Welcome Back

"Are you ready?" Julian asked, knocking on the door to Anastasia's room. 

"I'm ready," she said. The sound of objects crashing to the ground troubled him, so he couldn't resist stepping inside to see what was going on.

Inside, Anastasia stood wearing a black and white striped business suit that transformed her presence entirely. The sharp lines of the outfit demanded attention and radiated authority, exuding an air so commanding that anyone in her path might willingly bow to her will.

She wore heavy makeup that highlighted her striking new facial features while concealing the scars left by the surgery. She wasn't about to let her new frenemies catch even a glimpse of the torment she'd endured. For a fleeting moment, Julian forgot to breathe as he took in her transformation.

He quickly snapped out of it and held onto Anastasia's hands which she quickly yanked away from the physical contact on reflex.