Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Return to the Imperium Style - Hair Couture
Ethan drove cautiously through the late-night streets. The large duffel bag in the trunk, now containing a small arsenal of stolen firearms, made him slightly uneasy about being pulled over. However, the mission was too important to worry about a minor traffic stop.
He pulled up to the curb outside the salon. The name, "Imperium Style – Hair Couture," gleamed in huge, gaudy neon letters, a beacon of expensive vanity.
As Ethan parked, Jason looked at the glowing sign and frowned. "Boss, we don’t need anything this expensive. We can go to any neighborhood barber shop and cut the hair. I just need a quick trim."
Ethan stepped out of the BMW and looked at Jason, a genuine, appreciative warmth in his eyes. "You are part of my family now, Jason. You shouldn’t expect anything less than the best. This is your welcome."
Jason’s hardened heart felt a strange warmth. He smiled, a truly genuine expression. "As you wish, Boss."
They walked in. Jason, in his disheveled, dusty clothes, looked utterly out of place, but the moment the receptionists saw Ethan, they froze, their expressions shifting from polite indifference to something bordering on fear. They bowed slightly, treating Ethan with profound respect. Jason was surprised; he expected not even to be allowed through the door.
In the minds of the receptionists, the terror was justified. The last person who had crossed Ethan—a renowned VIP stylist—had her life turned into a living hell within the salon. Jessica, the former queen of exclusive cuts who once earned tips up to $10k, was now relegated to cleaning toilets. She hadn’t touched a client in over a month, all because she had offended Ethan on his last visit.
One of the receptionists discreetly pressed a button beneath the desk. The manager, Brooke, immediately received the emergency message and rushed out. That button was the "Super VIP" alert, and Brooke had explicitly instructed that if Ethan ever returned, she must be informed immediately. Under no circumstances could anyone offend him or cause a delay.
Brooke appeared, all smiles and swinging her massive hips, which were barely contained by her tight work attire. She greeted Ethan with a hug and two air kisses, one on each cheek, but deliberately positioned her lips extremely close to his, barely brushing the corners of his mouth. It was a clear, calculated flirtation.
"Ethan! How are you?" Brooke purred, pulling back but holding his arm. "It’s so good to see you! We’ve missed you! I’m so glad you came back."
Ethan replied with polite distance, following Brooke’s lead. "I’m doing great, Brooke. Just needed a quick touch-up."
Brooke’s eyes finally fell on Jason. As a consummate professional, she didn’t let a single flicker of disgust cross her face, despite the man’s appearance. She knew she could not risk angering Ethan again.
"And who is your friend?" she asked sweetly.
Ethan smiled, a sharp, knowing glint in his eyes. "I need you to give my friend the full, special treatment. Hair, shave, a complete makeover. And get him a new suit."
Brooke’s smile didn’t waver. "It would be our pleasure, young master. But before I call someone..." she hesitated, waiting for a prompt.
Ethan cut her off, his request dropping like a perfectly aimed dart. "I hope Jessica will attend to him."
A strange, almost delighted light sparked in Brooke’s eyes. It was a perfect form of twisted revenge and submission. "That is an excellent idea, young master! I’ll make sure she attends to him immediately. Please follow me, Mr...." Brooke paused, unsure how to address the vagrant.
"Jason," the man supplied. "My name is Jason."
"Perfect, Mr. Jason. If you’ll be kind enough to follow me this way, you’ll be attended to in a moment."
Jason, still nervous but obeying his new Boss, followed the beautiful woman. She led him to a private room in the back. The room was huge, luxurious, filled with golden accents, smelling richly of expensive chemicals and perfumes.
Brooke apologized briefly. "I will be back soon. I hope you’ll excuse me." Jason didn’t say anything, only nodded with a forced smile.
Brooke walked straight to the staff washrooms. There, Jessica, still beautiful but utterly defeated, was scrubbing a toilet with a toothbrush.
"The client, Ethan, has returned," Brooke hissed, her voice low and sharp, holding the door open just wide enough. "You better not screw up again, or you can forget about continuing to work here. I didn’t fire you last time because he didn’t want to pursue the matter, but if you mess up even once more, I’ll make sure you never get another job in this area. Do you understand me, bitch?"
Jessica, toothbrush still in hand, paused her scrubbing. She looked up, her eyes empty but compliant. "Yes, ma’am. It will be my pleasure to amend my actions."
She bit her lip, put the brush down, and walked toward the private room. However, just as she passed Brooke, the manager stopped her.
"He deserves a super special service, don’t you agree?" Brooke said, her voice dripping with cruel suggestion.
Jessica knew exactly what Brooke meant. This was her dream job, and the pay was something she had never dared to dream of in her life. Losing it would mean saying goodbye to her luxurious lifestyle and returning to misery. She swallowed hard, nodded, and forced herself forward.
Brooke watched Jessica walk away, her shoulders slumped in defeat. Then, Jessica stopped, took a deep breath, threw her shoulders back, lifted her chin, and resumed her old, seductive sway. She had to earn Ethan’s forgiveness, no matter the cost. Besides, he was extremely handsome, so opening her legs for him almost felt like a prize.
Brooke licked her lips, her eyes glittering with malicious glee, before walking back to the front desk.
I forgot to tell you it’s not Ethan who needs the service, but a bum... Brooke thought, a silent, vicious laugh bubbling up. I’m dying to see your slutty face when you meet your new client, ha ha ha.