CHAPTER 16: Red Silk & Receipts

Scarlett's POV

I looked down at my outfit.

Oversized hoodie, baggy sweatpants, messy hair... I leaned slightly toward the side-view mirror, trying to get a full, horrifying picture of just how bad I looked. In this luxury shopping district, I looked less like a college student and more like someone's hired help.

"You're fine."

I flinched, my eyes snapping to him. “Could this guy read minds?”

Before I could answer, Adrian reached back with one arm, grabbing his sports bag from the rear seat. He unzipped it, pulled out a heavy hoodie that was almost the exact same shade as mine, and pulled it smoothly over his head, adjusting his collar.

My chest tightened as I watched him. I knew exactly what he was doing. He was leveling the playing field so I wouldn’t have to walk into an elite establishment looking like the only underdressed person in the room. It was a calculated, surprisingly considerate move and it made my stomach do a strange, dangerous flip.

"Let's go," he said, pushing his door open.

I sat there, still hesitant, but he walked around to the passenger side and pulled the door open for me. He held it with a calm patience that left zero room for argument.

Stepping into the boutique was surreal. High ceilings, plush carpets, soft ambient lighting. Honestly, it wasn't that I lacked self-worth, but the only way I'd ever walk into a place this outrageously expensive with confidence was in my wildest dreams—at least five years from now.

"Good afternoon, sir! Welcome," an attendant greeted smoothly, taking in our matching casual hoodies without batting an eye. "What can we help you find today?"

"A dinner outfit for my girlfriend," Adrian responded, gesturing toward me while I stood there with a million chaotic thoughts racing through my mind.

‘Girlfriend.’ Hearing him use the word so easily sent a quiet chill down my spine, even though I knew it was strictly part of the performance.

"Right this way, ma'am," the attendant smiled.

For the next thirty minutes, I turned into Adrian’s personal human mannequin. The staff hovered around me, draping me in fine fabrics, jewels, and silks, constantly glancing at Adrian to judge his reaction. But every single time they presented an option, Adrian didn't just look at the dress—he looked directly at me.

"Are you comfortable in that?" he asked with every single piece.

They were all beautiful, but most felt restrictive, tight corsets that trapped my ribs or heavy trains that would pin me down if I needed to move fast or fight. I couldn't completely hide my discomfort, and Adrian picked up on it every time.

Finally, we found it: a striking, deep red dress. It was elegant and draped beautifully, but more importantly, the cut was free around the legs and allowed completely effortless movement. It was stunning, and tactically perfect for whatever the night might demand.

Adrian gave a single, quiet nod of approval.

While the staff boxed the dress, Adrian stepped over to pay. When we got back to the car, he handed me the luxury shopping bag along with the receipt inside.

I glanced down at the total and nearly choked on my own spit. I had to swallow rapidly just to keep my jaw from dropping open in front of him.

That single dress cost more than my wages for four months when I was working four jobs and he just hands it to me with a receipt that has my name on it.

I looked at him and he looked completely unbothered for someone that has spent this much money buying a dress for a fake girlfriend.

Adrian pulled back onto the main road, heading toward the freshman dorms.

As I sat lost in my thoughts, staring out the window at the passing buildings, my phone began to vibrate in my lap.

‘Mom Calling…’

A sharp wave of guilt hit my chest. I swiped the screen to reject the call, deciding I’d call her back as soon as I was safely in my room.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Adrian watching me. He had seen me decline the call. We made brief, heavy eye contact through the mirror—his dark eyes assessing, mine instantly guarded—before I broke it, turning back toward the window as my heart hammered against my ribs.

He pulled up in front of the dorm and I got off his car and headed in. I met Mia in the hallway talking to one of the girls staying two rooms away from ours. She locked her hand straight in mine and was asking questions and making assumptions to answer her own questions before I even open my month, they were all going over my head cause my mind was in chaos going between what I just experienced and my plan for that event.