Audrey shook her head in disbelief. "That man is beyond toxic. He needs a good slap. I swear, if he ever shows up in front of again, I will hit him." She clasped her friend’s shoulders, her gaze softening. "Anne, you have to get out of there."
Anne’s lips pressed into a thin line. "I know." She just needed to figure out how.
She sighed, pushing Denis out of her mind, "Leave it, Audrey. He is not worth our ti." She looped her arm through Audrey’s, steering her toward the entrance. "Let’s go in. I need your help picking out a gift for my husband."
Audrey stopped mid-step and turned to her with a sly smirk, mischief dancing in her eyes. "Oh? A gift for your newly wedded husband?" She dragged out the words teasingly.
Anne’s cheeks turned warm at the playful jab, and she bit the corner of her lower lip. "I just... I don’t know what he likes. But I thought about getting him a shirt."
She recalled a sea of white shirts, with only two or three grey ones breaking the monotony in his wardrobe. She wanted to see him in sothing different that would enhance his strong, refined presence. Maybe a dark blue or black that would complent him perfectly.
Audrey’s eyes lit up. "I know the best apparel store in this mall," she said enthusiastically. "Co with ."
She grabbed Anne’s hand and pulled her inside, her excitent infectious. Anne let herself be dragged along, her heart lightening.
Anne’s initial excitent quickly overca unease as Audrey led her into a high-end boutique. The gleaming glass doors swung open, revealing racks of designer clothing and shelves lined with luxury accessories. The warm scent of expensive perfu filled the air, mingling with the soft hum of classical music playing in the background.
"Wait," Anne tugged at Audrey’s arm. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she glanced around at the elegant displays. "I can’t afford anything in here. Let’s go sowhere else."
Audrey waved a hand dismissively, flashing a confident smile. "Don’t worry, Anne. I have a mbership here, so we’ll get a discount. And besides, I have more than enough to cover a shirt for now—you can pay back little by little."
Anne hesitated, a flicker of suspicion creeping into her mind. Audrey’s job as a hotel receptionist didn’t exactly co with a lavish paycheck. How had she managed to afford a mbership at such an upscale store?
’Maybe her boyfriend arranged it,’ Anne reasoned.
She had heard about Audrey dating a wealthy man, though she had never seen him nor heard her friend ntion him.
She had always refrained from asking, out of respect for her friend’s privacy.
Still, guilt gnawed at her. She didn’t want to rely on Audrey’s money to buy a gift for her husband. "Audrey, you really don’t have to do this. I—"
"Oh, co on, Anne." Audrey cut her off, pulling her further inside. "Let’s at least take a look first."
Reluctantly, Anne followed, her uncertainty lingering as they stepped deeper into the luxurious store.
Outside the boutique, a man clad in a sleek black suit lingered near the entrance, his sharp eyes following Anne and Audrey as they stepped inside. As soon as they disappeared from view, he turned and walked away, dialing a number.
"Sir...Madam has arrived at the mall."
On the other end of the line, Augustine stood in his new office, overlooking the city skyline. He had been reviewing the final details of the space when the call ca through. The mont he heard the words, he stilled.
"Is she alone?"
"She is with a friend," the man replied.
Augustine humd. "Notify the store manager. Let her take whatever she wants, but make sure she doesn’t find out that I own the place."
"Understood, sir."
"I’ll be there shortly."
Ending the call, Augustine slid the phone into his pocket and turned toward Gustave, who had been silently waiting nearby.
"Anne is shopping at the mall," Augustine said briskly, striding toward the door. "Take there."
Gustave fell in step behind him as they exited the office.
On the other end of the line, the man in the black suit swiftly dialed the boutique’s manager.
"The boss’s wife has arrived at the store," he inford.
The manager, who had been lounging in his chair, imdiately jumped to his feet, his heart pounding at the unexpected news. His lips stretched into a wide grin, though a flicker of nervousness flashed in his eyes.
"I understand," he said hurriedly, already straightening his tie and smoothing his shirt. "I’ll make sure she is treated well."
"Sir is on his way," the man added. "He’ll be there soon."
"Of course, of course..." the manager nodded eagerly before the call ended.
Wasting no ti, he walked out of his office and clapped his hands loudly, summoning the staff. As they gathered, he eyed them all sharply.
"Listen up, everyone...The boss’s wife is in our store right now. That ans no mistakes. Show her our latest collections. Offer her refreshnts, make sure she is comfortable, and above all, don’t let her face any issues."
He paused before adding, "And one more thing—she doesn’t know her husband owns this store. It’s a surprise from the boss. Understood?"
A collective nod rippled through the staff.
"Good. Now move. Get to work."
As the employees scurried off to prepare, the manager rubbed his hands together, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
"If I make a good impression on her... keep her happy..." he mused to himself, his grin widening. "The boss might just reward handsoly."
The staff buzzed with nervous energy. They had never seen their elusive boss in person, let alone his wife, and now, with her unexpected arrival, tension ran high.
"How are we supposed to recognize her?" one of them whispered anxiously.
"She is the boss’s wife," another replied confidently. "Obviously, she’ll be rich and elegant."
"But everyone who shops here is wealthy and sophisticated," the first one argued, scanning the entrance.
"She has to be different," a third chid in, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Beautiful, graceful... soone who stands out."
Just then, the third staff mber gasped and pointed toward the entrance. "Look over there!"
All heads turned as a woman in a shimring silver gown stepped inside. She moved with effortless grace, her poised deanor commanding attention.
"She looks like a goddess," the third woman with red hair murmured in awe.
"She must be the boss’s wife," the second one declared with certainty.
They hurried toward the woman, eager to make a lasting impression.
"Welco, ma’am," they chid in unison, their faces lighting up with eager smiles. "We’re honored to have you here."
Tania glanced around, taking in the luxurious ambiance of the boutique. She had heard about this store but had never stepped inside until today. The warm, attentive welco from the staff impressed her, and she reveled in the VIP treatnt.
"Show the latest collections," she said, her voice carrying an air of quiet authority.
The three salesgirls exchanged quick, knowing glances. Their certainty solidified—this had to be the boss’s wife.
Reviews
All reviews (0)