1| The Black Card

Sarah’s POV

I rushed into the restroom, slammed the door shut, and barely made it to the sink before I threw up. My knuckles ached as I gripped the edge of the sink.

Could I be dreaming? I thought. But I knew I wasn't. I had held it in my hand just a few minutes ago. A black credit card, cold, and heavy. The name written on it in gold letters was clear: SEAN MILLER.

At that very moment, I heard a loud bang on the door as Ms. Harlow yelled. “What the hell are you doing in there?” She banged her fist against the restroom door again and again, the sound echoing inside the small space like a heartbeat.

I looked at the door, sniffed my runny nose, and said softly, “Just a minute, please,” my voice cracking. I leaned over the sink, staring at the vomit inside it, my eyes brimming with tears. I squeezed them shut and forced myself to breathe through my nose.

Just then, the voice of the stranger echoed carelessly in my head again; No, darling, i’m just living life… Sean's wife died years ago. She'd been lucky to be with such a loving man before she died. The stranger had said over the phone.

Dead? He told her I was dead? The thought hit me like a punch, and my stomach twisted in protest.

Yet again, Ms. Harlow banged the door harder this time and screamed. "Get the fuck out of there, bitch! You have a customer waiting, Sarah! We don’t pay you to hide in the restroom!”

Panicked, I turned on the tap, washing everything away as fast as I could. Water splashed on my hands and my uniform but I didn’t care. My heart was pounding too loudly to think.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand, and unlocked the door only to see Ms. Harlow standing there, arms crossed, and heels tapping impatiently against the floor.

Her sharp eyes scanned me from head to toe, then she said flatly. "You look like shit! Fix it! Customers don’t pay to see your problems.” She stepped aside, and looked at me like I was something dirty.

I felt her words slice through me, but I kept my head down, eyes burning.

Fix it? How? By pretending I'm fine when I'm falling apart? I walked past her without saying a word.

I walked back into the sales area, and the lights hit me instantly, too bright and clean. Everything was shining... polished floors, and glass shelves lined with dresses worth more than my rent.

The stranger was still there, standing by the counter, flawless as ever. Perfect hair, perfect makeup, and a smile that didn’t know what hunger felt like.

She laughed softly into her phone. “…Just shopping for our vacation tomorrow,” she said, her voice low. “Yeah, life’s good with Sean.”

My heartbeat quickened each time she mentioned my husband's name. But what could I do? Absolutely nothing.

Moreover, Ms. Harlow was standing nearby, and watching me like a hawk, waiting to see if I'd mess up again.

I took my place behind the counter, my hands suddenly feeling weak.

As soon as she caught sight of me, She ended her conversation over the phone, turned to me and said. “Hi, you disappeared.”

“I’m sorry,” I replied sharply. “I wasn’t feeling well,” my gaze fixed on the counter because I couldn't even look her in the eye.

“I’ll take these,” the stranger said, pushing a pile of expensive dresses toward me. They were all part of a limited collection.

Hah! I haven't even had breakfast, but she was about to swipe my husband's card for dresses tagged 'limited collection.'

I scanned the tags. The price on the screen was more money than I had made in the last three years.

My hands shook as I folded the clothes. She took out the black card and put it on the counter again.

Name: Sean Miller. Code: 7780.

I stared at it for another second. It was the same name, and the same four-digit code he used for our empty bank account.

I was fuming as I swiped the card and it went through. “Would you like a receipt?” I asked slowly, trying to keep my cool.

“Yes,” she said, staring at me.

I picked up my pen, my fingers unsteady. “For the receipt,” I said quietly.

“May I have your name?”

“Valerie,” she said with a smile, “Valerie Shawn.”

I wrote it down on the receipt book but before I could finish the last ‘N’, the pen mistakenly slipped from my fingers, hitting the counter with a loud clack and rolled away. My heart started racing again at what i'd just done.

Ms. Harlow immediately moved closer, her face twisted. “What is wrong with you, Sarah!” She barked as she glared at me, her eyes brimming with disdain.

I didn't answer her, I couldn't. I just stared at the name on the receipt and the card lying there like a weapon.

Valerie looked at me closely now, her smile fading into confusion.

“Are you okay?” she whispered.

I looked at her, in the reflection of the glass behind her, I saw my own face, pale and broken.

“Yes… I’m okay,” I lied, handing the card back to her with fingers that no longer felt like mine.

“Have a nice day.” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Valerie smiled, though she looked a bit worried. “You too, I hope you feel better.” She grabbed the packed dresses she’d bought, turned and walked out, her heels clicking confidently across the floor.

I watched her leave the boutique, my mind still spinning. She's off to pack for a vacation with maybe my Sean, I thought, a bitter taste rising in my mouth.

“What just happened now, Sarah?” Ms. Harlow snapped, making me tremble. She grabbed my chin and forced my face up to hers. Her fingers hurt.

She didn't even let me answer her first question, then she said the worst.

“For the next two days, I don’t want to see you anywhere near Lumière House,” She whispered, slamming her hand on the counter, which made the jewelry displays rattle. “You’re a disaster. You’re scaring off customers. You’re suspended for two days, and it’s coming out of your pay. Go home, and deal with whatever mess you're hiding.”

She sighed, rolled her eyes, and walked straight to her office, leaving me speechless.

I felt eyes on me, and heard my colleagues whisper. Embarrassment burned inside me as I lowered my head again, staring at my shoes. The soles were thin, and patched over too many times.

Almost instantly, the bell's sharp ring cut through, making me flinch. Work was finally over.

I let out a slow breath I didn’t know I was holding and began to pack my things behind the counter. My hands were still shaking as I shoved my belongings into my bag. I picked up my bag, dropped it twice by mistake before I finally held it steady.

My head felt full of too many thoughts already and now, my manager has just suspended me for two days. Which is going to affect my pay.

I turned to leave, still lost in my thoughts, and slammed straight into someone.

“Oof..!”

My bag slipped from my shoulder, papers flew everywhere, and my phone hit the floor sliding across the tiles. His things fell too... two phones, and keys clattering loudly.

“I’m so sorry,” I said, dropping to my knees, and gathering his things. Then, I looked up, and almost forgot how to breathe. He was one of Lumière House’s best and most regular customers, Mr Adrian. He was unfairly handsome like always. Tall, broad shoulders, sharp jaw, with dark eyes that just stopped on me and didn't move. He smelled expensive, warm, and clean, like money and confidence... The kind of scent you don't forget.

He had always been nice to me, and now, I just might've messed things up.

For a second, neither of us spoke, not until Ms. Harlow's voice cut through the boutique like a whip. “Oh, shit! You again!” She rushed toward us.

My heart slammed into my chest, but before I could react, a huge guy stepped in front of him, solid, and expressionless. He grabbed my arm and shoved me back roughly.

"Next time watch where you're going young woman," he snapped, tightening his fist like he wanted to punch me, his eyes narrowing.

I stumbled, nearly falling, yet Ms. Harlow rushed forward and pushed me aside like trash.

“We are so sorry, Mr. Adrian,” she said quickly, almost bowing, her hands clasped together. “She works here. She suffers memory problems. If you want, I can fire her right now.” She added, looking at me with an irritating glance like I was a problem to be solved.

Mr. Adrian said nothing. He only stared at me with an unreadable expression, his eyes narrowed slightly, While the huge guy bent down to pick up his things.

Then I knew... my life was about to get much worse.