The witch whose name was Gigi began working gently on Ruby’s hair. She brushed through the strands with patient hands, her touch warm and comforting, like an old friend taking care of something delicate.
Ruby sat back and finally let herself relax, sinking into the soft cushion of the chair. The hum of quiet conversation outside the shop, the faint clink of scissors and combs, and the distant chirping of birds created a peaceful rhythm. For the first time in days, her shoulders dropped, and the tension left her body little by little.
Gigi sectioned her hair and began trimming, careful with every cut. She wasn’t in a rush. "You’ve got strong hair," Gigi said softly, smiling as she moved around her. "Even though it looks like it’s been through a lot, it’s still holding on."
Ruby closed her eyes and let out a quiet breath. "It’s been a long week..."
"I can tell," Gigi said kindly, her fingers still moving gently.
Julian watched quietly from the chair in the corner, his eyes never leaving Ruby. Seeing her so still, so calm—even while strands of her hair floated to the floor—filled him with quiet admiration. He had never seen anyone like her.
"You’ll feel lighter after this," Gigi said. "Sometimes we hold too much in our hair without realizing it. Fear, stress, memories... a good cut helps release it."
Ruby smiled, eyes still closed. She didn’t say anything, but she felt it like each gentle snip was lifting a little weight from her.
Gigi gently turned Ruby’s chair toward the mirror with a small proud smile on her lips. "All done, my dear," she said. "Take a look."
Ruby opened her eyes slowly, and for a second, she didn’t even recognize herself. The new hairstyle framed her face in the most flattering way—soft layers around her cheeks, a light fringe that danced just above her brows, and the rest of her silky white hair flowed down with a clean, healthy shine. The ends looked fresh, the damaged strands now gone. Somehow, it brought out the delicate structure of her face even more.
Julian walked over, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of her. "Let me see properly," he said, leaning in with soft amazement in his voice.
His gaze traveled from the soft curve of her fringe to her graceful neckline. "Wife..." he whispered, completely struck. "You look..." He trailed off, unable to find a word strong enough. His chest felt a little tight, like he was falling for her all over again.
Her red eyes—usually cold—now glowed with a calm, feminine beauty. Her lips were naturally pink, slightly glossy and parted in a small smile. The hairstyle brought attention to the contrast between her snow-white hair and the soft warmth of her skin.
"She looks gergeous," Gigi said dreamily, folding her arms with satisfaction.
Ruby chuckled softly and shook her head, cheeks warming with a blush.
"You did magic, Gigi," Julian said, turning to the witch who beamed with delight.
"Well," Gigi said proudly, cleaning her tools, "a beautiful face just needs the right frame. That’s all."
As they stepped outside into the fresh village air, the wind played with Ruby’s new haircut. Her white hair fluttered gently, and Julian reached over to hold a strand that blew into her face.
And after saying goodbye to a few villagers—each hug warm, and each blessing even warmer—Ruby and Julian finally stepped into their car. The engine started with a familiar hum, and as the village slowly disappeared behind them, a soft silence settled between the two. Ruby had both hands on the steering wheel, her new hairstyle gently brushing against her cheek whenever wind snuck in through the half-open window. The light from the sky bathed her pale skin in a soft glow, her red eyes shining like ruby stones, and her pink lips naturally curved.
Julian, seated beside her, had buckled his seatbelt, but apparently forgot to blink. He kept looking at her, not even pretending to be subtle. Every few seconds, she could feel his gaze boring into her cheek, and finally, she let out a sigh and turned her head slightly, not looking at him directly, but smirking.
She glanced sideways, catching his gaze again. For the fifth time.
"Julian," she said with a teasing lift of her brow, her lips curving into a small smirk. "If you keep staring at me like that, we might end up crashing into a tree."
Julian blinked as if coming out of a trance. "Sorry, I just... I can’t help it," he said, a sheepish smile spreading on his lips. "You look... too good."
Ruby laughed softly, the sound light and teasing. "It’s just a haircut."
"No," he said, leaning back in the seat but still looking at her. "It’s not just a haircut. It’s like you... transformed. Like the whole world shifted just to match your glow."
She rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, now you’re being dramatic."
He chuckled. "You didn’t see your reflection under the sun just now. Your hair sparkled like frost. And your eyes—" He leaned slightly closer, grinning. "I thought you were about to cast a spell on me."
Ruby raised an eyebrow. "You think I haven’t already?"
Julian gave a low laugh and placed his hand over his chest. "Then I’m doomed."
Ruby’s heart felt a gentle warmth as she glanced sideways at Julian again. He was laughing freely now, his shoulders relaxed, and the way he looked at her no longer held that nervous hesitation she remembered from before.
She could feel the changes. It was soft, unspoken, but real. And she was glad—glad that he was slowly opening up to her, being his true self around her without fear. It made her chest feel light, and her lips curled into a small smile. There was something beautiful about watching someone grow comfortable with you like watching a flower bloom slowly under sunlight, not because you demanded it, but because it wanted to.
Ruby realized she really did version of Julian. The version that wasn’t trying so hard to be perfect and careful... just real. Just him.
—To be continued...🪄