The moment Jack left the room to call his makeup artist and designer for Kate, he felt a pang of unease. He couldn't shake the image of the tears welling in her eyes. His harsh words had hurt her, and a wave of guilt washed over him.
He muttered to himself, "Damn it, Jack. What's wrong with you?" He knew his behaviour was inexcusable, but he couldn't help but feel a strange pull towards Kate, a desire to protect her despite his harshness. This was new, unsettling territory for him. He was used to being in control, to maintaining a facade of indifference. But Kate was different. A wry smile tugged at his lips as he recalled his absurd warning about watching her. It was unlike him to be so direct, so transparent with his intentions. Usually, he preferred to maintain an air of mystery, to observe from the shadows. But something about Kate had thrown him off balance.
Jack shook his head and tightened his jaw, a muscle ticking in his cheek. The memory of Jessica's sly smile flashed through his mind. He wouldn't be manipulated again, not like his father had been. Kate's tears, her vulnerability... it was all too convenient, too calculated. Was this just another act in their twisted play? He couldn't be sure, but he refused to let his guard down. Not yet. Still, a nagging doubt lingered in the back of his mind, a whisper of hope that maybe, just maybe, there was more to Kate than met the eye.
A small part of him yearned to see the real Kate, the woman hidden beneath the mask of obedience. He longed to comfort her, to wipe away the tears he had caused. But he knew that would be a mistake, a sign of weakness. With a sigh, he pulled out his phone and dialled Bianca's number.
"Bianca," he said, his voice clipped. "I need a favour. Send a makeup artist and stylist to the house. ASAP. Dress Kate for the party."
"Of course, Mr. Jackson," Bianca replied smoothly. "Consider it done."
Her voice, as always, was professional and efficient. But something about her tone, a slight lilt of amusement, caught his attention. It was as if she could see through him as if she knew the turmoil brewing beneath the surface. He frowned but quickly dismissed the thought.
**************
Bianca, Jack's impeccably dressed secretary, was a force to be reckoned with. Her ability to secure lucrative deals left clients in awe,
her sharp intelligence and unwavering determination are evident in every negotiation. While her beauty was undeniable, it was her ambition and resilience that truly defined her. She and Jack shared a unique bond, fueled by a mutual desire for wealth and vengeance against those who had wronged them. Bianca was one of the few who knew the real Jack, the man behind the carefully crafted mask.
Before joining Jack's team, Bianca had endured a harrowing experience at Affix Apparel, a renowned fashion house. Her married boss, Williams, had preyed on her vulnerability, promising promotions and fair compensation in exchange for sexual favours. Desperate to support her ailing brother, who had been left in her care after their parents' tragic deaths, Bianca reluctantly tolerated Williams's advances.
However, Williams, mistaking her endurance for weakness, eventually fired her under false pretences. This act of cruelty became the catalyst for Bianca's transformation. Driven by a thirst for justice and success, she had sought out Jack, drawn to his reputation for ruthlessness and his vendetta against those who had wronged him. Together, they formed an alliance, each fueling the other's ambition. With every successful deal, Bianca inched closer to her ultimate goal: confronting Williams and making him pay for the humiliation and suffering he had inflicted upon her.
*********
Bianca's phone call triggered a flurry of activity. A team of stylists and makeup artists were dispatched to Jack's house, tasked with preparing Kate for a party she knew nothing about. Upstairs, Kate was still reeling from Jack's harsh words. As she began to process the upheaval in her life, Bella, the housekeeper, knocked on her door with surprising news. A team of professionals was downstairs, ready to transform Kate for an undisclosed event.
A wave of relief washed over Kate. At least she had showered before their arrival, sparing herself another humiliating encounter with Jack. She couldn't bear the thought of enduring his insults again, especially not in front of an audience.
As Kate descended the stairs, she found herself the centre of attention. A group of men and women, some familiar, others not, were smiling and murmuring amongst themselves. She couldn't recall ever receiving such a warm welcome. Was it due to her new status as Jack's wife? A wave of cynicism washed over her. Would they have been so welcoming if she weren't attached to a billionaire? She pushed the thought aside, reminding herself not to judge too quickly. Perhaps some were genuinely interested in getting to know her.
"Hope you slept well, dear," a woman in a sleek black jumpsuit chirped, her voice dripping with expensive perfume. "We'll get you to the makeup room so we can get started. Time's ticking, and the party's about to kick off!"
Kate plastered on her signature smile, the one that hid a thousand emotions. "Absolutely," she replied, her voice light and airy. "Lead the way."
They led her to a room she hadn't known existed. It was sparsely decorated yet spacious, with sleek black sofas and a subtle division into sections. Designed for beauty preparations, it resembled a professional makeup studio. Kate settled onto one of the sofas, surrendering herself to the team's expertise. The makeup artists wasted no time, immediately setting to work transforming her face.
A few hours later, Kate heard Jack's voice from the other side of the room. He leaned close to one of the designers, whispering something in a low tone. Kate couldn't make out his words, but his tone was surprisingly calm and deferential as if he didn't want to disturb the makeup artist who was carefully applying a range of colours to her face.
After a brief exchange, Jack left the room, his footsteps echoing down the hall. Kate, who rarely wore makeup herself, tried to ignore his presence and focus on the transformation taking place.