"Holy Fucking..." Her friend gasped, but quickly covered her mouth as she saw those innocent eyes staring back at her.
Even though she didn't finish her expression, she already saw her reaction. And it was exactly what she wanted to hear, or see.
"Ashley, watch your language." She glared at her friend before she said anything else. "Sorry, kiddos, about that. Dr. Bennett, didn't mean to say that." Smiling and waving at the young patients in the children's ward.
"Don't worry, Dr. Bennett, I heard my grandfather say that a lot." One of the older boy patients, probably around seven years old, dismissed it casually.
"You look very pretty, Ms. Sophia." Leila, the sweet little girl, complemented her look. "When I grow up, I want to be just like you and Dr. Ashley."
It was the cancer ward. Unfortunately, most of these kids spend more time in this room than in their classrooms.
Sometimes, when she had time to spare, she also volunteered to read stories and play with these kids.
"Even if you hear it a lot, you know you shouldn't say it, Edison, right?" She said to the boy, while also looking at the other kids.
"You're so sweet." She moved closer to the young girl. "I'm sure you'll grow up prettier than me and Dr. Bennett." Gently touching the girl's chubby cheeks.
Suddenly, Leila reminded her of what she used to be.
A young, simple girl, full of hopes and dreams.
At home, her parents treated her like she was a princess. They would buy her clothes, shoes, bags, and toys. Basically, everything she needed, but not in some fancy boutique. More like a discount thrift shop.
Nevertheless, she cherished each one of them, knowing that it came from her parents' blood and sweat. Furthermore, it was a gift born out of love.
"Anyway, what are you doing here?" Her friend asked, while her eyes raked her appearance from head to toe. "Are you lost or something?" The knitted brow, sharp eyes gazed at her questioningly.
"I think the party is in the other part of town," Ashley added, just to make her point.
"I need you." She finally whispered, dragging her friend out of the ward into a nearby stockroom, and closing the door behind them. Thankfully, it was empty.
Her body might look calm and in control, but internally, she felt like World War III had already erupted and started to create havoc in her system.
"What is it?" Her friend's eyes bore to her with concern.
"Tell me that I look fucking gorgeous." She needed verbal confirmation from a friend who would say what she meant.
Although she had changed significantly in the way she carried herself and spoke. Moments like this still weighed heavily on her, and doubt, self-consciousness, and lack of confidence still crept on the sidelines.
"Are you kidding me, Sophia? If I'm a man, I'll totally do you." Her friend callously stated. "Damn girl! Seriously, you looked fucking amazing."
If her friend was cursing this much, then there was no reason for her not to believe her.
"I just want to make an impression." Although she had attended many prestigious gatherings under the Sinclair Group, it would be her first time making an appearance in a Morton event.
She glanced at the aluminum cabinet before her and saw a blurry reflection of herself on the shiny metallic surface.
Her off-the-shoulder gold ensemble hugged her body like a second skin, showing off her alluring curves. Her shoulder-length, wavy hair, which she colored blonde, hung loosely along her shoulders, framing her lovely face.
Although her eyes were still the same, most of her had already changed. Gone were the extra fat and flesh on her forehead, cheeks, and chin, finally exposing her slender neck and shoulders.
"If you're worried that someone might recognize you..."
"No! I don't think even Oliver would ever think that I'm her." She stopped her friend.
Honestly, she could hardly recognize herself after her transformation. For almost a year, she had done everything to lose weight.
Exercise, even if everything hurts.
Working herself to the bone, taking two to three jobs, even on holidays, to support herself.
Diet was the easiest one, she guessed, since she was strapped for cash.
Overall, it was an effort that was all worth it if she could fulfill her plans of revenge.
After an hour of reassuring herself that she had done everything she could, she finally drove into the entrance where the guests were busily posing for the cameras before entering the mansion.
"Where are you?" She called her boss, who told her to meet her at the party while she waited for her turn.
Posing for the cameras was not the problem. She had done it a thousand times before when she modeled for the Sinclair Group.
"I'm already inside," Jenny told her. "Don't worry, the party is just beginning. You're just in time." Her boss giggled on the other end of the line. "Now, hurry up because I have a surprise for you." Ordering her with a tilt in her voice.
"Hmm! What surprise?" Suddenly, she didn't like the sound of that.
"I assure you, you'll love this." Her boss wouldn't tell her anything before she ended the call, leaving her to assume the worst.
Although she had great respect for her boss and friend, Jenny could think of some silly ideas that could either make her laugh or completely embarrass her. But Jenny always meant well.
"Ugh! Don't overthink it." She calmed herself. She was already anxious, and worrying about it was only making it worse.
After smiling at the camera, she finally entered the grand foyer, where the new guests began to mingle with the other attendees.
Famous celebrities, powerful tycoons, political figures, and many more familiar faces were scattered around the glamorous room. But her boss was nowhere in sight.
Greeting some people she knew from the industry, she made her way into the massive room where more guests converged.
The more she stepped forward, the more she could not help but feel nervous.
Even though she had lived with Oliver for four years, it was the first time that she had seen where he had lived his entire life.
One room in this place would probably cover her entire house.
"Where are you?" She mumbled as her eyes searched the room. Although she was looking for her boss, she knew her mind was thinking of someone else.
But with the hundred people in the room, it was hard to pinpoint one person.
Nonetheless, she could not help but feel like eyes were boring holes in the back of her head.
But, of course, she quickly dismissed it as nothing but her paranoia.
Until someone shouted.
"Mom, you came."