The Day I Kissed An Older Man

"I come across plenty of oddballs in this line of service, so I'm pretty used to it. Please leave if you don't want to get your makeup done. I have other customers to attend to. I'm sure Miss Lisa didn't invite you in here to have you trample all over her kind gesture."

The makeup artist maintained a smile throughout, which unsettled Karen. She tapped Sadie's hand abruptly. "This isn't your home, Sadie. So I'm warning you, you better behave yourself."

She turned to the makeup artist with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. It's my fault for spoiling her too much. I know she doesn't have the best of temper, but I hope you don't take what she says to heart. She just wants to look her best for tonight's dinner party, and with all the hype about Denny's skills, she's quite eager to have him do it. Of course, we also trust you. After all, you're Lisa's makeup artist, and we know you must be skilled enough for her to keep you."

Sadie stood behind her mother with a look of frustration. Upon reflection, she realized that her earlier remarks had been disrespectful to Lisa.

'Ugh. Fine. I guess I'll let this makeup artist do my makeup just for today,' she thought.

'I feel so sorry for this girl,' thought the makeup artist sarcastically. 'She needs to take a good, long look in the mirror if she thinks she's worthy for the boss to handle her makeup.'

Everyone in Denny's studio had studied abroad, and they all possessed their aesthetics and standards. Otherwise, she would not have had the confidence to ignore Karen and Sadie's provocations.

After their makeup was done, Karen and Sadie were relatively satisfied. They could not help but wonder if some junior makeup artist could make them look this good, then Rita must look even more amazing since Denny was the one who did her makeup.

They boarded the car home ahead of Rita.

Karen worriedly warned Sadie, "How many times have I told you to control your temper when you're outside? Did you think you were still at home, where everyone had to cater to your wishes? It won't do you any good if word gets out about your temper tantrums!"

"Mom, have you forgotten you're now Missus Russell? What's the point of marrying a rich man if you can't throw your weight around? You're too kind-hearted, and that's why you always get bullied by the other rich men's wives. They treat you like their servants, even though you're on equal footing with them. You acted the same with Miss Lisa just now. You don't have to be so submissive, you know!"

Karen sighed lightly. "It may seem like we're on equal footing with them, but you don't have wealthy or influential grandparents to support you. So how can we win against them? We should count ourselves lucky that I was able to marry your stepfather. You have no idea how much effort it took me to climb to this position.

"That's why I sent you to learn the piano and violin, something those rich kids will surely learn. I just don't want you to end up like me, without anyone to rely on and still looked down upon by them. I want you to be no different from those rich kids. That's why you must be mindful of your words and actions in the future. Make sure you do what you say, and say what you do."

Sadie, hearing that Karen's actions were all for her sake, was moved to lean on her mother's shoulder. "Mom, I always knew you were the person who loves me the most in this world. Don't worry, I'll make you proud. At the very least, I'll make sure I'm better Rita."

"That's all I needed to hear. I have no

doubt you'll be better than Rita.

You're my daughter, after all. Look at her now; she doesn't look like a young lady from a respectable

family at all. She's always dressed inText property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

tattered clothes, running around

outside. Even though your father

doesn't say anything, make no

mistake that he's not happy about it

at all."

Karen kept going on and on about Rita's failings. She hated Rita's mother, but she hated Rita even more. Why were they born into privilege while she had to struggle for so many years to achieve what they had effortlessly obtained?

'Even though Sadie is finally on the same level as Rita, I still can't afford to be careless. That little runt's maternal grandparents could just easily take all this away from us.'