"Kat, the car's ready," Rebecca announced, stepping into the room. The makeup crew, as if on cue, packed up their equipment with practiced efficiency. A quick bow to both women, and they were gone.
"Are you sure about this reveal?" Rebecca asked, her gaze steady. Kathryn's only response was a knowing smirk.
"What can I say…" Kathryn trailed off, gliding toward the floor-to-ceiling mirror. A slow smile spread across her face as she surveyed her reflection. Pleased with what she saw, she turned to face her sister, a queen surveying her kingdom.
Kathryn glided towards the floor-to-ceiling mirror, a lopsided smile playing on her lips as she admired her reflection. The fiery red gown clung to her hourglass figure like a second skin, the hem ending just above her calves. A daring plunge neckline plunged low, revealing a hint of cleavage beneath illusion fabric. The backless gown revealed a stunning tattoo of a red phoenix ascending from ashes at her waist. Bare shoulders, twirling straps hugging her biceps, and strategic cutouts at the sides showcased her flawless skin and accentuated her curves. Five-inch black Louis Vuitton heels completed the look. She was breathtaking, a captivating villainess ready to command attention.
She looked every inch the goddess, a breathtaking villainess daring anyone to challenge her.
"It's time we stepped out of the shadows, don't you think?" Kathryn asked, her voice a low, confident hum.
Rebecca pursed her lips, a fleeting flicker of concern in her eyes. Tonight, everything changes. "You know there's no turning back after tonight," she stated, a reminder more than a question.
"That's the plan. Time to move on...and up," Kathryn replied, her gaze unwavering.
"I trust you," Rebecca said, returning to the vanity to reapply her lip gloss. Her black off shoulder jgown, with its own daring neckline ending just below her breasts and a high slit that reached her upper thigh, hugged her figure perfectly. Red heels completed this equally striking ensemble.
"How do I look?" Kathryn asked, a devilish smirk playing on her lips.
Rebecca smiled. "Can I be honest?"
Kathryn suppressed a laugh. "When are you ever not honest?"
"One word: Scandalous." Rebecca delivered the verdict with a straight face, and Kathryn burst into laughter, the sound rich and unrestrained.
Rebecca raised an eyebrow, a silent question.
"I'm serious" she said, rolling her eyes playfully.
"Pot calling the kettle black, are we?" Kathryn retorted, her gaze raking over Rebecca with playful appraisal.
"We're going to be late. Let's go," Rebecca said, giving herself one last critical look in the mirror.
The two women swept out of the room and into the private elevator.
As they reached the ground floor, Arthur was barking orders to their security detail. He turned, and his jaw practically hit the floor. He stood speechless, mesmerized by the vision before him.
"Close your mouth, Arthur," Kathryn chuckled, breezing past him. Rebecca followed, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she registered the look of utter dismay on his face.
"You know what? I think I can very well represent the company at tonight's event… alone," Arthur declared, his voice strained as he adjusted his custom-made Armani tuxedo.
He couldn't bear the thought of other men ogling his sisters.
"Well, you do look dapper" Rebecca complimented, patting his shoulder as she walked past him toward the waiting car.
"Do you hate it that much?" Kathryn asked as she slid into the back of the black Rolls Royce, followed by Rebecca. Arthur stood on the porch, his agitation simmering. They weren't listening to him.
"Fine. But don't blame me if I gouge out the eyes of any horny bastard who stares at you lustfully," he muttered through gritted teeth as he climbed into the car, causing Kathryn's smile to widen.
He was always so overprotective
"Wake me when we get there" Kathryn murmured, nestling her head against the car's headrest and closing her eyes.
Arthur sighed, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. She always did exactly what she wanted.
*How can I protect you when you're so damn stubborn? he thought, sighing again*.
---
At the Banks Residence....
"Mom, seriously?" Davin sighed, kissing his mother on both cheeks.
"My darling boy, listen to me… Beverly is a beautiful, successful young woman from a very noble family. What's more, you were childhood sweethearts." Madam Genevieve Banks dusted off invisible lint from Davin's shoulder, her eyes sparkling with determination.
"Mom, that was ages ago." Davin fastened his golden cufflinks, a hint of impatience in his voice. "We've grown. I certainly don't harbor any childish feelings for her anymore."
He surveyed himself in the mirror. A custom-made Dior black tuxedo with black lapel sculpted his already perfect physique. Diamond-encrusted Louis Vuitton shoes adorned his feet, completing the ensemble. His slightly long raven hair was neatly parted in the center, its tips covering the sides of his chiseled, tanned face which glistened under the light, radiating confidence. He exuded an aura of royalty, a devilish charm clinging to him like expensive cologne. A Greek God made flesh, that was Davin Banks.
"It's time, Dav," Kelvin announced, breezing into the room.
"How do I look, Mum?" Kelvin asked, kissing his mother on both cheeks with exaggerated flair.
"Handsome heartthrob, of course," Madam Banks said, smiling fondly as she patted his cheek.
"Ouch! Davin, did you have to hit me?" Kelvin whined, rubbing his shoulder.
"Let's go," Davin said, a hint of steel in his voice, as he strode out of the room.
---
"We're here," Steven, Davin's driver, announced.
One of his entourage opened the limo door, and both men stepped out.
Rumors had circulated for weeks that Davin Banks, the notoriously aloof president of Zetrov Conglomerate, would make a rare appearance at tonight's red carpet event, his first in five years.
Most in the industry took the news with a grain of salt. It was no secret how disinterested Davin was in these kinds of affairs, which was why the company's CFO had attended in his stead for the past five years.
Sweeping all the prestigious awards for five consecutive years since entering the industry had become boring to him.
He needed a serious contender.
Perhaps this up-and-coming star corp will offer enough of a challenge, he mused as he strode onto the red carpet.