Escaping my Cocoon Chapter 11 Analise's POV My hair received a balayage technique , and I also had a manicure . They worked in tandem , working on opposite sides of me . The beautician on one side , and the manicurist on the other . I usually get pinks and mauves . My mother always told me to pick demure colors . Today , I had my nails painted a bold red . My fingers looked stunning with my new glossy red nails . I admit , I loved how they looked . My hairstylist told me that since I wasn't much for upkeep , balayage was the best option for me . I wouldn't need to touch it up as much , and it looked more natural . She assured me that it wouldn't be as in - your - face as other options . That it would give me a sun - kissed look , which I thought would be nice . She knew I didn't want to be blonde , but I wouldn't mind some lighter shades to add some depth . She was happy to help . I had told them that I would defer to them about my haircut . They asked if I wanted bangs , but I didn't . They usually got in the way when I was designing . I didn't mind a middle or side part , but I preferred to be able to pull my hair up out of my face . I usually went to work with a bun . I can't remember the last time I had my hair down at work . They decided that long layers would be the best solution for me , and I would still be able to put it up without any issues . They agreed to just cut off about eight inches . They wanted it to still be long enough for me to wear it down or in a high ponytail . I let them do as they wished . I answered a few emails and then turned my phone back off . I wouldn't put it past Seth to try to track my phone to find me , and I'm not going to let him ruin my day again . When they finally turned me around to face the mirror , I was stunned . My face looked slimmer with my hair curled . It looked shiny and full , with some of the weight removed from it . The colors were subtle , as if I was born with them , and I have to admit I loved it . With each step I took , I felt better about myself than I had for a long time . " What do you think ? " she asked . " I've never felt more beautiful than I do right now , " I honestly replied . I took a picture of the wand she used , and she told me where to grab one . I was never going to flat - iron my hair again . She told me to come back and handed me her card . I was genuinely surprised by the attention I was receiving . My confidence was growing . I felt so cute after getting my hair done that I had a smile on my face . Several men had tried to stop to speak , but I just smiled at them and continued on . I was doing this for me , not them . However , I must admit that the ego boost was quite nice . I stopped by a lingerie store . I had some fairly new pieces that I bought two months ago , but I needed something else . I picked out three new sets : a nude set , a black set , and I pale pink set . Some of my y newer outfits had a deeper plunge to the neckline that I needed to account for . I made a mental note to return soon with Gwen and Emily . I'm about to have a lot more time on my hands , and seeing all these cute sets is giving me ideas for a new intimate line . One that was more inclusive of plus - sized women . My last stop was to a bedding store where I found a comforter set that would work for me , which included a sheet set and pillowcase . I headed to a laundromat next . I needed to wash the comforter set and my new underwear sets . I was wearing one of my new outfits to work tomorrow . 16 Escaping my Cocean I had bought a bag to wash my bras in , and had washed them together along with my sheets . I didn't have time to wash them separately . I washed the comforter inside another washer . It was a ghost town at the laundromat . I started to make additional plans for tomorrow . I had a lot going on , and I didn't want to miss a step . I walked next door to buy a laundry basket and a charger after putting my laundry into the dryer . I'd left my charger at my condo , in my rush to pack . This day had started off badly . Seeing how badly Roger betrayed me in the early morning hours . Discovering that our name meant more to my family than it did to me was a tough realization . However , as the day progressed , it had improved significantly . I'm not asking permission anymore . I deserve to live my own life how I want to , and not have to do what my family wants me to do . I had picked up a notebook , colored pencils , and a sharpener , I was making sketches while I waited for my clothes to dry . I've decided to create a specialty line for all sizes . I'm still considered to be plus - sized at a size fourteen , but I love my curves . The right man for me will love them too . I felt pretty for the first time in a long time . I want to ride out this feeling for as long as I can . I will discuss it with Gwen tomorrow . She was getting the jewelry copyrighted first . We had already decided which of the three sets I had designed to send for production . This set was a full set : necklace , earrings , and ring The other two sets were necklace and earring sets . I loved this particular set and had wanted one of them for myself . The one I was going to make had a delicate opal as the center stone , but it was highly customizable . You choose your favorite stone , or your birthstone , for it . You can also customize the length of the necklace to whichever length you like . The delicate base flowed around the stone . It created a timeless and elegant look that was soothing . The ring was a smaller version of the necklace . The earrings dropped about two inches , with the same design and stone at the bottom , but in a smaller size . They would catch the light as you moved . It was a beautiful set , all done in either white or yellow gold . Everyone has a preference for what they like best , and I wanted to cater to their preferences . The dryer sounded , and I put everything in the bottom of my laundry basket . I didn't really fold anything , as I could tell they wanted me to leave ; it was almost closing now anyway. I put the basket in my passenger seat and headed to pick up my dinner , before heading to Fashion Forward . I'm always proud of my company and what I've achieved . I built this . This was mine , and mine alone . No one could take it away from me . I pulled up to the gate , and the guard did a double take . Thankfully , it was the same guard as earlier . He came out and said , " Nice ride . I need to take another picture , Ms. Wade . With your new haircut , you look completely different . " I smiled for this picture , and he made sure to step back and get a picture of the car too . I smiled even bigger , and he said , " So they know what you drive . Have a good night Ms. Wade . " " Thanks Gavin ," I replied . I was glad to see the gates close behind me . I felt safer knowing that no unexpected guests would be showing up here uninvited . I wanted to cut all ties with Roger this week . If my family doesn't calm down , may consider going no contact with them for a while , too . I knew they loved me , but after this morning , it seems like they love me less than they loved their name and reputation . It also seems like Seth is fine with forcing me into doing this . Well , if he wants to do this , to save our reputation . How come he's a notorious Playboy ? Doesn't that affect how we are viewed , too ? I mean , it 2/4 Escaping my Cocoon should . I have gone this whole time with no scandals or issues . Seth , on the other hand , has been embroiled in several scandals over the last five years . Two pregnancy scares . Exposes with several unflattering pictures of him entering and exiting hotels , but not with his current girlfriend . He paid to have the trends removed , but the damage was done . I just worked . I didn't cause any issues and kept a low profile . I was a homebody , and I spent most of my downtime designing . I had two companies to keep afloat , and I didn't have time for much else . It was a double standard . It took two trips , but I finally got everything into my office . Gwen had given me my own security code to enter and exit the company . I set it as something that no one else would ever be able to figure out . I was towards the back of the main offices , as I liked my privacy . This area was separate from the main entrance . This area was before you arrived at the main entrance . All one story , and connected to the main building by a long hallway . There were windows all the way down the hallway , with some nice landscaping between the building and the parking lot . There was a sand garden on the other side . It included rocks , and trees , and the raked sand made it a tranquil space . Few people knew about it , as it was located in an area with limited foot traffic . It lead to all the main offices , and finance . There was an emergency exit just down the hallway from my office , so I felt very safe here . I was glad my parents had given me input while I was building the company . They told me to have a bathroom off my office and to have a shower installed as well . I knew I needed the toilet and sink , but having the shower in there had been a game - changer . I ate my dinner at my desk while I made a few new designs on my tablet . My mind was full of ideas . I finally saved my work and made the bed . I made a mental note to get some pajamas tomorrow and hit the laundromat again , or Gwen's house . I slept in my clothes today . I set up my hygiene items in the bathroom to be ready for tomorrow . I set out my clothes for tomorrow , and I will shower in the morning . I grabbed a piece of paper and listed everything I needed to do tomorrow . Go to the bank and get a cashier's check . Tomorrow is going to be a really busy day for me , but I can't wait to start the day . Last night , when I went to sleep , I felt like my life was over . Tonight , I went to sleep with a smile on my face , anticipating putting my plan into action .