Chapter 6 Meeting a Wicked

I stopped at the stairs because I wasn't sure where I was going. Fortunately, a maid came upstairs and told me to go to the dining room now because Lance was already waiting there. Unlike last night where an aged maid came to me, this one seems a bit grumpy. She didn't even greet me and frowned as if she was annoyed to see me.

But my mind was already busy with a lot of things going on with my life, so I just decided to ignore her. Maybe she's going through something or maybe she's on her period. I just thought.

 After Lance and I had breakfast, we went to the mall. I was a bit shocked when we entered a store with only branded and high-end apparel there.

The staff obviously knew Lance based on the kind smile and greeting they gave him. Maybe this is where he makes all his women shops, so they are very used to him already. I wanted to roll my eyes. Of course! I was just one of his women.

Then, a woman came out of the door next to the counter. From the looks of it, she looks like the owner of the store.

“Lance! What a pleasant surprise! It's been a while since we've seen each other. I'm already sulking when thinking about you," the woman greeted Lance happily and she hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. She didn't even notice my presence because her full attention was on Lance.

"It's nice to see you, too. By the way, this is Farah. Farah this is Angeli Acosta, the owner of this store and a close friend of mine," Lance introduced us both. When Angeli turned to look at me, her eyebrows furrowed, and her eyes went on me from head to toe. I was taken aback by the way she looked at me.

"Who is she, Lance?" she asked, clearly not happy with me. She even fixed both hands on Lance's arm, then pressed her body to his. It’s as if she wanted to prove something to me.

"Well, let's just say that she's a special friend," Lance replied with a smile. My heart almost jumped out of my chest when he suddenly winked at me. I got confused with what he did.

"A special friend... or another bedwarmer?" Angeli asked, sarcastically. I gulped with her words, and I felt my cheeks burned. "Oh, just kidding. So, how could I be of help?” she added. I

 know she just wanted to insult me ​​with what she insinuated earlier. But I can't argue because what she said was true. It pained me to accept that I am nothing but someone who could just warm Lance’s bed and nothing more. But it’s the truth.

Lance didn't react too much either because he thought maybe Angeli was just joking. But as a woman, I have a hunch that Angeli doesn't like me. She was looking at me like I was some kind of a pest to be eliminated.

"I want you to help her pick some clothes and dresses for all kinds of occasions. We also need apparels, shoes and other accessories that your store can offer," Lance explained to her. Angeli just nodded while Lance was speaking. Every now and then he was glancing at me and simply liked making me feel comfortable. How could I feel comfortable when his friend was obviously hating me?

"Alright. That would be very easy. Wait for me here and I will pick up some dresses and show her," Angeli said, and quickly left. She went to the row of clothes in the right corner of her store. There were also two women who entered and started checking on their items.

Just a few minutes later, her two men were carrying different clothes.

"Try these first," she told me. I looked apologetically at Angeli because of the clothes she was showing me now.

"I-I'm sorry, Angeli, but I don't wear clothes that are too revealing," I politely denied her offer. Her expression grew darker and seemed to get more and more annoyed with me. But it's true. I can't wear those. I'm not very conservative, but I really don't like clothes that show too much skin. I am not against those who are wearing clothes like those, I am just not confident that I would look good in those.

"Oh my gosh, these are the trending these days!" she reasoned out. I didn’t want to offend her, but there’s no way I would wear such outfits.

We may be having difficulties with our finances now, but when my father’s business was at its peak, I also experienced attending several local and international fashion shows. So, I am not that stupid when it comes to choosing outfits to wear.

"Thanks, Angeli. But maybe I'll just go look for the outfits myself so you won't be disturbed. I think we have different tastes when it comes to this," I gently explained. I really don't want to offend her because I don't want any trouble. I already had a lot in mind and I didn’t want her to add to that.

"Okay, if that's what you want," she answered, but she huffed at me. Lance didn't see how his friend treated me because he was busy talking to his bodyguards.

"Lance, let's have coffee or tea in my office while she's choosing," she suggested to Lance when she called his attention.

"Will you be okay, Farah?" Lance asked me. I nodded to him.

“Sure, Lance. Don't worry about me, I can handle this," I replied with a smile. He was about to say something when his cellphone rang.

"Girls, just do your thing. I'll just answer this because it might be important," he said, but he was only looking at me.

When he left, Angeli immediately crossed her arms in front of her chest and glared at me.

"Are you trying to embarrass me in front of Lance?" she reproached me dryly. I felt annoyed by her question, but I chose to be calm. This is her territory. Besides, she is Lance’s close friend. So, I have to know my place and behave according to my personality.

Lance might even get mad at me and punish me if I upset his friend more because of me.

"What do you mean humiliate?" I asked softly. Her eyes narrowed at me.

“It's like you want to say that I don't have good taste in clothes. Just excuse me, right? I studied fashion in Paris, so I know what type of outfit would look good and suit people and what don't!” her statement was mixed with anger, so I was really stunned. Her beautiful face was full of disgust for me. I think the hole in her nose was moving from being angry with me. I have no such thoughts. Where did she get the things she was accusing me of?

"Oh, Angeli, you are wrong. I don't mean that your taste for clothes was bad. I just don't really wear short and skin-tight clothes," I explained patiently. Did I offend her by my refusal earlier? Should I apologize again, although I believe I never humiliated her?

“Whatever! Why? You want to act conservative? Let me inform you, you are not Lance's first woman. There were a lot! So, don't pretend or think that I don't know what kind of slut you are. But you know what? You look good, but you are also boring. So, enjoy shopping because Lance might dump you in less than a week. You can actually buy anything you want from my store or even empty it. I’m sure when Lance gets tired of you, you will end up as a trashy whore!" she insulted me without holding back. Even the two female staff behind her laughed at me.

My fists were clenched as my teeth gritted in pain. I still wasn’t over with being repeatedly slapped for all the things she said earlier and here we go again. I wondered where her anger was coming from, but I didn’t think I deserved all this.

If Lance got tired of me, that's even more in my favor because I could already get away from him.

"You know Angeli, I wanted to apologize earlier because I thought I offended you because I rejected the clothes you chose. But now I have changed my mind. Maybe you're right because I'm one of Lance's whores, but why are you the one complaining? Are you his girlfriend? The last time I checked, you are just his friend and nothing more," I replied, not hiding how upset I was for her immature behavior. She was about to slap me because of the rage that flooded her face when Lance suddenly spoke.

"So, what's up? I thought you had many choices but you two are still here?” Lance asked in surprise. Angeli, on the other hand, suddenly changed her expression and smiled sweetly at him.

"Oh, I am just giving her some advice on the garments she must choose," she said softly to Lance and wrapped her arms around his again. I felt a bit better that Lance arrived on time. There might have been a worse scenario if he hadn't come.

"Really?" Lance asked me, smiling.  

"Yeah. And because of that, I realized that the dresses and accessories I need are not here. The ones here are too beautiful and not up to my taste," I forced a smile in response to Lance. I could clearly see Angeli's face turning sour and obviously holding back her anger.

"What do you mean?" she asked. Gritting her teeth. She tried to smile and didn't want to look affected by what I said, but she is evidently disappointed. It was obvious that she had suddenly become nervous about my decision. But I'm the kind of person who doesn't take back what I have already said. When I say it, that's it.

"Sorry, Angeli, but the ones I want to wear aren't here," I smiled and apologized to her, then I turned to Lance. "Lance, can we just go to another store so that we won't be too much of a trouble here? They can take care of their other customers," I continued saying.

Angeli was about to protest but Lance gently unwrapped her hands on his arm and said goodbye. I couldn't believe how quickly Lance agreed with me.

"Thanks for your time, Angeli, but I guess we need to go now," Lance said goodbye to her, then grabbed my hand to leave.

"W-wait, Lance..." Angeli stopped him.

"Let's have tea or coffee some other time, okay? We'll go now."

Angeli couldn’t do anything but allow us to leave. But I heard her calling me 'bitch' before we finally stepped out of the store. If she hadn't insulted me below the belt, she would have had many sales today.

We spent almost four hours buying clothes, shoes, bags, accessories and many more fancy things that I don't understand why we even had to buy. All of his bodyguards were carrying paper bags and items that we bought.

In the afternoon, apart from being tired, I was also very hungry.

"What do you like to eat?" he asked when we got into his car and I didn't know why he was looking happy today.

"Anything edible. I'm hungry," I said. He laughed a little so I couldn't help but stare at him. He is really handsome, especially when his aura is happy. His deep black eyes, and thick eyebrows made him look like a Hollywood bad boy. His nose is pretty and when he smiles, both of his dimples are showing. You really wouldn't think he could kill someone. But I can't change the fact that I saw him kill a woman. And that made me fear him to my core. Now I could really say that looks could really be deceiving.