Chapter 10
Lara got up like she did on so many Saturdays, only this time she felt rather nervous. All the looks and stares yesterday, the attention she got had relaxed her, but waking up in an empty bed there was no one to give her attention, no one to praise her.
She just went through her normal morning routines, showering, eating, getting dressed. Just like what had become usual for her by now she applied a rather heavy coating of makeup and put on a dress a little too short for a casual Saturday, her seamed stockings were pretty much on full display from the tops to where the Cuban heel disappeared in the back of her shoe.
Fully dressed and ready Lara went to her usual weekly appointment at the salon. Only this time unlike many other times she actually was nervous. Her toenails had been bothering her for a long time and it was a problem she really needed to deal with. While she was terrified of anyone having a look at her ungodly feet she did need professional help. There would be no other option than to ask Rosa for help, she knew her feet very well and so she would know how to do this best.
As usual the pretty Hispanic girl greeted Lara enthusiastically the moment she walked into the salon. Lara had always been one of her least favourite clients. She was incredibly demanding and she just had a way of looking down at her when she did her pedicure that made her feel so low somehow. She really looked down on her both literally and figural. Lately that had stopped, hell Lena had even insisted on not having her pedicure done a couple of times, still her general feeling with this woman remained bad. Two less terrible visits didn't make up for all the previous ones.
"Good morning Ms. Carter, I suppose you want the same as usual? Or would you like to make any changes to your appointment?" Rosa said with a big fake smile. She might not like Lara, but that didn't mean she showed it. She couldn't as being rude to clients could cost her her job.
"Good morning Rosa, please call me Lara, there's no need for those titles and such. I would like the same as always and like last time no pedicure please." Lara said, the fact that someone superior to her addressed her like that felt just plain wrong to her. She didn't ask to be taught how to do her own nails just yet as she was very nervous about it.
Rosa was kind of surprised. She had always taken Lara as the kind of woman who'd rather be called Goddess than Ms. Carter, she certainly wasn't one to bring herself down on equal footing. There also was something strange about her, apart from the fact that she looked more like a slut than a respected lawyer with her makeup and short dress, there was just a hint of nervousness about her. At least that was what Rosa thought.
"As you wish Ms. Uhm Lara, I have already reserved your spot if you could please follow along." Rosa said, as things grew even weirder. For some strange reason Lara giggled. It made her appear a little airheaded to Rosa who just ignored it. Lara certainly was acting strange, but it was better than bitchy Lara so she didn't really mind or care that much.
While walking to her seat Lara took in the sights around her. Half of the women here had their feet out and she couldn't stop herself from observing and making mental notes about all of them. The personnel was simpler to remember as they all wore the store's uniform, a casual chique white blouse dress fixed at the waist with a wide black belt. Underneath they wore black opaque pantyhose and a pair of white lacquered heels.
Arrived at the chair things pretty much happened as usual, Rosa gave Lara her manicure, and touched up the woman's hair while engaging in small talk. Lara giggled a lot throughout their talks and it weirded Rosa out even more, but she remained professional.
The biggest surprise however came as they headed to the counter and Lara paid the bill. "Uhm Rosa, I have a bit of a strange question. I was wondering if the salon offered to teach how to do one's own pedicure as well? If not would you happen to know someone who could teach me? It's rather urgent. Of course I am more than willing to compensate that person for their time." Lara asked hopefully and nervously.
It was a request that made Rosa raise an eyebrow. Was this woman who was a successful lawyer and felt so much better than everyone else asking her to learn how to do a pedicure? This had to be the strangest thing to happen to her all week long. Did it have something to do with her nails? Did Lara have an infection on her foot or something? There had to be a reason why she had kept refusing pedicures right? Especially since that seemed to be what she like most before. Rosa could think of no better option than shame over an infection or something. She was right on the shame part, but there was no way she could know what was going on.
While the salon offered no such service Rosa had to admit she was intrigued. Mainly she was curious about what was going on with Lara. The thought of her doing nails was definitely a funny one. She could already imagine Lara on her knees working on some feet. The mental image alone was enough to bring a smile to her face.
One thing was for sure she didn't want to miss this and she certainly didn't want to miss an opportunity to tell Lara what to do, being paid for this was just the cherry on top. So without much hesitation she said. "I'll do it, I'm free as soon as the salon closes. I can come by your place and teach you all about how to do a professional pedicure. How much do you pay though Lara, just so I know." Rosa asked, emboldened after this strange request.
"Well I don't really know what the prices are. A pedicure is 60 dollars right? So how about I pay you 300 dollars would that be fine?" Lara asked after giggling once more. She had no clue how much something like this would cost, but the last thing she wanted was to be cheap. She was honoured that a superior like Rosa wanted to give her her time so she should be well compensated.
