Chapter 1

                                    

                                          
I applied a delicate shade of light pink eyeshadow on Reese's eyelid, not being able to suppress the smile that had somehow managed to reach my lips.
                          
I knew that this was exactly the look that James, the film's director, wanted for his June Carter. Soft, subtle and yet elegant.
                          
"You can open your eyes now, Reese", I said, feeling a surge of excitement within me as I anticipated what her reaction would be when she would finally see her reflection in the mirror before her.
                          
I stepped back as Reese slowly opened her eyes.
                          
For a minute, she stood silent, as she seemed to study every single detail of her face, her eyes wide open.
                          
"Reese? ", I called her, in a whisper. Her silence was starting to worry me. What if I had done something wrong?
                          
I had had the privilege to be her make-up artist – and her friend – for the past four years now. With time, I had learned about what her tastes were in terms of her make-up. I had figured out what cosmetic products suited her skin best.
                          
She believed that she looked best with a make-up that was as subtle and underplayed as possible. This was my belief too. We usually were on the same page.
                          
But now that I was facing her silence, doubts were starting to assail me. "Honey, if I did something wrong, I can correc-"
                          
" It's perfect, Di !", she suddenly exclaimed as she stood up from her chair. A bright smile was now playing on her lips. « I can't recognize myself! You did wonders, as usual !»
                          
Having said that, she unexpectedly threw herself in my arms and gave me a tight hug.
                          
"You're giving too much credit here, Reese", I laughed. « I followed James' instructions. And you also gave me your suggestions It's a teamwork really. I didn't do it on my own »
                          
"But still... You're a magician, Diana! "
                          
Reese's childlike excitement brought a smile to my face. She might be a world-famous actress but she hadn't let her fame go to her head.
                          
Working with her was a delight. Being her friend was an honor.
                          
"You don't need my help to look gorgeous, Reese", I smiled at her. 
                          
"I do need you, Di", she said, looking surprisingly serious. "Not only because I rely on you to look good"
                          
"Oh, come on, Reese... ", I frowned at her, in disbelief. She was one of the most beautiful women I knew of.
                          
"But also because you're a dear friend", she added, ignoring my protest. Her words left me speechless.
                          
Before I could think of the right words to say to thank her, Reese had turned her gaze towards the pile of pictures that I had placed in the corner of my desk.
                          
Photographs of Mrs. June Cash – some of them that I had received from James when we had started shooting and some of them that I had found online and in magazines.
                          
These photographs helped me find my inspiration daily for the task I had been assigned in my work: molding Reese into the young June Carter through my skills in make-up.
                          
" Now tell me, Di: Do I look like the gorgeous Mrs. June Cash?", Reese winked at me.
                          
"No one can be like her, Reese", I smiled. Despite my willingness to sound light-hearted, I was also half-serous.
                          
"That, I know. She was unique. Her inner beauty irradiated on her face" Reese's words were tainted with a hint of sadness.
                          
She had met June Cash a couple of years ago while preparing for the film. She had told me that Mrs. Carter was just the way she had imagined her: kind-hearted, down-to-earth, funny and quick-witted.