Chapter 5

ARIANNA:

When we stepped into the feminine clothing store, Rose gestured to the female representative who strode over to meet us.

Several young women were in the store. It was Friday, so the store buzzed with shoppers busy selecting dresses, handbags, and underwear.

"Welcome, ma'am. What would you like to shop for?" the saleswoman asked kindly. She was tall and fair-skinned, dressed in a yellow top, a black straight skirt, and black low-heeled shoes.

Rose gestured to me. "This is my girl. Get her something sexy and hot. I want a short red dress and black lingerie for her. Make it fast."

"Alright, Ma. Come with me," the saleswoman said, leading me to the fitting room.

My body was slick with sweat because I had been anxious all day. After getting my mother transferred to Milos Private Hospital, the doctor demanded I deposit eight million first for her kidney treatment, before they could find a matching donor.

I followed the saleswoman, who picked out a short, sexy red dress and checked the size. I was slender, so she nodded.

"This will suit you. Why haven't you had your bath? We don't allow fittings to avoid ruining the dress with body odor," she said as the sun set.

Rose stepped into view and said, "Let her try it on. I will pay extra, but ensure it fits."

"Alright, Ma." The saleswoman didn't argue. She handed me the red dress to try on.

I went into the fitting room and stepped out wearing the short red dress. It hugged my chest and accentuated my huge breasts.

"Perfect. This is best. How much is it?" Rose asked, her tone laced with sweetness.

"One hundred thousand," the saleswoman replied, and my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"What? One hundred thousand for a dress?" I gasped, while Rose didn't appear shocked by the price. She kept a straight face and asked, "What about the underwear? The black lingerie I asked for?"

"Here it is, Ma. It's a sexy Victoria's Secret piece. We sell it for fifty thousand a set," she said, handing the lacy underwear and bra to my stepmother.

My head was pounding. I couldn't believe the black underwear and the red dress alone cost one hundred and fifty thousand.

"Wow, so there's no discount?" Rose pressed and brought out her phone to make the payment.

"No, Ma," the smiling saleswoman replied.

"Alright. Wrap it up," Rose cut her off and made a transfer.

Once she paid for the purchase, the saleswoman packaged it, and handed it to me. We stepped out of the clothing store together.

"Ma, where am I going to bathe and change into this?" I asked Rose as she led me to the Jeep.

Once we entered the car, she replied, "At the hotel. You will have your bath and change there."

"Alright, Ma." I stayed silent and watched the road as Rose drove the Jeep toward the magnificent Milos five-star hotel.

My heart kept pounding in my chest as the vehicle arrived after a few more minutes of driving.

Night had fallen. It was 7 p.m., and I felt anxious as the security men at the gate of the luxury hotel inspected Rose's vehicle, before allowing her to glide into the compound.

Once Rose parked, she reminded me, "Arianna, don't reveal to Don Milos that you are my stepdaughter. It's for the best, and don't piss him off unless you want to get killed."

Rose's voice was laced with ice, sending chills crashing down my spine.

"Got it, Ma," I replied, trembling.

"Good girl." Rose giggled and ordered, "Get out now."

I climbed down from the vehicle, my legs quavering as I glanced up at the towering seven-story building that loomed ahead of me.

It was the Milos five-star hotel. The Milos family owned many private businesses and properties aside from the other dark businesses they ran.

Gulping, I followed beside Rose as she led me to the hotel entrance.

Men in black stood there, their gazes sharp, as if they were waiting for any suspected criminals or anyone who wanted to cause trouble at the hotel.

Rose grinned, humming like a bird as she arrived at the front of the hotel entrance with me. The men in black greeted her as if they were familiar with her, even as they stopped other arriving guests.

I lowered my head, fearing someone might recognize me. I was still wearing my white nurse uniform, and I could feel some guests' eyes on me. But no one uttered a word. They were all minding their own business, as if they didn't want to offend the Milos family.

Rose led me through the entrance, and we stepped into the grand hotel lobby. The place was lavishly furnished. Golden chandeliers beautified the lobby, and Rose checked in with one of the female receptionists on duty.

"Hello, Don Milos sent me to bring her here," Rose informed the female hotel staff, who glanced at me coldly.

"Are you sure? Don Milos is not at the hotel yet," the staff replied, her voice low and cold as she narrowed her eyes at me.

I lowered my head, clutching the white shopping bag that contained the red dress and black lingerie Rose had purchased for me.

"Do you think I am lying? Call Don Milos to find out. He sent me here. He asked me to bring her," Rose pointed at me, her voice cold, but the female staff trembled.

"You call Don Milos. I cannot allow you to take her there. The last time a lady was sent there, the hotelier on duty sustained a broken nose and broken legs for bringing a woman who was not a virgin to Don Milos. Call him first," she declared, and Rose gritted her teeth.

"You will lose your job for making me waste my time. Fine. I will call Don Milos." Rose pulled out her phone and dialed the contact. It rang once, twice, then a third time, but Don Milos didn't answer.

Grumbling, Rose dialed the contact again, and this time he answered.

"Hello, Rose. What is it? Did you change your mind? Did you find out the girl is not a virgin?" Don asked, his tone laced with ice, and Rose giggled. "No, Don. It's one of your hotel staff who doesn't want to send my girl to your suite."

"What's the girl's name?" Don inquired, his voice chilling. The hotel staff's eyes widened when she realized it was indeed Don Milos.

"I am sorry. Please, I am only following hotel protocol," she begged, but Rose didn't pity her.

"What's your name, bìtch?" Rose demanded, yelling at the girl, but she refused to say her name. She was trembling, and she even dropped to her knees, begging Rose.

"I am sorry, Ma. Forgive me for my incompetence. I will take you to Don's suite now," she begged.

Rose rolled her eyes in disgust, before returning to her call. "Don, the crazy staff refused to say her name. She already apologized. Don't let her ruin your night. I will escort my girl to your suite now and get her ready. I am sure you will like her when you arrive," Rose stated, her tone gentle.

Don breathed out over the call. "That sounds better. Lecture her well. You know my preferences. I will be there by 8 p.m. I have some business deals to secure, and that is what is delaying me. I will join her soon once I am done."

"Alright, Don," Rose replied before the call ended. She shifted her gaze to the trembling staff and demanded, "Where is Don's suite? Take us there now."

The staff rose to her feet amid the crowd of guests watching her, and she led Rose and me to the elevator.

We rode to the seventh floor. Once the elevator stopped, the female staff led us to the presidential suite door and stopped.

"This is the Don's suite," she said, pointing at the door. The bodyguard on standby glanced at us as if he had already been informed of our arrival. He didn't ask questions. He unlocked the door while Rose led me into the furnished suite to get me prepared.