34| Anxiety and Pretence

By the time Balia was all dressed up, it was already six in the evening.

She stood before the floor-to-ceiling mirror, staring at her dress. It was an off-the-shoulder gown with a plunging neckline and a bare back. The lady suggested wearing a thong to make her underwear less visible.

She stood four inches taller than her average height, her hair bouncing over her shoulders in fat beach curls. Her makeup was dark and smoky, giving the impression of a woman with an air of darkness around her.

Balia wasn't sure she liked this. As beautiful as she looked tonight, she preferred curling up in bed and watching a movie or reading a book.

Her dress was smoothed over by the lady whom she later discovered her name was Melinda.

"You look gorgeous tonight," She said as she placed her hands on Balia's shoulders. "Let's see if he gets moved by you for real."

Balia wasn't interested in any of that. As far as she was concerned, all she wanted was for the night to end as fast as possible. She wanted t