"Hold still, girl," said Cynthia as she pulled Lily's hair up.
"But you're pulling my hair dammit," she said holding the sides of her scalp, afraid that her hair might fall off.
"Beauty is Pain, Lils. Just stay still for a minute because I'm almost done."
Lily glowered and tried to stay still, feeling her eyes water.
"There I'm done!" she said proud of her work. "Go look yourself in the mirror."
Lily looked at herself and was stunned. "Wow, Cynthia, you did an amazing job. My hair actually looks tamed."
"Thank you, thank you very much," she said mimicking Elvis Presley. "And with that dress and the new necklace, you look stunning. Bruce Wayne is going to marvel at your feet."
"Come on, Cynthia, that'll never happen."
"No ni que nada," she said, bringing her Argentinean fire out. "He's already eating at the palm of your hands, Lils. Why else would he buy you that necklace, invite you to the party and be his date?"
"Pity?"
"No, pity, no, he likes you, sweetie. And not Diana or those other skanky sluts will ever change that. And you can take that to the bank."
There was a knock on the door making them both jump.
Lily went to the door and found a man in a suit. "Can I help you?"
"Are you Lilybell Adams and Cynthia Elias?"
"Yes, we are," said Cynthia from behind her.
"Mr. Wayne send me to pick you two up for his party. Are you two ready?"
"Uh, yeah, thanks, let's go," said Lily, smiling.
Lily had to catch her breath when she saw the ballroom. It was decorated with huge chandeliers with exquisite paintings in the ceiling adorned with golden frames.
"Lils, look who's there." Lily turned her head and found Bruce smiling at her. "Go on, I see a cute guy with my name on him," she said running to the man and started flirting with him.
"Hi," said Lily taking the glass of champagne from Bruce's hand.
"Hello, Beautiful," he said kissing her nose. "You look amazing tonight."
"Thank you, for everything. For the necklace and the ride you sent me and Cynthia. I've never ridden in a limo before."
"Well, I wonder what were the other things you've ridden," he said looking her up and down. She did look sexy with her hair up, her dress fitting her just right, and top of that she was wearing the necklace that he bought her. He couldn't understand why she didn't have a boyfriend just because she wasn't ninety-sixty-ninety.
Lily felt heat return to her face at his comment and the way he was looking at her. "You are just too sweet, Beautiful. What do you do in your spare time?" he asked taking her to an empty table.
"Well, I have my own little bookshop downtown. Sometimes I volunteer at the Lost Lamb Orphanage. I honestly don't know why anyone would abandon their own children. If it were for me I would adopt every single child in there… Oh God, you must think I'm rambling, right?"
"No, continue. I never thought you did that, but I'm not surprise, Beautiful. You have a heart of gold."
"Stop, Bruce," she said, slapping his arm playfully. Bruce saw her cheeks redden once again. He noticed that she did that often whenever he made a comment about her. He loved that trait about her.
"Bruce," said someone behind them.
"Ah, Alex," he said standing up shaking his hand. "How are you?"
"Good, good, you know same old thing."
"Right, uh, Alex, this is my date Lilybell Adams," he said taking Lily's hand.
"Hello, I'm Alex, Bruce's friend," he said kissing her hand. "So, what did this sucker here do to get such a pretty lady," he said winking at her.
"Shut up, Alex," he said punching his friend on her shoulder. For some reason he felt a pang of jealousy when Alex started flirting with Lily, but felt a bit relieved when it didn't have affect on her.
"Hello, Alex," she smiled back at him.
Suddenly, there was a clink of a glass for a toast. "Excuse me, excuse me," said Diana, smirking at Lily.
"I want to make a toast," she said walking over to Lily. "To Bruce and his date," said Diana glaring at her.
"What are you doing Diana?" Bruce said eying her suspiciously.
"Nothing I just wanted to propose a toast," she said winking at Lorena. Lorena nodded secretly.
Lily gave a suspicious look at Diana, not knowing what was going on. Lily suddenly gasped when a splash of paint poured on top of her. She heard a screech of laughter surround her. She looked at Bruce who had a stunned look on his face. Lily felt embarrassed, angry, and sad at the same time.
"Beautiful," Bruce whispered. "I…"
"Don't call me Beautiful and don't ever talk to me ever again," she sobbed and ran out of the hall.
"Beautiful, wait!" he said running after her, but felt a hand on his arm. He found Cynthia glaring at him. "Please, Cynthia, I swear I had nothing to do with it."
"I told you, Bruce, I don't care who you are, but you don't mess with my Lils and get away with it. You better pray to God that she's alright," she growled running after her.