The Plan

Joey smiled warmly. "Don't worry, Miss Reb. I'll try my best to help if you just tell me what the issue is."

If only she knew what Rebecca was about to ask of her, that smile would have faded just as quickly as it appeared.

Rebecca began slowly, explaining how she was being stalked by Maxwell, the infamous lunatic, and how she had been spending nights at the salon out of fear. She was terrified of what he might do if he ever discovered where she lived. 

But even as she spoke, she kept certain truths to herself. She didn't reveal why Maxwell was watching her so closely, nor what kind of twisted history tied her to the man known as the Lunatic.

Instead, she moved forward, outlining her plan, one that involved Joey in a dangerous role. She painted the details with care, describing how this scheme could get her out safely without anyone getting hurt.

When Joey heard her part in the plan, her expression shifted from confusion to disbelief. She blinked at Rebecca in stunned silence.

"Miss Reb," she said finally, her voice low and resolute, "I know I said I would help to the best of my abilities, but I take back my words."

"Joey~"

"I wish I could help you out of this mess, but the Lunatic? He's the last person on Earth any sane person would dare cross. I'm not ready to get myself killed and dumped in some ditch where my family can't even retrieve my body."

She turned to leave, but Rebecca grabbed her hand, desperation burning in her eyes.

"I know you're scared of what could happen if you get caught, but I swear, they won't find out. Not if you follow my instructions exactly," Rebecca said. Her voice was low, pleading, her eyes locked onto Joey's.

"There's no such thing as a perfect disguise," Joey replied, trying to pull away. "As long as there's even the slightest chance I'll be exposed, I can't be a part of this."

"Okay... but let's just say, by some off chance, you do get caught, which won't happen. Maxwell and his men won't harm you. All you'll need to do is pretend you know my whereabouts and stall them until I return from the hospital."

Rebecca's voice had hardened into one of quiet confidence. Her earlier panic was now buried beneath determination.

"We're the same height and build, Joey. No one will suspect a thing. And... you won't be doing this for free," she added. She paused, hoping the mention of compensation would turn the tide.

Joey went quiet. Her brow furrowed. Rebecca's sudden offer had caught her attention.

"What do I stand to gain from all this, since I'll be risking my life?" Joey finally asked.

Though fear still lingered in her chest, she couldn't deny that Rebecca had a point. They did look similar enough to pull it off. And Rebecca's unshakeable confidence made her want to believe in the plan, even if only a little.

Rebecca took a breath. "Aside from three months of exclusive one-on-one training from me, you'll get a one-week paid break starting tomorrow. You'll also get lunch on me for the next three months."

Joey raised a brow, unconvinced. Rebecca scrambled.

"Oh, and I'll grant you two wishes. Anything within my capacity," she added quickly, hoping to sweeten the deal just enough.

Silence stretched between them as Joey weighed her options.

Then finally, she sighed. "Okay. I'll help you out."

Rebecca gasped and threw her arms around Joey. "Thank you," she whispered, her grip tight around Joey's neck as a tear slid down her cheek.

One of her biggest worries was finally resolved. Now all that remained was executing their roles with precision.

After a few seconds, Rebecca pulled back.

"Miss Reb," Joey said. Her voice was calm but serious. "Since I agreed to help, I'll do my best to see this through. But if we get caught and I'm in danger, I won't be able to continue pretending."

Rebecca nodded in understanding. "It's okay, Joey. I wouldn't blame you if that happens. Your safety should come first."

"We'll begin once the others leave. The fewer people who know, the smoother this goes," Rebecca added. With that, they returned to the main salon.

Inside, Rebecca became visibly restless, glancing at the clock every few minutes. She had briefly considered dismissing everyone early. After all, there were no appointments. But she changed her mind. Sending people home without reason could raise suspicion among the men watching the salon from outside.

Five minutes before closing, Tyler and Lamar headed to the equipment room and returned with cleaning tools.

"Don't worry about cleaning tonight, ladies. Joey and I will handle it," Rebecca said as two of the staff started cleaning the floor with the vacuum.

"If you're thinking we have appointments tonight, we actually don't," Bernard interjected before Lamar could speak. "Besides, we've had you handle cleaning the past nights. Let us take over."

"I appreciate the offer, really, but it's fine," Rebecca replied politely. "Besides, I'm the one volunteering to do the cleaning."

Deep down, she silently prayed they wouldn't insist. If they did, she wouldn't know what excuse to give.

With Maxwell not around, tonight was her only chance of escaping. If she missed it and Maxwell returned, she would never be able to slip away under his watchful eyes.

If that happened, she'd be forced to either reveal the existence of Jeremy to Maxwell or postpone his surgery, which was scheduled for the very next day.

Neither choice was acceptable.

She interlocked her damp palms, her anxiety rising as she watched her staff. Ordering them would have ensured compliance, but she had never treated them that way. Doing so now would only raise suspicion, and she couldn't afford that, not with Maxwell's men watching closely.

Unbeknownst to her, Diamond had been quietly observing her erratic movements and subtle expressions.

She seems desperate, Diamond thought. I wonder what she and Joey are planning behind closed doors.

"Wouldn't it be easier and quicker if we all cleaned together?" Tyler asked her colleagues. 

"Actually," Diamond interjected smoothly, "aside from Miss Rebecca and Joey, I'll be staying behind too. I have something private to discuss with her. She's just being considerate of me. That's why she turned down your offers."

Rebecca blinked in surprise. She exchanged a puzzled glance with Joey, unsure of what Diamond was doing.

"Please," Diamond added softly, "don't make things harder for Miss Rebecca. She was just shielding me."

Her emotional tone and saddened expression were so convincing that no one questioned her lie.

"Oh. We didn't know you had an appointment with Diamond," Lamar murmured, lowering her gaze in guilt.

"You've been distant lately," Tyler added. "We thought you were mad at us for some reason."

Rebecca adjusted in her seat, turning to face her staff.

"I don't know what made you all think I was angry. But I'm not. If I've seemed off lately, it's because I've been under a lot of pressure."

Her voice grew heavy. "No sane parent would be smiling when their child's surgery is just hours away. And it's not even a minor one."

The weight of her words sank in. Joey and Diamond remained quiet, but the others looked down in shame.

"Sorry, Miss Rebecca," everyone murmured, except Joey and Diamond.

"That was insensitive of us. We apologize," Tyler added sincerely.

Rebecca let the silence linger before finally nodding. "Apology accepted."

With that, she was able to dismiss her staff without arousing suspicion. Once everyone else had left, only Rebecca, Joey, and Diamond remained.

Rebecca sat still for a moment, her mind racing for a way to get Diamond to leave so she and Joey could begin.

"Diamond…"

"I don't know what you two are planning, but it's obvious you want it to stay secret," Diamond interrupted, not giving her the chance.

"I'll leave now. But just know, you can always count on me."

She stood and headed for the locker room.

"Since you offered to help," Rebecca called after her, "I need you to post a notice on the staff forum about the temporary closure of the salon. Let everyone know not to panic if they can't reach me."

Diamond turned slightly, about to ask why. But then she saw one of Maxwell's men peeking through the glass door. He was watching. Checking.

No need for an explanation. Everything was suddenly clear.

"Noted," Diamond replied, and without another word, continued on her way.

As soon as Diamond left, Rebecca and Joey got to work. Fortunately, Rebecca had a wig that matched her hair color exactly. Disguising Joey as her was easier than expected.

Meanwhile, miles away, Maxwell arrived at the hotel where he and his men were staying. It was about an hour's drive from the salon.

Four of his men stood waiting at the entrance as he stepped out of the car.

"So who the hell gave the order that Camilla's abduction shouldn't be reported to me?" Maxwell growled, his eyes burning with rage.