I stood in a daze, my mind a tangled ss as I tried to understand Raymond’s actions. Everything he did lately felt calculated, deliberate, like a chess move I could not quite decipher. Why was he doing all this? What exactly was he planning?
"My na is Mabel, but most people call Mama," the stylist introduced herself, breaking from my reverie.
"Lena," I replied, still trying to steady my thoughts.
"Yeah, I know who you are," she said with a smile.
The way she said it made sothing tighten in my chest.
"Co with ."
She started walking, the sharp, confident sound of her heels hitting the polished floor echoing through the hall. Her employees hailed her respectfully as she passed them.
"Good afternoon, Mama."
"Welco back, Mama."
She acknowledged them with a nod, her presence commanding yet warm.
She led toward a different section of the spa, quieter, more secluded, and far more advanced than the reception area. The lighting was softer, the décor more refined. My eyes wandered, admiring the beauty of the place—the marble floors, the subtle gold accents, the faint scent of essential oils lingering in the air.
"How do you know ?" I finally asked.
She opened a door and turned toward .
"The social circle is a small place, and I run a spa for the wealthy. You would expect I know everything that is going on," she said with a knowing smile.
Unease crept into my spine.
The last thing I wanted was to fall into a trap, or worse, be kidnapped again. Calmly, without drawing attention, I glanced behind her, subtly calculating my escape route.
She chuckled, clearly noticing.
She stepped inside and turned on the lights.
"Relax. Of course I’m on your side. Raymond wouldn’t bring you here if he wasn’t sure you would be safe."
I thought about what she said. There was truth in it. Raymond was many things, cold, domineering, unpredictable, but careless was not one of them.
Still, I did not loosen my guard.
Mama walked further into the room, and I followed. It was dimly lit, steam already curling softly in the air.
"Our first section will be a steamy sauna bath," she explained with a professional smile. "It will open your pores and allow your body to sweat out toxins. The heat helps relax tight muscles and improves blood circulation, giving your skin that natural glow."
She handed a bikini to change into.
My eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
I shook my head imdiately. "There is no need for all this. Why not just stick to simple things?" I asked, already feeling slightly irritated.
"No, can’t do. Raymond’s order," she said lightly.
"Don’t worry, you’ll only be attended to by ladies. I wouldn’t want Raymond to kill . And the bikini was included in the bags you brought here, aning Raymond already prepared beforehand."
Of course he did. I rolled my eyes
I sighed in defeat, took the bikini, and went into the changing room. When I ca out, Mama showed where to sit inside the sauna. She checked her watch.
"I’ll be back in fifteen minutes."
The heat enveloped almost instantly. It wrapped around my body like an invisible blanket, thick and suffocating at first. Slowly, beads of sweat ford on my skin and rolled down. My muscles, which I hadn’t realized were tense, began to loosen under the steady warmth.
For fifteen quiet minutes, I sat alone with my thoughts.
She returned as promised, handing a white robe.I wrapped it around myself gratefully.
She led to the cooling section, where I rinsed off with warm water. The temperature shift sent a pleasant shiver down my spine.
Then a few girls entered to scrub my body, from my face down to my toes. Mama explained it would remove dead skin cells and leave my body smooth and renewed. Their movents were firm yet careful, and I found myself relaxing despite my earlier resistance.
Once the scrubbing was done, I was asked to soak in a scented Jacuzzi filled with lavender oil and rose petals. The fragrance was soft and calming.
The hot water soothed my sore muscles, relieved lingering tension, and hydrated my skin. I sank deeper into the tub, allowing my head to rest against the edge. For the first ti in days, maybe weeks, I felt light, calm , refreshed and relaxed.
I almost fell asleep in the Jacuzzi.
But Mama’s voice pulled back to reality.
"Its ti for the next section."
I grumbled under my breath, and she laughed.
"Don’t worry, it will be over soon."
I glanced at the scented water and muttered, "What a waste." It was by far the most enjoyable section.
After rinsing again, I was treated to a full-body massage. Mama’s girls used warm oils that glided smoothly across my skin. Their hands worked in synchronized motions, pressing into knots I didn’t even know I had.
The massage helped release stress, improved my circulation, and left my body completely relaxed. My skin felt silky and radiant afterward—almost unreal.
"My goodness," Mama said approvingly. "Your skin has to be perfect before dressing up."
I could practically see my reflection on my skin. It was smooth like glass.
She explained that I needed a deep facial to cleanse my pores and brighten my complexion, removing dullness and impurities.
I simply nodded and let her work.
Exhaustion finally claid , and my eyes dropped shut as Mama began exfoliating my face.
At so point, I drifted into a light, relaxed sleep.
When I woke again, a face mask had been applied, and my manicure had already started.
Her girls worked silently and efficiently. My nails were trimd and shaped, cuticles cleaned, hands exfoliated and moisturized before polish was applied. The scent of lotion lingered softly.
Before they were done, another set of attendants arrived for my pedicure. My feet were soaked in warm water, scrubbed gently, calluses removed, nails shaped and polished.
Everything was done simultaneously.
Mama was already barking orders.
"We don’t have ti anymore! Faster!"
Despite her strict tone, there was care in every instruction.
When everything was finally complete, my face mask was removed. Mama applied moisturizer, massaging it gently into my skin to enhance the glow and reduce any remaining dullness.
By the ti she stepped back, my face looked fresh, hydrated, and luminous.
I stood before the mirror.
For a mont, I did not recognize the woman staring back at .
My erald eyes shone brightly against my pale, glassy skin. My features looked softer yet more defined. I looked... beautiful.
"You like what you see?" Mama asked, watching my expression.
I nodded slowly. "Thank you."
"It’s nothing?" she replied casually. "Raymond has been my friend for years, and this is the first ti he is bringing a woman to my spa. That alone is a surprise. I have to make sure you look good so that he will continue to bring you here in the future. Win-win."
I smiled faintly and nodded.
But deep within , I knew there was no future with Raymond.
The more I thought about it, the more it hurt. So I chose to ignore the ache and focus on the present.
"You said Raymond never brought any woman here? Did he not have a girlfriend before ?" I asked carefully.
Since Raymond refused to talk about Cynthia, I might as well ask indirectly.
Mama’s lips curved knowingly.
"I see what you are doing. Did he not tell you about Cynthia?"
Are all his friends this sharp? I wondered.
I shook my head. "He only gets angry at the ntion of her na," I admitted truthfully.
Her expression turned cold.
"Bitch. That is what she is."
The warmth in the room shifted instantly.
"I won’t tell you what happened between her and Raymond, that is his story to tell. But one thing I will say is this: Raymond never had the chance to bring her here. She left him the mont she turned nineteen."
She paused, her eyes steady on mine.
"My advice to you? Don’t let her get into your heart. She will never have Raymond. If you want him... then fight for your man."
"What if he doesn’t want to fight for him?" I asked suddenly, the question slipping out before I could stop myself.
Mama paused briefly, then sighed.
"Raymond will always try to protect himself from won because of what that bitch did to him. Commitnt will always be an issue for him," she said firmly.
"You talk like you know him deeply," I eyed her suspiciously, narrowing my gaze.
She chuckled at my expression.
"Of course I do. I’m his mother’s best friend. After the death of his mother, I tried my best to be there for him as much as possible." Her voice softened, and for the first ti, I saw sothing maternal in her eyes.
She sighed again, this ti heavier.
"But it wasn’t easy. He beca quiet. Withdrawn. He could barely speak. I did everything I could, but it did not work.
Then he found Cynthia when he was twelve, and he beca better. Though his bright smile, which had already started fading, never truly ca back, he beca responsive again. He began to interact. To live. That alone brought imnse joy."
Her expression darkened.
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