Arabella Vale wasn't just wearing pink. She embodied it—every shade from champagne blush to boss-fueled magenta. With her platinum-blonde curls pinned in a sleek half-up twist and a pair of bedazzled Louboutin heels clicking like a countdown against QuinVale International's pristine marble floors, she didn't just walk into the boardroom—she arrived.
Her entrance was calculated. Stunning. And entirely on-brand.
Today marked her first official week as co-CEO of the newly merged company—a combination of Cassian Vale's corporate empire and the Quinn family's legacy brand. Together, they formed **QuinVale International**: luxury lifestyle redefined.
Arabella adjusted the pink lapel of her tailored power suit and entered the executive conference room, where ten skeptical board members waited. She knew what they thought: socialite turned seat-filler. A living brand mascot with more fashion than function.
Big mistake.
"Gentlemen," she greeted, placing her iPad onto the polished table, her voice a sugar-slick mix of sweetness and authority. "Let's begin. And please, do try to keep up."
A few raised brows.
From the head of the table, Cassian Vale watched her silently. His expression was neutral, but there was something in his eyes—that sharp glint of admiration he never voiced aloud. It was the same look he had when she surprised him. And Arabella loved surprising him.
"As of this morning," she continued, swiping to reveal the quarterly analytics, "we've seen a 19% uptick in online engagement following our new rebranding campaign. That's not a coincidence. That's a calculated result of redefining our digital presence, especially on platforms like ChicTok and SnapReel."
"Miss Vale—"
"Mrs. Vale," she corrected smoothly, smiling at the interruption. "Let's not forget the merger is legal in business *and* matrimony."
The room chuckled, nervously.
Cassian smirked.
Arabella went on, her voice confident but charming. This was her world now: not just PR, not just photo ops—but power. She was learning fast, and playing the game harder.
"We're launching a new division next month," she announced. "QuinVale Living: a blend of tech-integrated luxury and curated design. Smart homes that are smart *and* pretty."
"Do we have projections?" one of the older board members asked.
"Yes," she said, tapping a slide. "And we also have a deal with a high-profile influencer—Chiara Monroe—to feature the first model in her 40-million-follower home reveal. We're not just selling product. We're selling aspiration."
Silence.
Cassian finally spoke. "And the budget?"
Arabella turned toward him, lips curling slightly. "Already balanced. I stayed up till 3 a.m. handling it. You were asleep. Cute, by the way. You snore like a kitten."
The room broke into surprised laughter. Even Cassian's mouth twitched.
She didn't need his permission to shine. But it mattered that he saw her.
---
After the meeting, Arabella stepped out onto the balcony outside the executive floor. The skyline of the city stretched before her—a sparkling mirror of her ambitions.
Cassian joined her moments later, coffee in hand. "You really like stealing the show."
"I like earning the spotlight," she corrected.
He handed her the cup. "You handled them well."
"I handle everything well," she said, brushing a loose curl from her cheek. "Even you."
He didn't reply immediately. Instead, he leaned against the glass railing, watching her.
"People used to underestimate me," she said softly. "They thought I was just pink heels and photo ops."
"You were pink heels and photo ops."
"And now?"
He turned to face her. "Now you're heels, photo ops, and billion-dollar ideas."
She smiled.
"Don't let it get to your head, Barbie CEO," he added, teasing.
"Please," she said, flicking imaginary dust from her shoulder. "This crown doesn't sit on ego. It sits on execution."
He looked amused. Then serious.
"Are you happy?" he asked quietly.
She paused.
"Happy? Not exactly. Fulfilled? Getting there."
They stood in silence a moment longer, two CEOs bound by a contract and something far more fragile: a growing, flickering trust.
Back inside, her assistant approached with her schedule. She had a podcast interview, a product shoot, and a lunch with a potential investor.
Arabella took the tablet, kissed Cassian lightly on the cheek, and whispered, "Time to build the empire."
And with that, Barbie walked back into her boardroom—heart wrapped in velvet, spine carved in steel.