Chapter 5

Arianna.

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

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

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

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

"Alright, miss. Come with me," the saleswoman led me to the changing room. My body was slick with sweat because I had been anxious all day after getting my mother transferred to the Milos private hospital, and the doctor demanding I deposit eight million first for her kidney transplant treatment, before they could find a matching donor for her.

I followed the saleswoman, who picked out a short red sexy dress for me 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 testing to avoid ruining the dress with body odor," she said, as she refused to allow me test the dress.

Rose stepped into view and said, "Let her test it. I will pay extra. But ensure it fits."

"Alright." The saleswoman didn't argue. She handed me the dress to test.

I went into the fitting room and stepped out wearing the short red dress. It hugged my chest and popped up my boobs.

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

"100,000," the saleswoman replied, and my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"What? 100,000 for a dress?" I gasped, while Rose didn't appear shocked about the price. She kept a straight face and asked, "How about the underwear? The lingerie I asked for?"

"Here it is. It's a sexy Victoria piece. We sold it for 50,000 for a set," the saleswoman said, handing the black lacy underwear and bra to my stepmother.

My head pounded. I couldn't believe the underwear and dress cost 150,000. When I earned 200,000 monthly.

"Wow, so no discount?" Rose pressed and brought out her phone to forward the payment.

"No, Miss," 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 change to wear it or have my bath?" I asked Rose, and she led me to the Jeep.

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

"Alright." I stayed silent and watched the road as Rose drove the Jeep ahead to the Milos magnificent 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 pm, and I felt anxious when the security men at the gate of the luxury hotel inspected Rose's vehicle, before they allowed her to glide into the house.

Once Rose parked the vehicle, 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 as it sent chills crashing down my spine.

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

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

I climbed down from the car, my legs quavering when I glanced back 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. My mind raced, wondering if I would see that domineering man.

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

Men in black stood there. Their gaze sharp, like they waited 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 with me. The men in black greeted her, familiar with her, even as they stopped other arriving guests.

I lowered my head for fear of anyone recognizing me. I still wore my white nurse uniform, and I could feel some guests' eyes on me. But no one uttered a word. They all minded their own business, like they didn't want to offend the Milos family.

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

"Hello, dear. 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 female staff member replied, her voice low and cold as she narrowed her eyes at me.

I lowered my head, holding the white shopping bag that contained the red dress and black lingerie Rose had shopped 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 stated coldly, and the female staff trembled.

"You call him. I cannot allow you to take her there. The last time a lady was sent there, the last hotelier sustained a broken nose and broken legs for bringing a woman who is not a virgin to Don Milos. Call him first," the young lady replied, 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, and a third time, but Don Milos didn't answer.

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

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

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

"I am sorry, ma'am, 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 young lady who was probably my age, but she refused to say her name. She knelt down, trembled, and shivered as she begged 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 she returned 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," she said, her tone gentle.

Don breathed out over the call. "That sounds better. Lecture her well. You know my preference. So I will be there by 8 pm. I have some business deals to secure, and that's what delays 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 asked, "Where is Don's suite? Take us there now."

The staff rose to her feet amidst the crowd of guests watching her and led Rose and me to the elevator. We rode to the seventh floor. Once the elevator stopped, the female staff led us to the president suite door and stopped.

"This is the Don's suite," she pointed, and the bodyguard on standby glanced at us like he already received information about our arrival. He didn't ask questions. He unlocked the door while Rose led me into the furnished suite to get me prepared.