4: Again

Althea

I had my notes about a few stores to visit, and a list of things I need to buy to support my looks tonight. 

I went out and told Deborah, the one that worked for me, to wait. I knew it would be good if I had an extra hand for help, but I might only embarrass myself today, so I preferred to have no one as a witness.

“You can manage the house while I’m going out. I have Mr. Lorell with me, so it will be fine,” I said, mentioning my driver. That was another life upgrade of my new life.

“Where are we going, Miss Lewis?” Mr. Lorell asked when I got into the car and  sat awkwardly in the back.

“I want to go to Fifth Avenue,” I answered back. “Is there any fashion outlet that …,” I scratched the back of my head, “maybe the one that my father often visited?”

“Mr. Lewis had a private tailor, Miss,” he said. “But if you’re looking for a dress, I might know a place. It’s also on Fifth Avenue.”

“Oh, that’s nice. Can you take me there, Mr. Lorell?”

He smiled once again while turning his head, as if I just said something funny. But his smile wasn’t mocking, it’s as if he never heard someone ask him like I just did. “Of course, Miss Lewis.”

It took less than 10 minutes to arrive, and we stopped at a fashion outlet named Forema Reflections. I told Mr. Laurel park and wait for me at the basement, and I used the lift to get to the fifth floor. I used a few minutes to G****e this place, and another name popped on the searching result.

Karina Davos. She was the youngest daughter of Leonardo Davos. So, the father had  a beauty company, and his daughter was a high-fashion outlet owner. 

When the lift opened, I was automatically greeted with lineups of dresses. The place wasn’t crowded like how you would see in places like H&M or Soho, but with only a glance, I knew those who came here weren't some kind of average people, especially me. But some dresses here seemed just like what I needed, so I kept walking. 

I looked at my phone, reading my notes. The party tonight was formal. Based on my research–with courtesy of G****e, Twitter, and a discussion from Tumblr and Reddit–a long dress would be fine, with pump or stiletto. It was a shame I couldn’t wear my Converse or running shoes.

“Are you looking for something?”

I turned my head, checking if that question was directed to me. A woman with a red fit body dress walked towards me, her eyes scanned me from head to toe. 

“Are you perhaps on the wrong floor, Maam?” she asked and smiled, but her eyes gave me the opposite impression.

“Did I come to the wrong floor?” I looked at my surroundings. “The sign in the lift said the formal attire and dress is on the fifth floor.”

She let out a small laugh. “It is, Maam. But this floor is only for luxury brands.”

Well, I couldn’t blame her. If it weren’t because of the black card Josh gave me, I wouldn’t dare to walk in here. But shouldn’t she be happy if someone came in to buy something? 

“I’m looking for that, actually.” I tried to answer calmly. “Can you help me? I need something proper to wear at a –”

“But can you afford it, though?”

For a moment, I lost my ability to speak. I knew very well my look might not be the best look fot a place like this. But to hear such words from someone who should’ve served as a customer, I have the right to be pissed off, right? Because she got me right on my neck.

I squinted my eyes, really not pleased. “Is that really how you treat a customer here?”

Her eyes went wider by my response. “I’m treating a customer the right way, Maam. I try to remind them of their place.”

She didn’t just say that, did she?

Gone was all my patience. I’ve reached the limit of my patience today. Someone had to teach her to not judge the book by its cover. Lucky for her, I was ready to lecture her today. And she better prepare because–

“Just do what she asks you to. She is with me.”

Another voice joined. Before I even got the chance to turn my back, I felt the presence of someone on my right, making me shiver instantly. It was Matthias Cox in the flesh, standing next to me with his chin held up high, with one of his eyebrows arched. Now that we were standing side by side, I felt smaller. I never noticed he was this tall. That fit body Polo shirt made his body even bigger for some reason. 

The shop assistant blinked fast, her expression taken aback. “I ….”

“Are you new? Where is your boss?” Matthias asked in a demanding voice, I even gulped in silence. I was ready to lash out a minute ago, yet it all disappeared. Why did he look more annoyed than I did?

An older shop assistant came as she bowed down politely. “I’m sorry, Sir. Our shop assistant needs more briefings since it’s her first day of working here.”

“Isn’t serving everyone equally just a basic teaching? Or your employee needs an extra class for that?”

Now I was the one who blinked faster. So this man knew basic manners, huh? He didn’t seem like one on our first meeting. 

“We will definitely work on it, Mr. Cox,” said the older shop assistant, and she looked at me. “I deeply apologize, Miss. We will make up to it. Is there anything I can help with? You’re looking for some dresses and shoes, right?”

Before I utter even one word, Matthias spoke once again, “It’s all on me, so you better bring out your best collections for her.”

“You … what?” 

“I’m helping you,” Matthias tilted his head and smiled slightly. “Will you do me a favor and help me back, Althea Lewis?”