30

Early the next morning after breakfast, Claire pulled me out shopping.
“Go into the store first, let me park the car. I will follow in after you!”. Claire said when we reached the supposed boutique we were going to shop for.
I got out of the car and stared at the boutique. Just from the exterior of the boutique, I know that they sell expensive designer clothes. I expect the Cage’s to shop in places like this seeing how rich and loaded they are. Normally I would have complained about how expensive the dresses here might be but since it is not my money, who am I to complain? And moreover, the dinner event is very important to them and so I have made an appearance in their standard.
I entered the boutique and roamed around. The dresses and shoes I got a glimpse of are very beautiful.
“Hello, how may I help you?.” The receptionist rudely said to me, I was taken back by such an attitude. That is definitely not a good way to welcome their consumers. Nevertheless, I decided to ignore her rude behavior.
“Hello! I am here to shop for a dress!.” I explained and the receptionist busted into laughter.
“O I think you are in the wrong shop!”. The receptionist uttered in between her laugh.
“What do you mean by that? You don’t sell dresses here?”. I was confused because I am sure that this was the particular boutique Claire pointed at.
“Of course we do! But not to people like you”. The receptionist eyed me from head to toe.
“What do you like?”. I was offended by her words.
“ You know this is a designer store and we sell our dresses for thousands of dollars which I am sure you can’t afford. And by just looking at your dressing, I know the class you belong to! The forever 21 store is just across the street. I am sure you will find something to your liking there!”. The receptionist spatted and turn her focus to her phone ignoring me completely.
O wow! I was taken back by what she said. I didn’t expect people with a mind like hers to still be in existence. Just because I am wearing jeans and a T-shirt does mean I can’t afford designers. Besides those words coming from her sounds hypocritical because I am very sure she too can’t not afford a dress in this store after all she is just a receptionist.
Her words have already ruined my mood and so I turn to leave the store. At the entrance of the boutique, I meet Claire who is about to enter.
“Here, why are you coming out? Are you okay?” Claire asked when she saw the sore look on my face .
I narrated what happened inside the store to her and requested from her that we should shop from another store.
Claire was furious when she heard my explanation. She went back into the store even after I told to just let it go. Claire stood in front of the reception and cleared her throat to get the receptionist's attention. The receptionist looked up and a smile immediately replaced the frown on her face when she saw Claire.
“Miss Claire you are here again? Welcome! I didn’t know you were coming today.” The receptionist happily acknowledged Claire.
I stood there and looked at her amazed. I could hardly believe that this person is the same as the person I encountered earlier today.
“Call the manager to come here!.” Claire ordered ignoring the greetings of the receptionist.
“As you wish Miss Claire.!” The receptionist immediately put a call through before she turned back to Claire “she will be here in a minute please have a seat and let me know if you need something!.” The receptionist guide to a sofa but Claire refused to sit and insisted on waiting for the manager while standing.
“And you, what are you still doing here? Did I give you the direction to Forever 21 store? In case you haven’t heard me earlier, it’s across the street. Please leave before I call the security guard on you.” The receptionist addressed me in a nasty tone. And ladies and gentlemen, the rude receptionist is back.
“Talk to her like that one more time and I swear to you that you will lose your tongue!”. Claire threatened. The receptionist looked confused and afraid. I bet she is wondering why Claire is supporting me.
“I…” the receptionist started to say before she was cut off by the sound of heels clicking coming from the inner part of the store.
A lady soon came into view. She is putting on a pink blazers, a black short pencil skirt and black heels. Her hair is pack into a ponytail. No one needs to tell me that she is the manager.
“Miss Claire, it's so nice to have you at your store again. Why are you standing? Do make yourself comfortable!” The manager politely said,
“There is no need for that Claudia! I have already changed my mind about shopping here. Heck from now, I didn’t think I would be shopping here anymore, not any member of my family!.” Claire declared shocking both the manager and the receptionist.
“May I ask why Miss Claire?” The manager asked.
“You know how much my family doesn't tolerate disrespect don’t you?.” Claire fired while throwing daggers at the receptionist.
“Of course everyone knows that. Did anyone in this store perhaps offended you?.” The manager asked in a gentle voice as if she is afraid of offending Claire the most.
“Well your receptionist here just insulted my brother’s wife. Surely you have heard about my brother Xander right?.” Claire stated. The assistant started to shake in fear at the mention of Xander’s name.
Claire continued talking without waiting for any of them to say anything. “ And so just like I said earlier, our family will no longer shop from this store again. And if my brother hears about this, then be ready to face his wrath!.” And Claire pulled me out of the store.
“Was that actually necessary?.” I asked Claire once we were out of the boutique.
“O it is! Don’t always let people step on your toe! Moreover I have always been tired of the store. We have been patronizing them for years because the owner is a friend of our mom. I am very sure mom will be okay with us not entertaining the store anymore when she learns of what happened today!.” Claire said.
We entered another boutique two blocks away from that one. True to Claire’s words, this one is better than the other one. Their dresses are more beautiful and all the workers were very friendly.
Claire and the boutique stylist were able to choose a dress for me which according to them will render Xander speechless when he sees me.
After choosing from the dress we need for the dinner, Claire drags me to keep on shopping. Before we made it home, it was already evening and each of us had more than twenty shopping bags with us.
*****
It was night time. Everyone has already retired to their room for the night. I could not sleep and so I decided to go down and take a cup of water. When I came downstairs I heard splashing of water. Definitely it isn’t my imagination right? I head towards the entertainment area in Xander’s wing. That’s right Xander has an indoor swimming pool in his wing.
And just as I thought, someone was swimming in the pool. And it happens to be Xander.
“Xander!” I called him. I wonder what he is doing in the water on such a cold night.
It doesn’t seem as if he heard me and so I called again in a hushed whisper. Xander pops his head out of the water and he uses his hands to wipe away the water from his face. And then turned around to face her.
He swam closer to the edge where I am standing.
"Hey what are you doing outside? Are you not supposed to be asleep??" He asked as he leaned his weight on the edge of the pool in front of my leg.
"Well, I should be asking you that. Aren't you cold?" She asked, gesturing with her head at his body in the water.
Xander shakes his head. "Nah. You can come check it out." He offered.
"No thanks. I can't even swim." She replied.
“Suit yourself!”. Xander said and drove his head into the water before he brought his head out again.
“You didn’t answer my question .What are you still doing? I know you as an early bird.” Xander asked. I didn’t expect him to notice I used to sleep quite early.
“I came down to have a glass of water!” I explained to him.
“So how was shopping with Claire?.” Xander asked again.
“It was actually very fun although tiring!.” I stated.
“I trust Claire. She loves to shop.” Xander uttered and Andre both went quiet.
Since there is nothing to do again, I excused myself from his present and went to my room.