Hot Coffee (The Hollens) novel Chapter 12

Emma's POV

When I saw him in the kitchen preparing breakfast I wanted to tell him. I had to tell him what I heard last night, but when he told me about the paycheck, my mind state changed. I was so looking forward to buying some new stuff, from underwear to clothes to getting a new hair-do; so I let it be.

And Sharon was sort of scary with her judging eyes, sharp mouth and long nails. She would slap me back to Africa if I had told him about her conversation. Besides, it wasn't my business. Mr. Hollen was capable of taking care of himself and his relationship was above my pay grade.

The next day I looked at my paycheck. I wanted to cash it out so badly. One thousand dollars in just one week was indeed generous. I didn't make that at Carl's Cafe in a month.

I found Halley in the backyard watering the plants.

"Um, Halley," I began. I was still mindful of how I approached her. "I really want go to the bank and cash this so I'm taking my half day today."

"I think I'll come too."

"Okay, but... Uh."

"Relax, Emma. Mr. Hollen isn't here and there isn't much to do. We can take a half day together. I'll get my bag."  She moved towards the chambers.

Did she seriously want to go out with me? Halley? That was very unexpected.

Luis took us to a near-by bank. I loved how the mansion was situated between nearly everything we could need: supermarkets, clothing boutiques-- affordable and not-so-affordable, hair salons, movie theatres, stores, parks, clinics and health centres, libraries, a museum, malls and churches. 

"After this we'll go shopping," Halley said softly as we cashed in.

The car was parked on the street and Luis followed at a close but respectable enough distance behind us as our personal bodyguard.

"Is he obligated to do this?" I asked.

"Yes. Whenever we leave the mansion. It's just for protection."

"Oh, okay then."

Halley led us to Sisters, a fashion boutique with a wide range of accessories and different styles in clothing.

"Try this on, Emma." She handed me an off the shoulder black dress and ushered me into a changing room.

I took off my over-sized dress and tried on the new one. Halley's mouth dropped open when she saw me in it. "Emma, you're beautiful. Why do you cover up yourself like a saint?"

The dress did fit me beautifully so I took it to the cashier.

"Lets go to the hair salon now. We have to do something about that abomination on your head."

"Are we going into transformation mood today?" I asked as I tried to match her pace out the boutique.

"Nope, just you," she answered without looking back at me.

"What would you like to do to your hair today?" the hairstylist asked.

I looked at Halley and she smiled back. "A relaxer," she answered for me.

"Okay. Lets get started."

Halley ushered me into a chair and the stylist started on my hair.

My hair went from neck length to mid-back in a matter of minutes. She gave me tips on how to care for my now relaxed hair, and what she explained made me regret having a relaxer, but my hair was more manageable and looked beautiful.

After my hair was finished and the hair maintenance lessons were over, I got a free makeup application on my face.

"Emma, remove your glasses and change into the dress now because we're going to the mall next."

I changed in one of the rooms in the hair salon and it felt magical, like when Cinderella's fairy godmother changed her rags into the beautiful ball gown. Halley's eyes popped again. She paid for the service, took my hand and we walked towards the car, laughing as if we had been best of friends since forever.

"I need you to do one more thing Emma."

"What's that Halley?"

She snatched my glasses and threw them out of the car's window as the it pulled off the curb.

"Halley, what the hell!"

"Would you relax. We're going to the mall. I've got a friend there. She's an eye specialist. We'll get you some contact lenses instead of that ugly pair of magnifying glass you wore on your face."