Chapter 4 - The Preparation
Wednesday was a whirlwind I never could have anticipated.
At 10:00 AM, a sleek black car arrived at our modest house to pick us up. Robert sat beside me, holding my hand as we drove into the high-end district of the city—an area I had only ever driven through on my way to clean dental offices or run errands for wealthy clients.
We arrived at a private, unmarked salon on the top floor of an upscale boutique building. The stylist, an elegant woman named Genevieve, greeted Robert with a warm, respectful hug.
"Dr. Vance!" she exclaimed softly. "It has been far too long. And this must be Edna."
"It is," Robert said proudly. "Genevieve, my wife deserves nothing short of perfection for tomorrow evening."
For the next four hours, I was treated with a level of care and respect I had never experienced in my entire life. My hair, which I had worn in a practical, hasty bun for decades, was washed, conditioned, and styled into a soft, sophisticated updo that framed my face perfectly. My skin was treated, my nails manicured, and the sapphire gown was fitted precisely to my frame.
When I stepped in front of the full-length mirror, I barely recognized the woman standing before me.
The tired, slumped shoulders that had carried thirty-five years of solitary burden were straight and poised. The sapphire dress accentuated my natural grace, and the subtle makeup brought out the warmth in my brown eyes. Standing behind me, Robert placed his hands gently on my shoulders, looking at my reflection with pure admiration.
"Stunning," he whispered. "You look like royalty, Edna."
"I look... like someone else," I whispered back, my voice trembling slightly.
"No," Robert corrected softly. "You look like who you have always been under the sacrifices. You look like a survivor."
While we were at the salon, my phone buzzed in my purse. It was a text message from Fallon in our family group chat—a chat where I rarely spoke.
Fallon: Just a reminder, Edna. Wade and I are extremely busy preparing for the Apex Gala tomorrow night. Please do not drop by or call Wade unless it’s an absolute emergency. His focus needs to be 100% on networking with Mr. Peterson and the Board of Trustees.
I looked at the message, then looked at my reflection in the mirror.
For years, I would have responded with an apologetic message, assuring them I wouldn't bother them, offering to bring over dinner or run errands to make their lives easier.
This time, I didn't reply at all. I simply put my phone back into my purse and locked the screen.
Later that night, as Robert and I sat in our kitchen eating home-cooked soup, Robert pulled out his phone and made a single call.
"Arthur," Robert said into the receiver, his voice cool and authoritative. "It's Dr. Vance."
A loud, startled gasping noise could be heard from the speaker. "Dr. Vance! Sir! I... I had no idea you were using your local line! It is an honor, sir. We were told you might not attend the regional reception tomorrow."
"I've reconsidered, Arthur," Robert said smoothly. "I will be attending with my wife, Edna. I understand you have several local managers up for regional promotion?"
"Yes, sir! Absolutely! We have a few key candidates, including a young manager named Wade Miller who has been eager to impress the executive team."
Robert looked at me across the kitchen table. "Is that so? I will be very interested to observe Mr. Miller's performance tomorrow night, Arthur. Ensure my table is situated where I can see the entire floor."
"Of course, Dr. Vance! Whatever you require!"
May you like
Robert hung up the phone and set it on the table.
"It is set," Robert said quietly. "Tomorrow night, Wade will get the exact opportunity he asked for. He will show his boss—and his founder—exactly what caliber of man he is."
