Chapter 45
Sweet Subterfuge
Vivian reacted quicker than Larissa. She grabbed the latterâs hand and studied her briefly, nodding. âOf course.â
To Larissa, she said, âGo pick out a few gowns that you like.â She waved her hand generously. âThe clothes on this floor are all highâend customized designs from major brands over the years. Take your pick.â
âHighâend customized designsâ meant that these clothes were haute couture- clothes that represented the pinnacle of fashion design. Many superstars always wore highâend customized gowns with prideâ
even if they were out of seasonâto attend major events. And whether or not they wore haute couture, the choice of the brand, when the clothing was released, and the haute couture of a specific season- all became ways for celebrities to compete with each other.
Larissa felt that she was dreamingâno, she could not possibly even be dreaming about this.
She really wanted to ask, âCan I really pick whatever I want?â but was afraid that the question would expose her lack of exposure to high society. So, she forced herself to look nonchalant, and answered with a soft hum, her chin slightly raised.
Vivian explained to her. âThe clothes closer to us are the latest designs.â
Larissa made another noise of affirmation with a poker face.
Vivian then asked Kevan, âMr. Shields, do you prefer to have a seat and wait here, orâ¦
Kevan cut her off. âIâll pick with her.â
Larissa jolted and turned to look at him in surprise. Kevan looked straight into her eyes and said, âI donât trust your eye for beauty.â There was a hint of scorn in his voice.
Larissa really wanted to give him a good shake by the shoulders and scream, âDidnât you just say that the outfit âdoesnât have to be too prettyâ?! Shouldnât my shitty âeye for beautyâ fulfill that requirement of yours then?!â
But she restrained herself. She even forced herself to squeeze out a very dry smile and said, âI suppose I will have to trouble you, Mr. R- Shields.â
There were so many gowns here that Larissa was completely dazzled. She had never ever had difficulty in choosing anything before, but now that she had experienced this, she did.
She drifted between the rows of clothes, feeling that they were all so nice and pretty, and she did not know which one she wanted.
Kevan, on the other hand, was more decisive than her. He just looked at the latest designs from the current season and picked the one he thought was pretty. He removed the item in question from the clothes rack and draped it over his arm.
Soon, he had a pÃle in his arms.
âTry these,â he said to Larissa, who took them from him. Just as she was about to head over to the fitting room that was segregated by a curtain, she heard a commotion from downstairs.
âMs. Gallagher, you canât go to the third floor! Why donât you explore the second floor first? Weâve had a batch of new arrivals recently, no one has rented them yet!â
âWhy canât I go up to the third floor?! Iâve only ever chosen clothes from the third floor! Who cares if the clothes are new in the second? I refuse to wear anything that isnât haute couture!â
âBut the third floor has been reserved⦠It was booked several days ago. If you really insist on going up to the third floor, could you please wait for a while? Once that customer leaves, Iâll take you up.â
âReserved? Who made the booking? How much was paid for it? Iâll give twice that/ amount. Get whoever the hell it is down right now!â
âMs. Gallagher, itâs not an issue of money⦠We are a business; we canât be unreliable.
âI donât care. I want to go up to the third floor! Whereâs Vivian? Iâm done with you. Get Vivian out here to see me!â
âSheâs styling for the customer now, Iâm afraid she doesnât have time to see you.â âFine then, if she doesnât come to me, Iâll go to her instead!â