnny nodded. “These three sets of dresses and shoes are good for you. You can bring them all.”
“Oh, how much should I pay?”
“The handsome lord has paid for everything.”
I sighed. I needed to pay for the dresses to Constantine. Then Johnny held my hand and brought me closer to the mirror, and I gasped. I looked amazing! My straight blonde hair was shiny, and the makeup accentuated my eyes and lips. Also, the dress and the shoes fit for a morning occasion.
“Do you like it?”
“Wow! It’s amazing! You are wonderful, Johnny. Thank you so much!”
“Nah, I only showed what has been there. You have it all already.”