Chapter 11
Daphne's sheets were buttery smooth beneath her body. She pulled the covers up and turned, wiggling her hips until she found her desired spot and sighed. The warm embrace of sleep laid on her like a heavy blanket. She nestled into her pillow, seeking warmth in her bed. But as she laid there, an irritating buzzing began to pull her out of her dreams.
Sucking her teeth, Daphne grabbed her phone and hit the answer button, "Hello?"
"Ms. Dashwood?" Theo spoke. "Are you still asleep? It's eleven A.M."
"It's also Saturday, Theodor," Daphne said, her voice muffled by the blanket.
"Ah, so you're free," Theo chuckled.
"No," Daphne groaned. "What do you want?"
"I need you to go shopping," Theo paused, knowing very well he had caught Daphne's attention. And sure enough, Daphne lowered her blankets and opened her eyes.
"Go on," she said.
"Ava likes to have lunch with her sorority sisters once a month," Theo said. "She'll be at Bergdorf Goodman today with them."
"You're sending me to the wolves?" Daphne sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Alone?"
"Not alone," Theo replied. "You'll be armed with my black card."
"Oh?"
"Spend responsibly," Theo laughed. "Since you're such an amazing loving girlfriend, buy me something nice."
"What about me?" Daphne asked. "Don't I get to buy something for myself?"
"You got your check yesterday," Theo reminded her.
"You're the cheapest man I have ever dated," Daphne threw off her blanket and rolled out of bed. "Where are you? What are you doing while I'm out here slaving away?"
"I'm spending the day with my mother," Theo answered. "You're more than welcome to come join us after your shopping trip."
"No, thank you," Daphne's nose scrunched up. "I've seen pictures of your mother. She looks terrifying."
"What?" Theo laughed. "My mother? She's the kindest and sweetest woman you will ever meet."
"I don't remember our contract saying anything about meeting parents," Daphne reminded him. "Should we have another sit-down and renegotiate?"
"That won't be necessary," Theo answered. "I don't intend on introducing you to my family. It will... complicate things."
"So we're on the same page," Daphne remarked. "Excellent."
"Be ready in an hour," Theo said. "Marcus will pick you up from your apartment."
"Do I have to go?" Daphne groaned.
"You signed the contract," Theo reminded her. "Don't tell me you're scared of a few sorority girls."
"They're absolutely terrifying," Daphne complained. "I might not make it back in one piece."
"You'll be fine," Theo assured her. "Go get'em, tiger."
Before Daphne could protest anymore, the call disconnected. She stared at the black screen and then at her reflection in the mirror. Her big round eyes stared back at her, questioning her as she stripped off her clothes and looked at her stomach in the mirror.
Daphne let out a small sigh, pushing the lingering thoughts out of her mind. She stepped into the shower, ready to dedicate herself to her elaborate beauty routine.
Letting the warm water cascade over her skin, Daphne lathered her favorite lavender-scented body wash, enjoying the soothing aroma. After rinsing off, she gently exfoliated her skin, ensuring it remained smooth and radiant.
Next, she focused on her hair, massaging in a nourishing shampoo and following with a deep-conditioning treatment. Stepping out of the shower, she patted herself dry and applied a hydrating body lotion, making her skin soft and supple.
Moving to her face, Daphne cleansed, toned, and moisturized, taking care to use only her favorite products. As she carefully applied each product, she couldn't help but smile, remembering how, as a little girl, she had always wanted the best beauty products to get ready like the actresses did in the movies. It made Daphne feel good to have fulfilled her childhood dream.
At her vanity, she applied her makeup while her phone blasted her favorite songs. She danced around and blow-dried her hair until it was silky smooth. Once complete, Daphne admired her reflection. Satisfied with her look, she gave herself a final nod of approval before heading out the door.
Daphne stepped out of her apartment, feeling a rush of excitement as she saw the sleek black car Theo had sent waiting for her at the curb. The driver greeted her with a polite nod and opened the door, ushering her into the plush interior.
"Thank you," Daphne smiled at the man, Marcus.
"You're welcome, ma'am," Marcus gave a polite nod.
"How was your daughter's recital?"
Marcus, surprised by the unexpected question, smiled, "Oh, it was beautiful. She's an amazing dancer."
"Do you have any pictures?" Daphne asked.
"Yes, of course," Marcus pulled out his phone and showed Daphne the photos he had captured of his daughter.
"She is precious," Daphne gushed. "Oh, what a beautiful young lady you have."
"Thank you," Marcus beamed. "She's a great kid. I'm a very lucky man."
Daphne nodded and sat back. Marcus closed her door and quickly climbed into the driver's seat. As the car glided through the city streets, Daphne's mind wandered back to her own childhood. The way she used to twirl in her ballet skirt and beg her parents for extra classes, it all felt so long ago.
Feeling her emotions rising up too far, Daphne shook her head and pushed everything down. She focused instead on the passing buildings as the quick journey came to a before the lavish Bergdorf Goodman store. Marcus promptly exited the car and opened the door for her, extending a hand to help her out.
"Thank you," Daphne said politely as she stepped onto the sidewalk.
At the entrance, a poised and elegantly dressed woman was waiting for her, holding a clipboard and wearing a welcoming smile.
"Ms. Dashwood, welcome to Bergdorf Goodman," the woman greeted her warmly. "My name is Lisa. I'm here to assist you with your shopping today. Please follow me."
Daphne nodded as the assistant led her through the main floor of the store, filled with glittering displays and elegantly dressed mannequins, before taking her to a discreet elevator. The doors opened smoothly, and they stepped inside, ascending to the private client floor.
As the elevator doors opened, Daphne was greeted with an opulent, serene space. The private client floor was adorned with plush seating, soft lighting, and racks of high-end fashion curated just for her. The assistant guided her to a comfortable lounge area, offering her a glass of sparkling water.
"Please make yourself comfortable," the assistant said.
"Thank you," Daphne placed her purse beside her and looked around.
"How can I assist you today, Ma'am?" Lisa asked.
"I heard there was a private group here this afternoon," Daphne began. "A good friend of mine, Ava, Ava Pierre mentioned something."
"Yes, ma'am," Lisa nodded. "Ms. Pierre and her group just arrived moments ago. She's seated in the next room."
"I see," Daphne nodded, taking note of the open layout of the private floor. "What would I find that way?"
Lisa followed her gaze toward Ava's section, "That would be our men's collection."
"Oh, perfect!" Daphne stood up with excitement. "That's exactly where I need to be. I need to grab a few things for my boyfriend."
"Excellent," Lisa smiled. "Right this way."
Fixing her hair, Daphne grabbed her purse and followed the woman. Her high heels announced her arrival as she glided past Ava's table as if she hadn't noticed the girls gathered around.
"Daphne?" Ava arched her brow.
Daphne paused and looked over her shoulder, "Oh, hi. What a surprise?"
"I can say the same," Ava pulled on a polite but cold smile. "What are you doing here?"
"Trying to surprise Theo," Daphne laughed. "We have a special date coming up and I was hoping to get him something to remember the day."
"Oh," Ava nodded.
Daphne's smile widened as she looked around at all the other ladies. For a split second, she felt her stomach skin as memories of high school came flooding back in her mind.
"Let me introduce you to everyone," Ava locked her cold gaze with Daphne, her slim nose high in the air as if she were the queen of New York City. "This is Ivana, Clair, and Natalie."
"Hello," Daphne wiggled her fingers.
"And girls," Ava's gaze hardened. "This is Daphne.... Theo's new girlfriend."
Ivana, Clair, and Natalie exchanged glances, their expressions equally haughty. Daphne could feel their judgmental stares but remained composed.
"It's lovely to meet you all," Daphne said, her voice smooth and confident. "Enjoy your day."
The ladies seemed momentarily taken aback by Daphne's poise. Ava quickly recovered, her smile still frosty. "Please, come join us."
"Oh," Daphne hesitated. Shit.
"I love your shoes," Ivana commented, looking down at Daphne's heels.
"Thank you," Daphne held the smile on her face. Despite the warning bells going off in her head, she stepped forward as Ava made space for her in the small gathering.
"So tell us about yourself, Daphne," Clair smiled. "Where are you from? Where did you go to school?"
The atmosphere was thick with unspoken rivalry and curiosity. Daphne felt their eyes on her, waiting for any slip-up, but she remained composed, her smile unwavering.
"I grew up in Connecticut," Daphne pushed her hair over her shoulder as she took a seat directly across from Ava. "I attended Brown and since graduation, I've been here in New York."
"How did you and Theo meet?" Natalie asked.
"Through mutual friends," Daphne replied smoothly.
"Which mutual friend?" Ava's tone was sharp, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Certainly not James," Daphne looked directly into Ava's eyes, holding her gaze. "We met through Devon."
"Oh, I love Devon," Natalie interjected with a genuine smile. "Isn't he such a hoot?"
Daphne returned the smile, grateful for the small reprieve. "He is. Always the life of the party."
Before the conversation could continue, Lisa approached the group, carrying an elegant red box wrapped with a silk ribbon.
"Ms. Dashwood," she said, her tone respectful and warm, "I have a special delivery for you. This was picked out by Mr. Silvano himself."
All eyes turned to the beautifully wrapped gift. Daphne's heart skipped a beat as she accepted the box, her fingers brushing against the luxurious ribbon. She could feel the weight of the ladies' stares, their curiosity piqued.
"What's inside?" Natalie asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Daphne carefully untied the ribbon and opened the box, revealing an exquisite piece of jewelryâan intricately designed bracelet adorned with sparkling gemstones. The ladies gasped softly, clearly impressed despite themselves.
"It's beautiful," Daphne said, her voice soft with awe. She looked up at Lisa. "Thank you."
Lisa smiled and nodded before excusing herself. Daphne fastened the bracelet around her wrist, feeling a rush of emotion. She glanced around the room, meeting each of the ladies' gazes with confidence.
"Well," Daphne said, her smile radiant, "it seems Theo has excellent taste."
Ava's smile was tight, but she forced a nod. "Indeed, he does."
"He doesn't play fair," Daphne pouted playfully. "Now, how will I ever top his gift."
"Theo likes ties," Ava answered quickly, her tone carrying an air of superiority. "You could get him a tie. He has a particular fondness for Hermès."
Daphne nodded politely, but inside, she resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Ava acted as if she knew everything about Theo as if she still held some special place in his life. Daphne was determined to show her otherwise.
"That's a great idea," Daphne said, her voice sweet but dismissive. "But I think I want to surprise him with something a bit more personal."
Ava arched a brow, her curiosity piqued. "Oh? Like what?"
"Something he wouldn't expect," Daphne's smile widened, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "I think I'll head over to the lingerie section."
Ava's expression faltered for a moment, clearly caught off guard. "Lingerie?"
"Yes," Daphne said confidently, standing up. "I think he'll appreciate the thought and effort. It's the little things, after all."
She looked around at the other ladies, all of whom seemed intrigued by Daphne's boldness. Without waiting for Ava's response, Daphne turned to the personal assistant. "Lisa, could you please show me to the lingerie section?"
"Of course, Ms. Dashwood," Lisa replied with a smile, gesturing for Daphne to follow.
As they walked away, Daphne could feel the weight of Ava's stare on her back. She knew she had made a statement, asserting her place in Theo's life in a way that Ava couldn't ignore. With each step, she felt more confident.
Daphne followed Lisa to the lingerie section, feeling a mix of excitement and determination. She browsed through the delicate lace and silk pieces, finally selecting a few that she thought would look good on her. Lisa directed her to a private fitting room, where she could try them on in peace.
Inside the fitting room, as she was adjusting an elegant piece, she overheard voices from just outside the room. It was Ava and her friends, their tones dripping with disdain.
"I can't believe she thinks she can just waltz in here and take over," Ava sneered.
"Did you see the way she acted? So full of herself," Clair added, her voice full of mockery.
"And that story about meeting Theo through Devon? Please," Ivana chimed in. "She's clearly trying too hard."
Daphne's heart sank, but she refused to let their words get to her. She took a deep breath and straightened her posture, deciding to confront them with grace. She slipped into a striking black lace set, the intricate design highlighting her curves perfectly. With a confident smile, she stepped out of the fitting room.
As soon as she appeared, the conversation abruptly stopped. Ava and her friends turned to her, their eyes widening as they took in her appearance. Their expressions shifted to forced friendliness, but Daphne could see the envy and surprise in their gazes.
"Oh, Daphne, you look amazing!" Natalie exclaimed.
"Wow," Ava added, her eyes betraying a hint of jealousy.
Daphne smiled graciously. "Thank you. I thought Theo would like it."
She turned slightly, striking a pose, and then picked up her phone to snap a picture.
"I'm going to send him a sneak peek," she said, her tone light and playful.
The ladies watched as she took the picture, clearly impressed despite themselves. Daphne finished and looked up, her eyes meeting Ava's.
"Hope you have fun," Ava said, unable to disguise the loathing in her eyes.
"Thank you, Ava," Daphne smiled. "Can I just say how amazing I think you are? I mean, I know you and Theo dated but you are such a girl's girl. I appreciate you being so kind and friendly."
Ava stared.
"Isn't she amazing?" Daphne looked toward Ava's friends.
"She is," Ivana said, her gaze flickering toward her friend.
"Well, ladies, it was wonderful meeting you all," Daphne sighed. "I have some more shopping to do. Lisa, please pack all this up for me. I'm on a tight schedule. I'm sure Theo will be calling me any second now."
"Certainly madam," Lisa nodded.
With one last smile at the girls. Daphne returned to the fitting room to change back into her clothes, feeling a sense of triumph. When she returned, they were back to their section, whispering in hushed voices as Daphne walked past them.
"Is there anything else I can help you with today, madam?" Lisa asked.
"Yes," Daphne lowered her voice. "Where's the children's department?"
"One floor below us," Lisa replied.
"Wonderful," Daphne smiled. "Shall we?"
Lisa led Daphne to the children's department, where the vibrant colors instantly lit up Daphne's mood. Rows of tiny, colorful clothes and adorable accessories filled the space. Daphne felt a rush of warmth as she browsed through the racks, imagining the joy on a little girl's face when she saw the beautiful things around her.
As she looked around, her eyes landed on a delicate pink ballet tutu and matching ballet slippers. She picked up the tutu, admiring the soft tulle and intricate details. It was perfect.
"This is adorable," Daphne said, turning to Lisa. "I'll take it."
Lisa smiled warmly. "An excellent choice, madam. Is there anything else?"
"No, this is perfect," Daphne replied, heading to the register.
"Shall I put everything on Mr. Silvano's card, madam?" Lisa asked.
"Of course," Daphne nodded.
Once at the register, Daphne signed her name while Lisa and the other assistants quickly packed all her purchases. She thanked them warmly and handed them each a generous tip before picking up her bags and turning toward the exit.
Walking back to the main floor, Daphne felt a sense of excitement. She glanced one last time at Ava and her friends, who were still whispering and casting furtive glances her way. With a confident smile, she waved at them and then turned, heading towards the exit.
"Back to your apartment, ma'am?" Marcus asked, taking her bags as she stepped outside.
"Yes, please," Daphne nodded. "And this is for your little ballerina."
"Ma'am?" Marcus paused, looking at Daphne in confusion.
"It's a gift," Daphne insisted.
"Thank you," a smile pulled across Marcus's face as he accepted the bag.
"You're welcome," Daphne patted the man's arm as she slid into the car.
Once inside, she looked down at the bracelet on her wrist and smiled. A laugh bubbled out of her as she remembered the way Ava's eyes shot dagger at her. She wished she could have filmed the sceneâit would have been a great addition to her collection of memorable moments.
Suddenly, as the car drove down the streets of New York, Daphne's phone began to ring. Pulling it out of her purse, she answered it with a cheerful, "Hello?"
"Hi," Theo laughed, finding her cheerful mood amusing. "How was it?"
"Oh, it was wonderful," Daphne said, her smile evident in her voice. "I love spending your money."
"Yeah, I just saw the bill."
Daphne laughed, "It wasn't that crazy. I was very responsible."
"Six Sarrieri lingerie sets?" Theo questioned, his voice light and full of amusement.
"I told Ava they were my gifts to you," Daphne explained. "These are your lingerie."
"Will I ever get to see any of these lingeries that just cost me two grand?"
"Absolutely not."
"Then you're returning them."
"Don't be so cheap," Daphne scolded. "Don't you want to help the economy?"
"Not by buying lingerie," Theo protested. "Also, did you forget to tell me about our seven-year-old daughter? Why did you buy ballet shoes?"
"They're for Marcus's daughter," Daphne rolled her eyes.
"That's very thoughtful of you," Theo sighed. "But I already bought her silk slippers before her recital. They were from Paris."
"Did your mother not teach you anything?" Daphne huffed. "A girl can never have too many shoes."
"Daphne-"
"Listen here Ebenezer Scrooge. You sent me out there for your own games," Daphne sassed. "I fought the war any way that I saw fit. Now, I'm going to hang up because I'm done giving you explanations for my purchases."
"Daphne," Theo's tone sharpened, a warning edge in his voice. "Don't hang up."
"Bye!"
"Daphne-"
The call disconnected and Theo cursed under his breath. He looked down at the phone and laughed to himself at how utterly absurd the girl was.
Two thousand dollars on lingerie. Theo let out a sigh and looked out through the window of his parents' Upper East Side townhouse. She was under budget.
______________________
Lily
"What about a sexy nurse?" Wendy asked, looking through the racks of the costume shop as Alexa fixed her blonde wig in the mirror and tugged on her cheerleader outfit.
"No," Lily shook her head, her nose scrunching up at the ugly nylon fabric.
"A witch?" Alexa asked.
"No," Lily replied.
"A nun?" Wendy held up the scandalous photo.
"Um..." Lily tilted her head. "No..."
"I give up," Wendy threw her arms up and turned away.
"Why is this so hard?" Lily sucked her teeth as she swung her purse onto her shoulder and began to scan the wall of costume photos. "There must be something decent."
"They don't make decent costumes for girls on Halloween," Alexa laughed. "The goal is to get away with wearing as little clothes as possible."
Lily's brows furrowed and a deep frown formed on her face. She continued to scan the wall while Alexa and Wendy browsed through the accessories. Lily's eyes roved over the wall of photos, dismissing one after another. She was about to give up when something caught her eye. She walked closer, squinting at the image.
"What about this?" she called out, her voice filled with a mix of hope and excitement.
Wendy and Alexa turned to look at her. Lily pointed to a photo of an angel costume. It had a white dress that hugged the body in a flattering but not overly revealing way, ending just above the knee. The neckline was tasteful, dipping just enough to be considered alluring without crossing into tacky territory. It came with delicate, feathered wings and a shimmering halo that added an ethereal touch.
"An angel?" Wendy raised an eyebrow.
"It's sexy, right?" Lily asked.
"Sexy, but not tasteless," Wendy nodded. "I like it."
Alexa walked over and inspected the photo. "It's perfect. You'll look amazing in it."
Lily's face lit up with a smile. "I'm going to try it on."
Lily grabbed the costume off the rack and headed towards the fitting rooms. She slipped inside, the excitement of finding the perfect outfit buzzing in her chest. Sliding off her shoes, she removed her jeans and her shirt before unpacking the costume and separating the wings from the white dress. She carefully unfolded the fabric and stepped into the dress. Wiggling her hips, Lily pulled it past her waist and up to her chest.
"So far so good," she muttered, pulling on the sleeves. The dress was already a bit too snug against her figure. She looked at the zipper on the back and wondered if it would zip. Maybe if she removed her bar, it would allow some more space. Lily chewed on her bottom lip as she thought about what to do. Her hands toyed with the zipper as she gazed at herself in the mirror.
"I thought you don't wear costumes," Alexa snorted outside the fitting room.
"Shut up."
Gabriel. Lily froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She recognized his voice immediately. He was talking to his sister.
"Hey Victor," Alexa's voice softened.
"Hey," another male voice joined in on the conversation.
Lily looked at the curtain separating her from the group outside. She slid farther back into the fitting room and threw her arm over her chest to keep the costume from falling off. Her hands trembled and her heart hammered against her chest as she tried to finish zipping the dress. Her fingers fumbled with the tiny zipper, and she cursed under her breath. Why did he have to be here, now, of all times?
Suddenly, the curtain to her fitting room was yanked open just enough for Wendy to slip inside. Lily yelped and looked up in shock, her eyes wide open.
"Are you okay?" Wendy whispered urgently.
Lily nodded, her eyes wide with panic and her cheeks flushed. "He's right outside," she mouthed, her voice barely a breath.
"Okay, just stay calm. We'll wait it out," Wendy whispered.
"What are you doing here?" Gabriel asked Alexa. Wendy and Lily held their breaths and their hands behind the curtains, waiting for a reply.
"Lily and I needed costumes for tonight's party" Alexa answered.
Gabriel laughed, "Yeah, no. You're not going."
"Are you going?" Alexa asked.
"Doesn't matter," Gabriel said.
"If you can go then I'm going."
"We're not ten anymore."
"Whatever, fuck off and go bore someone else with your bullshit," Alexa said dismissively.
The two girls stood in silence, listening to the muffled conversation outside. Lily's heart was still racing, as she inched away from the edge of the curtain. But as she moved, the white feathers of her costume tickled her nose and she felt her nose burn up with a sneeze.
"Ah-choo," Lily covered her mouth.
Alexa and Gabriel paused outside.
"Do you say bless you to an angel?" Wendy whispered.
"I better not see you anywhere near this party tonight," Gabriel said to his sister. "I mean it."
"Suck my dick," Alexa's footsteps marched off.
Wendy let out a small sigh and moved her hand to push her hair out of her face. Lily's eyes widened as her nose tickled once again.
"Ah-chool!"
Wendy threw her hand over Lily's mouth, "Shh."
Lily's eyes flickered to the bottom of the curtains as they watched Gabriel's shoes move closer. Together, they scurried back until they were pressed against the mirror on the wall.
"So I was right about the cold," Gabriel let out a short chuckle, his voice dripping with amusement.
Lily's heart pounded in her chest. She looked at Wendy with a mix of panic and embarrassment. Wendy rolled her eyes playfully and kept her hand firmly over Lily's mouth. They watched Gabriel linger for a few seconds before Alexa shouted at him from the back of the shop.
"Can you leave already? My god!" She groaned. "Go get a life."
"Come on man," Victor spoke up.
A few seconds passed before Gabriel's footsteps finally receded. Lily let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing. Wendy dropped her hand from Lily's mouth, and the two girls exchanged a look.
"That was intense," Lily whispered, a nervous laugh escaping her lips.
Wendy vigorously wiped her hands on her pants, her face twisting with disgust.
Lily giggled, the nervous energy turning into amusement. "I can't believe he was here."
"It's not fate, Lily," Wendy stopped her. "Just a coincidence."
"But the universe aligned all these different possibilities to make this very moment ha-"
"Oh for fuck's sake. Shakespeare," Wendy clicked her tongue. "Turn around."
Lily sighed, her cheeks flushed and her lips wide with a smile. She turned her back toward Wendy and pulled her hair over her shoulder. Wendy took the zipper in hand and carefully pulled it up the back of the dress. Once the costume was secure, Lily adjusted the feathered wings and the shimmering halo. She took a deep breath and stepped out of the fitting room.
"Holy fuck," Alexa whistled. "Damn girl."
Lily laughed as she walked over to the large mirror in the store and took in her reflection. The white dress hugged her body in a flattering way, the delicate wings adding a graceful touch, and the halo giving her an ethereal glow.
"Some makeup and a good blowout and you'll look so damn fine," Alexa said and Wendy nodded.
Lily's face lit up with a smile. "I like it..."
Wendy grinned as Alexa cheered. They stepped forward and helped Lily adjust her wings. Alexa suggested a few tips for pulling the sleeves down and scrunching up the bottom with pins to show a bit more leg. Lily nodded eagerly, realizing she wasn't a little girl anymore and that a little skin never hurt nobody.
"I wish we were getting ready together," Lily lamented as she paid for her costume and the girls headed out of the costume shop.
"Yeah, I know," Alexa sighed. "I just have something to do. It'll be easier if I meet you guys at the party."
"Sounds like a plan," Wendy said.
"Oh, do you guys mind if I stop by Atelier?" Lily stopped and pointed to the top floor of the mall. "My Zia sent me a necklace and the clasp broke. I need to get it repaired."
"Yeah, sure," Wendy nodded.
"Thank you," Lily pulled the small blue box out of her purse and hurried up the escalator. Wendy and Alexa followed her as she entered the lavish designer store and walked up to a sales assistant.
"Hi, I need to get this necklace repaired," Lily said, opening the box to reveal a delicate gold chain with a broken clasp.
The sales assistant smiled warmly. "Of course, let me take a look." She carefully examined the necklace and nodded. "We can definitely fix this. It should only take about fifteen minutes."
Lily thanked her and handed over the necklace. She looked over to where Wendy and Alexa wandered around the store, admiring the luxurious items on display. Lily walked over and joined them, insisting they try on a few pieces of jewelry for fun while they waited.
Alexa picked up a stunning necklace adorned with sparkling gemstones and clasped it around her neck. She looked in the mirror, her eyes wide with delight.
"This looks so good on you," Lily said, admiring the way the necklace complemented Alexa's complexion.
"It's beautiful," Alexa reached up and touched the necklace. "Wow, I'm in love."
Lily smiled and quickly made a note in her mind. The holidays were right around the corner and suddenly she had the perfect gift for Alexa.
"See anything you like, Wendy?" Lily looked over her shoulder.
"No," Wendy scrunched up her nose. "I swear Atelier has been selling the same handbags since I was four."
Lily laughed, "I think that's their vintage collection."
"It's still ugly," Wendy snorted.
"What about the shoes?" Lily hurried over to the shoe display.
Wendy followed and slumped down onto the seat beside Lily. They continued their playful antics, trying on different heels and making each other laugh. Alexa continued to look around until the sales assistant returned with Lily's repaired necklace.
"Here you go," she said, handing the necklace and the box back to Lily with a smile.
"Thank you so much," Lily said, taking the necklace and placing it back in its box. She looked at her friends and smiled. "Ready to go?"
Wendy and Alexa nodded, following Lily to the exit.
"I'm starving," Lily began. "I want to go get something to ea-"
"Excuse me, miss?" The girls paused as one of the shop security guards approached them. "Do you mind if I check your purse?" he asked, addressing Alexa.
Alexa's face paled, her eyes widening in panic.
"What? Why?" she stammered, clutching her bag tightly.
Lily and Wendy exchanged confused glances.
"Is there a problem?" Wendy asked, stepping closer to Alexa.
"We have a policy to check bags if the security alarm is triggered," the guard explained calmly. "Please, it will only take a moment."
"No," Alexa said, her voice shaking slightly. "I haven't done anything wrong."
"Alexa, it's probably just a misunderstanding," Lily stepped in, trying to diffuse the tension. "Let's just cooperate, and we can clear this up quickly."
Alexa's grip on her purse tightened, "It was probably your necklace. We just came to repair her necklace."
"No," the sales assistant stepped forward. "Her necklace did not have a tag on it and she has the receipt."
"Alexa," Lily touched her friend's hand. "It's okay. It happens all the time with the tags."
The hesitation in Alexa's eyes was clear as day. Her knuckles turned white from the grip she had on her bag. As Wendy and Lily waited for her, she looked around the shop like a deer caught in a trap.
"Alexa...." Lily tried again.
Alexa nodded reluctantly. She moved with extreme caution and held out her bag. The guard took it and began to look through it. After a moment, he pulled out a small bracelet with a price tag still attached.
"This bracelet wasn't paid for," the guard said, holding it up.
Alexa's face flushed with embarrassment. "It must have fallen into my bag."
Wendy looked at Alexa with a mix of surprise and concern. Lily stepped closer to her friend as the security guard pulled out another item.
"Shay," he looked to the sales assistant. "I think you should call the manager."
"Oh my god," Alexa's eyes filled with tears. "I'm so sorry."
"Ma'am," the guard looked up, his eyes hardening. "Please step to the side. We will need to do a full body search."
"No, absolutely not," Lily stepped in. "You are not touching her."
"If you don't cooperate we will have to contact the authorities," the guard replied.
Alexa began to cry harder. She looked toward Wendy and then to Lily.
"You can't do this," Lily protested.
"Yes, we can," the guard walked over to the register with Alexa's purse. He pulled out a pair of sunglasses and a necklace. Lily recognized it as the necklace she had hoped to get for Alexa as a Christmas present.
"This isn't just petty shoplifting," the sales assistant behind the counter frowned. "We have to call the police."
"No, no, please," Alexa cried. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking."
"Alexa, calm down," Wendy advised her. "We got this. Nothing is going to happen."
"Can you call Gabriel?" Alexa looked to Wendy. "Call him. He's probably still in the mall. Please call him."
"Okay, okay," Wendy nodded, taking Alexa's phone.
"There's no need to call the police," Lily tried to diffuse the situation, not knowing anything she was saying. But she couldn't let her panic show. Especially not when Alexa was trembling. "Nothing was taken out of the story. You have everything back."
"Can we actually see your receipt again?" The sales assistant narrowed her eyes. "And that necklace too, please."
"Are you serious right now?" Lily's eyes widened.
"Yeah," the guard snorted. "You three are not going anywhere until the police arrive."
"This is a huge mistake," Lily shook her head. "I'm sure we can work this out."
"The receipt, madam," the woman pressed her lips into a thin line.
Frustrated, Lily opened her purse and pulled out her necklace. The guard took it and passed it to the woman before demanding to check Wendy and Lily's purses too. Alexa began to sob harder as she spotted Gabriel walking into the store, his eyes ablaze.
"I'm so sorry," she shook as Gabriel walked up to them.
"I can't believe you," Gabriel said through his teeth. "What the fuck is wro-"
"Gabriel," Lily grabbed his arm before he could say anything else. "Not now."
Angered by his sister's actions, Gabriel turned toward Lily, his eyes dark with rage. He opened his mouth to speak just as the manager walked out and approached the group.
"Gabe, they're going to call the cops," Alexa cried.
"As they should," Gabriel snapped. "Alexa, what the fuck goes on inside of your head, huh?"
"Stop, stop," Lily stepped in between the siblings.
"Miss?" The manager cleared his throat. "I still need to see your receipt for the necklace."
"It was a gift," Lily marched over to the counter and yanked out the piece of paper. "It was customized. My name is on the stupid charm."
"Please don't call the police," Alexa cried to the manager.
"I'm sorry, but I have t-"
"Nobody is calling the police," Lily snapped. She whirled around and looked at the manager's name tag, "Carl, is it? Do you work on commission?"
The manager, Carl's, eyes narrowed.
"Do you all work on commission?" Lily asked the three sales assistance gathered around.
"Yes," one of them replied.
"Great," Lily stepped forward and grabbed two dresses off the rack. "I'm about to make your week. And in return, as a favor, you are not going to call the police. You are going to pack up that necklace and everything else I hand you. Let's get started."
"Excuse me?" The manager stepped forward. "But what do you think you're d-"
Lily pulled out her credit card from her wallet and handed it to him, "You can start scanning."
Without waiting around for anyone else, Lily walked around the shop with the three sales assistants following her. She picked out whatever her hands touched and handed them to the ladies. Wendy and Alexa stared at her while a deep scowl formed on Gabriel's face. Within ten minutes, Lily racked up more than enough on her bill to offset the amount they found in Alexa's purse. As her credit card transaction was approved without a hitch, the manager smiled and handed Lily her last bag.
"Thank you for shopping with us today, Ms. Silvano," the man smiled. "Do you need help with your bags?"
"No," Lily sighed. "I'll manage. Thank you."
"Any time, ma'am."
"Can we go now?" Lily asked.
"Of course," Carl's smile widened.
Lily slowly turned toward Gabriel. He could feel his anger rolling off of him like a heatwave. Looking up at him through her lashes, she stepped forward and handed Alexa her purse.
"I'm so sorry," Alexa jumped into Lily's arms and pulled her into a tight hug. "You saved my life."
Lily's heart shivered from the look Gabriel shot her. She couldn't understand why she felt as if she was the one in trouble.
"Let's get out of here," Wendy quickly nudged the group toward the exit.
Lily couldn't look away from Gabriel. She silently followed them all out with her heart lodged into her throat. When they reached the parking lot, Alexa turned to her brother and began to apologize.
"What the fuck, Alexa?" Gabriel rubbed his face in frustration. "You're not a stupid kid anymore or a teenager. When are you going to act your age?"
"Gabriel-" Lily frowned.
"Stay out of this, Lily," Gabriel held up his hand.
"Hey man, what the fuck is your problem?" Wendy scoffed. "Lily just saved Alexa's ass. Don't talk to her like that."
"No one asked her to," Gabriel snapped. "She doesn't need to play Alexa's fairy godmother. She should have let Alexa face the consequences of her actions."
"I wasn't going to let my friend get arrested," Lily spoke up.
"Your friend just committed a crime," Gabriel turned back to her. "And if you care about your friend, then you will let her learn from her mistake."
"She's not going to do it again!" Lily said defensively.
Gabriel laughed. A cold harsh laugh that made Lily shrink.
"You don't fuckin' know her," he said. "Trust me, you don't want her as your friend. And she definitely doesn't need friends like you, trust fund Barbie."
Lily gasped. A small, barely audible sound. She barely heard it herself. But the flicker of emotion behind Gabriel's eyes let her know it had happened.
"Gabriel-" Alexa tried.
"Get in the car," Gabriel said through his teeth to his little sister.
"Let's go, Lily," Wendy grabbed Lily's arm and tugged her toward their car. "He's psychotic."
Lily, with hands full of shopping bags, stumbled toward her car. She couldn't look away from Alexa and Gabriel as he got into his car and slammed the door shut. She flinched as the loud engine roared to life and he drove off in a fit of rage.
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:'(