Chapter 6

Vera

“Why are we stopping here?” Vera asked, turning slightly toward Orion as his driver pulled up in front of a sleek, expensive-looking building.

Orion slipped his phone into his coat pocket and stepped out of the car, moving around to her side. He opened the door and stretched his palm out toward her. Skeptical, she hesitated for a second—but then she placed her hand in his.

A soft crack of electricity shot through her the moment their skin touched.

She withdrew her hand the instant she was on her feet, clearing her throat and scratching lightly at it as if the sensation had embarrassed her.

“This is a boutique,” Orion said simply.

He stood tall behind her, and when his words brushed close to her ear, she startled, instinctively stepping away.

“I know what it is, Orion,” she replied, turning to face him. “But why are we here?”

His gaze flicked briefly to her lips before lifting to meet her eyes again.

“You’ll need to look the part to play the part, Vera.”

With that, he turned and began walking into the boutique at an unhurried pace.

She perked a brow, then hurried after him. He was so tall that even with his deliberately slow strides, she still had to jog slightly to keep up.

“I have some good clothes too, y’know?” she said once she was walking beside him.

“Those won’t do.”

He pushed open the glass doors, stretching his arm out to hold them for her. She ducked beneath it and stepped inside—and a gasp slipped from her lips before she could stop it.

The place was breathtaking.

“Why?” she asked, remembering their earlier conversation as her eyes darted around. She wasn’t sure if she should feel offended or simply confused by his blunt dismissal.

Orion stopped beside her, his attention not on the racks of luxurious clothing, but on her face.

“We’re looking for a fresh start, Vera,” he said calmly. “You lingering in your old clothes doesn’t exactly scream fresh start, does it?”

He didn’t wait for her response. Instead, he turned to a young woman who had already approached them with a professional smile.

“Welcome, Mr. Blackwood. What can we get you?”

Her voice was soft, and courteous, but there was a familiarity in the way she spoke to Orion that made Vera wonder about their relationship outside this place.

“I’ll need your expert services, Maya,” Orion said. “Where’s your boss?”

Maya’s face lit up like Christmas tree at the sound of her name on his tongue. Vera noticed the reaction immediately and frowned slightly, though she kept her thoughts to herself. It wasn’t her business.

“She stepped out, Mr. Blackwood,” Maya replied, her smile thinning. “She had home services to attend to.”

“Well then,” Orion said.

He nudged Vera gently forward, and only then did Maya seem to fully notice she wasn’t alone. Her eyes lifted—and widened.

Vera stiffened.

“I’ll need dresses for her,” Orion continued evenly. “Good dresses. The kind that scream fresh start, if you know what I mean.”

Maya’s gaze traveled slowly down Vera’s figure. Her eyes widened just a fraction more before she went utterly silent.

Vera’s stomach tightened.

Did she remember her?

Did Vera want her to?

“Do we have a problem, Maya?” Orion asked coolly, catching the sudden tension.

Maya blinked, opening and closing her mouth several times before bowing her head quickly.

“No. Not at all,” she said hurriedly. “I’ll get everything you requested, Mr. Blackwood.”

She spun on her heel and rushed away.

Vera watched her go, unease curling in her chest.

“Do you think she recognized me?” she asked quietly, glancing at Orion.

He was already typing on his phone.

“Hmm?” He pocketed it and looked at her. “Why do you think that?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. The way she looked at me—she seemed startled.” Her gaze dropped to her clothes, sudden self-consciousness washing over her. “Or… do I look that bad?”

She didn’t look up at him. She couldn’t.

If Orion agreed with Maya’s reaction, she wasn’t sure she could take it.

She was still wearing the clothes she’d been released in—wrinkled, stale, soaked with yesterday’s sweat. Her hair was a mess, likely smelled like one too. The only expensive thing on her was the shoes Orion had given her.

“Look at me.”

The depth of his voice startled her into lifting her head. What unsettled her more was the intensity in his eyes.

In the short hours she’d known him, Vera had learned Orion Blackwood was a hard man—sharp, controlled, and emotionally distant. But when he looked at her like that…

“I have no reason to lie to you,” he said. “If you looked half as terrible as you think, I’d tell you. But Maya didn’t stare because you look bad.”

He paused, his gaze steady.

“Not many women who’ve had the kind of day you did would still look as good as you do.”

Vera’s pulse skipped.

Was that… a compliment?

He could’ve simply said no.

Get a grip, Vera. Getting ahead of yourself is what ruined you before. He’s just being kind. That’s all.

Before she could overthink it, Maya returned, her face noticeably brighter.

“I have everything ready now, ma’am,” she said. “If you’d like to follow me to the changing room?”

Vera glanced at Orion. He looked at her dryly, as if to ask what exactly she was waiting for.

She shook her head at herself and followed Maya.

The changing room was massive—mirrors lining every wall. Racks of vibrant, luxurious clothes filled the space. Pieces she knew, without doubt, she could have rocked effortlessly back when she was still modeling. Back when life made sense.

“Which would you like to try first?” Maya asked, standing off to the side, her eyes lowered.

Was she trained like this, or avoiding her?

“What do you suggest, Maya?” Vera asked.

The question startled the young woman. Her eyes flew up, lips parting.

“I—I don’t—”

“Come on,” Vera interrupted gently, trailing her fingers over the fabrics. “You’ve worked here longer than I have. You must know what would suit me best.”

Maya stared at her, starstruck, for several long seconds, long enough for Vera to start worrying she’d said something wrong.

Then Maya sniffed.

“What—?” Vera muttered, confused.

Maya suddenly burst into tears, covering her face.

Vera froze. “Did I say something? Oh God, I’m so sorry—”

“I’m such a big fan of your work, Ms. Vera,” Maya cried.

Vera stilled.

“You’re even more ethereal in person,” Maya continued through tears. “I still can’t believe it’s you standing here. That last piece you wore, the one you designed yourself, I stare at that picture till today. You’re not just a stunning model… you’re a talented designer. I just—” She wiped her cheeks. “I couldn’t contain myself. I’m sorry.”

Vera’s jaw slackened.

So Maya hadn’t stared because she looked awful.

She stared because she recognized her.

Emotion swelled in Vera’s chest, thick and sudden. Before she could stop herself, she pulled Maya into a hug.

“Thank you,” Vera whispered, voice hoarse.

Maya hugged her back tightly.

After that, the tension melted. They laughed, talked, styled. Vera listened to Maya’s suggestions without hesitation, and together they brought life back to pieces long forgotten.

“Oh my God—deadass,” Maya gasped. “This is gorgeous. How did you even think of this?”

Vera smiled at her reflection, cheeks warm.

“I just pictured it in my head and hoped it came out right.”

“I want to live in your head for just one day,” Maya said, snapping photos. “God.”

For the first time in a long time, Vera laughed freely—doing what she loved, feeling like herself again.

Maya stepped out to fetch more pieces her boss had condemned, leaving Vera alone to adjust a two-piece set.

She heard footsteps but didn’t turn.

“What do you think of this, Maya?” she asked, adjusting the waist. “I think it needs to be held here and here…” She pulled at the back, tightening the fabric. “…otherwise, it’s beautiful, don’t you think?”

Silence.

Then—

“To think you have the audacity to show your face here, Vera. Haven’t you learned your lesson?”

Vera spun around so fast her hands dropped to her sides.

Her breath left her.

“Didi?”

“Yes, Vera,” her ex–best friend said coldly.

“It’s me. In the flesh.”