The Dark Secret of the CEO by Sofia de Orellana

In a matter of minutes, I’m dragged out of the bed, wrapped into a bathrobe and pushed into a bathroom, not mine but a bigger one in the house, which is not en-suite to any room. Riki is jumping all around and lying down an impressive array of beauty and hair products, so much I wonder if there was anything at all in that bathroom before.

“I’m so excited,” she says. “It’s been so long since I’ve had the green light for a full transformation! You’re quite a challenge too, you’re so popular and I have to make you look nothing like that! I barely had any time to study, but you’ve had some gorgeous carpet looks, Doll!”

I can only nod in despair. I’m pretty sure it’s too late to run now. At least, Riki is incredibly adorable. She’s smaller than me, of a petite stature, but her impressive, thick mane of multicolored-hair is hung in a high ponytail and floating around her like a rainbow flag. There isn’t a single color she doesn’t have in her waves, and it doesn’t even look cringeworthy at all, the colors are beautifully arranged.

“Come on Doll, sit down! Any idea what you want? I’m thinking something a bit darker to contrast with your skin tone, with a matte lip look, and perhaps… How do you feel about green lenses? Or a chestnut-brown? We have to see how that works with your blue eyes… You’ve worn contacts before, yes?” Daily Latest update wwwnoveljar.com

“Y-yeah… And I’m fine with anything, as long as I don’t look like this anymore.”

This is staring at me from the large mirror right in front of me, with a grouchy expression. Well, I’ve already changed a bit from my previous appearance… The dark circles have lessened even more too. It looks like I slept enough despite the brutal wake up. I wonder how much sleep do vampires actually need? Thank goodness there are no windows in this bathroom because I thought the sun was going to blind me. I’m also still feeling tired, so I’m questioning how many hours of actual sleep I’ve had. How does Riki do it? I would have questioned if she was even a vampire at all had I not seen her fangs when she smiled earlier.

“Don’t worry,” she smiles. “Make-up is my superpower, I can turn you into anything you want! Alright, here are a few suggestions I have, let me know which one you like the most.”

She hands me a thick square with little locks of colored hair lined up on it, one of those samples you see in any salons. There’s a broad range, from a light, platinum blonde to dark chestnut hair, including even some cyan, bubblegum pink and purple. She meant it when she said she can do anything.

“Those were all made on a sample close to your natural hair color, so I’m pretty confident with the result! Even if you hesitate about a shade, you can tell me, I can go a bit darker or blonder if you want!”Daily Latest update wwwnoveljar.com

“Can we cut it?”

She pauses, looking baffled.

“Of course we can! And we will, if that’s what you want! I can do extensions too, if you’d like to try them longer! I only brought a couple of wigs, if you want to try them! I only don’t recommend cutting it too short, our hair doesn’t grow as fast as when we were humans, so everything you do to them is a few-years’ commitment. It’s better for the color though!”

I’m completely fine with that, as long as I say goodbye to my long blonde hair. I can’t remember the last time I even got to have any say about it… I once cut it myself on a whim, just a few centimeters, and the hairdresser had a literal meltdown. I glance down at the palette. So much choice… I want something drastic, but not too crazy. I don’t really see myself as a brunette, either.

“Red?” I suggest, glancing at the two shades.Daily Latest update wwwnoveljar.com

“A good pick! If you really want a neat cut from your previous image, I recommend something dark, not too childish. We can’t go too dark, but I think a nice Scarlet Red would be amazing on you…”

She grabs out her phone, and quickly searches for a few examples. I nod, convinced already. It’s just the right balance between a non-natural color and yet just red enough to pass as not too artificial. I have no idea what it’s going to look like, but Riki seems convinced. She winks at me in the mirror.

“Alright Doll, let’s start by washing, a nice hair treatment and some cutting!”

she’s very meticulous. While the color is setting on my hair, she helps me pick some nice fake nails, teaches me about which colors of eyeshadows I should stick to from now on, and how to use some

if you do have to go out during the day, Doll. We don’t glow or actually burn, but we

image I won’t forget anytime soon… Lots of hydration and

go out during the day?”

have to! I own a salon downtown. We are the only beauty parlor open until midnight, and may I

you’re a

the family. When my Overlord passed, Richard took me

I wonder what a vampire does die

has my card, and you’ll get a discount if you ever drop by,” she

“Thanks, Riki.”

welcome! Now, let’s see where your color is at, and try out

me fully ready, and when I finally get to stand up, I can barely

curls. Her hair is cut in a layered bob, making her look both young and sophisticated. I stare at my own face, trying to see if there’s anything left of June. It’s the same face, but different. Hera’s traits are leaner, her angles sharper, and her eyebrows are darker, making her traits more prominent. No more babydoll-blue eyes, my irises are now as dark as coal, matching the thin traits of black eyeliner. Instead, the accent is now on my lips, a bit fuller, and crimson red, a shade darker than my hair. I don’t know if anybody would be able to recognize me,

the salon if you want, I would happily show you again when I am available! I’m guessing you won’t be seeing too many people for now anyway, so it’s fine if you just remember the basics. Your nails should last a while, but

said, it sounds like pretty much every Heartgraves is a regular. Done and satisfied with her job, she starts packing up, and my eyes fall on her little professional cases. I recognize a few popular brands, and I can’t help but think about Liz. I wonder how she’s doing now… Last time I heard of her, she had moved to Paris to work for that popular Brand. Is she

my, you

on the doorstep, looking amazed by my

today was on me, as a welcome to your new

and thank her again. She might not be a Heartgraves, but I absolutely love Riki’s energy, so I’ll definitely be seeing her again. She leaves in another powerful whirlwind of colors, and I’m left standing there with Cata. A big wave of nervousness suddenly washes over me. I’ve been hearing people arriving since half an hour earlier while I was locked in the bathroom

Cata asks with a gentle

ready as I’ll ever

voices, but it doesn’t tell me much, except that Bart isn’t talking and Richard is downstairs. All the other voices are completely new. Some women are laughing louder than the rest. I also hear glasses, making me

“Hera, Darling.”

of the living room, which is a bit of a relief. I glance around, discovering the other family

faces. On my left, just steps away and who was just chatting with Richard, is a tall man, with his long, silky black hair over his shoulder, looking

you, Dear” he says, with a noticeable accent, either French or Italian. “Benedict

the nod, a bit intimidated. Next to him is another man, looking in his fifties, older than Richard, but surprisingly handsome with his square, clean-shaved chin and silver-white

pleased to meet the newest Lady of

the south of Europe to meet you,”

his glass on the floor. “A new Heartgraves deserves quite