Chapter 12: Shopping Dilemma

My breakfast made a great start to my day. There were expresso waffles with a mocha drizzle and freshly baked croissants that were buttery and airy that melted in my mouth. I knew that after that breakfast I’d never go back to plain cereal again.

After savoring the last bite, I took my plate and silverware over to one of the kitchen staff members. The staff took care of cleaning the dining ware right away and also cleaned the table where I had accidentally left some crumbs.

Then I made my way to my room and got ready for the day. I had something in mind compared to yesterday. No way was I going to be in the mansion two days in a row. Besides, Dax had said it was okay to go out with a chauffeur.

I made my way towards the bathroom and changed into a beautiful designer dress I found in the closet. The dress was strapless with a ruffled-silk cocktail style that was a few inches above my knees. It was far more revealing than I normally wore, but it was too pretty to not wear.

After putting on makeup, I did my hair into a wavy style that I had never tried before. I was trying to look my very best when I went out for the day.

I planned on going out shopping to this high-end store that Dax had told me about. He said it was one where celebrities went to. I was going to try and look like I actually belonged there.

When I was ready, I headed into the living room where my chauffeur was waiting. He was quite tall and actually seemed fit underneath his uniform. I guessed Dax had made sure to get a chauffeur who could protect me.
I’d never imagined that my chauffeur would be on the younger side too. He seemed to be in his mid-twenties.

Maybe having a chauffeur with me wouldn’t be as bad as I had thought. I wouldn’t mind if people thought we were dating either.

I walked over to him and he said, “Are you ready to go Miss Winters?”

Oh great. He was being formal too. I had to stop him from talking to me so formally. It wasn’t needed between us. I’d feel more comfortable if he called me my first name.

I spoke up and said, “Please call me Danica. It might be weird in public to call me that formal title.”

He nodded in acknowledgement and told me, “The car is parked out front.”

I followed him to the car, which turned out to be a Range Rover. He held the back door open for me. I was almost about to say that I wanted to sit beside him, but I hardly knew the young man.

Instead, I climbed into the car carefully. I didn’t want to get any unnecessary wrinkles or potential snags in my new dress.

While he drove, I felt the need to talk to him. I spoke up and asked, “How long have you been working for Dax?”

My driver said, “It’s been a few years.”

“Do you enjoy this job?”

He got quiet for a little bit before telling me, “I really shouldn’t discuss this with you, Danica. I’m sorry.”

I decided to cut the conversation, since he probably didn’t know if I’d tell Dax anything. It made sense, since he didn’t know me well. I was trying to be friendly but didn’t want to cause trouble for him.

After we got to the store, I started to become a little nervous. The store was huge and had exquisite window displays for the clothes.

The chauffeur opened my door, and I got out slowly. I couldn’t believe I was actually at a store like this.

Some women whispered as they walked by me. I tried to find my confidence, reminding myself that I looked the part. With a chauffeur and these clothes, I looked like the other shoppers entering and leaving the large doors in front of me.

One rack really caught my attention, as it had a jacket that I would actually wear. What was the price though? The price tag made my jaw drop.

Was I reading all the zeroes correctly? I knew it was high end, but who would pay $5,000 for a jacket? It made me a little worried to see the other prices around the store.

My company spoke up quietly and said, “Anything you see that you like will be covered. Mr. Ryan gave me one of his credit cards.”

I resisted letting out a squeal and said, “That’s too much. He doesn’t have to do that. He’s already done so much.”

“My boss doesn’t mind. He has more money than he needs.” He added, “Please don’t tell him I said that.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t say anything.”

He looked relieved, and I felt the material of the jacket. It was lambskin leather that had that traditional scent that was known for the type of material. I kind of wanted to try it on. Luckily, it was my size.

I continued looking around and found other fashionable dresses, skirts, shirts, and scarves. It seemed a lot of these clothes were calling to me. I wanted to try on a lot of them but needed to know where the fitting room was.

I had noticed that something weird was going on after I arrived, however. No one had tried to help me while I was browsing. All of the workers were ignoring me, even though I dressed my best. Could they see through my disguise?

Maybe I hadn’t tried hard enough to fit in. It was starting to make me feel discouraged to be there.

There were sales staff asking other customers if they needed help finding anything. I wondered why they hadn’t said one word to me. That certainly wasn’t good customer service.

I got the courage to go up to one sales staff and asked, “I was wondering if you could help me find something.”

The worker didn’t acknowledge me, which stung. I couldn’t believe she hadn’t wanted to help me.

This same worker helped another woman who wore a gaudy necklace and big hoop earrings. I tried to find another worker and hoped someone else would help me out.

Maybe someone in the store would be kind towards me. I was sure they couldn’t all be uppity.

“Excuse me, could I please try on some items here?”

The woman I had asked just gave me an odd look and said, “I can’t help you out. I’m busy with other customers.”

My cheeks felt warm all of a sudden. I couldn’t believe my luck. This saleswoman didn’t even want to let me try on anything.

I tried to scan the store for another worker to see if I’d get any luck. I didn’t want to give up so fast. There was no way everyone here was a jerk.

I went up to the next sales staff and asked, “Could you please help me?”

“I can’t. I’ve got to change the window display.”

My chauffeur seemed shocked but didn’t say anything. I knew he felt bad for me too. I had never been so humiliated before. My face still felt flushed, and I almost wanted to run out of the store.

Finally, I decided to take matters into my own hand. I took a few items off the racks and searched around for the changing room.

One employee came up to me and asked, “Are you going to trying to run out with these?”

My mouth dropped open in shock. I couldn’t believe she thought I was going to shoplift.

I tried to defend myself, “No I wasn’t going to steal them. I just wanted to try these on.”

“Give those back to me. I noticed you window shopping before you came in.”

I reluctantly gave the clothes’ hangers back to her. I was getting more and more embarrassed the longer I stayed in the store.

I was done with being there and made my way towards the door. That’s when I saw my worst nightmare.

My heart plummeted when my ex-boyfriend walked into the store and locked eyes with me.