Once the Fiancé, Now the Bride (3/12)

Tom was jolted awake by the sound of Kat's voice, bright and cheery as it called out, “Rise and shine, princess! Big day today!” Before he could even fully process where he was, the blanket was yanked off by Lucy, who grinned down at him like a cat ready to pounce.

“Come on, Gabi,” Lucy cooed, “don’t make us late. We’ve got a full schedule: a salon trip to start, then shopping for your new wardrobe. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

Tom blinked up at her, still groggy, the words barely registering. A salon trip? Shopping? His stomach dropped as the implications sank in, but Lucy’s sharp gaze was locked onto him, daring him to protest. “Uh… sounds like fun,” he mumbled weakly, hating how pathetic he sounded but too scared to push back.

Lucy’s smile flattened. “Try again, sweetie,” she said, crossing her arms.

Tom sighed, his face flushing with humiliation. Summoning what little energy he could, he forced a sugary-sweet tone. “Oh, yay! I’m so excited, Miss Lucy! I’ve never been to a salon before!” He threw in a fake giggle for good measure.

Kat clapped her hands in mock delight. “Much better, Gabi. See? You’re learning!”

Before Tom could respond, the girls were rummaging through Emily’s wardrobe, debating what he should wear. “This,” Kat declared, holding up a simple taupe bodycon dress. “It’s perfect—cute, but casual enough for a trip to the mall.”

The dress slipped over Tom’s body easily, the snug fabric clinging to his hips and thighs. Kat and Lucy stepped back to inspect him, but Lucy’s frown deepened as her eyes landed on the chest area. “Ugh, it’s hanging loose,” she said, motioning to the empty space where curves should have been. Rummaging through a drawer, she pulled out one of Emily’s bras and tossed it at him. “Put this on,” she ordered sharply.

Tom hesitated, his stomach twisting in knots, but he knew better than to argue. With shaky hands, he slipped the bra on, fumbling with the clasp until Lucy rolled her eyes and adjusted it for him. Moments later, she began stuffing the cups with padding, smirking as the illusion of a modest chest took shape.

“Much better,” Kat said with a grin, grabbing a pair of beige wedges and slipping them onto his feet. Tom wobbled unsteadily as the heels clicked against the floor, his cheeks burning as Lucy grabbed her bag and opened the door. “Perfect. Let’s go,” she said, ushering him outside without giving him a moment to protest.

Their first stop was the beauty salon, a pastel-colored space with mirrors lining every wall. The scent of hairspray and nail polish hit Tom instantly as Kat marched up to the receptionist.

“Hi there!” Kat chirped. “We’ve got an appointment for Gabriella. She’s here for the works.”

The stylist, a bubbly young woman named Mia, appeared moments later, smiling brightly as she greeted them. Lucy chimed in casually, “She’s always been a bit of a tomboy, but she’s ready for a fresh, girly look. We’re going all out today.”

Mia clapped her hands in delight. “Ooo, you’re going to be so pretty when I’m done with you, girl!” she chirped, gesturing for Tom to sit.

Tom froze, his stomach twisting, and felt his cheeks burn as he sank into the chair, gripping the armrests as the humiliation began. Mia washed and conditioned his hair, then trimmed away anything remotely masculine. When she started styling, his heart sank as soft curls framed his face, cascading to his shoulders. Two delicate braids were pinned back with sparkling clips, earning giggles of approval from Kat and Lucy.

Mia leaned in with tweezers, plucking Tom’s brows into soft, perfectly arched lines. Each sharp pull stung, but the result was undeniable—his brows now framed his eyes in a way that looked dainty and feminine. Satisfied, she moved on to his makeup, smoothing foundation over his face for a flawless, airbrushed finish. She added a touch of bronzer for contour and blush to give his cheeks a soft, rosy glow.

The focus shifted to his eyes, where Mia worked with precision, creating a smoky look that emphasized his now-wide, doll-like eyes. A bold line of black eyeliner traced his lashes, while mascara gave them a thick, fluttery finish. The effect was stunning—and mortifying.

“Now for the lips,” Mia announced cheerfully. She applied a numbing gel, and Tom sat frozen as she used a syringe to plump his lips into a full, pouty shape. The subtle swelling left them looking soft and luscious, perfectly complementing his makeup. Mia finished by applying a natural pink gloss, leaving them shiny and irresistible.

Finally, Mia turned her attention to his nails. She filed them into long, almond-shaped extensions, smoothing each one carefully before painting them a glossy nude. Tom’s fingers looked dainty and polished, every movement of her brush a reminder of how far he’d been pushed into this humiliating role.

When Mia stepped back, Tom barely recognized the person staring back at him in the mirror. His styled curls, smoky eyes, full pink lips, flawless makeup, and perfectly manicured nails left no trace of the man he once was. He swallowed hard, cheeks burning as Kat and Lucy leaned in, grinning wickedly.

“You look so pretty, Gabi,” Lucy gushed, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “Those lips, that makeup... you’re practically unrecognizable! You could turn heads everywhere.”

Kat hooked her arm through his as they left the salon, the sound of his wedges clicking against the tile floor with every step. Tom’s cheeks burned as Lucy added, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, “Our little princess cleans up so well, doesn’t she?”