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After tonight, all Valentina's problems will be solved.
In a rather ingenious way, if she does say so herself. Hiring all those anti-social, trigger happy, dullards on each other was a simple but efficient plan. It forced them to kill - or at least injure - one another, as well as creating a significant distraction as to her true intentions. Then, once they were either bleeding on the ground or arguing tirelessly about who has the worst trauma or whatever crap, the incinerator would go off and every last speck of evidence on her would vanish.
Almost everything was coming together in her favour, despite all those that are adamant to get in her way. Everything is nearly perfect.
It is just unfortunate that Centry is, thus far, a failure. But she will persevere.
Now it is up to resurrecting her reputation. And that is reliant on how this event plays out tonight. Image is everything and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine knows exactly how to use it. If only she could make a decision on a damn lipstick.
"Mel!" She calls out. Her assistant was quick to emerge from the other room, meeting her eyes with a smile and a nod. Valentina holds up two lipsticks stashed on the coffee table in front of her. "Daring or Rendezvous?" She questions. "But Treasure and Exquisite are worth a thought too..."
Mel blinks and narrows her eyes at the tubes in her hands. Then glances at the array of other products laid out on the table. Valentina clicks her fingers for attention, still a remarkably intimidating figure even when sat on the couch acting as if her choice in lip apparel was the most important matter.
"In terms of colour I'd say... Exquisite." She decides. "But, there is something I wanted to discuss with you. About the operation tonight, I-"
"In terms of colour?" Valentina repeats. "What else matters?"
"Well, I suppose, the finish-"
"Easy, all satin, anything else?"
"Whether it transfers." Mel answers with a shrug. "You're meeting with some highly influential people; can't leave lip-stick stains on their cheeks." Valentina hums, considering. Image is everything. She needs to get this right. Control is power and power is winning.
"Mel, sit with me." She orders, placing a kind smile on her face. Her assistant's eyebrows raise, surprised but seemingly happy to be beckoned over, as she seats herself beside her boss.
"I've really been hoping for an opportunity to talk! Because I do think there is another way to..."
Valentina rolls her eyes at the insistent blabbering, reaching for Mel's neck. The woman stops in her tracks, her eyes turning to her boss with a confused blink. Valentina ignores this, leaning forward to leave a kiss on her assistant's cheek.
"What? Er- I'm sorry I don't-" Valentina groans.
"That transfer is far too obvious!" She mutters to herself. "Maybe you are useful for something. I cannot to afford to look like an idiot with Congressman Gary putting his nose in my business." Valentina retrieves a tissue from her table, with her compact mirror, neatly removing the current shade from her mouth. "Daring, in the discard pile. Keep note."
"Right. Okay." Mel replies, oddly breathless. Valentina grabs her next choice. "Exquisite. Let's see if your choice pans out." Mel watches silently as she applies the next lipstick with easy precision, focus honed in on her mirror.
She manages to maintain her composure this time, when she expects the press of lips to her face. Well, for the most part. But any flush of her cheeks would be hidden by the lip stains. Hopefully.
"No. Of course it isn't right - I have to do everything myself." Apart from making coffee, forming travel plans, contacting assassins, calling in favours from officials to maintain her public image, Valentina thinks to herself, eyeing her strangely quiet assistant as she wipes Exquisite from her lips. She won't admit how invaluable the work she does for her is. Not until Mel has really earned it. Saved her life, or something else highlighting her significant loyalty. Mel hadn't strayed from her so far. Which was only natural, Valentina had a unmatchable process when picking out her underlings.
"Was there something you were trying to tell me?" Mel lights up at the opening. Valentina applies Treasure to her mouth. Catches how the woman's gaze snags on the action and supresses a smirk.
"Yes - thank you for hearing me out. I know you like to deal with loose ends as efficiently as possible, but-" Valentina grabs her chin and, this time, the firm kiss is placed on her assistant's own lips. It startles a surprised sound from Mel, but no resistance. She grins as she lets it linger noticeably longer than the other ones. She pulls back.
Better than the others, but definitely transfers.
"Maybe you can save your ideas for later, hm?" Valentina offers slyly. "I need you focused on this right now."
"That's...fine." Mel squeaks, then clears her throat. "I will inform you later."
"Good girl."
They get through everything displayed on the table - which entails most of her lipstick collection. But they do find the one.
It takes longer than it necessarily should have. Valentina is certain they have a few repeat attempts due to Mel not keeping track of the defective ones as well as she should have. But, looking at her now. With her hair mussed, shirt collar ruffled, face covered with varying shades of red and pink and brown in the shape of her lips. Maybe she could let it slide.
They had more important things to worry about, after all. She sniffs and stands, holding her chosen shade like a trophy. Mel stares up at her when she points a finger at her, then waves a hand to gesture towards her overall appearance.
"Make sure to wipe yourself off before we start. After all, Image is everything."
"Er, yes. Right away." Mel replies. "I'll come back with your coffee."
Valentina grins as she scurries off.