My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 23: Get Ready

Saturday night arrived with an anticipation in Katherine’s apartment.

She stood in the center of her bedroom, her robe tied neatly around her waist, the soft fabric brushing her knees. The scent of lavender-scented candles filled the air. Her hair was damp from a recent shower, her skin glowing slightly from the moisturizer she’d just applied.

Irene, dressed in a stylish blouse and jeans, clicked her makeup suitcase open with a theatrical flair. "Alright, Miss Lady of the Night," she said with a grin, "you ready to look like a goddess?"

Katherine rolled her eyes, but her smile was warm. "You’re making it sound like I’m about to walk the red carpet."

"You are! Or close enough." Irene pulled out her brushes. "That party is full of rich, important people, and you—" she tapped Katherine’s nose playfully, "—are going to be the most unforgettable woman there."

From the floor nearby, the twins sat cross-legged, watching in fascination as Irene laid out her makeup supplies. A chorus of "oohs" escaped them when she uncapped a shimmering highlighter.

"Is that glitter?" Maya asked, eyes wide.

"Kinda, baby. This is what makes your mommy glow like a moonbeam," Irene said, winking at Katherine.

Katherine laughed softly. "I hope it’s not too much. It’s not a masquerade."

"It’s subtle. But enough to make someone’s heart skip," Irene replied confidently, already dabbing primer across Katherine’s face with expert fingers.

As Irene worked, their conversation turned light, full of warmth and memories.

"I still can’t believe we both quit the café," Katherine murmured, voice soft. "Feels like yesterday we were scrambling with morning orders and burnt bagels."

Irene chuckled. "You mean when you dumped hot coffee on that rude guy?"

Katherine groaned. "That was one time!"

"That was iconic," Irene said with a grin. "And look at us now. You’re this boss-lady executive with twins and a jaw-droppingly handsome man orbiting around you—don’t even try to deny it—and I’m turning faces into art."

Katherine smiled, touched by the progress they’d both made. "I’m glad we’re not in that cramped place anymore."

"Me too," Irene said, softening. "But you know what I miss most?"

Katherine looked up. "What?"

"You. All day, every day. Our therapy sessions in the stockroom."

Katherine laughed, blinking back a tiny well of emotion. "I miss you too."

"Alright," Irene said, dabbing foundation. "Now stay still or your nose contour will look like a sideways triangle."

The twins giggled at that, mimicking fish faces in the mirror as Irene continued with Katherine’s makeup. Once the makeup was done, Irene stepped back, admiring her work.

"You’re glowing," she said proudly.

Katherine turned to the mirror and paused. Her reflection was elegant, ethereal even. Soft shimmer on her cheekbones, warm rose on her lips, a hint of smokiness around her eyes. She didn’t look overdone. She looked...beautiful.

"Irene, this is amazing."

"I know," Irene said smugly. "And we’re not even done. Time for hair."

As she worked a curling iron through Katherine’s hair, she said, "So... Felix, huh?"

Katherine groaned. "Don’t start."

"Oh, I will. The man’s got it bad. Have you seen the way he looks at you? Like he’s trying to figure out if you’re real or just a hallucination he’s been dreaming about since puberty."

Katherine stifled a laugh. "That’s dramatic."

"But true," Irene said, unfazed. "Do you like him?"

Katherine hesitated. "He’s... kind. And patient. And annoyingly observant. He sees through everything."

Irene’s voice softened. "And you deserve someone like that. Someone who sees you."

Katherine didn’t answer, but her silence said enough.

By the time her hair was curled into soft waves, framing her face with elegant ease, the twins were growing sleepy on the floor, little heads resting on one another’s shoulders.

"Alright, munchkins," Irene said, scooping up a blanket to wrap them in. "Time to get going to Auntie Irene’s sleepover palace."

Maya perked up. "Can we take the glitter?"

Irene laughed. "No glitter, but you can help me pick a lip gloss tomorrow."

Katherine kissed each twin’s forehead. "Be good, okay? I’ll pick you up first thing in the morning."

The girls nodded sleepily and waved before Irene helped them to the door. But before leaving, Irene turned back with a grin. "Now go get changed. I want to see the dress on you."

Katherine nodded and stepped into her walk-in closet. The dress waited on its hanger like a secret waiting to be revealed—deep sapphire blue, satin, off-shoulder, with a subtle shimmer when the light touched it. A single slit ran along the side, tasteful but daring.

She slipped it on carefully, smoothing it over her hips, adjusting the neckline. A pair of silver heels completed the look.

When she stepped out, Irene and the twins—who had delayed their exit for just one more peek—froze.

Nathan whispered, "Mommy?"

Irene’s eyes widened, a hand over her mouth. "Holy hell." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Katherine stood there, fidgeting with the bracelet on her wrist. "Is it too much?"

Irene walked over, shaking her head slowly. "No. No, no. You’re... breathtaking. You are my forever masterpiece. If Felix doesn’t pass out, I’ll question his humanity."

Katherine groaned. "Stop. Please."

"Nope. Not when you look like this."

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Irene clapped her hands. "That must be him! Stay here, Cinderella. I’ll get the door."

Katherine inhaled, nerves tickling her stomach. She heard the soft creak of the door opening, then Irene’s cheerful voice.

"Oh, hello, Felix. Come in—"

He stepped into view and froze.

His mouth parted slightly, his breath visibly caught.

Katherine was standing in the golden glow of the hallway light, a soft halo around her hair, her dress catching the shimmer as she turned.

Felix’s eyes traced every detail—from the fall of her hair to the curve of her dress to the glint in her eyes. His usual confidence faltered for a heartbeat.

"Katherine..." His voice was low, breathy. "You look... I mean..."

She raised an eyebrow. "You okay there?"

Felix blinked. "You’re stunning."

Behind him, Irene grinned knowingly and stepped past him, tugging the twins along. "Told you he’d be speechless," she whispered as she passed Katherine.

Katherine blushed, casting a helpless look toward Felix, who was still staring at her like he’d just walked into a dream.

She smoothed her hair. "Ready to go?"

He nodded slowly, still transfixed. "Yeah. Just... give me a minute. I need to remember how to walk again."

Katherine laughed softly as she stepped forward to take his arm, the night beginning with the first glimmer of something new—and something long awaited.