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!”

we’d need four hours. I forgot how long it takes to do a color, and on top of that, 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 of the creams for my

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

forget anytime soon…

you do go out during the day?” I

have to! I own a salon downtown. We are the only beauty parlor

a Heartgraves

friend of the family. When my Overlord passed, Richard took me under his wing and was kind enough to

eventually? I wonder what a vampire does die

you’ll get a discount if you ever drop

“Thanks, Riki.”

where your color is at, and

it takes no less than five hours to get me fully ready, and when I finally get to stand up, I can barely recognize the woman in the

The only pieces of jewelry are the thick ring on her finger, and the collection of black and gold earrings on her ears, six out of the eight holes are brand new. Her neckline is bare and exposed, but her face is framed by some perfect blood-red 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 it so make sure you practice plenty! You can always drop by 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

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

you

appears on the doorstep, looking amazed

makeover!” Exclaims Riki. “My work here is done! Hera, today was on me, as a welcome to your new life,

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

Cata asks with a

as I’ll ever be, I

way too fast. I try to analyze the 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.

“Hera, Darling.”

greets me at the entrance of the living room, which is a bit of a relief. I glance around, discovering the other family members just

away and who was just chatting with Richard, is a tall man, with his long, silky black hair over his shoulder, looking

says, with a noticeable accent, either

looking in his fifties, older than Richard, but surprisingly handsome with his square, clean-shaved chin and silver-white short hair.

pleased to meet the newest

from the south of Europe to meet

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