Chapter 5

• "Make a quick turn to The Zoe Salon, Parker." Xavier said. Parker nodded and without a word turned made a right turn, a couple of minutes later the car pulled up at a small salon tucked away from the bustling city.
• "Put this on and let's go." He handed her a face mask.
• "W-What are we doing here?" Amber asked,
• Xavier led her into the salon,"I need you to do something for me," he murmured."Trust me, Amber."
• The salon was empty like it was prepared for the moment, the stylist came over to them and greeted. Xavier turned to her direction. "She needs to look like a regular person." He simply told the woman who nodded with excitement and led Amber to the chair.
• The stylist worked quickly and precisely, transforming Amber's look until all traces of her signature style were gone. Xavier handed her a pair of glasses,
• "Put this on and take off the mask."
• Amber took a deep breath and removed the mask, her gaze falling to the mirror in front of her. The ponytail that once graced her head was gone, replaced by short, brunette hair. Without her hair and makeup, she was no longer "Amber Hamilton."
• "Not bad." He said, his tone flat, then he leaned forward and whispered, "Your middle name is Elizabeth right?"
• "Yes?"
• "Good. From now on, you are not Amber Hamilton, the actress. You are my personal assistant, Elizabeth. You will resume your new role once you settle in until you can be Amber again. Do you understand?"
• Without a protest, Amber nodded and stared at herself in the mirror, trying to reconcile the face staring back at her with old self. She knew this was all part of Xavier's plan, but it all felt like she was losing herself already.
• From the salon, they drove through in silence for more than half an hour till the car pulled up to a grand estate, as the wrought iron gate rolled open and they drove in, Amber couldn't help but be impressed by the splendor of the place.
• Fountains spouted water high into the air, and the lawn was perfectly manicured. In the distance was a tall mansion that shielded the sun.
• As they pulled up in front, there were servants standing by the door, ready to greet them.
• "Where are we?" Amber asked.
• "Home," He replied stiffly.
• Before they got out of the car, Xavier turned to Parker, cleared his throat and told him,
• "This is my wife, Amber." He was in shock but didn't say anything, "Although our relationship hasn't been made public, but from now on, Parker you will serve her as you serve me, do you understand?"
• "Yes Sir." He smiled through the mirror,
• "And also, she'll be Alise Levine's replacement. She will work with you as an assistant under the name Elizabeth. Do you understand?"
• "Y-Yes Sir," he stuttered, even more confused now. "Congratulations, Mrs Astor and welcome home." He feigned a small smile.
• "Thank you." She forced a smile,
• "First thing's first, go to her current address and do the needful."
• "Yes Sir."
• As they got out of the car, the servants opened the door for them and ushered them inside.
• The mansion was like something out of a fairy tale. The foyer was decorated with marble floors, and a grand staircase led up to the second floor. The walls were covered in intricate tapestries, and the chandeliers sparkled with dozens of crystals.
• “Nice house,” Amber murmured, still standing in the foyer.
• “Thank you, Miss Hamilton,” Xavier began, only to be cut off by a voice from the kitchen.
• “Xavier.”
• He turned and saw a lady walking out of the kitchen, wearing an apron. Her face was familiar, yet unexpected. His heart sank as she came closer with a smile plastered on her face.
• “Vera?” he murmured, his mind reeling with questions.
• His heart pounded as he struggled to understand what Veronica was doing in his kitchen after her disappearance three years ago. Standing there and staring at her, a wave of emotions washed over him: shock, confusion, a hint of resentment. But before he could say anything, Vera’s smile widened.
• “It’s good to see you, Xavier.” Her voice was warm,
• “What are you doing here?” Xavier asked, his tone cold.
• Her smile quickly disappeared but she maintained her composure. “I thought it was time we talked,” she sounded so vulnerable.
• Meanwhile, Amber watched them curiously at the same time, realization dawned on her.This was not just any lady—this was Veronica Everett, the internationally acclaimed supermodel and A-list actress she looked up to and adored.
• "Talk?!" Xavier's jaw clenched and his body tensed as he stared at Vera. “You can’t just disappear and expect everything to be the same after three years, three fucking years!—How did you get in here?” he bit out, his voice laced with anger.
• Vera's shoulders slumped as she reached out towards Xavier, her hands trembling slightly. “Xavi—"
• "Don't!" He stepped back, his voice low, "don't you fucking call me that name. You lost that right a long time ago."
• "I know and that's why I'm here, to make things right—"
• "Vera—"
• "Please don't say no, I've made your favorite, your mother's recipe." she coaxed. "All my efforts would be in vain."
• Vera’s eyes were wide, fixed on Xavier, she stared back at him, his chest tightening at the mention of his mother’s recipe. He wanted to lash out, to tell her that no meal could erase her betrayal.
• "Fine," he said finally, his voice still tinged with anger. "Lunch. Then we talk."
• As Vera turned towards the kitchen, Amber's presence in the room suddenly came back to focus. She cleared her throat softly, her eyes darting between Xavier and Vera. “Uh, perhaps I should leave you two alone?” she suggested, a hint of awkwardness in her voice.
• "Who are you again?" Vera's sharp gaze turned into questioning, Amber looked at Xavier, her eyes pleading for an answer.
• He shoved his hands in pocket and coolly told her, "She's my new assistant."
• "You already have a assistant." She scoffed. "Parker, right?"
• "Things have changed since you left, Veronica." His jaw tightened as he walked passed her towards the dining room. " Elizabeth. " he called out, "join us for lunch."
• The two sat across each other in silence at the dining table. Xavier’s meal stared at him but he stared straight ahead, his jaw still clenched, while Vera avoided eye contact by focusing on her plate. Amber stood off to the side, waiting for the tension to ease.
• "Too quiet for lunch." A voice broke the stillness.
• "Aunt Hilda." Xavier and Vera said almost simultaneously as Xavier’s aunt entered.
• "You didn't say you were coming." Xavier said.
• The middle aged woman let out a small sigh as her face lingered on each face.
• “I was simply worried about you, Xavier,” Aunt Hilda told him, her eyes flashing with concern. “I heard that a certain someone just got back from Paris...” She cast a sidelong glance at Vera, her expression smug.
• “There’s no need to worry, Hildie,” Xavier said. “Everything is under control.” He began to cut his food, his face unreadable.
• Aunt Hilda studied Xavier’s movements, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Are you sure—"
• “Since you’re here, Aunt Hilda, please join us...I made lunch.” Vera offered with a small smile.
• Aunt Hilda’s eyes glanced at her plate and it flashed with sudden fury. “The audacity!" She spat. "How dare you make lunch! How dare you offer me my sister’s recipe!” she snapped, her voice dripping with contempt.
• “And who even are you?!” She turned to Amber, standing off to the side, everything seemed to anger her.
• “I apologize,” Vera said, her voice soft and unbothered in the face of Aunt Hilda’s anger. “Elizabeth is Xavier’s new assistant.” She turned her attention to Amber. “Elizabeth, can you please ask the maids to bring the food and set up another table for Aunt Hilda?”
• Aunt Hilda fumed, but despite her anger, didn’t miss Xavier’s reaction to Vera’s instructions. She watched as his jaw tightened, his fists clenched, his gaze trained on the assistant. And then, like a lightning strike, realization hit Aunt Hilda.
• "Don't bother." She crossed her arms and scoffed, "I don't have a long spoon to dine with the devil today. Sit." She gestured to Amber instead.
• With her face draining of color, Amber made her way to the table. But just as she reached for the back of her chair, her knees buckled and she crumpled to the ground, and once again fainted.