"So, did you do anything special for Valentine's Day?" Alexis asked.
Victoria smiled at the woman in the mirror, contemplating what to say. She hadn't planned on it, but somewhere over the years she had become quite candid with her hair dresser. Alexis was one of the only people she could be completely honest. Well, more honest than most.
"Conrad gave me another overly extravagant necklace," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Which I'm sure you loved."
Victoria flashed a half smile. Damn. Alexis knew her too well. Although she would never admit it, she did love the necklace Conrad picked out. For someone who seemed to know so little about her, he had impeccable taste. She assumed it was more the jewelry store clerks than Conrad.
"Can I ask you a question?" Alexis asked.
Victoria shrugged with a quick nod, trying not to move too much while Alexis worked on her hair.
"Why do you play hard to get with your husband?"
"It's like a poker game. You can't show your hand."
"Maybe for dating, but you've been married for twenty years!"
"Because I still play hard to get!" Victoria chuckled. Underneath her quick response, she soaked in Alexis' question. As a little girl, she hadn't imagined married life being like it had become. Even now, she clung to the belief that one day she would have a simple marriage. One without deceit and schemes. More than anything, she wanted someone to love her for her. Maybe then she wouldn't need such an icy exterior.
"Are you married?" She asked Alexis, surprised they hadn't mentioned her in all these years.
"Sadly no. Just me and my dog. I always get into these perfect relationships and then slowly everything about them becomes unbearable. Like nails on a chalkboard."
Victoria let out a loud laugh.
"It sounds very similar to marriage."
"It couldn't have always been that way. What first attracted you to Conrad?"
"His protective nature. I was like a baby bird that he nursed back to health. In a lot of ways, I was broken before Conrad." She said honestly. She didn't want to mention that Conrad broke her in a more sadistic way when the David Clarke fiasco came to light.
"Doesn't he do that anymore?"
"More than ever. Sometimes it's suffocating how protective he can be."
"I'm sure it's only because he loves you. I think it's romantic. I know it's a bit anti-feminist, but sometimes it's nice to be able to let the guy do the macho thing." Alexis laughed.
Victoria hated to admit it, but she agreed. It was nice to have Conrad at times that she didn't want to make tough choices or take actions. Whether he wanted to or not, he had never left her in a tough situation. After she killed Helen, Conrad was the one to clean up her mess. The worst thing she had to do was put on Helen's tacky outfit.
With a spin of the chair, Victoria was staring at her reflection. Although she only got a trim, Alexis gave Victoria a blowout, knowing she preferred her hair straight over curly.
"It looks wonderful, Alexis."
"Good. Now go buy a new dress, maybe some shoes and let that boy wine & dine you!"
Victoria laughed it off, but was still contemplating it as she walked out of the door. Maybe she would treat Conrad tonight...