C75 THE GARDEN PARADE

NIRELLE

Once Yvette is done with my makeup, I barely recognise myself. Her goal was to be glamorous so that everyone knew that I was not on their level.

"This is much better." She beams with happiness at her work.

"Mom, don't you think this is too much? It's just dinner with a few of your friends," I say, and then she looks like she has been caught in a lie. "Not a few of your friends?" I ask