Chapter 52
"What's going on?" Evie hurried back and, spotting Victoria passed out, fired off a quick question.
Diana filled her in on the basics, carefully sidestepping the parts. she didn't know. Evie clutched her chest, shuddering. "Jesus, that was close. Can you imagine what Henry will do if he finds out Ms. Aroma is actually Victoria?"
Diana cut to the chase, her voice cool and clinical. "He runs Harrison Group. The guy's royalty and doesn't take kindly to being played. Victoria is the first person stupid enough to try and she'll pay dearly for it."
Evie threw up her hands. "I swear, he's not even human. Why stay married if there's no love?"
Diana went quiet and thought, "Love? Who can really draw those lines? Maybe Henry has just gotten used to Victoria's constant presence, her endless giving. Remove that, and anyone would feel off-balance. Or maybe-but no." Diana dismissed the other possibility before it could fully form.
Morning came. Victoria jolted awake in an unfamiliar room, last night's events crashing back. Her hand flew to her face-no mask. Panic seized her. She thought, "Oh God. Henry has seen me. I'm dead."
"Victoria." Evie's voice broke through her spiral. "You're awake."
Victoria blinked. "Henry didn't see my face?"
Evie shook her head. "Nope. But he wants to meet you today."
Diana stepped forward with a plan. "I told him your face was badly burned. We'll need some serious makeup magic to sell it."
Suddenly alive again, Victoria practically tackled Diana in a bear hug. "Diana, you're a lifesaver. I was already picking out my funeral flowers."
Evie muttered dryly, "Keep this up, and you might need those flowers for real. One of these days, you'll push your luck too far."
Victoria was speechless. After breakfast, her mind raced with possibilities. Evie walked in, mysteriously clutching a toolbox. "What's that?" Victoria asked.
With a theatrical flourish, Evie opened the box. "Surprise. Bet you didn't know-I've got another trick up my sleeve. Special effects makeup artist, baby! I used to be the go-to guru in film crews. This? Total child's play."
Victoria's eyes lit up. "Show me what you've got."
Hours flew by. Diana popped in. "The meeting's set for two this afternoon."
"Done." Evie made her final touch and held up the mirror. "Behold!" Victoria looked and nearly jumped out of her skin.
Her once perfect face was now a horror show-pockmarked angry burn scars, and no eyebrows. Her eyes' edges were seemingly melted by flames, Grotesque didn't begin to cover it. But the lower half of her face remained untouched-creating a split so jarring, it was almost beautiful in its wrongness.
"Wicked!" Victoria breathed, turning this way and that. "Henry won't stand a chance of recognizing me now."
"He'll definitely lose all other thoughts once he sees your face," Evie remarked casually while packing up her things. Victoria nodded, quickly changing her clothes and tying her hair back. She put on her mask and left with Diana for the Harrison Group.
Grace had given clear instructions carlier: anyone wearing at golden butterfly mask was to be immediately let through.
The receptionist spotted Victoria and rushed to call the executive elevator.
"Ms. Aroma, I presume? Mr. Harrison is waiting for you," the receptionist greeted with a polite smile.
Victoria gave a subtle nod, stepping into the elevator. She lowered her eyes, desperately trying to compose herself. Diana cut in. "Drop the attitude. It's all about business."
"I know." The whole situation was basically her fault-she couldn't help but mockingly taunt Henry time and again. This time, Victoria was determined to keep it together.
The elevator ascended slowly, soon reaching the top floor. As the doors opened, a stark, cold decor greeted her.
Predominantly white with touches of green plants near the walls, the reception area was just steps from the secretary's office. Grace was already approaching them. "Ms. Aroma, this way please," Grace guided them to the meeting room.
A secretary brought in two cups of coffee. Moments later, Henry's tall, imposing figure entered-legs crossed, an icy presence radiating from him. His eyes locked onto Victoria's mask.
The night before, after testing it on her, Henry'd used it himself. The insomnia that had tormented him for so long had finally eased. Though he'd slept less than four hours, at least he hadn't woken up with a splitting headache.
Victoria smiled. "It's my honor to be of assistance to you." Compared to before, her attitude had done a complete 180-degree turn. After all, going head-to-head with Henry would only hurt her in the end. She had to wise up.
Henry spoke, "I can agree to your previous proposal, but I'm not comfortable without knowing your true identity."
Victoria thought, "Here it comes-finally. Today, I'd put his mind at ease. No, make that put his suspicions to rest."
A look of momentary dejection crossed Victoria's eyes. "As your request, I'll naturally comply. Just be prepared." She took a deep breath and removed her mask. A face with striking contrasts appeared before Henry's eyes.
The upper half was severely scarred from burns, looking bizarrely disfigured, while the lower half remained smooth and delicate. It was a face that caught Henry completely off guard. And yet, somehow disappointing. He had hoped she would be Victoria.
"Here's my diagnostic report. Use this to adjust the fragrance," Henry placed a document on the coffee table.
Victoria was surprised–he hadn't been shocked by her appearance. But that was just a momentary reaction. She put the mask back to her face.
Ignoring her scarred upper half and focusing on her lower face, she still seemed familiar. He suddenly asked, "Do you have any siblings?"
Victoria's fingers tightened around the document. "No," she replied quickly, "I'm an orphan."
Henry stared at her thoughtfully. His previous suspicions now completely vanished. He thought, "She's just someone who looks like Victoria. She is not Victoria."