Chapter Nineteen
Ailee
“That pink would be perfect for you. Super cute. Lively. Adorable,” Lareina says, pointing out a fitted dress that would work for an evening out or the office, if paired with a cardigan or jacket.
It looks great on the rack, but…
Ailee, you know pink makes you look bloated, right? It’s the kind of color only Katt can pull off. Mom’s voice rings in my head, and I force a smile. “Pink might not be right for me, especially something that pastel.”
Fiona shoots me a curious glance.
“I think it makes me look…expansive.” I spread my arms to illustrate the point.
Lareina stares at me like I just told her I’d like to jump naked into a compost bin. “What? That shade is perfect for you.”
“Worried about light colors adding a few pounds?” Fiona asks. “Something like that?”
I nod. “Plus, my mother said the same thing.”
Lareina scoffs. “Only if the dress hangs on you like a sack. This is well tailored and fitted. Besides, you can always add a belt—like this one—to draw attention to the cinched waist.” She picks out a belt made with dark faux-croc leather.
“This particular shade of pink would go well with almost anything…” She narrows her eyes, considering. “Except red. Trust the artist.”
Fiona nods next to her. “If you don’t believe us, just put ’em on and see how you look.”
Jun hands me a set of nude lingerie as well.
I go into the dressing area, strip out of my clothes and try on the items Lareina selected.
Jun must have a magic eye—the underwear molds perfectly to my body and provides great support.
The dress is made with a silk that feels ultra luxurious against my bare skin, and the color flatters my complexion without making me look “bloated.” The belt somehow completes the outfit, just like Lareina said.
One of Jun’s assistants sneaks in a pair of cute silver sandals.
I slip my feet in them and check my reflection.
The dress is as lovely as Lareina promised.
My eyes shine, and the smile on my face couldn’t be brighter.
When I come out, she nods. “Man, I’m good. You’re a babe! Josh won’t know what hit him when he sees you in that dress!”
Fiona claps. “You look spectacular!”
I grin. “Thanks. I… I didn’t know I could look like this.” I rest my hands on my cheeks. “I always went for neutral colors like beige.”
“Nothing wrong with beige, but do you actually like it?” Fiona asks, her gaze skeptical. “You look more like a bright color kind of girl.”
I bite my lower lip as more of Mom’s criticism flows through my mind.
That cobalt blue is terrible for your complexion. Of course it looked great on Katt, but really, you should know better.
The pencil skirts are wrong—make your butt look flat. If you hit the gym more, maybe you could pull it off.
“Not really. But it’s the least offensive color.”
“Offensive?” Fiona looks around theatrically. “To whom?”
“Um…” My mom? I swallow the words before they can come out. “People?”
Lareina shakes her head. “Haters, you mean. They aren’t worth your energy.
Don’t dress to please others. Dress to please yourself.
You have the most beautiful platinum hair and violet eyes.
I know plenty of people who’d love to have that.
” She speaks like she doesn’t notice or care that my hair is curling wildly.
“You’d own any color, but with those eyes you’ll look stunning in a deep, vibrant blue. ”
“Oh yeah. Very hot,” Fiona says. “And with your figure, pencil skirts would look amazing. Josh won’t be able to tear his eyes away from you if you show up in one at the office.” She grins.
“Totally.”
With their encouragement, I pick out items in shades and styles I’ve never dared, thinking I couldn’t possibly pull them off.
But honestly, I look great. Feel beautiful too.
Lareina and Fiona’s oohs and aaahs start to drown out Mom’s critical voice in my head.
The vivid colors send shivers down my spine.
The various fits and styles boost my confidence that I really can wear anything.
Jun keeps the champagne flowing, and Lareina and I clink our glasses after each successful selection, while Fiona gorges on chocolate.
Soon, an elegantly lined, woven-seagrass basket is full. Jun’s people bring out makeup too. After selecting a foundation and concealer, I choose several adventurous shades of eye shadow and lipstick. Might as well go all the way.
“That navy is going to be amazing,” Lareina remarks as she sifts through some of the colors in my basket. “With your eyes, you can go pretty wild.”
“I’m envious.” Fiona sighs. “I love that color so much, but it looks weird on me.”
“I think I have enough,” I say after we pick out several bras and thongs to add to the already fairly large pile.
There are countless shoes—my God, Lareina is obsessed with them.
I had to surreptitiously remove several pairs from the approved mound.
But I keep some dressier ones, others for work and home.
Shoes and accessories that I can mix and match.
Just imagining myself in those bright shades and various styles makes me feel like I’m a star, in charge of my life, rather than some unseen extra in somebody else’s existence.
Fiona leans to Jun and whispers something in her ear. The latter’s eyes slide in my direction, then she smiles.
“What is it?” I ask, a little uncertain about the sly smile.
“Just working out the final logistics. Seriously, I love what we picked out. Josh will think it’s money well spent.” Fiona’s eyes gleam.
“Thank you.” I flush.
“Aw, it was fun. I loved it,” Lareina says. “And your new dress is so cute!”
“I think so too.” My cheeks grow even warmer. The bright sunflower-yellow sundress I put on is really adorable. It has a small kitten embroidered on the chest.
“Me too,” Lareina says.
“Besides, I discovered something I can eat other than cornflakes. That should make Bryce happy,” Fiona says with a grin.
“Yay!” Jun cheers.
We laugh and head to the counter, and I sign for the items on the invoice. The amount is… Holy shit. My heart almost stops.
“What’s wrong?” Lareina says.
What’s wrong is I spent more money than I should have. On the other hand, I’ve never had this much fun—or felt this beautiful and happy about my purchases.
What the hell. I deserve to pamper myself a little and feel pretty. Besides, if I have to buy clothes, might as well buy ones that make my heart flutter.
“Nothing.” I sign—firmly—on the dotted line. I’ll just pay these off in installments until my insurance cuts me a check for the damages.
Jun gives me two modestly sized glossy paper bags. “Here you go.”
“That’s it?” I ask in surprise.
“The rest will be delivered to your fiancé’s address tonight or tomorrow, depending on my staff’s schedule. But this is for tomorrow—a cute dress, shoes and a change of underwear, plus your makeup,” she explains. “The set is professional enough for an office setting.”
“Oh. Okay. Thanks!” I smile and take the two bags, which are surprisingly light.
Fiona drives us. Lareina starts singing, slightly off key. She slurs her words a little too, probably tipsy from all the champagne. She’s adorable. I join her, because why not? I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun with anyone other than Max.
Besides, I really didn’t expect today to progress to this. I imagined I’d be in a cheap, dingy motel room—alone—filling out insurance claims online, then end the day on a high note by hitting Target for the essentials.
Fiona drives past the gates and stops in front of the main entrance. “Can I come in to use the bathroom? It’s urgent.”
“Of course.” I gesture. “Come on in.”
She and Lareina follow me inside. Fiona dashes to the powder room.
“I’m a little thirsty,” Lareina says, still slurring. Now she’s swaying too. “Mind if I have some orange juice?”
“Not at all.” Josh said I could have whatever I wanted. I hope that means it’s okay for me to give a glass of orange juice to Lareina.
“You’re the best.” She winks.
“My pleasure.” I smile, then pour her a glass and take a quick sip first before handing it to her.
She gulps it down. “That’s so good. I almost feel human again. I don’t know why I’m so thirsty. I had four champagnes.”
“Maybe that’s why you’re thirsty. Alcohol can make you dehydrated.”
She frowns. “How come you’re not drunk?”
“I’m totally drunk.” I giggle. “It’s just that I can pass for being sober. It’s a special talent,” I blurt out, then bite my lip in embarrassment. Mom told me that it was the most useless talent ever, and I feel a little silly about it all of a sudden. A knot forms under my breastbone.
Lareina’s eyes widen with admiration. “I wish I could do that. So unfair.” She pouts. “Whenever I get drunk, Ares thinks it’s funny.”
The tension in my chest eases again.
She waves the half-full glass of OJ. “So you aren’t even tipsy?”
“Well, I get drunk. I wouldn’t drive right now. It’s just that I can speak like I’m not affected.”
“Fascinating. By the way, do you think—” She starts to lean forward, then stumbles. “Oops, oh crap!”
She’s teetering dangerously in her heels, and I leap toward her to catch her so she doesn’t hit the hard marble floor. The glass tilts in her hand; the juice splashes over the rim. I gasp as the icy liquid hits my chest.
Her face crumples. “Oh my God, I am so sorry! You just bought that!”
“It’s okay. I’m sure it’ll come out in the wash. I can just put on something different,” I say, then stop as I realize that the bags from Jun’s shop only contain clothes and shoes for tomorrow and a change of underwear.
Lareina’s expression remains scrunched with worry and embarrassment.
I wave my hand dismissively, then smile at her. “You know what, don’t worry about it.”
“How can I not worry about it? Now you have nothing to wear.” Her tone grows increasingly dejected as she speaks.
“What happened?” Fiona says, walking up.