Chapter 2

• But I am so broke and so hungry, it would be nice to have a bit of extra money. And what if everything went great? What if; Poppy and I had enough money to actually enjoy living in London . Going to Selfridges to shop before eating lunch at fabulous restaurants, my stomach gives a low grumble in agreement; 'that would be nice'. I really don't know why I'm considering this; it feels like both a terrible idea and a no brainer all at the same time. I'm so confused, and still so hungry. What's the harm in just seeing what it's all about?
• "I'll meet with them, I'm not saying yes yet" I sigh as she claps her hands happily.
• "Fantastic! Let's go get you into something sexy and I'll take you to their offices" She stands and picks up her things.
• "Wait, right now? You want to take me there right now?" I stand with her and quickly pull my bag back onto my shoulder. I have no more classes for the day, but this is all happening too fast.
• "You are wasting away by the minute, the sooner we get you all ready the better" She practically drags me off the steps and books it to my apartment. The whole way she's talking me through her vision for my look. Poppy gets like this sometimes; she talks at a rapid fire pace not because she is trying to have a conversation with you, but because her brain is running at a thoUK nd miles an hour and her lips are trying to keep up.
• It doesn't take long for us to get there, and when we do get there she is all business. I am ordered to climb into the shower and start shaving and shampooing as soon as we get inside. Thank god I paid my power bill this month, having to shower for something this important under cold water would have been quite horrible.
• Whilst I do this, Poppy digs through my closet to find me something to wear down to the 'offices'. When I do climb out, she has a short blush pink dress waiting for me and a pair of skyscraper heels, I wonder idly whereabouts in the mess that is my closet she found all this stuff. I dress quickly and she begins to help me with my makeup, I can't stop fidgeting.
• "Would you relax? Everything is going to be fine. They'll get you a good guy I'm sure, guys love the young innocent girl" She reassures me and she brushes through my hair. While she perfects my make-up I try and push away the thoughts in my head; 'you're about to basically walk into a room and allow people to judge you before they sell you off like you're a cow at a livestock auction'.
• I nod shyly as she finishes off my make up and steps away from the mirror so I can see myself. I'm unrecognisable, my normally plain and pale skin is now striking, silky smooth and free of any blemishes I had earlier this morning. My brown eyes pop under a heavy application of mascara and my lips are a pale pink covered in a light layer of gloss. When I flutter my eyes, I can see a faint shimmer of pink glitter resting on the top of my eyelids.
• "Wow" Is all I can say, how the hell did she do this? She grins at me in the mirror and examines her handiwork.
• "I am an artist" She giggles. "Now hurry up, I'm so excited for you" I stand up and wobble slightly in my heels as I take a small bag she has prepared for me and leave my apartment. I try not to wobble like a giraffe on ice as we walk the block to her car. Climbing into the passenger seat is rather difficult, the dress is quite tight and makes navigating my legs into the car without flashing passers-by rather tricky.
• The drive takes just under half an hour and I am mostly silent throughout the drive. I am suddenly overwhelmed with nerves. I specifically avoid these sorts of social interactions with people I don't know because of my shyness. I was born shy, I grew up shy and I know for a fact that I will die shy. I have a few close friends and my family; those are the people that I feel I can be myself with, everyone else gives me major anxiety.
• We pull up to a small building right in the city centre. It looks like the kind of building a legitimate business is run from, people on the streets below are probably unaware as to what really goes on inside. I climb out hesitantly and try to summon whatever deep hidden confidence I have within myself and follow Poppy up the stairs and into the building. We wait for an elevator to arrive in the mostly vacant lobby and ascend to the 16th floor. She takes the lead and approaches the woman at the front desk when we arrive.
• "My friend here is interested in your business" A small smile crosses her face and the woman returns it after she glances at me for a moment before she begins to loudly type on her keyboard.
• "Lory will be out shortly, if you'd like to take a seat she'll be out to get you soon" The receptionist warmly tells us and gestures towards a sea of white couches and armchairs. Poppy sits beside me on one of the couches as I take in a deep breath. This is actually happening, what the fuck am I thinking?
• The wait seems to take hours instead of minutes, but we finally hear the soft pattering of high heels on the concrete floor. From around the corner, a busty redheaded woman appears and flashes a bright white smile at Poppy who stands up and greets her with a welcoming hug.
• "Poppy darling it's so wonderful to see you" Her accent catches me slightly off guard, it's incredibly poised and sophisticated. When I thought we were meeting the woman in charge, I imagined her to be quite rough with a smoker's voice and perhaps a tattoo or two. But this woman appears like any other business woman you would see in London ; dressed in a black pencil skirt and matching blazer with her hair in loose soft curls over her shoulders. As they break their embrace she gives me a warm smile.
• "And who is this pretty little flower?" She turns to scan her eyes up and down my body, I wonder what her inner monologue is saying about me.
• "This is my good friend Amelia, she's interested in talking about being matched with someone" Poppy proudly responds and places a hand on my shoulder. Lory extends her hand and introduces herself as I shake her hand.
• "Amelia, welcome. My name is Grace, I'm the owner of the London Angel Club. Follow me" She turns on her heels and leads both Poppy and me down a long white hallway to an end office. It's very sleek and modern, nothing in the interior design gives any indication as to what this business actually does. "We have over three thoUK nd clients within the London area who use our services" She continues to talk as she gestures for us to sit in front of a large desk across from her in two leather armchairs.
• "Our speciality is finding lovely young women like yourself someone to look after you. Someone who will make your life one of enjoyment and wealth and success. Tell me, Amelia, what do you want to do with your life?" The question is a loaded one, one that has been asked to me hundreds of times by relatives and friends.