chapter 28

A week later~

Rosie stepped into the salon, and a staff member greeted her with a warm smile and a bowed head. "Welcome to hair paradise, ma'am!"

"I'm looking to restyle my hair." Rosie informed.

The staff member's smile broadened. "You're in the right place!" She gestured to the side, making room for Rosie, and curtsied slightly, extending her right hand. "This way, ma'am."

Rosie nodded and followed her into the salon. As she entered the VIP room, she caught Phoebe's reflection in the mirror, her back turned to Rosie. She spun around to leave. "I think I'll have to come back later." She said.

The accompanying staff member looked concerned. "Is everything okay, ma'am?"

Phoebe had already spotted Rosie in the mirror and was waiting for her to approach. But when Rosie turned to leave, she quickly turned around, a smile spreading across her face. "Look who we have here!"

Rosie sighed, ignoring Phoebe, and turned to the staff member. "I'll wait outside until you're done with her." She said, and as she took her first step toward the door, Phoebe's words halted her.

"Running away from me?"

Rosie let out a sigh, her eyes fluttering closed before snapping back open. She turned to Phoebe, then glanced at the staff member. "Don't worry, I'll stay."

The staff member nodded and led her to the chair next to Phoebe. "Sit here, ma'am," she said, picking up a pen and notebook while Rosie set her bag on the mirror cabinet and took a seat.

"What style would you like, ma'am?" The staff asked, pen poised over her notebook.

"Relax and curl the edges." Rosie replied.

"Okay, ma'am," the hair stylist said, before bending to take the treatments and hair curler. She quickly returned and began applying the oils to Rosie's hair.

Phoebe's simple hair softening treatment was already done, and she was preparing to leave; but she decided to stay because of Rosie. She turned her face slightly toward Rosie, their eyes meeting in the mirror. "It's been a long time. How have you been?"

Rosie kept her gaze fixed on her reflection, a subtle smile playing on her lips. "Yes, it's been a long time. I guess we didn't meet till now because I've been busy, and you... Well, you're always somewhere else."

"My position demands I mingle with people of my caliber. I've been doing exactly the opposite of what you might wish. Thanks for asking, though." She taunted, response was laced with a hint of sarcasm.

Rosie's words struck a chord with Phoebe, but she refused to back down. "Oh, I see. You're thinking highly of yourself these–" she began, only to be cut off by Rosie.

"I'm not thinking highly of myself. I am high."

"Okay, but Rosie, rumor has it you're in that position because of an affair with Dominic? Is that true?" Phoebe asked, trying to bash Rosie, but Rosie didn't flinch.

Rosie let out a soft scoff. "True or not, it doesn't matter… as long as I've got what I want."

Phoebe's hands clapped together in a dramatic gesture. "Wow!" She exclaimed. "You do dirty things and you're still proud of it? How can a woman be this shameless?"

Rosie chuckled, recognizing Phoebe's attempt to embarrass her in front of the hairstylist. She decided to return the energy. "Mine is better," she said with a smile, her voice laced with confidence. "I mean, what about you? You betrayed your friend and snatched her husband. What have you achieved other than being a full-time housewife?"

Phoebe's jaw clenched, and she pressed her lips tightly together.

Rosie glanced at her, shrugging. "Go on. Say more. Don't you have anything else to say?" She taunted.

Phoebe lifted her chin, taking a deep breath. "I didn't snatch my friend's husband. Her husband found peace in my company and chose to stay with me." She corrected, her voice steady.

Rosie burst into laughter, unable to contain herself. "Found peace in your company?" She repeated. "Do you even know peace? Your mind's always in turmoil, so tell me how others can find peace in you."

Phoebe's face reddened with rage. "How dare you!" She ground out, her teeth clenched, as she hurriedly stood from the chair, attempting to lunge at Rosie. But Rosie raised her right index finger, a warning gesture.

"Behave yourself. Arabella spent two nights and half a day in police custody for the same reason," she reminded Phoebe. "Your husband couldn't rescue her beloved sister, so he won't waste his time on a rude wife."

Phoebe stepped back, her anger and embarrassment evident in the tightened muscles of her jaw and neck. She took a deep breath, and after a moment's pause, a plan began to form in her mind. A satisfied grin spread across her lips as she thought of a way to regain her dignity in front of the hairstylist.

She glanced up at the hairdresser standing beside her. "Call the manager for me." She ordered, her voice calm and authoritative.

The staff nodded and hurried to the manager's office, returning with the manager in tow. The staff member stepped aside, allowing the manager to approach Phoebe.

"Good day, ma'dam." The manager greeted with a smile.

"You know me, right?" Phoebe asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

The manager's smile remained calm. "Yes, you're one of our top regular VIP customers." She replied.

Phoebe's gaze lingered for a moment before she continued. "I've had my hair softened, but I'd like to add some curls and restyle it."

The manager nodded reassuringly. "Don't worry, our staff will take good care of you. Just choose a style you like, and they'll work their magic. Our staff members are professionals, and I'm confident they can achieve any look you desire."

Phoebe's expression turned serious. "It's not about who styles my hair. I called you because I'm uncomfortable having my hair done in the presence of another customer." She explained.

The manager looked puzzled. "Ma'am?" She asked, seeking clarification.

"I mean, I can't stand having another customer here while I'm getting my hair done." Phoebe elaborated, her voice firm.

The manager's expression changed as she glanced back at Rosie, then returned her attention to Phoebe. "Okay, ma'am... she'll be done with her hair soon. Please wait a bit." She implored.

Phoebe's face remained stern. "I'm in a hurry, and I don't have time to wait. I think I'll just leave and never come back to this salon again." She said, making a show of standing up.

The manager's tone turned persuasive. "Please wait... what'd you like me to do, ma'am?"

"If you want me to stay and continue using your salon, get rid of that customer." Phoebe demanded.

The manager's eyes widened in shock, and a surprised "Huh?" escaped her lips. While Rosie remained calm in her seat, staring at herself in the mirror.

"Can't you do that? Then be prepared to lose me as a customer." Phoebe threatened, her voice firm.

The manager hesitated, wanting to protest but finding herself speechless.

"Don't worry, if you ask her to leave, I'll pay double her bill and triple mine." Phoebe offered, her tone persuasive.

"Hum!" The manager exclaimed. The offer was too enticing for her to refuse. She slowly turned to Rosie, her eyes cast downward. "Ma'am, please, could you wait in the other room?"

"Why? Isn't this place for regular customers?" Rosie questioned.

The manager explained, "Yes, but our VIP customer doesn't want anyone else here while she's getting her hair done. It makes her feel uncomfortable."

Rosie snickered. "So, you want to kick me out because of her?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

The manager's tone turned pleading. "No, ma'am, I wouldn't dream of kicking you out. I dare not. I'm just asking you to excuse us for a bit. I'll call you back in as soon as we're done with her hair."

"Okay," Rosie uttered and nodded. She stood up, walked over to the mirror, and picked up her phone from her bag. After a minute of scrolling, she put the phone back and zipped up her bag.

She picked it up and turned to the manager. "I'll–"

Before she could finish speaking, a notification sound from the manager's phone interrupted her. "You have a message. Maybe you should check it?" She suggested, a knowing smile spreading across her face.

"Okay." The manager said. She lifted her phone to her gaze, unlocked the phone, and opened the message. "Hun!" Her eyes widened as she read the message.

Rosie's smile grew wider. "You received my message, didn't you? Learn to treat everyone equally. She bribed you, and you're willing to kick me out for her, right?"

Her tone dripped with satisfaction. "Now, I've proven my superiority over both of you. Take this as a lesson and never make the same mistake again." She advised, her voice firm.

She turned to leave, but the manager grasped her arm and dropped to her knees. "I'm so sorry, ma'am. Please forgive me. I won't do it again. I've learned my lesson. Please give me another chance." She begged, tears streaming down her face.

Rosie's expression softened, and she turned back to her. "Alright, I'll give you another chance," she declared. She pulled out her phone and tapped on it for a minute before putting it back in her bag.

Instantly, a message popped up on the manager's phone. When she checked it and saw that her termination letter had been rescinded, a smile spread across her face, and she bowed her head. "Thank you, ma'am." She said, her voice filled with gratitude.

"Get up." Rosie said with a warm smile.

The manager stood up, bowing her head in gratitude. "Thank you."

Rosie's smile broadened. "It's fine," she said, her tone gentle. She turned to Phoebe, addressing the manager. "I'll leave, but I need to wait and confirm her payment before I go."

The manager hastened to assure her, "No, you can stay, ma'am."

Rosie insisted, "Let her pay first."

Phoebe rose from her seat, her eyes locked on Rosie's. "You think I can't pay for it, right?" She asked, her eyebrows arched in challenge.

Rosie folded her arms across her chest. "Yes, you can't. And if you dare, take out your card." She taunted.

Phoebe snickered, striding over to her bag on the cabinet. She retrieved her purse, pulled out a card, and handed it over. "Deduct the money." She instructed.

The manager nodded, directing a staff member, "bring the machine."

The staff member scurried off to fetch the payment terminal.

"Here you go, ma'am," the manager said, taking the payment terminal. She inserted Phoebe's card and entered the amount, then handed the terminal to Phoebe to enter her PIN.

After a moment, the manager pulled out the card. "Ma'am, access denied." She reported.

Phoebe's eyebrows shot up. "That's not possible." She said, her voice rising in surprise.

The manager turned the terminal's screen for her to see.

Phoebe swiftly pulled out another card and handed it to the manager. "This one will work. Use it," she instructed. The manager repeated the process, and Phoebe entered her PIN. However, the terminal displayed an error message.

"Insufficient funds, ma'am."

Phoebe's face reddened with rage. "That's not possible!" She exclaimed, not waiting for the manager to show her the screen. She reached for another card, but Rosie intervened.

"Leave her alone. I'll pay for her," Rosie said with a smirk. She pulled out her card and handed it to the manager. "Deduct the amount she promised, and enough to cover her hair bills for a year. I want to insure her hair bills," she added, her voice laced with mockery.

The manager took Rosie's card and inserted it into the payment terminal, entering the calculated amount based on Rosie's instructions. Rosie entered her PIN, and the transaction instantly processed successfully.

The manager removed the card and handed it back to Rosie. "Done. Thank you, ma'am."

Rosie collected her card and tucked it back into her bag. "You're welcome. I'll be back for my hair next time. If the amount deducted doesn't cover her hair bill for a year, let me know when I come again."

The manager nodded. "Okay, ma'am."

As Rosie walked towards the door, Phoebe stormed over to her, her anger palpable.

Phoebe lunged at Rosie, grabbing for her hair, but Rosie's oily hair slipped through her fingers.

Rosie spun around, her eyes flashing with warning, and pushed Phoebe back, sending her tumbling to the floor. She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a menacing whisper as she bent beside Phoebe.

"You're like this because I'm doing business with Archie," she taunted, a sly smile spreading across her face. She moved her mouth closer to Phoebe's ear, her breath hot against Phoebe's ear as she whispered, "is there anything you can do if I decide to take him back from you?"