The low hum of the car's engine filled the silence as Lily sat beside Aunt Delilah, who was practically bouncing in her seat with excitement. The early morning sunlight filtered through the car windows, casting a warm glow over the world outside. But inside, the air was thick with anticipation, and Lily's heart pounded in her chest.
She wasn't just going to get a makeover. This was more than that. This was her rebirth. The last remnants of her old life, her old identity, would be left behind, buried beneath layers of makeup, hair dye, and a new persona. The name she had been scribbling on the page of her notebook over the past few days kept echoing in her mind, but she hadn't fully committed to it yet.
Sitting in the back seat of the luxury car, Lily absentmindedly ran her fingers over the sketch she had drawn earlier that morning. It was a rough outline, but the vision was clear. She would no longer be the woman who had been abandoned, humiliated, and betrayed. She would become someone entirely different — someone with power, someone who could take control of her fate.
Aunt Delilah, sensing the gravity of the moment, turned toward her and flashed a bright smile. "Darling, you've made the right choice. This is going to be life-changing. I can already see it. Mrs. Hawke!" she said, practically humming with excitement. "A name that speaks power. Confidence. Mystery."
Lily didn't respond immediately. She wasn't sure if she was ready to fully embrace this new identity yet. She had been through so much — the pain of betrayal, the humiliation, the loss of everything she had worked for. But now, there was a chance for a fresh start. Mrs. Hawke was a name she could stand behind. But she hadn't told Aunt Delilah the full details of her new persona yet. She wasn't ready to reveal it all as she continued to sketch away.
The car pulled up to the building, and Lily's gaze shifted toward the sleek sign that read "The Glamour Lounge" in elegant, golden letters. The salon was everything she had imagined — opulent, refined, a sanctuary for transformation. She followed Aunt Delilah inside, after wearing her nose mask, where the air smelled faintly of expensive perfume and freshly brewed coffee, and the soft lighting cast a warm, inviting glow over the space.
The receptionist, a young woman with dark hair and a welcoming smile, greeted them immediately. "Welcome, Ms. Hawke and guest," she said, her eyes flicking briefly to Lily. "Your stylist is ready."
"Thank you," Aunt Delilah replied, her voice upbeat and full of energy. "But she's not going to be just a guest anymore. She's about to become something entirely different. Let's get started."
They were led to a private room in the back, where Julian, the stylist, was waiting. He was a feminine male stylist, with soft, platinum blonde hair and delicate, almost ethereal features. His warm smile and gentle demeanor immediately put Lily at ease, though she couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves.
"Lianna..." Julian said softly, glancing at the sketch Lily had drawn. He was mesmerized by the transformation she had already planned, detailedly captured in her sketchbook. "Such a perfect name. You're going to be a vision. Let's bring that vision to life."
Lily nodded but didn't respond. Her fingers twitched nervously on the edge of her seat as she released the sketch she had been working on for hours to Julian. It was a picture of her new self — a sharp contrast to the auburn hair and blue contact lenses she wore now. The sketch showed someone with jet-black hair, emerald green eyes, and a look of mysterious confidence.
Julian took the paper from her and studied it for a moment. His eyes sparkled with admiration, but there was something more in his gaze — a sense of awe. "This is incredible," he murmured. "You're going to look stunning."
Aunt Delilah, standing beside them, looked over at the sketch and nodded in approval. "Lianna... " she said, her voice full of pride. "Perfect. But we need to give her a surname that carries weight, something that will make people take notice."
Lily's lips parted in surprise. She hadn't thought of a surname yet, but Aunt Delilah's words hit her with a clarity she hadn't expected. She could see it now, written in bold letters. The name was strong, it was bold, and it was everything she needed.
Aunt Delilah smiled knowingly. "I think Black works perfectly," she said, her eyes twinkling. "You'll be a force to be reckoned with."
Julian immediately got to work, starting with Lily's hair. He carefully removed the auburn dye, revealing her natural black hair. As the dye washed away, Lily felt a sense of release, as though she were shedding a skin that no longer fit her. Her jet-black hair began to shine, cascading down her shoulders in soft, sleek waves.
"You're going to look amazing," Julian said, his voice full of admiration as he worked. "This new look will completely transform you. Trust me."
Lily closed her eyes, letting herself relax as he continued with the process. Julian applied a subtle layer of makeup — dark eyeliner, a soft smoky eye, and bold red lipstick that gave her lips a dangerous allure. The transformation was well underway, and Lily could see the new version of herself taking shape in the mirror.
As the final touch, Julian removed the blue contact lenses that Lily had worn for so long. He carefully slid them out and placed them on the counter, then turned to Lily. "Time to let your true eyes shine," he said, his voice soft.
Lily blinked a few times, feeling the absence of the lenses. When she looked in the mirror, her emerald green eyes stared back at her, glowing with an intensity she hadn't realized they possessed. It was as though the lenses had been hiding a part of her that was now freed.
Aunt Delilah stepped forward, her eyes wide with approval. "Lianna Black," she repeated, her voice filled with awe. "You're going to be unstoppable."
Lily looked at her reflection in the mirror, finally seeing the woman she had always wanted to be. Lianna Black was born in that moment — a gothic beauty with an air of mystery and power. She no longer recognized the woman she had been before. This was the new her, the woman who would take control of her destiny.
Before they left the salon, Julian had one more surprise for her — the dress. He had had people eorking on it all along, and now it was time for her to see it. Lily's heart skipped a beat when he pulled the velvet curtains aside to reveal her masterpiece.
The dress was a gothic gown of deepest black, woven from the finest silk and velvet. It clung to her body in all the right places, accentuating her curves in a way that felt both elegant and mysterious. The fabric shimmered faintly under the light, as if it held secrets of its own. It had a deep V-neckline, draped in intricate lace, which gave it an air of sensuality. The sleeves were long and fitted, made of sheer lace that fluttered like a ghost's whisper with every movement. The back of the gown was open, revealing just enough skin to hint at her powerful allure.
But the real showstopper was the feathered cape that cascaded from her shoulders, sweeping the floor like a shadow. The feathers, jet-black and impossibly soft, were plucked from the wings of a black hawk. Each feather seemed to have a life of its own, catching the light and creating a mesmerizing effect. The cape flowed behind her like a living entity, as if it were her very own wings, ready to take flight.
To complete the look, Julian handed her an oversized fan made entirely of the same black hawk feathers. It was delicate yet powerful, an extension of her new persona. The fan was large enough to cover half her face, creating an air of mystery. It was the perfect accessory, a symbol of her new life and the persona she was about to step into.
As Aunt Delilah surveyed the transformation, she couldn't help but let out a low whistle.
"Darling, you're going to leave them speechless. Lianna Black is born, and she's going to rule the world."
Lily stood in front of the mirror, her reflection now unrecognizable to her. The gothic beauty staring back at her had emerald eyes glowing with confidence, dark hair cascading over her shoulders, and the black hawk feathered gown flowing around her like a second skin. She was Lianna Black, and the world would know her name.
As they prepared to leave the salon, a familiar face appeared in front of them — Ava, her oldest stepsister. Ava, dressed in a tight black leather jacket, skinny jeans, and knee-high stiletto boots, looked every bit the polished socialite.
Ava's eyes immediately went to the sleek black car parked in front of the salon. She raised an eyebrow and tilted her head, clearly impressed by the vehicle. Her gaze then shifted to Lianna, and for a moment, she froze. Something about this woman seemed familiar, but she couldn't place it.
"Who… who are you?" Ava asked, her voice tinged with suspicion and curiosity.
Lianna stood tall, her emerald eyes flashing with quiet confidence. "I'm Lianna Black," she said smoothly, her voice cool and composed.
Ava blinked, clearly taken aback. "Lianna Black?" she repeated, narrowing her eyes. "Where have you been hiding?"
Lianna didn't respond immediately. Instead, she smiled faintly and glanced at the car.
"I've been busy," she said cryptically, her tone casual but full of mystery.
Ava immediately pulled out her phone and started typing, clearly trying to find any trace of Lianna Black online. "Lianna Black… You're not on Instagram?" she muttered to herself, flipping through her phone.
Lianna raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a slight smile. "I'm sure you'll find me soon enough," she said, not offering more.
Aunt Delilah, sensing the moment to move on, placed a hand on Lily's arm. "Let's go, darling," she said with a knowing smile. "We don't have time for this."
Lianna glanced back at Ava one last time, her emerald eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and quiet superiority.
"Good luck finding me," she said lightly, before turning away and heading toward the car, leaving Ava behind with a stupefied expression on her face.