Let's Make Up

Duet

Arriving at the doors of a large modern looking building, Molly waited with John, who like a gentleman, offered to carry her makeup supplies. They had to be buzzed in for security purposes since it was a recording studio where influencers and celebrities could be working. She told the speaker on the wall that she was there to do Julien's makeup. Soon she saw him appear to talk to someone at the front desk and they heard the door lock, click open, so that they could actually come inside.

"Molly Dolly!" Julien called out loudly while smiling.

She just waved with a small motion and John could feel her nerves making her whole body vibrate.

"You look amazing." He told her, giving a quick glance at John before telling them to follow him.

He didn't have the purple hair or eyeliner that he had on in the movie that John saw him in, but he had a slightly smaller frame than his own, and John thought that he could see why Molly would find him attractive. Julien had gruff stubble and brown hair that seemed to be messy on purpose. He was only slightly shorter than John, but was in great shape and had a very straight posture. Other than when he was in junior high-school, John had never really seen himself as better or worse looking than other men, but with Molly around, he was slightly worried that his age showed and that he looked inferior to Julien.

"So... you're very quiet, baby doll."

John's blood boiled at Julien referring to Molly with pet names.

"Please don't call me that." She snapped before he could say anything.

Julien pursed his lips at her and rolled his eyes.

"Alright, you just want to get this over and done with then? Not even going to give me a hug or anything? I haven't seen you in months."

She took her things from John's shoulder and thanked him for carrying it all.

"I'm not going to hug you, I'm just here to do your makeup. Is there another artist here so they can watch how I do it?"

Julien narrowed his eyes and gave her a flat fake smile. "Unfortunately she couldn't make it." He shrugged.

"Of course not." She said sarcastically. "Well, anything specific you need or just the basics?"

"Just the basics. I'm just going to be singing a few covers."

Molly unbundled her brushes and adjusted the attached strap on it so that she could buckle it around her waist. Then she pulled out some products and started wiping his face to rid him of any sweat or dirt.

"What's this?" Julien asked, grabbing her left hand.

She met his eyes and spoke confidently, "A ring."

He held her hand forcefully as she glared at him.

"Just a fun, dress up type ring to match your outfit... and this particular finger is the only one it fit on?" He asked coolly.

"No, a fun marriage agreement type ring, that's meant to be on this particular finger." She angrily mocked, matching his tone.

John, who had found a seat not too far away smirked to himself.

"I see." He said, shortly. "Well congratulations then."

She said nothing but continued to work.

After wiping his face, she took out a lotion and warmed it in her hands before spreading it on his face, starting below his eyes and working it up his cheekbones, up onto his temples and down his jaw to his neck.

Julien let out a low moan as she massaged his face and despite her not reacting, John could tell his own anger levels were rising, feeling ready to get up and carry her out at a moment's notice. He watched as she then started applying a perfect match of his skin tone all over, carefully avoiding his facial hair with her brushes and lightly bouncing a sponge to get rid of any streaks. She used a slightly lighter tone to conceal the shadows under his eyes and a deeper, cooler tone on the hollows of his cheeks, jaw, and forehead, making him appear even more defined than before. John hadn't realized how much effort actually went into a mans makeup for a set and appreciated how at ease she looked. He had never thought about actors or singers, who weren't female, needing to get done up as well.

She would occasionally tell him to look a certain way and it finally registered to him that she was standing between Julien's legs as he sat facing her, with his head at her breast level. John was sure he'd never felt so jealous or possessive in his life and couldn't wait for the torture, of watching them together, to be over.

Next she used a spooly type brush to fix any stray hairs from his eyebrows while not making them look too feminine. She set him with powder, especially on the areas she highlighted with concealer, and got out a clear mascara to make his already dark lashes look a little more noticeable without making it seem like he actually had any makeup on. John figured it would be uncomfortable to wear, but couldn't stand the way Julien was looking up at her, unbothered, while she did her applications. Before using the final setting spray, Molly grabbed a large fluffy brush and blended away any excess powder and buffed at her work. He closed his eyes for the spray and she grabbed a handheld mirror from her kit for him to see everything.

"Looks good, as always, except you forgot one thing." He said, eyeing up his reflection.

"I did?"

Julien set his focus on her lips. "Yeah, you didn't give me any of your chapstick the way you always used to."

She turned away from him and started digging in her bag immediately and John could tell she was flustered.

Grabbing a small, flat bristled brush, she took off the cap from a clear balm, swiped her utensil over it and brought it to Julien's lips. He rubbed them together after and gave her a sly smile.

"That's too much. Can you wipe it off and give me a better amount?"

"Will you stop being a child, Julie?" She asked, clearly irritated while handing him a tissue and making John's ears perk at her not using his full name.

"There it is! There's my little peach. Why don't you just put it on the way you used to? It was always the perfect amount." He prodded.

"I'm not doing that."

"Why not?" Julien asked leaning back in his chair, smugly watching her wipe her tools off and spraying them down with rubbing alcohol.

She gave him a dirty look and he started laughing. "Ooh, I made you mad. Come on Molly, you used to give me a quick peck and that was just right for me."

Molly handed him the lip balm and told him to do it himself, much to his disappointment.

"Such a buzz kill. I remember a time I wouldn't have to ask you twice for one little kiss."

John was livid and wondered if he should say or do something or just try and remain composed since Molly would still need to be paid. She continued doing her best to ignore him and put away her things as he stayed in his chair tapping away at his phone. Once she was fully packed up, she got John's attention and told him that she was all done. He came over, and before he could offer to take her bags again, she pulled his neck down to her level and gave him an intense kiss. At first he was surprised with how forward she was but didn't take long to lean into it and bring his large hands to her waist. Julien looked up from his phone and grimaced at the display.

"I wondered who this luggage handler was."

John broke away from the kiss and felt a little annoyed despite having enjoyed her lips on his. He felt like she only allowed him to come along to prove some childish act and make Julien jealous right in front of him. He took Molly's bags, slinging one of the broad straps over his shoulder, and asked if she was ready to go.

She turned to her ex. "When do I get paid?"

"I'll transfer it to you." Julien told her.

"When?" She persisted.

He scowled again. "How about when I get paid, then I can pay you?"

Molly shook her head. "You don't have the money then? Pretty typical. When will you be done? Did you throw out all my stuff?"

"Oh! You want to drop by the flat, Dolly?" He asked with his sly smile reappearing. "Gonna bring your security guard with you?"

She looked up at John and squeezed his arm.

"Be careful Julie, he's really a bear-man."

Julien rolled his eyes again and told them that they could stop by to pick things up around 3:00. He also told her that he'd pay her then as well.

Before they could reach the crosswalk, the light already changed and traffic was in full swing. John was holding Molly's hand and began caressing it affectionately with his thumb as they walked.

"Should I have been more assertive?" He asked her.

"No." She told him, "It's not really your battle. Not that I don't enjoy a good punch out, but I'm glad you stayed calm." She laughed.

Turning because Molly heard her name called out behind her, she saw Julien running to catch up with them. When he reached them, John was surprised that for a younger man than himself, who appeared to be quite fit, that he was out of breath. It made him suspicious and thought perhaps it was an act to make him look desperate for Molly's attention.

"Molly! I need you." He said with his chest heaving and staggered breaths.

She had wide eyes and was about to tell him off when he continued.

"My singer bailed. We were supposed to duet."

She glowered at him. "Right. So your makeup artist and your back up singer bailed. As if I can really believe that. What's her name? Polly?"

"I'm serious, Molly. I know it looks bad." He hesitated while looking at her hopefully. "Please, I really need this. I'm trying to get a role and they want to see me harmonize with a woman. Will you help me out?"

She shifted uncomfortably and felt John's hand tighten.

"I haven't sang in forever. I don't think I'll be any help."

"We'll take it slow. Please." He begged, "I'll split the pay. I promise."

"How many songs?" She asked cautiously.

John let go of her hand and looked at her incredulously.

"You're not seriously considering this are you?"

Molly knit her eyebrows and Julien looked him up and down waiting for someone to say something.

"Well..." She finally started. "If I don't do this, he won't get paid, which means I won't either and that coming here will just have been the biggest waste of time."

"It already was." John growled, clearly upset.

Julien tried his best not to smile and Molly shot him a look while holding up 3 fingers.

"I'll do 3 songs."

"How about 10?" He asked.

"Five." She said. "And Johnny gets to be in the recording booth."

Julien curled his lip slightly, but nodded, and said it was fine. He thanked Molly, telling him she saved his neck and started back towards the studio.

Molly tried to hold John's hand but he moved it to the strap on her makeup kit and continued to look upset.