Chapter 4. The beginning of Summer's reinvention

Summer enjoyed her flight in her father's private jet. Although the air hostess gave her awkward looks, she did not dare pass a remark.

Clearly the air hostess knew her place in society as a beta.

They reached palm beach in six hours and it was almost dark .

She had spent all day travelling and felt exhausted. She was jet lagged and just wanted a hot meal, a shower and a good night's rest .

The driver fetched her from the airport and drove her to her father's house on the beach.

Although he gave her a questioning look, he dare not speak ill.

She walked up the honey gold tiled stairs and into a large foyer.

"Dad, I am home!" She shouted.

Her father exited the kitchen with his Hawaiian green shorts and a colourful flower print shirt.

"Aloha my baby girl." He said before looking at her from head to toe." My God, what has happened to you? You look as if you were mauled by a pack of wolves."

" Ah, you are funny as ever." Summer laughed.

"Wait let me guess. You played Cinderella last night and went back to get your slipper, only to have rolled in the mud?" Patrick Ray laughed.

"No dad." Summer growled. " I went to our homecoming ball. I wasn't homecoming queen. I caught my boyfriend cheating on me and I left. I got caught in the rain,a nail pierced my foot and I spent the night in a cheap motel."

"Wow. That sounds like an eventful night." Patrick was amused by his daughters story.

"Oh. And I used your credit card." Summer added.

"And now you are here because?" Patrick questioned.

" Because I am tired. I don't want to live that life. Bobby is an idiot and I wish I had seen that all long." Summer cried.

" Wait. Bobby ? Bobby Styles? The one that lived down the road from us. You two used to be like two peas in a pod. Oh, baby. How could he do such a thing? " Patrick's anger was now creeping to the surface. " I am going to send someone down there to rearrange his insides!"

" No dad. Please don't do that. I just want to disappear. Help me." Summer begged.

" How? " Patrick asked. He was confused at his daughters response. He had the power to end Bobby's life with one phone call.

" I want a new identity. " Summer pleaded.

" How is a new identity going to help you?" Patrick asked curiously.

" Dad you have the power to do anything. I want a new identity. A new life. I want to complete my law degree here in Palm beach and start fresh. I had thoughts of revenge but that's not who I am. I don't want to be that person." Summer said as she reflected on herself." Karma will take care of it ."

The last 12 hours she had thought of so many evil plans to take revenge on Bobby but manslaughter was not one of them. She reflected on her values and refused to take the path of revenge. She remembered seeing the magazine in the drawer last night that read," Karma. What goes around comes around!"

Summer believed that the saying was true and she did not want to mess with the universe.

"Alright, Summer. You can have it your way. Do what you must." Patrick agreed. " You must be starving. I just finished making roast chicken with a side of potato salad."

"That sounds good." Summer smiled and followed her father into the dining room.

There were already two plates layed on the table and the food.

In the corner stood the kitchen maid,waiting instructions from her master.

" Do you think your millions of staff around the house may speak to someone on the outside. You know. About me?" Summer asked as she dug into her food.

" Firstly there aren't millions of staff. I just have like twenty around the house and they all have already signed an agreement of confidentiality. Your secret us safe with me." Patrick replied.

After dinner they took a walk on the beach. The sky was dark, there were very few stars in the sky and no moon. Summer broke down and cried in her father's arms and he comforted her.

"Let it all out." Patrick patted her hair." Tomorrow you will be a new person, leaving all your heart ache behind. Bobby Styles will wish he had never betrayed you."

Summer sniffled and wiped her tears. A smile spread across her lips. Her father was right. She was going to re invent herself and come back better than ever.

After a good night's rest, summer woke up energised for the day ahead. She didn't give much thought for a new identity. She didn't even have a name in mind.

She met Madame Chloe at the La Vista resort. The private resort owned by her father. It was a place of ultimate relaxation but Summer was not here to unwind although she made a mental note to come back to spend a day to relax her mind,body and soul.

"Ah, you must be Summer. Have a seat. Let us see what we can do." Madam Chloe pointed to the chair.", Let's start with changing this hair colour of yours. Do you want to go blonde or more towards the reds?

The image Brooks perfectly blonde silky hair popped into her mind," I would prefer red."

"Alright. Cherry or mahogany?" Madame Chloe asked holding up a booklet of different shades of red.

Gliding her hand down the colours , Summer stopped at a ruby red. The colour stood out and Summer was done fitting in.

"Excellent choice."

Madame Chloe got to work,adding highlights and foil wrapping her hair before adding the final colour. Once washed, dried and set she looked at the length. " Maybe a trim would do?"

Summer dazzled her hair in the mirror. " Cut it. I would like it on my shoulder. Fully straightened and treated."

Madame Chloe looked shocked , Summer's hair was beautiful. It was almost to her buttocks. " Are you sure?"

Summer nodded and and hour later her head was much lighter.

She shook her head in the mirror enjoying her hair falling effortlessly on her shoulders,not a frizz visible. She smiled with delight.

Madame Chloe looked at her in the mirror. "These freckles are an eyesore. Let me take care of it."

Summer anticipated a ton of foundation but instead Madame Chloe brought a little glow light." Close your eyes and relax your face. This might make your face feel a bit tight and tingly but in a few minutes you will be spotless."

Ten minutes later Summer opened her eyes. Her skin glowed and as Madame Chloe had said, she was spotless. Her skin was smooth to the touch and Summer could not believe her eyes. She stared into the mirror and touched her face as if she had seen a ghost.

" All done." Madame Chloe smiled as she dabbed moisturizer on Summer's cheeks.

" I cannot thank you enough. You have made me look like palm beach Barbie." Summer laughed.

She gathered her cellphone and purse and left to her next destination.