Chasing Circumstance by Dina Redmon Page A

penetrating my skin and working its magic.  I was almost tempted to bottle some of the water and take it with me when I returned State-side, but I seriously doubted that would go over well with customs.
    Realizing the time, I pulled the drain from the bath, and stood to wash my hair in the shower.  I didn’t want to be rude and arrive late.  The warmth of the water cascaded over my freshly shaved skin and made it tingle as it flowed over me.  Looking up, I noticed the showerhead was a removable, handheld unit.  Hmm, nothing like a little pre-game practice.
    After thoroughly enjoying the showerhead, I stepped out of the bath and wrapped up in a towel.  Sitting at the dressing table, I applied moisturizer to my face, and while waiting for it to work, I smoothed lotion over the rest of my body.  The coolness of the lotion felt especially inviting against the warmth of my skin.  It made me feel alluring and ready to take on the world.
    I usually wore very light make-up because of my career, but tonight was different.  I wanted to play up my big blue eyes, forcing Stuart to pay attention to them.  I needed him to see into the depths of my soul, needed him to see the depth of my love, and what he was missing out on because of his deceitful game. 
    After applying my foundation and blush, I covered the lower part of my eyelid with a delicate grey hue and then brushed black across the crease to add depth and shadow to my eyes.  Finally, I highlighted my brow line with a shimmery white color, outlined my eyes with a soft black liner and put on mascara.  
    When I finished my make-up, I covered my body in a light mist of my new perfume.  I loved the sweet and honest scent of it.  It brought back childhood memories of sitting on the porch and watching the rain soak the earth. 
    I wasn’t sure why, but I had always despised the saying, “We all put our pants on one leg at a time,” and ever since hearing that expression, I slid my jeans onto both legs at the same time.  I think it was because I didn’t want to be like everyone else.
    After pulling the towel from my hair, I put on my black lace bra and a fitted, light pink t-shirt.  I then returned to the dressing table and applied my lipstick to my lips and placed my necessities into a make-up case.  Walking back into the bedroom, I tossed the make-up into my overnight bag with the rest of my things. 
    I put on the new Fendi heels I had purchased to go with my gown and was pleasantly shocked to see that they looked just as great with my skinny jeans as they did with my gown.  Taking a deep breath, I threw my shawl over my arm, gathered my bag and purse, and pushed the button to open the doors to my private elevator.  As the doors opened, I entered the lift with my shoulders back and chin up, ready for whatever was awaiting me.
    Jeffrey was right on time as usual.  He tipped his hat to me as I approached the car.  “You look charming this evening, Miss Amia.  You’ll knock his socks off.”  Jeffrey opened the door for me.
    “Thank you, Jeffrey.  That’s the plan.”  I winked at him as I got into the car.
    Stuart’s flat was only a few miles from the hotel.  I thought about calling him when we were close but decided against it.  Instead, I relied on the fact that he was aware I would be arriving at seven o’clock. 
    The script I had prepared ran through my head on a constant loop.  I had memorized every word and each gesture to be sure I was well prepared.  I absolutely would not allow him through the protective walls I had constructed around my heart.  After all, they were built because of him and his deceptive schemes.
    Stuart was standing outside when we arrived.  Jeffrey pulled up next to his car and opened the door for me.  As I began to step out, Stuart approached me, took my hand, and helped me out of the car.
    “Jeffrey, would you be a doll and grab my things from the back, please?”  I turned to address Jeffrey.
    “Your things?