A soul on fire

Chapter 4: The Transformation

The next morning, Clara woke up in a bedroom larger than her entire apartment. The sheets were Egyptian cotton, and the sunlight streamed through massive floor-to-ceiling windows. Before she could fully process her new reality, a sharp knock sounded at the door.

A woman with a clipboard and a severe bun stepped inside, followed by a small army of people carrying rolling racks of designer clothes, makeup cases, and hair tools.

"Good morning, Miss Clara," the woman said briskly. "I am Evelyn, Mr. Vance’s personal coordinator. We have exactly six hours to prepare you for the Vance Group Annual Gala. Let's begin."

For the next several hours, Clara was poked, prodded, and pampered. Her wild curls were tamed into elegant, glossy waves. Her nails were manicured, and expert makeup highlighted her natural features.

Finally, Evelyn presented the dress. It was a floor-length, emerald-green silk gown that fit Clara like a second skin.

When Clara stepped out into the grand hallway, Vincent was waiting at the top of the marble staircase. He was dressed in a flawless black tuxedo, his gray eyes sweeping over her. For a fraction of a second, his icy demeanor cracked, and his breath caught in his throat.

"You look... acceptable," Vincent said, recovering his cold composure quickly as he offered his arm. "Remember the rules, Clara. Smile, look at me like you love me, and let me do the talking."

As the limousine pulled up to the red carpet of the Grand Plaza Hotel, the flashing lights of a hundred cameras blinded them.

"Mr. Vance! Who is the mystery woman?"

Suddenly, an elegant woman in a dazzling silver dress pushed through the crowd of reporters, a sharp, dangerous smile on her lips. It was Victoria Sterling, a wealthy heiress and Vincent's childhood friend.

"Vincent, darling," Victoria purred, ignoring Clara entirely. "You surely didn't think you could hide this little... amusement from me, did you?"