When she walked into the small hair salon, Toni sat reading a magazine. The first thing Bianca noticed was that her hair color was different—again. Toni was a few years older than Bianca and a bit eccentric. The hair that was curly and blonde the last time Bianca had seen her just last week was now straight and dark brown with a couple of blue streaks. Her eyes lit up when she saw Bianca.

“Your hair?”

“You like it? Toni asked, flipping a strand of hair with her hand.

“It’s different,” Bianca said examining it as she got closer. “But yes I like it. How is it that every color and style looks good on you?”

“Because I wear the hair, honey. It doesn’t wear me.”

Bianca giggled. This was true. Toni could take any look and totally own it.

“So, is it time?” Toni asked.

Bianca nodded, feeling keyed up again. She’d known about him coming up to train for months now but he hadn’t given her an exact date until today. “Yes. He called today; he’ll be here this weekend.”

Toni jumped out of her chair. “Well, let’s get this going.”

Bianca hadn’t expected Toni to be busy—not on such a snowy day as today. So it wasn’t surprising her little salon was empty.

“What’s it going to be?” Toni asked as she wrapped the cape around her, tying it around her neck.

“I don’t know, Toni. Just make me stunning.”

“Girl, you’re already stunning and you know it. There’s a reason why that boy, who can have any girl he wants, keeps coming back here. He ain’t blind.”

Bianca winced taking in Toni’s words. Any girl he wants. She stared at herself in the mirror. Never in her life had she been insecure about her looks. In fact, she’d been blessed with the Rubio family’s beauty gene. Her father’s sisters had actually won a few beauty pageants back in their day and everyone said Bianca was a Rubio through and through. From her long legs to her big expressive eyes, to her full lush lips, she’d always been a head turner. Yet, she hadn’t really blossomed until after high school. Which is why she was surprised Felix remembered her.

But she couldn’t help feeling a little intimidated knowing Felix was constantly around some of the most glamorous women in the world. She’d told herself from the very beginning when she decided to allow herself to become involved with Felix that she’d never been insecure before and she certainly wasn’t going to start now.

“Just work your magic, Toni. I wanna look perfect for him when he gets here.”

“I know exactly what to do.” Toni smiled at her reflection in the mirror. “If this boy thought you were hot before, wait ‘til he gets a load of what Magic Hands Toni has in store for him.”

Bianca took a deep breath and smiled. It was almost scary how excited she felt about this.

~*~

Abel had offered to give Gio a ride to Big Bear since Felix told him driving his bike in the snow would be a sure death sentence. But Felix insisted on sending a car for him. Some of his other trainers and a driver were already at his compound getting things set up for his arrival. Gio wasn’t sure what he meant by compound but he sure as hell was surprised when he got there. The property was secluded, and tucked away deep in the mountains. And there were several structures on the property. Everything was constructed of logs but it was luxury beyond anything Gio had ever witnessed.

He stood there for a good ten minutes; his still stunned eyes taking everything in. The spiral staircase that went up to the second floor was all made of logs as well. All the furnishings: the tables, lamps, even the full bar was either made of wood or boasted some kind of wooden accent. The chandeliers throughout were made of antlers. Deer or moose or maybe even elk since they were so huge.

Gio walked slowly through the cabin, glad no one was there with him yet because he was completely speechless. He stopped and looked into what appeared to be a theater room complete with a huge screen, theater seats and an old fashioned but shiny new popcorn maker.

Continuing with his tour, he walked into what was obviously the game room. A pool table was the centerpiece of the room with a party sized Jacuzzi in a corner. Then he saw it: a giant, wall-sized, salt water aquarium. “Whoa.”

Gio had an idea of what something like that must cost from a reality show. It was about a family whose business was building these elaborate things for customers like Felix who could afford to have one custom made. As he approached it he noticed the underwater village of some sort. When he got close enough he knew this was definitely custom made to Felix’s specifications. “What?” he laughed.

It wasn’t a village. It was 5th Street. Not just the gym. The entire barrio. 5th Street was in the center, but the park where they used to play hoops and the liquor store they’d frequent was there. He didn’t leave any detail out. He got it all, right down to the broken street lamps.

Ray, one of the other trainers and also former 5th Street alumnus, walked in and greeted him. He showed him to his room. Just like all the other rooms it was spectacular. Gio could hardly believe he’d be spending an entire two months here.

Since there was no snow in Los Angeles he’d seen no reason why he should wear his snow gear on the way up but now he was here, it was snowing and colder than shit outside. Gio changed into the snow pants, jacket and boots Felix had promised would be in the closet. He checked the drawers for a beanie and gloves and they were full of them. Just like Felix said. He’d hooked him up good.