His Side-Chick's Revenge

A New Me!

Kate’s POV

The car stopped in front of a beautiful building. The name was boldly inscribed at the top of the complex.

“La Vista Beauty Empire”

I had heard of this place, the girls at the office talked about celebrities coming here to get the latest fashion.

“What are we doing here?” I turned to Dante to ask.

“You're getting a makeover” he said like it was the most obvious answer.

“What's wrong with how I look?”

“Nothing. But that was the old Kate. Now you're a Castello and you should look like one”

I didn't argue further, because he was right. If I wanted to waltz back into life with my head held up I had to look the part.

The door by my side opened and Marco stretched out a hand to help me out. He was Dante's assistant and even though we had not gotten a moment to chat, I could tell that he would be someone I’d be safe with.

I managed a smile as I accepted his help. Dante was already out as we got to the front of the building.

As the doors slid open, I was taken aback by how beautiful the place was. It screamed luxury but that was not what caught my eye. It was the people who did.

A row of staff dressed in matching attire, stood at attention, each wearing a warm smile welcomed us. It felt like a welcome prepared for royalty.

A woman emerged from the lineup, a bouquet of flowers cradled in her hands.

"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Castello" her voice beamed with formality and reverence.

"We've been expecting you" She presented the bouquet to me with a gentle smile.

“Thank you” I took the bouquet and took in it's scent.

"We've arranged a hair appointment with our top stylist" she continued,

"and our women's clothing section is prepared to craft a bespoke wardrobe for Mrs. Castello"

Dante raised a hand to interrupt

“I have to leave now. I'm sure I can trust you to take good care of my wife”

The way he said wife made me feel a sort of way.

But wait, he was leaving me here…

What if they see through me and realize I'm a fake?

“You're leaving?”

“Marco is here. If there's any issues. He can handle it” with that he left and Marco stepped forward.

I looked back at the woman and the row of greeters. To them I was not a home wrecker, I was Mrs Castello

“We'll be meeting the hair stylist first. Right over here” the lady directed us

I sat in a chair as a woman who had a beautiful hairdo handed me brochure

“Do you have something in mind? You can go through the styles and let me know what styles speaks to you”

I flipped through the book but I couldn't decide, they all looked too good.

I remembered how Liam used to say he loved how long my hair was. Whenever I’d joke about cutting it off, he would bribe me to leaving it.

“Cut it off” The words left my mouth before I could stop it

“Excuse me?”

“I mean. I want something short. Shoulder length that screams power but still looks feminine and sexy”

“And the color? Do you want it changed?” the stylist asked

“What do you have in mind?”

I saw a smile brew on her lips, letting me know she knew what she was doing…

After what took a long time. I finally heard the words I had been waiting for

“All finished”

I looked at the mirror and I almost didn't recognize myself… My hair was now closer to being brown than it was blonde and it stopped at my shoulder. It framed my face perfectly, making my skin glow and my eyes stand out. It was sleek, soft, nothing like the dull, limp strands I’d had before. I tilted my head slightly, watching the light catch the subtle golden tones.

I looked…

New…

Maybe stronger…

All my life I had believed short hair would never suit me. Even Liam told me it wouldn't. It was one of the many lies he had told me…

“Do you like it? We can do something different if…”

“I love it so much. Thank you”

*******

I walked back to the car with Marco by my side. I had traded my wedding gown for a simple black gown one of the stylists had suggested. Lots of bags were being carried behind us to be put into the car.

I didn't think I needed so many things but Dante had ordered I get a lot so I had no choice.

Marco walked in front of me and opened the backseat of the car

“I'd rather sit in the front” I told him and he nodded.

Once we were seated in the car. He started the car’s engine while I thought hard on how to start a conversation with him. It was clear he was the only person Dante truly trusted, which meant that he would know the reason why Dante wanted revenge on his brother.

“I don't think we've had a chance to get acquaintanted” I said to him

“My name is Marco. What else would you like to know ma'am”

“You know the truth about me. You don't have to call me ma'am” he was in the car when Dante and I discussed this arrangement.

He nodded

“What matters is now you're Mrs Castello”

“I'm Kate. Just Kate to you”

“Okay Miss Kate”

“What did Liam sorry Damien… What did Damien do to Dante?”

“Well…”