Bryan woke up early Sunday morning, the faint light of dawn peeking through the curtains. His heart pounded with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Today was the day he would be flying to Miami with Laura and Natalie. He sat up in bed, contemplating what to wear. He settled on one of the casual outfits he had bought a few weeks ago when he had gone to get his nails done— jeans and a pastel pink blouse. He packed a couple of his favorite work outfits, realizing with a shock that he now had favorite outfits. He quickly checked his flight information and texted Laura to confirm everything was still on schedule.

After a quick Uber ride, Bryan arrived at LAX fifteen minutes before Laura and Natalie. They arrived soon after, both impeccably dressed. Natalie, with her usual bright smile, complimented his outfit.

"You look great, Bella! I love that top on you," Natalie said, her eyes sparkling.

Laura, always more reserved, gave him an approving nod. "Nice to see you're maintaining the standard even out of the office, Isabella."

Bryan felt a flutter of pride at Laura's ambiguous comment, craving more of her approval. The three of them moved through the airport, and as they reached their gate, Laura began outlining the plan for the day in her usual matter-of-fact tone.

"Once we land in Miami, we'll head straight to the resort. We'll check in, drop our bags, and head to the spa for some much-needed relaxation. We'll have massages, waxes, nails, toes—the works. Tomorrow morning, a makeup artist, hairstylist, and personal stylist will get us ready for the day. Isabella, you'll have a wardrobe approved by me. The stylist will pick your outfits."

The resort was breathtaking, with palm trees swaying gently in the warm breeze and a luxurious lobby that exuded opulence. Bryan barely had time to appreciate his surroundings before he was swept off to the spa. The spa experience was unlike anything he had ever encountered—soothing and feminine. They started with massages that melted away his tension, he looked forward to the rest of his day.

Bryan's heart raced as he lay down on the waxing table. It was his first time getting waxed, and he didn't know what to expect. The waxing technician, a cheerful woman named Maria, noticed his nervousness.

"First time getting waxed, Isabella?" Maria asked with a warm smile.

Bryan nodded, trying to relax. "Yeah, I'm a bit nervous."

Maria chuckled softly. "Don't worry sweety, it'll be over before you know it. You'll love how smooth your skin feels afterward. Just take deep breaths and try to relax."

Bryan nodded, taking a deep breath as Maria applied the warm wax to his legs. The sensation was strange, but not unpleasant. When she pulled the first strip off, Bryan winced slightly but managed to keep calm.

"You're doing great honey," Maria said encouragingly. "Just a few more strips and you'll be all set."

Bryan found the process painful but the result was satisfying. By the time Maria finished, his skin felt incredibly smooth. He looked at his legs in amazement. "Wow, this feels amazing."

Maria smiled. "Told you so. Enjoy your smooth skin, Isabella. It's worth it."

As Bryan settled into the plush chair for his manicure, the nail tech, a friendly woman named Jasmine, began working on his hands.

"Wow girl, your nails are in pretty good shape," Jasmine said with a smile. "Do you come here often?"

Bryan shook his head, returning the smile. "Not really. This is my first time here. It's quite an experience."

Jasmine laughed softly. "You'll love it. Miami has some of the best spas. What color are we thinking for today?"

Bryan glanced at Laura, who was nearby getting her nails done. "What do you think, Laura?"

Laura looked up, considering. "Something soft and elegant. Maybe a light pink."

Bryan nodded. "Light pink it is, then."

As Jasmine painted his nails, Bryan found himself relaxing into the process. "So, Jasmine, how long have you been working here?"

"Oh, about five years now," Jasmine replied. "I love meeting new people and helping them feel beautiful. What brings you to Miami?"

"Business trip," Bryan said, trying to keep the conversation light. "We're meeting with some important people."

Jasmine's eyes sparkled with interest. "Sounds exciting! Good luck with that. And remember, a good manicure can make all the difference."

As they moved to the pedicure chair, Bryan found himself between Laura and Natalie. The three settled into their chairs, their feet soaking in warm, fragrant water.

Natalie, ever the chatterbox, leaned over to Bryan. "So, Isabella, how are you finding all these new experiences? It must be so much fun."

Bryan smiled, trying to appear casual. "Oh, it definitely is! Who would I be to not enjoy all this pampering."

Laura glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "It's important we do these sorts of things, Isabella. It shows our commitment to the company's vision."

Bryan responded with a soft smile.

Natalie grinned. "And you're doing a great job! The perfect Landmark lady—perfectly polished and ready to conquer Miami."

Bryan couldn't help but laugh. "Oh no, you must be talking about yourself, cutie!"

Natalie turned to Laura, changing the subject. "So, Laura, have you heard from Jessica lately? I heard she's been having quite an adventure in Paris."

Laura's expression shifted slightly, a hint of disapproval in her eyes. "Yes, she sent me some photos. Apparently, she's been spending a lot of time with a Parisian man. Quite the charmer, from what she says."

Natalie raised her eyebrows. "Jessica always finds herself in interesting situations. Parisian men do have a certain allure."

Laura nodded, her tone a bit more judgmental. "Yes, but she should be careful. These flings can be distracting from more important things."

Bryan listened intently, chiming in occasionally. "Paris must be beautiful this time of year."

"Oh, it is," Natalie said enthusiastically. "I went there last spring. The food, the fashion, the ambiance—everything is just perfect."

Laura nodded in agreement. "Paris has a charm that's hard to match. But I think our trip to Miami will be just as enjoyable."

Natalie laughed. "Absolutely! I mean, who doesn't love a girls day!"

A phone call from the reception jolted Bryan awake. "Good morning, Ms. Levine. Your makeup artist is ready to see you."

Bryan quickly got up and, still in his silk pajamas, headed down to the spa. The makeup artist, a meticulous woman named Sofia, greeted him warmly.

"Good morning, Isabella. Let's see what we can do with that beautiful face of yours," Sofia said, her eyes scanning his features.

As Sofia worked, Bryan found the process both relaxing and exciting. The sensation of brushes and powders on his skin was soothing, and he marveled at the transformation taking place. He felt a mix of nerves and exhilaration, his heart racing as he imagined the final result.

Next was the hairstylist, who styled his hair into a sleek, elegant updo. Bryan watched in the mirror as his hair was transformed, feeling a strange sense of pride in his appearance.

Finally, the personal stylist, a vibrant woman named Carmen, picked out an outfit for the day—a cream-colored halter-neck jumpsuit with wide-legged pants that exuded sophistication and femininity.

Bryan felt a surge of confidence as he looked at himself in the mirror. He barely recognized himself, all he could see was Bella, and he felt ready to take on the day.

The events of the day unfolded in a whirlwind of conversations and cocktails. Bryan leaned into his feminine energy, his movements graceful and his voice soft and engaging. He was surprised at how easily he could keep the investors captivated. The men, much older and clearly charmed by his presence, couldn't take their eyes off him.

"So, Isabella, tell me about yourself," one of the investors, a silver-haired gentleman named Richard, said, his eyes twinkling with interest.

Bryan smiled, batting his eyelashes slightly. "Well, Richard, I'm passionate about real estate and committed to helping Landmark grow. It's an exciting field, and I'm lucky to be part of such a dynamic team."

Richard chuckled. "With someone like you on the team, I'm sure Landmark is in good hands."

Another investor, a distinguished man named Harold, joined the conversation. "Isabella, have you been with Landmark long?"

Bryan shook his head. "Not too long, but it's been a wonderful experience so far. The company has such a strong vision and values."

Harold nodded approvingly. "It's refreshing to see someone so enthusiastic. You're a real asset to the team."

As the day went on, Bryan found himself getting caught up in the power he had over the men. He enjoyed the attention and the way they hung on his every word. One investor, a burly man named Carl, got a bit handsy, placing his hand on Bryan's lower back as they spoke.

Bryan, trying to stay professional, just smiled it off. "Carl, you're quite the charmer," he said, gently moving his hand away.

Bryan continued to engage with the investors, each conversation boosting his confidence. He felt a strange sense of power in his feminine persona, enjoying the way the men responded to him. One particularly engaging conversation was with a jovial man named Tom.

"So, Isabella, what do you do for fun when you're not busy working?" Tom asked, leaning in closer.

Bryan hesitated for a moment, then decided to lean into his role. "I love fashion and shopping. And of course, I enjoy a good spa day," he said with a playful smile.

Tom laughed heartily. "Well, you certainly have great taste. I must say, you're the highlight of this event."

By the end of the day, Bryan was a little tipsy from all the cocktails, but he had managed to keep the investors entertained and engaged. During the debrief with Laura and Natalie, Laura expressed her satisfaction.

"Isabella, you did an excellent job today. The investors were clearly impressed, and we made some important progress."

Bryan beamed, feeling a deep sense of accomplishment. "Thank you, Laura. I'm glad I could help."

Later that night, back in his room, Bryan lay in bed reflecting on the day. He realized he was starting to enjoy some parts of his new role and the attention it brought. But beneath the surface, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease about the path he was on and the identity he was being asked to embrace.