The Entitled (The Entitled Duet #1) - Cassandra Robbins Page 0,74
of course, be there to hold your hand and make sure you don’t look like shit.” His voice is uncharacteristically weary, like he knows I’m lying about wanting closure.
“I hate you changing anything on yourself. You’re perfect and you know it.”
“That’s exactly why I need to do this—because I’m not perfect. No one is. I’m desperately flawed. But I’m okay with that, and I need for others to see that too.”
“Whatever you need, Pretty Girl.” Suddenly the door opens, and a waiter steps out, lighting a cigarette. Brance smiles as his foot stops the door from shutting. “After you.”
“Thank you,” I say, walking toward my father’s dark head and Lana’s light.
TESS
I stare at myself in the mirror. I don’t believe I did this. Holy shit!
My long brown hair has been bleached blond and not like dishwater blond. We’re talking Marilyn Monroe blond. Leaning forward, I darken my eyelids and smear on some dark plum lip gloss.
Transformation complete.
Lana’s plastic surgeon kicked ass. He did my lips as a favor. I guess he doesn’t sully himself with collagen anymore. The bickering between Brance and Lana over how much collagen I needed was rather amusing. The poor surgeon had to play referee.
I can’t help but smile at my reflection. I love them! Slightly puffy, completely kissable lips. Gone is my darkness.
My albatrosses are gone at last. As I sat in the doctor’s chair, my mind replayed the last three years. The sting of the needle going into my bottom lip is nothing compared to the pain of losing Reed. That and the pathetic relationship with my father. I had hoped throughout all the heartache I have endured, I would come away with his love. But he kept that locked up, like he does everything else with me. The humiliation still burns through me at his complete lack of compassion. I thought I would die with shame being dragged into a gynecologist to be put on birth control. Even when I swore I wasn’t having sex. Not to mention the constant disapproval of my clothes and that he seems to believe I loved Reed simply to mock him.
“I refuse to be that girl anymore,” I say, nodding at my reflection.
Grabbing my new tan, suede three-quarter-length jacket, I slip it on. My eyes scan my room as I make sure I have everything I need. I won’t be coming back. All my other bags are already on Brance’s dad’s private plane.
“Well, I guess I’m off,” I yell, nearly skipping down the stairs.
“We’re in here,” Lana says.
Pushing open my dad’s study door, I’m greeted with Lana crying, holding on to my dad who is rubbing her shoulder. She pulls away and looks at me from top to bottom.
“God, you look hot!” I look down at my outfit. I’m dressed in a tight black shirt and skintight black skinny jeans with high-heeled black boots. My tan jacket and my hair are the only lightness on me.
“Well, black is my favorite color.” A pang of guilt slithers through me. Lana is going to be alone. My dad works all the time, and she is going to miss me. Cocking my head, I give her a half smile. “Don’t you dare make me cry, Lana! You promised.”
She nods, but tears leak from her eyes. She snuggles closer to my dad.
I simply stand there. Do I try to hug her with my dad’s arm around her?
Moving my Marc Jacobs bag to my other shoulder, I glance at my father. He is genuinely comforting Lana, his large hands caressing her hair while he whispers in her ear. Brushing my blond tresses back off my shoulders, I refuse to admit that his behavior is hurting me.
I clear my throat. “I guess I will see you both when you come visit.”
Lana breaks away at last and launches her tall body into mine.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving me,” she whispers.
“I have to.”
Her eyes glisten with tears as she nods. “I know.”
“Tess, can I speak with you?” My dad’s voice interrupts our moment. I almost say no, but I don’t want Lana to see that.
“Sure.” We break apart.
“I’m going to go to my room. I can’t stand goodbyes.” Her high heels click on the marble.
He sighs. “You and Lana got close. She is going to miss you.”
“What about you?” He freezes, then walks over to his desk, his hand straightening some papers.
“What about me, Tess? I hope that you have finally grown up. That I have instilled in you some common sense.”