11. Addison
11
ADDISON
V iolet was too nice to be true.
I mean, she was a salesperson, so there was supposed to be a certain level of flattery, but something about it just felt so genuine and had me letting my guard down almost immediately.
“This one is easier to move in,” she said as we both looked in the mirror at the red, shimmering dress that hugged my figure.
It had a drop neckline with a tight bodice, but the skirt was looser than the one I tried on before. I didn’t even bother showing Warren that one. It was an immediate no.
The red one was… okay, but it didn’t feel right.
“Hm, okay, so… not the one.”
“I didn’t say anything,” I protested as she immediately reached to unzip me.
Her eyes met mine in the mirror, and she gave me a wink.
“I can see it on your face. There’s no need to be a people pleaser here. If you don’t like something, you tell me.
She looked to the side and grabbed the shimmering white and blue dress before placing it in front of me.
It had a square neckline and straps that fell off the shoulder. The top fabric had the typical shimmer of the others, but it was slightly transparent and showed just the slightest hint of the blue underneath. It was cinched at the waist on one side, giving it a sort of waterfall effect.
Like all the others, it was a masterpiece. But ever since she’d picked it up, it had caught my attention.
“ This one .” Violet all but gushed.
I gave her a sheepish smile in the mirror.
“You’ve been doing this a long time, haven’t you?”
She nodded. “Almost four years.”
I raised a brow at her. “A long time to be a sales associate.”
She put the dress to the side to help me get out of the red one.
“Kian Knight is kinda like my idol,” she said. “I’m just glad I can work for someone so talented.”
“You’re into fashion?”
She nodded, her eyes once again meeting mine. “Don’t let the other girls here hear this because they’ll tease me… but one day I want my designs next to Kian’s.”
I couldn't help but smile at her. Her face practically lit up when she spoke about it.
I wonder what it’s like to have a dream like that.
I wasn’t sure I ever had one, and after everything, all I could think about was payback for what Warren had done to my family.
“Your secret’s safe with me,” I assured her and reached to the side to hand her my phone. “Put your contact in; next time, I’m getting something from you instead.”
Her face flushed. “Oh no, I couldn’t?—”
“Please,” I said, my voice pleading. “This is for him. Next time, I want it to be for me.”
A small frown graced her face.
“I’m not sure I'm any good just yet,” she told me as she took my phone. While she was adding her number, I picked up the dress. It was easier to put on as she had already loosened the corset back.
“All women say that when there are men out there doing shit jobs but still getting recognized," I said.
She put my phone down on the side table and started to lace up the corset. I lifted my hair up and out of the way for her, noticing she was taking her time with this one.
“I don’t mean to pry, but you’re… safe, right?”
The sincerity in her tone had me freezing up. Panic passed across her features in the mirror.
“If you’re not, I can help you get out of?—”
I shook my head.
“I’m okay.” I put on my most convincing smile. “Truly. Do you really think someone who is easily recognizable would bring his abused girlfriend here?”
A forced smile tugged at her lips.
“No, but he just…”
“What?” I asked when she trailed off.
She didn’t meet my eyes this time, her gaze focused on my back.
“He just looks like he wants to eat you, that’s all. Devour you whole and spit you out or something like that.”
I bet he did. He hated me just as much as I hated him. The two of us couldn’t even be in the same room alone without at least one of us wanting to murder the other.
“And what do you see when I look at him?” I asked, meeting her gaze when she peeked back up at me in the mirror.
“Fear.”
* * *
I pushed out of the changing room after Violet had excused herself.
Warren was sitting on the couch, a coffee in hand. One quick look at the table showed that he was on his third cup.
He turned to me, his eyes widening when he saw what I was wearing, and then immediately ran down my body, taking in every inch of me. His gaze heated in a way that caused me to shiver.
He just looks like he wants to eat you.
Need was not what I expected to see in his stare, even after what happened the night before. I hadn’t been able to see the look on his face when he came or how he’d felt making me bend to his will.
But as I stood in front of him, waiting for his praise, I knew what I felt like.
The same way as when I was on my knees for him. The need to get his approval was stifling… and downright embarrassing.
But Violet was wrong. I wasn’t afraid of Warren King.
I rolled my shoulders and looked down at him.
“So?” I asked and even did a little turn for him. The same one I had done at the auction.
He got up with a huff and made his way toward the exit. Violet was there already, waiting for us, a smile on her face.
“We’ll take it,” he answered, and without another word, left. I followed him, pausing next to Violet.
Her gaze shot to mine, and she gave me a thumbs up.
“That’s one of our most expensive pieces,” she whispered.
More panic raced through me. My heart was pounding. My palms became sweaty.
“How much?” I asked hesitantly.
“The price of a small house. Half a million.”
My mouth went dry.
There is no way… This would pay all my mom’s bills.
On top of that, I couldn’t possibly feel comfortable wearing something so expensive for fear I’d ruin it.
“You can always return it after the event,” she whispered, seeing my face. Her hand was on my arm, guiding me to the checkout where Warren was waiting with an indifferent look.
He was holding the price tag between his fingers, but his face gave no indication that money was an issue.
“Let’s not get this,” I said in a low voice as I reached him. “ Please. ”
Warren paused. “Begging now, Addi?”
I gritted my teeth. If I had enough money for this dress, at least half my problems would disappear. I couldn’t just let him carelessly spend this much.
“I don’t need it. Really .”
“Why is that, Addi?” He raised a brow at me. “You’d rather go naked? The press would enjoy that.” He paused, a smile pulling at his lips. “Actually, I’d prefer that to any dress in here.”
My heart stopped in my chest, and for the first time in a while, I was left speechless.