Chapter Twenty-Eight
MONIQUE
––––––––
They'd been to three different stores, and she'd yet to find an outfit that made her happy. Monique almost rolled her eyes as she stared at the clothing that had been rolled out for her to browse through.
Though Cas wasn't in the back private room with them, he'd informed the manager that they were VIP clientele and to get them anything they wanted. Now, they were seated in a private room with a glass of champagne in their hand as they stared at rack after rack of clothing.
The clothing was beautiful, sophisticated, and sexy. That wasn't the problem. The problem was that they didn't have that beautiful, sexy, and elegant clothing in her size. The few items they had in her size were horrid.
Who told designers that thick girls only wanted to wear clothing in awful color shades? And who told designers that big girls didn't want to look stylish? Everything she tried on looked like a potato sack on her.
It was like they'd simply sewn together a 2x-3x outfit without taking into consideration the shape and contours of a woman's body. She wasn't shaped like a square or a circle. There were curves and dips that needed to be accounted for.
Monique took another sip of her champagne as the sales clerk wheeled the final rack of clothing out that held items in her size. The poor saleswoman looked nervous as hell. Not because any of them had been rude to her.
Never that . She was nervous because she already knew none of these items would make them happy. She gave them a sad smile and said, "I'm sorry, this is all we have left. I've already gone through it, and I don't think you're going to like any of them."
Toya set her champagne glass down on the center table. "It's not your fault," Toya told the sales clerk. "Us thick girls have a hard time finding clothing in regular stores."
"I know, right," Meka added. "It really is a shame. Even when I find an outfit that fits, it usually doesn't hug my frame right. I should've been a fashion designer."
Feeling defeated, Monique set her own glass on the table. She glanced around the room, noticing the pity in the eyes of her friends and the saleswoman. She didn't want pity. She wanted a dress that made her feel confident and sexy.
She needed a dress that would show Orazio Cattaneo exactly what he was missing. None of these dresses would make him regret that phone call he'd made to her three months ago. Monique's expression must've bothered the young sales clerk because she stepped closer to them and started whispering.
"This store may not have the dress you're looking for. But I know a store that does."
Monique knew a store that did, too, but it was owned by Orazio's cousin, and she wasn't allowed in.
"It's not owned by the Cattaneos, is it?" Monique asked.
The young lady quickly shook her head. "No. Well, I don't know who owns it. But, I overheard a woman talking about it in here once. She was a plus-size woman and couldn't find anything here. And her friend told her to go to a store called Luxe Regal. The owner of the store is a local designer. She's not famous like Dolce & Gabbana or anything. But her designs have appeared on runways. And she's a plus-size woman herself. At least, that's what I overheard them saying."
"Why have I never heard of that store?" Monique asked, staring at Toya and Meka.
Phone in hand, Toya said, "Probably because the clothing there cost more than all three of us put together."
Toya turned the phone so that Monique could see the screen. Her friend had pulled up the store's website. Monique's eyes widened when she saw those prices.
"And that's in US dollars," Toya drawled.
"Yeah, I heard they're expensive," the sales clerk said, taking a step back.
Monique's mind raced as she exchanged glances with her friends, who were equally concerned about the prices at Luxe Regal. She bit her lip, contemplating their options.
"Should we tell Cas to take us there?" Toya asked.
"I don't know," Meka rushed to say. "I don't know if I feel comfortable with him spending that kind of money on us."
"Said no woman ever," Toya hissed. "Show this man you're expensive so that he understands what it takes to keep you," Toya whispered.
"I'm not with him for his money," Meka whispered back.
"I know that. So does he," Toya said. "That doesn't mean you don't need to set the bar high to mold and shape his future behavior. Don't ever try to save a rich man money, girl. Let him spend it if he's willing to."
"I'm not a gold-digger," Meka hissed.
"You don't have to dig when he's offering it to you on a gold platter. Look, I don't know who raised y'all, but my mama told me never to limit myself," Toya whispered.
Monique chuckled. "Whatever he spends on us today, let's agree to pay him back in installments," Monique suggested.
"I will not," Toya scoffed. "I mean, if he asks me to, I will. But I'm not about to volunteer to pay for some shit that was offered to me. The fuck!"
Meka shook her head. "I'm not asking him to take us there, then."
Toya moved closer to Meka. "Meka, don't make me fuck you up in this store," Toya hissed.
"Toya, let's not tear these nice folks store up just because you're crazy," Meka hissed back.
The room to the private door opened. "No need for all of that," Cas said, entering the room. "I agreed to buy your dresses. The cost doesn't matter. Buy whatever you need for the Gala. I can afford it," Cas told them.
Damn, he'd overheard them. They couldn't take Toya's crazy behind anywhere!
"See," Toya hissed. "If Cas isn't worried about the price, why are you, Meka?"
Meka rolled her eyes as Cas strode over and kissed the top of her head.
"It's okay, love," Cas told Meka. "Get whatever you all need." Meka sighed, still reluctant to dig so deep into Cas's wallet. Cas leaned closer to whisper in Meka's ear, "There are other ways you can pay me back, love."
Even if they hadn't overheard him, Meka's blush would've told them everything they needed to know. Even the sales clerk giggled.
"Let's get out of here," Meka muttered, rising from her seat, clearly embarrassed.
Both Toya and Monique laughed as they prepared to leave the store. Monique sat her glass back down on the table and thanked the clerk for her help. Monique opened her purse to tip the woman.
"No, no, Ma'am, you don't have to tip me. Mr. Cattaneo already paid me for my time," the clerk beamed.
"Oh, okay. Thank you again," Monique said before following Toya and the others out of the boutique.
Their next stop was Luxe Regal. When they arrived, Monique could tell from the store's exterior that their bill was going to be a small fortune. She stared down at her attire, making sure she was dressed up to par for a place like this.
She'd chosen to wear one of the outfits Raz had gotten her. Her dress was black, form-fitting, and stopped a few inches above her knees. A hint of cleavage was showing, thanks to the dip in the front.
The sleeves were long and sheer, adding an element of allure. She hadn't gone with much jewelry, just a silver necklace, matching dangling earrings, and a ring. Toya had styled her hair up in a cute updo, with ringlets framing her face.
Her black heels finished the outfit off right, making her look taller and adding an extra hint of sexy. Too bad Raz couldn't see her right now. Monique gritted her teeth. She didn't even want to think about his crazy ass right now.
She just wanted to find a dress that would make him regret ever thinking he could breathe without her in his life. Feeling cute, she entered the store as Cas held the door open for them, ever the gentleman.
"Welcome to Luxe Regal," a saleswoman greeted them with a warm smile. "How may I assist you?"
"Private room," Cas stated.
The woman nodded and led them through a maze of exquisite gowns to a secluded area. As they entered, Monique couldn't help but marvel at the dresses on display, each one unique, stunning, and available in her size.
It wasn't long before another clerk entered the room, carrying a tray of champagne and glasses. Monique stared at the dresses positioned all around the room. There were so many to choose from, and they were in her size. She was in curvy girl heaven.
"Take your time, ladies. And remember, nothing in here is too expensive," Cas told them.
"Thanks, Cas," Meka muttered, looking adorably shy.
"Anything for you, love. I'll be in the other room."
Toya and Meka oohed and ahhed over dresses as Cas stepped out of the room.
One of the clerks approached Monique and said, "You have a gorgeous form. I think you'd look great in any of our outfits."
"Thank you." I bet you say that to all of the women who enter this expensive store.
"Is there something particular you're looking for?" the woman asked.
Yes, there is. "A revenge dress," Monique admitted, not the least bit ashamed.
The clerk's eyes widened then a slow smile spread across her face. "Revenge, you say? Wait right here," she told Monique before rushing from the room.
Monique joined Meka and Toya as her besties selected dresses that were perfect for them. Both of her besties tried their dresses on, and Monique was nearly brought to tears by how good they looked.
Her friends posed in the mirror as the sales clerks complimented them. Her friends decided on the dresses they wanted and then changed back into their regular clothes. Monique couldn't lie, she was a little jealous because she hadn't found her perfect dress yet.
All of the dresses she'd seen so far were gorgeous. But none of them screamed what Monique needed her dress to scream. These dresses were whispering, I can make him want you back .
Monique had no time for whispers. Plus, she was pretty sure Raz still wanted her. His silly ass was trying to protect her in a way that she didn't agree with. So, she didn't need a dress that made him want her.
She needed a dress that made him mad for ever having left her. She didn't want an, eat your heart out dress . She wanted a dress that would break hearts. Was she asking for too much? Did the dress she envisioned in her mind even exist?
Her insecurities popped up and made her wonder what Raz's date would be dressed in. Before she could venture down that rabbit hole, the door to the room opened, and in stepped Cas, frowning at his phone as he strode toward them.
"What's wrong?" Meka asked, approaching him before he could reach her.
He stopped and stared down at her, a look of regret in his gaze. Then his eyes swept to Monique. Damn it . What had Orazio done now?
"Just say it," Monique told him. "At this point, I can handle anything."
Cas swallowed before saying, "Leo just messaged me. He said about twenty minutes ago, Raz met up for lunch with his gala date's dad."
Monique took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. "Okay. Is that all?"
"Um...."
"Just say it, please," Monique pleaded, unable to stand the suspense.
"According to Leo, Raz and Isla, his date, may be headed toward... marriage."
Monique's heart stopped beating. When he said marriage, why did she suddenly picture a funeral in her head? Not Raz's funeral. Not his date's funeral. But the funeral that would signal the end of her love for him.
Because he was now playing with her feelings. He was taking them down a path they may never be able to come back from. And she had a feeling he'd end up regretting that more than she would.