Chapter 5

Who was she? The lady the receptionist was staring at had a flowing black dress that had a side part that got all the way to her thigh and facial features that would stop any man… And woman dead in their tracks but I had a faint idea that the receptionist lady hadn't stopped out of admiration. 

“I said, what is going on here?”

“I–I, I, I am so sorry madam for the commotion. I'm trying to have this woman removed from the premises. She was trespassing.”

I glared at her and was about to speak when she cut me short. 

“Does there have to be so much noise about it? Tch, all these lowly workers who don't know their place and you,”

Huh? Was she talking to me? I stared and she clicked her fingers in my face. Ok, this bitch was rude. 

“Yes, you. Who are you and what are you doing in my store?”

So it was her store? Was she the one Ciel had sent?

“I am Isabella  and Ci— Ciel asked me to shop here. She was causing issues for me and he said he'll send someone to deal with it. Also,”

The receptionist didn't even allow me to speak before she shrilled, “As you can see ma'am! She was even pretending to be someone important.”

The lady in black scrutinised me before breaking into the biggest grin I have ever seen in my life. What the heck? 

“You must be the little bold thing Sebastian was talking about! Hello darling, it's nice to meet you and I'm Roxanna but you can call me Roxie for short. Also, what brings you to this little store of mine? Well technically, it is Sebastian ’s but meh, I manage it. You look so pretty! Is that your natural beauty or makeup? Either way, I love it. Will you teach me? You look so cute in person. Not like what Sebastian  said at all.”

Woah, Woah! If she didn't slow down, I wasn't going to catch all of that. I was still in shock as to how she went from cold and condescending to all warm and fuzzy. 

“Erm… yes, I am Isabella  and– I swear, I am not looking for trouble of any sort, I just want to shop. If that's ok.”

She smiled warmly at me before she turned to the lady at the desk and I could feel the temperature in the room literally drop as she glared at the lady.

“How dare a lowly thing like you dare talk to my future sister in law in such a manner? So you have no respect for the Ciel name or you are downright insane?”

“Si–sister in law?!”

“I had no idea the general manager here hired retarded idiots. Pack up your stuff, I don't want you here by the time I get back down. Move.”

“Miss, I am so sorry, I never meat to sound insulting to her or–”

“Do you want yourself in a ditch before the day is over?”

“N–no ma'am.”

“Then get your Puta ass out of my store.”

“Ye–yes ma'am.”

The security man made to escort the lady before Roxanne cut in. 

“Hey, you!”

“Yes ma'am?”

“You're fired. Bastardo, how dare you want to even put your hands on a lady? Tch. This is why I wanted to hire female guards but stupid Sebastian  will end up fucking them and prove to me that can't keep their legs closed. Tch. Get out. Estúpido”

The man hung his head in shame and quickly walked out of the building. She turned her gaze to me and smiled again. 

“Now that's out of the way, how about we do some girly shopping hmm?”

“Erm… Ok?”

She threw her hands up and grinned. 

“Isabella ! Are you ready to have some funnn?” she exclaimed, her energy practically radiating off her. She was going to be too chaotic for me. 

I blinked, still trying to wake up. “Um, what kind of fun?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“The best kind! We’re going shopping!” Roxanne chirped, her enthusiasm contagious. “You’re coming with me!”

“Shopping?” I said, feeling my cheeks warm a little

Being around her was going to be exhausting. With the guard and everyone gone, she was being all cheery and bouncy while I was... well, me. “I don’t really think I need to—”

“Of course you’re coming! You’ll have so much fun!” Roxanne interrupted, grabbing my arm and pulling me to my feet. “Trust me! You need this!”

I hesitated but didn’t want to protest. “Okay, I guess I can go,” I replied, knowing I didn’t want her her to keep talking. 

“Great! Let’s go!” she said, practically bouncing on her toes as she led the way inside the store. 

 “I swear, we got the cutest dresses the other day! Just wait until you see them!” she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. 

“Dresses?” I murmured, trying to keep up with her energy. “I don’t know if that’s really my style.” 

“What do you mean? Everyone loves a good dress!” she replied, looking incredulous. “You have to at least try some on!”

“Maybe,” I said, feeling uncertain. I just wanted to blend in, not stand out. 

We arrived at the first boutique, and as soon as we stepped inside, Roxanne was off like a shot. “Look at this!” she called, holding up a bright red dress. “This would look amazing on you, Isabella !”

I forced a smile and took the dress from her, looking at it skeptically. “It’s pretty, but I’m not sure...”

“Just try it on!” she insisted, pushing me toward the dressing room. “You might surprise yourself!”

“Okay,” I said quietly, taking the dress with me. As I tried it on, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. It was bright and completely different from what I usually wore. 

When I stepped out, Roxanne’s eyes lit up. “Wow! You look fantastic!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands in excitement.

“Really? I feel a little… out there,” I replied, my cheeks heating up. 

“Out there is good! You need to break free from your comfort zone!” she said, beaming. 

As we continued through the store, I tried on several outfits, each time feeling more and more unsure. “Do I really need this much?” I asked, looking at the pile of clothes on the sofa.

“Absolutely! You need options!” Roxanne said confidently. “Trust me, this is good for you!”

After hours of running around the boutique, my feet started to hurt. “Roxanne, can we take a break?” I asked, feeling exhausted. “I think I need to sit down.”

“I said to call me Roxie. Oh, come on! Just a bit longer!” she replied, her enthusiasm never waning. “We’re almost done!”

I couldn’t handle it any longer. “Alright, let’s find a café nearby,” I suggested, hoping for a nice break.

“Perfect! I know the best one just down the street!” she said, leading the way as we stepped out of the shop.

Once we reached the café, the scent of coffee and pastries filled the air. I looked around, grateful for a chance to rest. “Finally,” I murmured, finding a table and sinking into the chair. 

Roxanne ordered us some drinks and pastries before joining me. “How about this?” she said, sliding a chocolate croissant my way. “You deserve a treat!”

“Thanks,” I said quietly, taking a small bite. “This is really good!”

“I’m so glad I agreed to come here today!” Roxanne said, her eyes sparkling. “You’re getting out and having fun and I got to meet the little tamer!”

“Fun? Is that what we’re calling this?” I replied, feeling a little overwhelmed. “I didn’t expect it would be so much running around.”

“Running around is good for you! You’ll find it all worth it eventually,” she said with a grin. 

I shrugged and took a sip of my drink. 

“What? You’re fantastic! You just need to believe in yourself!” Roxanne replied reassuringly. “You can totally handle this now!”

“I suppose,” I said, the words flowing over me. “But sometimes don't you get worn out?! You've been dragging me all day.”

“Why not? You need to experience the gloryyyyy of shopping”she asked, leaning closer. “You’re not the type to back down, are you?”

“No, I’m not!” I quickly said. This girl was downright insane. 

“Exactly! So let’s get back out there and have some fun!” she encouraged, her energy relentless.

After finishing our treats, we left the café, and I took a deep breath. “Okay, I’m ready to give it another shot,” I said, feeling worn out.

“That's the spirit! Let’s go find some more stuff. Shoes this time!” Roxanne replied, linking her arm with mine.

She dragged me down the shoe aisle and I had to say.. I was impressed. 

“You have limited editions!”

“Duh, of course we do! But first, you have to model this!” Roxanne laughed, holding up a bright purple heel.

“Yellow? Really?” I said, scrunching my nose. “Aren’t we getting a bit ahead of ourselves?”

“Totally! Just try it on! You’ll look stunning!” she insisted, pushing me toward the fitting room again.

I gave in and took the shoe, hoping it would fit. Once in the dressing room, I tried it on and stepped out to show her. Roxanne’s eyes widened. “See? You look amazing! That’s so  you!”

“Okay, maybe it’s not so bad,” I admitted, tapping a bit with it. These bitches are friggin high. 

My feet were so going to hurt after this.