Chapter 10 Analise's POV I was at the car dealership before five that evening . I was glad I knew what I was planning to get , and had grabbed the title to my car when I stopped by my condo . I dropped my duffle off in my office at Fashion Forward two hours ago . Gwen was stunned by what had happened . She was on my side , and my parents already called her to see if she knew where I was . had I knew the security officer who was there wouldn't know who I was . I didn't come there very often , and I didn't want to stand there and argue with him . I just needed to drop off my things and see what I needed to get to sleep in my office for a week or two . I had a pretty nice couch in there , and I knew that I just needed a blanket , and pillow , and maybe a sheet set . I would need a pillowcase . I was glad to have a mini fridge in there as well . Gwen knew something was up , but she didn't know what at the time . She had the guard take a picture of me with his cell phone and print it , so all the guards knew who I was and that I would be staying overnight to work for a little while . Gwen had answered my family honestly , telling them she hadn't heard from me and didn't know where I was . They would probably call her again tomorrow , but she wasn't going to tell them where I had gone . She was pissed at Seth for telling my parents that I had to get married . I didn't , things would blow over in a week when the next scandal broke . God forbid an inkling of a scandal involve the Caldwell name . They had been taking turns calling my phone . I had silenced it , tired of hearing it ring . They even pulled both sets of grandparents into it . My grandmother Wade was on my side . She was worried about me , and she was the only one to whom I replied out of all the calls and messages . She just wanted me to be happy , which was more than everyone else wanted . I always had someone telling me what to do . What home and car to get , and that I needed to hide my wealth . Well , I didn't have to hide it anymore . Once the wedding arrives in less than three weeks , the whole city will know what a colossal mistake Roger had made . It wouldn't be me getting embarrassed . He would be the one who threw everything away for someone unworthy . It didn't take me long to pick my car out . I was drawn to it quickly . The men who worked there had dismissed me . I was at a Porsche dealership wearing a t - shirt and leggings , but the lone saleswoman had approached me when they passed me over . She had helped me for over an hour . She answered all my questions and insisted that although the Porsche Panamera was really fast , it wasn't something I needed to be scared of . While speaking with her as we walked the lot . I discovered that she was a single mother whose son was about to attend college . He had been worried about coming back to visit , as they only had one car , and she would have to go get him and bring him back . I didn't need the trade - in . My car had been well - maintained and had less than 70,000 miles on it . She tried to refuse , but I insisted . It was a safe , dependable vehicle . I knew he would take care of it . She called him to the dealership so he could thank me in person . One of his friends drove him up here , and M O < UM A Whole New Me he was excited about his new car . I handed him the title and the fobs and gave him a thousand dollars cash for him to get his registration and insurance on it . He was elated , as this solved another issue for him and his mother . He was already planning on working a part - time job at school and would be able to pay his own insurance and upkeep with it . His scholarships would cover the rest of what he needed . I'm just glad that my car went to someone who needed it . The only question was which color to choose . I had learned that when I started gaining weight , not to pick anything flashy . The included my makeup , clothes , and hair . I did nothing to draw attention to myself . There were several colors that drew my eye , but Wanda had watched me . She kept seeing my eyes go back to the Carmine Red and the Lugano Blue . I finally decided on the Frozen Blue Metallic . It wasn't a bold statement , but it was a beautiful color for a beautiful car . "Analise , you mentioned that this was your very first time to pick out your vehicle . Don't hide ; a Porsche gets noticed no matter what color it is . You'll never be able to just blend into the crowd . Own it . You need to pick the color that you love the most , " she told me . " I've heard that red cars get pulled over more than any other color , " I replied . That's because most people who buy a red car don't mind standing out . They want the attention . They are bold , just like their car . I think you will love the other colors too , but buy the one that you want . Not what you think others will approve of you buying . You're the one paying for it , and you shouldn't settle . You mentioned that you were getting your first taste of freedom , so disregard what you think anyone else might think , and make your choice . I do have one more color to show you . It had been pulled to the back as it was supposed to be sold , but her financing fell through as she had no proof of income . I think it would be perfect for you , " Wanda replied . We walked to the area behind a fence , and gasped . She was right , this one was perfect . " This is the one , " I told her . I ran my hand gently down the vehicle . " What color is this ? " " Montego Blue Metallic , and I agree , it's beautiful . If I had the money , I would choose this color too . It attracts attention wherever it goes . It's the only one like it on the lot . You would be the only one in the city with a car this color , " Wanda told me . " Sold , " I replied . She was happy for me , but it wasn't because I had given her my old car . She had listened to me and helped direct me to what I wanted . I'm enjoying this taste of freedom . I'm taking control of my life now , and this is the first big step that I'm taking . All my friends had nice vehicles . I was the only one in our friend group to drive a car worth less than $ 30,000 . My vehicle was a running joke among our friends , as i made more money than they did , but drove a basic car . I know that they are going to love it when they see my new ride . I paid $ 50,000 down on my car and will return with a cashier's check tomorrow morning to pay off the balance . I felt like a million bucks when I pulled off the lot . I loved my new car . It generated a lot of attention due to its striking color . I went to the mall to grab some new clothes . I had packed my underwear , but I hadn't packed much else as I knew I was changing everything bout myself . I had been wearing a lot of bulky clothing to hide my weight loss . I had wanted to surprise Roger when he saw me in my wedding dress . But 1 didn't want to hide anymore . I felt empowered as I tried on several outfits . I was still somewhat stuck in my heavier mindset . I still felt like M 2 NO CONO O A Whole New Me CH who I used to be . Not who I am now . The salesperson helped me , and she was almost as enthusiastic about my weight loss as I was . She encouraged me to choose a few things that were outside my comfort zone . Things I normally wouldn't have tried , as I felt they wouldn't have looked good on me . She actually had an eye for what looked best on me . I was stunned to see how I looked . I was still covered and professional , but I looked good . Much better than I did before . Roger felt I should always be modest and professional - looking Now I know that he just wanted me to cover up my plus - sized body . Yet he ended up marrying someone who was always scantily dressed . She was slimmer than I was , but the truth was that she was someone he was attracted to . I had put a lot of thought into it last night . I was not unattractive , and I was smarter and more talented than she was . I couldn't figure out why he would choose her over me , other than the fact that he loved her . I couldn't fight against that , so I would bow out of their relationship gracefully . But I would prove to him that she was only with him for his money . Money that would slowly dwindle as his company declined I felt like a weight had been lifted off of me . I loved so many of the outfits that I couldn't decide and ended up choosing them all . I had allowed Roger to hold me down for too long . I had deferred to him way too many times . I'd done everything he wanted , all in order for him to love me . What a fool I had been , wanting something that had never belonged to me . He only wanted my help to achieve success and win the woman he truly desired . That realization hurt pretty bad . I had hidden my true self away and became what he wanted me to be . It was never my wishes being carried out . I can't believe how long I let him get away with it . I knew what it went back to . I just hadn't wanted to admit that I had fallen in love with not one , but two unworthy men . That had to be some kind of record or something . I ended up with a whole new wardrobe . I then hit a shoe store and bought two new pairs of heels . Slimmer ones that didn't have the larger heels on the back like I had usually worn . I weigh less now , and the thinner heels are now easier to walk in . It was only seven , and the mall was slowing down on this Sunday night . I passed a salon before I turned and went back . My hair , although twisted up in a messy bun , had grown down to my butt . Roger liked my hair long , but I was done with doing anything Roger wanted anymore . I stepped into the salon . They had all been milling around , talking before I arrived . They were closing in an hour , and apparently , no one wanted to get a trim tonight . They smiled at me when I entered the store . They saw my bags , and I gave them the quick version of what I wanted to share . I had lost almost sixty lbs . and wanted a new look . They were thrilled to help me out . They asked what I wanted . I knew that I definitely wanted a cut , but didn't know what else . I explained that I wanted to look like me , but a better version of me . They smiled and made suggestions , and I went along with them . I couldn't wait to see the outcome . The only thing I was sure of was that I wanted to shake things up .