Challenging a Cold Heart

Chapter 34: Deal

Vincent's POV

I stared at myself in the mirror after the makeup artist my mother brought home finished my makeup. For a second, I just gawked at my reflection. I didn't think I would look anything like my reflection staring back at me. The blue and green eye makeup made my eyes seem greener than it was and the shimmering makeup made my face look translucent. My lips were coloured with blood red lip stick. The angles of my face that gave me the boyish look somehow managed to look confident and strong looking as a girl. The makeup artist had put a wig on my head that was styled in vintage waves over the forehead but was pulled back into a neat bun at the back. For a while, I felt a boost of confidence until it plummeted after seeing my dress. The dress was a vibrant green colour made from satin. The front had a plunging draped v-neckline that my mother thought was normal but made me feel naked. Also the dress was sleeveless and most of my back was on display. I had no idea mother intended to dress me up in something so vulgar.

As I was looking at the dress in horror mum came over and put a statement necklace that looked extremely expensive on my neck. It felt heavy. I looked at my mother questioningly. I really didn't want to stand out but it looked like it wouldn't go the way I wanted.

"This is one of our ancestral necklaces. It's made of diamonds and emeralds. Be careful with it Vincent." She said as she fussed over my dress.

"Mum, I am not going on a model show." I said with a shake of my head.

"That doesn't matter. You are a De Grant and if you wish to be the daughter of this family, you should be dressed to kill in such gatherings..now..keep your head high." My mum ordered strictly as she tapped my chin. I pulled up my chin but pouted.

"Don't make that face Vincent. You promised to see this through." She said and I stopped myself from retorting that I never made such a promise. I had a feeling she would refuse to let me go to the event which was attended by Dr. Ryuu Katsu Yasuhiro. I didn't know Luc's condition and I feared I was wasting time even fearing going to that place. For now, what was important was to go to that party. Afterwards, I could figure what I should do.

"Here honey, wear this fur coat. It's cold outside and here are the shoes." My mother said, showing me a fancy silver stiletto heeled shoes with jewels and ankle straps. I felt overwhelmed with everything. I am sure even a girl used to wearing dresses would also be overwhelmed. It was taking everything in me to not throw a tantrum. I just kept telling myself that I had to go to the party no matter how I looked. While I looked on morosely, my mum's maid helped me wear the stilettos. The shoes weren't that high, perhaps only two inches but I wasn't used to carrying my weight in heels and so I wobbled.

"You'll adjust. Walk around a bit, Vincent." My mum said and I tried walking. My toes hurt from the arch in my heel and I internally cursed whoever created women's shoes.

Despite my discomfort, mum kept fussing over the dress. Honestly, it was making me wish I was never born intersex. I should really have been mom's son and then I could have gone to the party in a comfortable suit. Finally, when mum was satisfied with how I looked, I was already tired from being turned around this way and that way by the women preparing me for the party.

"Okay, final touches." My mum said as she sprayed her Chanel perfume all over me. It smelled floral but I sneezed.

"Mum, is it done yet?" I asked impatiently.

"Here. Take the purse." She said and I frowned at it as I took it in my hands and held it as she instructed. It all felt weird. Finally, she was rushing me out of the house. I was glad mum wasn't coming with me. If she was there with me, I was sure that she would be breathing down my neck, not even allowing me to breathe peacefully.