66. The Truth

        "Wow... You look so good as a blonde!" The words had lifted Zara's spirit like a magic spell, echoing through her mind all day as if they had somehow been recorded there. For the first time ever, she had a taste of what it felt like to live the dream, it felt so good, just to be noticed, she didn't need to visualize the golden string anymore. 

         Smiling to herself, she fed the drawing into the printer, rehashing the memorable morning in her mind, the lessons learned, the compliments had been so unexpected, everyone had noticed her today. She was getting used to her new look and learning to live with her new accessory really quickly, she was even starting to like wearing a wig, in spite of it's false reality and traumatic beginning.

         Nolan hated going down into the drafting offices, it was like a gauntlet. Everyone had questions, everyone wanted answers, he couldn't take it on a regular day, but his assistant was putting out budget fires and he was forced to brave the front lines, yet again.

         He put his 'In Control' face on and marched into the room, making a B-Line to the latest renovation plan.

         "I need this printed right away" he peeled the half-finished drawing off the Draftsperson's desk and waved it in the air.

         The Draftsman glanced across the office, Zara's desk was empty. "I'm sorry, Your Honour, our assistant is probably in the printing room already. Shall I run it down the hall to her for you?"

         "No!" Nolan turned to leave, it was a way out. "I'll take it!"

         Nolan hurried down the hall to to the Printing Room where he found a new assistant printing the drawings… A blonde with a nice ass...  He paused for a moment to study the way she moved as she loaded the drawings into the rollers… Then how she studied the maps on the walls… A chance encounter with a nerdy blonde in the back room of the establishment was just what the doctor ordered! 

         He checked the halls, straightened his tie, glanced at his reflection in the glossy marble walls and knocked on the open door. 

         "Hello... Excuse me, is this the Printing Room?"

         Zara recognized the voice immediately, for a moment she froze.

         "Hello?"
         As if woken from a fantastical dream she spun around... For a moment in shock... Suddenly slipping into another dream world... It was just like the first time they met, butterflies beat hard inside her chest as once again as Nolan stole her heart in plain sight.

         The plan rolled out of the printer and dropped to the floor, rolling towards him... "Nolan..."

         Nolan picked up the plan and handed it to Zara, suddenly recognizing her voice... Her face... But at the same time not recognizing her at all. He too was confused, he tried to place her in his mind, was she from Fina? "Do I know you?"

         In spite of the overwhelming realities, Zara came to her senses. "No... Your Honor" she took the plans. "I'm terribly sorry, please forgive me!" She waved the plan in the air, making it worse. "Thank you."

         Now Nolan recognized her... It was the nerdy girl from Culloom! He couldn't believe his eyes, she looked so different… She was a blonde? "Zara? ... Is that you?"

         Zara clutched the plan awkwardly, crumpling it a little. "Yes, Your Honor. I hope you are well? I saw your portrait in the lobby, it's very nice. Congratulations on your promotion."
         Nolan went into a secondary shock too, he tried to act cool. "Thank you…" The transformation was phenomenal, for a moment he was utterly speechless. She looked hot as a blonde, yet, she wasn't nearly as hot as she used to be. Life had worn creases and lines into her face, her eyes seemed dull now, grey and full of pain, she no longer radiated with the promise of success like she did that day he met her on the boat. The truth was, he barely recognized her, he lost interest almost as quickly as he had gained it.
         "Can you print this for me? I need it yesterday." He handed her the drawing.

         "Yes, Your Honour!" Zara put down the plan and took the drawings to the printing press. "How many copies?"

         "Six of each" he replied, handing her a card. "Bring them to my office, I'll be waiting for them, they're top priority." He turned to leave in a daze, mystified by her transformation and reappearance in his life. She worked in Infrastructure now?

         For Zara, the heartache only intensified as she glanced over her shoulder to watch him walk away, so not interested in her after all. She felt her wig to check it had been in place... He didn't have to say that he noticed, even if it was true, even if blonde's did have more fun, her blonde hair was merely a wig. The only merchant she had ever felt lush for, knew she wasn't a real blonde. 

        She glanced at the card in her hand. God of Design? Even if she was a real blonde, she wouldn't stand a chance, now.