Chapter 4
Katherine woke up on Sunday morning feeling a strange mix of dread and excitement. For the first time in her adult life, she had a plan for a day off that didn't involve catching up on work or running errands. Today was for her, and the thought was both terrifying and thrilling.
She stood in front of her bathroom mirror, pulling her long, straight brown hair over her shoulder. It cascaded down her back, almost to her waist. It had been her shield for years—something to hide behind. It was neat, manageable, and, she realized now, incredibly boring. It was the hair of the invisible girl.
Her first appointment was at a high-end salon in a chic part of Veridia City that she'd only ever walked past.
"Wow, you have amazing hair," the stylist, a trendy woman named Maya, said as Katherine sat down. "What are we thinking today? A little trim?"
Katherine took a deep breath. "I want a change," she said, her voice firmer than she expected. "Something with life. With movement."
Maya's eyes lit up. "Say no more."
For the next two hours, Katherine gave herself over to the process. The feeling of the scissors snipping away inches of her old identity was liberating. Maya cut in long, cascading layers that Katherine never would have dared to ask for. After washing and treating it, she didn't just dry it; she used a round brush and skillful hands to give it a full, bouncy blowout. The result was stunning.
When Maya finally turned the chair around, Katherine stared at a stranger. Her hair, now full of life and soft waves, framed her face perfectly, making her cheekbones look sharper and drawing attention to her large, expressive eyes. It was the kind of hair she saw on models, on women who looked like they were effortlessly confident.
"See?" Maya said, beaming. "I told you. You're a bombshell."
Katherine couldn't stop a small, genuine smile from spreading across her face. It was the first of many small victories that day. Next was a nail salon, where she bypassed her usual boring nude polish and chose a classic, confident red for her short, neatly filed nails.
Her last and most daunting stop was a boutique called Elysian. It was the kind of store she usually found too intimidating, full of bright colors and bold styles. Taking another deep breath, she walked in.
Instead of her usual beeline for the black and gray business attire, she forced herself to look at the other racks. She saw vibrant greens, deep blues, and soft silks. She tentatively pulled out a blouse. The material was soft, a world away from her stiff work shirts. It was a beautiful striped blue, but with a cinched waist and delicate buttons that made it look both chic and feminine—the kind of shirt that showed off a figure like hers instead of hiding it.
As she was admiring it, she saw another dress on a nearby mannequin. It was a stunning emerald green, a color she would never dream of wearing. It was the last one on the rack. She felt a magnetic pull towards it. As her hand reached out to touch the fabric, another hand, adorned with a stack of silver rings, landed on it at the exact same time.
"Oh, sorry!" a cheerful voice said.
Katherine looked up. A woman with a cloud of curly dark hair and bright, friendly eyes was smiling at her. She was effortlessly stylish in a colorful top and perfectly worn-in jeans.
"No, my bad," Katherine said quickly, pulling her hand back.
"Are you kidding? That color would be insane on you," the woman said, pointing to the dress and then at Katherine's new hair. "Seriously, you have to try it on. I was just admiring it, but it would suit you way better."
Katherine was taken aback by her immediate warmth. "Oh, I don't know…"
"Try it. For me. I need to live vicariously," the woman insisted with a grin. Her name was Chloe, as she introduced herself, and within minutes, she was leading a bewildered Katherine toward the dressing rooms, chattering away about fashion and the terrible music playing in the store.
A moment later, Katherine stepped out of the dressing room. The dress fit her perfectly, accentuating the small waist and soft curves she'd kept hidden for years. She looked beautiful.
Chloe turned and her jaw dropped. "Okay, wow. You are buying that, and I am not taking no for an answer. That is your dress."
Katherine looked from the dress to Chloe, a real, genuine laugh bubbling up inside her.
Katherine looked from the dress to Chloe, a real, genuine laugh bubbling up inside her. It was a foreign sound, but it felt wonderful. "Okay, okay. You've convinced me."
She bought the green dress, along with the chic blue striped blouse and two other tops Chloe insisted would be "criminal to leave behind." They left the boutique, shopping bags swinging from their wrists, the afternoon sun warming their faces. It felt… normal. It felt like something other people did.
"I don't know about you, but all that decision-making has made me thirsty," Chloe said, gesturing toward a small café across the street. "Want to grab a coffee? My treat, for saving you from a life of beige."
Katherine's smile was instant and unguarded. "I'd love that."
…They were halfway across the street when a sharp, professional chime cut through the air. It wasn't her usual ringtone; it was the specific, prioritized tone she had assigned to one person.
Mr. Veyron.
Her stomach instantly clenched. He never called her on a Sunday. Never. Her heart started to hammer against her ribs, the easy joy of the last hour evaporating like mist. She fumbled for her phone, her hands suddenly clumsy.
"Sorry, I have to take this," she said to Chloe, her voice already shifting back into its professional, neutral gear.
"I'm at the estate," Damien's voice was sharp, impatient, and devoid of any warmth. The board meeting with OmniCorp was moved up. To tomorrow morning."
Katherine's mind snapped to attention. The OmniCorp deal was a hostile takeover bid worth billions. It was supposed to be weeks away.
"I need the complete physical dossier from the study safe—the red files," he continued, "and you. Pack an overnight bag. The jet leaves in two hours. You're coming with me."
The line went dead.
She stood there, phone in hand, the traffic of Veridia City seeming to move in slow motion around her. London. Tonight. With him.
She turned back to Chloe, her face a carefully constructed mask of apology. "I am so sorry. I have to...
Chloe's easygoing smile faltered slightly as she saw the genuine stress in Katherine's eyes. "Whoa. Okay. No problem at all. Go, handle it."
"I really am sorry," Katherine said again, the disappointment sharp and bitter.
"Hey, don't be," Chloe said, already pulling out her phone. "Gives us a reason to do this again. Here, give me your number."
After a quick exchange, Chloe gave her a supportive smile. "Text me later.
Katherine gave a weak smile in return and practically ran to her car. The cheerful, colorful shopping bags she tossed into the passenger seat felt like relics from a different person's life. Her Sunday was over. She was now on Damien Veyron's clock.