Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
“ T hat comes to two thousand and eighty-nine dollars,” the shop assistant said after scanning the last item of clothing.
I stood there gawping like an idiot. How could those few pieces of clothing add up to so much? Sure, I hadn’t paid attention to the price tags as I shopped, but that’s because I thought there was no way I’d blow my budget.
Stupid me.
I felt self-conscious enough in the store as it was, surrounded by the chic and professional apparel on display while I slouched around in worn jeans, a basic sweatshirt, and well-loved Chucks. Now I had to confess that I couldn’t afford to pay.
The shop assistant looked at me expectantly, but I could see a hint of understanding in her eyes. “Is there a problem?” she asked.
I bit my lip, realising I had to come clean. “Sorry. I’m going to need to put something back. My budget is two thousand.”
The assistant reacted with a kind smile. “Tell you what. Let’s see what I can do for you. I might be able to get you a better discount, knock a bit more off.”
This was an outcome I hadn’t considered. A sense of relief washed over me. “That would be great. Thank you.”
She typed away on the computer. “Right. I should be able to do that for you. I just need to get my supervisor to approve the discount. Back with you in a minute.”
She walked away to confer with another staff member, then both of them returned. The other staff member took control of the computer. An elongated round of typing and furrowed brows ensued. I wasn’t sure if it was going to work out. I started trying to decide which piece of clothing I’d have to let go of. The silk blouse? The pencil skirt? Whatever I removed would limit my outfit options. Maybe I could swap a piece for something cheaper?
“The new total is one thousand, nine hundred and ninety-eight dollars,” the first assistant said, snapping me from my thoughts.
Though I still felt a twinge of discomfort at the final total, it was within the budget. “Perfect. Thanks.”
I scanned Neil’s credit card on the card reader and used the pin number he had given to me. The assistant packaged my items by folding them, wrapping them in fragranced tissue paper, and stowing them in two large paper shopping bags emblazoned with the store’s logo. I put the receipt in my purse for safekeeping. Neil would need it for tax deduction purposes.
Well, that was a successful outing.
I had bought several beautiful new pieces to wear to work, and I didn’t have to spend a cent of my own money. I felt like kissing Neil’s Visa card.
Armed with my two full shopping bags, I stepped out of the store and into the bustling mall. That’s when I came face to face with Nicole. She was with a friend I didn’t recognise. They had their arms linked and held Starbucks drinks.
“Nicole,” I said, raising my hand to wave to her, though it was weighed down by the bag on my wrist.
“Oh, hey you,” Nicole said with a vague smile. Her eyes went straight to the shopping bags I carried, and she raised her brows. “Valentina’s? Nice.”
I giggled nervously. “I don’t normally shop there. I just got a new job, and I had to buy a new work wardrobe.”
“Good for you! What’s the new job?”
“Secretary to the CEO.”
“Wow. Weren’t you working in a call centre before?”
“I used to, but more recently, I was working in comms.”
“Well, congrats. Oh, this is my friend Gemma.” Nicole gestured to the woman beside her.
The friend smiled at me. She had dyed-blonde hair and wore loads of eyeliner and jewellery.
“Hi, Gemma. I’m Milly.”
“Hi. Nice to meet you.”
“Are you two here to do some shopping?”
“Uh-huh,” Nicole said. “Retail therapy. I’ve been so stressed out recently.”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
“Wedding preparations. My parents and in-laws have been fighting non-stop lately. They can’t agree on anything.”
“Oof. That’s rough. I’m sorry you’re going through all that.”
“Nothing a bit of shopping can’t alleviate.”
“We’re going to buy new outfits for the hen’s,” Gemma explained.
I had been expecting Nicole to have a bachelorette party before her wedding, but this was the first time I had heard anything about it.
“ Your hen party?” I asked Nicole. “When is it?”
She frowned, and Gemma stared blankly at me. I wondered if I had said something wrong.
“Didn’t you get the invite?” Nicole asked.
“No, I didn’t.”
She winced. “I’m so sorry. There must have been a mix-up. I’ll resend it to you. It’s next month, on the fourteenth. So still a while a way. You have to come, okay?”
“Of course. I’ll definitely come.”
“Yay! Then I’ll see you there.”
She started to tug Gemma away with her.
“Good luck with shopping,” I said.
“Thanks!”
The two friends strode off together.
As I lugged my shopping bags to the exit, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Was it my imagination, or was that entire exchange rather awkward? Nicole had seemed distant and not so excited to see me. And what was the mix-up with the hen’s invite? Was there something going on that I didn’t know about? I sighed, stepping out towards the pedestrian crossing. Whatever it was, I somehow knew this would have played out differently if Hannah were still around.