Chapter 13

Lillian.

"Mrs Ace, are you sure you have something suitable to wear?". He said taking a turn on 9th street. We were 10 minutes from where I lived.

" Well, yes ".

He glanced at me and then back at the road ahead. " If this turns out to be a waste of time, I'm subtracting 20 dollars from your pay ". 

I swallowed." It's that black dress I wore on my second day ". 

The car immediately came to a halt and if I wasn't wearing a seatbelt, my head would have crashed on the glove box.

"Why did you stop so suddenly!". I shrieked in annoyance.

He didn't even apologize; he just turned the car around and sped off.

"Where are you going now!" 

He remained silent. 

I finally snapped. " I hope you remain dumb forever". 

He finally turned in my direction, slowing down a little. His left brow was twitching indicating agitation."You are not dressing like a high school girl going clubbing to the conference !". 

I wanted to say something to counter his words, but I was at a loss. 

  After a few minutes, we arrived at a mall twice the size of the one the company driver took me to. 

  I rushed to his side as soon as we stepped in, my eyes wide like saucers. I could smell and taste the luxury. " Mr Kent, what are we doing here ?".

" I'm getting you new clothes". 

My jaw dropped in shock. 

We stopped at the reception where a lady welcomed us and directed us to the dressing room.

I think this was exclusive treatment because I don't get why we had a separate room, and she kept bringing in various hangers filled with dresses. 

   The other day, I had to move around and get my dresses myself. 

"Mr Kent, shall I begin showing her dresses for your date ?" The lady, whose name turned out to be Ingrid, piped in. 

I almost choked on my saliva. Forcing myself not to look in his direction and hoping he would address the misunderstanding. 

But no, he was on his phone and just nodded. 

" Umm, it's for work. Clothes strictly for work ". I told her, laughing awkwardly. 

She squinted her brows." Mr Kent, you want sexy clothes for your girlfriend right ?" 

He finally looked up from his phone." She's my secretary". 

Ingrid mouthed an 'oh '. " My bad, she's the first lady you've brought here in a while, so I just assumed . I'm sorry, forgive me, miss ". 

I nodded. If I heard correctly, she just said in a while. That means he used to bring someone, a lady, here too. 

   A lump suddenly formed in my throat. Even as she took me to try on different dresses in a separate room, I couldn't stop thinking about the kind of girl he had brought here. He doesn't look like the type to be interested in women, but he was a man after all. 

    Despite my protest, Ingrid made me try clothes on and then show them off to Mr Kent. 

   He'd nod once if he thought it was okay, and then it would get wrapped. 

  It was embarrassing, especially the fact that he was staring at me each time I  stood in front of him in a new dress. 

     My whole body was tensed, Mr Kent was shamelessly looking at my breasts and I could feel his eyes on my butt when I had my back to him. 

  " I think he likes you ". Ingrid whispered as she helped me into another dress.

I snorted ." You wish!" 

" No, really, don't you see the way he looks at you? ". She nudged me. 

I shook my head violently" I have a nice body, any man would stare ". 

"That's part of it though, but it's different from when he used to bring Mrs Smith here. Mr Kent doesn't spend his money on women, not even Mrs Smith ". 

My ears picked up. 

" Believe me, he hates me". My curiosity was getting the better of me and I'll do anything to continue this conversation.

" Mr Kent only brings her here and either waits outside or in the waiting room till she's done shopping, but he is choosing your clothes himself and paying for them. There's a difference ". She explained, helping me into a pair of stilettos.

It was at the tip of my tongue to ask about this, Mrs Smith, but I did not want to appear overly nosey.

Scratch that! I'm feeding my curiosity. 

" Who was this Mrs Smith?" 

I was finally dressed in a white long-sleeved dress that stopped just below my knees. 

" Ahh, she was just someone who always followed Mr Kent around ". 

I nodded, not satisfied with her response.

  

  " Your hair is pretty, and those freckles blend well with the dress and match the shoes ". 

I stared at myself in the mirror. I had thought of dyeing my red hair, but right now, I no longer want to. 

I came out of the dressing room with Ingrid at my side. "I think she should keep this one on, don't you think so Mr Kent ?" 

He nodded, his eyes scanning my body like some paperwork.

  The clothes were packed and put in the trunk of his car and soon we were set to go.

    I did not know how to thank him, I felt a little giddy remembering Ingrid saying Mr Kent doesn't spend on women, yet he did on me.

" Umm, Mr Kent . Thank you, I promise I'll pay you back ". I told him, utterly grateful that I now had a new wardrobe. 

" Just call me Zayden, Mr Kent irritates me ". 

I rolled my eyes. " I just said thank you for the stuff ". 

He glanced at me." I heard you ". 

I scoffed. " Are you not going to say you're welcome or something of that sort ?" 

" No ". 

I sighed in defeat. 

  We rode the next five minutes in silence until Stoneface, for the first time, decided to strike up a conversation.