Page 22 of The Bossy Billionaire's Fake Date

“I guess you’re right,” I replied. “I should really work on my work-life balance.”

“You know, I have just the idea,” Sarah’s expression lit up as if she’d just had a eureka moment.

She seemed excited, and that scared me a little. I leaned back on the sofa and eyed her suspiciously. “What is it?”

“You need a little… pick me up. A nice evening of self-care,” she suggested seriously, casting a disappointed look at the state of my hair.

“I don’t have time for that,” I replied, shaking my head.

“I’m serious, Kathy. I can book you an appointment before your big meeting on Friday. I think a day at the salon is exactly what you need to give your confidence a boost,” Sarah was determined.

She took my cell phone and started to put in the details of the salon she wanted me to visit. “I’ll handle everything, you just need to show up.”

“Fine,” I gave in. Sarah wasn’t someone who ever took no for an answer and my best bet was just to agree with her. “But I’m not going there alone.”

“Obviously,” Sarah laughed. “I’ll join you. You can’t be the only one looking fabulous.”

∞∞∞

As promised, Sarah took care of everything. She picked me up from work to drive me out to the salon. Soon, the two of us were reclined in a chair as the stylists worked through our hair. Sarah had insisted that I go for a fresh cut and color.

“So, tell me more about this ‘girlfriend’ of your boss you mentioned the other day,” Sarah asked me casually. “How do you know she’s dating your boss?”

“What?” Her question caught me off-guard. “I don’t really know for sure. I assumed because she came to visit him at the office.”

“Ah, so there’s a chance you’ve got it all wrong,” Sarah replied delightfully.

I snorted at her ridiculousness. “Why are you so invested in my boss’ love life, Sarah? We slept together once; it was no big deal.”

“Because—” she emphasized, “—it’s literally like reading a romance novel. I think it’d make for a killer story that you fell in love with your boss. Don’t you think?”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” I told her earnestly. “Besides, he hasn’t really talked to me since. It’s like he doesn’t even see me.”

Sarah leaned over to me with a sympathetic expression. “Well, maybe this makeover will change his mind.”

She pointed to the mirror in front of me, where the hairstylist had finally finished styling my hair. I nearly gasped when I took in the sight.

“Whoa,” I breathed out. With my hair now an ashy brown tone and my split-ends gone, I looked like an entirely new person.

“You look smokin’ hot, girl,” Sarah beamed as I admired my reflection. She was right. Maybe I needed a makeover to boost my confidence all along.

∞∞∞

I walked into the meeting room on Friday morning determined to do an amazing job.

“Good luck,” Kevin whispered to me before the presentation. “By the way, did you do something to your hair? It looks bouncier than usual.”

I had to laugh at his reaction. Men were so predictable. “Not now, Kevin. I have a presentation to do.”

I started gathering my speaker notes as the rest of the people started entering the meeting room. I noticed Dylan enter with Mr. Johnson, our key investor. Wanting to give the best first impression, I greeted both and briefly introduced myself to Mr. Johnson.

“I’m hoping you’ll find my presentation useful,” I told the investor confidently.

“And I am looking forward to seeing what a bright young woman such as yourself has to say today,” Mr. Johnson nodded.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Dylan’s lingering gaze on me. Usually, it would be enough to make me nervous, but today I was determined to put my best self forward and give everyone a presentation they’ll remember for a long time.

Dylan started off the presentation with a brief overview of the project in front of the investors. And when he was done, he handed over the floor to me.

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