He likes me

While walking back towards Aleksander's home, I was dumbfounded to see a black SUV already parked in the front. Antonio was earlier than expected.

"Rhea", He jumped from the car. "Had I known you weren't here, I could have picked you somewhere else", He spoke quickly.
"It's okay, Antonio. I just had a quick errand to run but l'm ready to go now. I assume Aleksander told you where to take me", My smile was forced all because of the thought of shopping in the city.

"He gave me a list of stores that would have something appropriate for the Gala. But if there's somewhere else you would like to go, we can make a detour", I was staring at him as he spoke. He had a smile as he told me everything. His smiles were always so genuine and warm. You could tell that he really enjoyed working for Aleksander and the job he did.

"Nothing comes to mind. Let's just get this list out of the way. All I know is Aleksander requested me to wear blue", I smiled at the end before I got into the car. Within minutes, Antonio pulled into the traffic as we headed into the heart of the big city.

"Yeah, I think it has something to do with the theme of the Gala. He has told me little bits here and there but l'm not going to that thing", He shrugged and I chuckled.

When we pulled onto the Fifth Avenue, my heart did a little twirl in my chest. This street was known the world over for it's luxurious shopping and here I was. Even as the prima ballerina of New York, I didn't quite feel like I belonged here.

"Aleksander gave me this for you", Antonio turned from the driver's seat and held out his hand. "He said you are to buy anything you want with this today",
"Oh! Okay", My fingers felt cold as the heavy black card from Antonio. The credit card was heavier and shinier than I had ever seen in my life. This was a card of a millionaire and I wanted to let it go.

"Do you need me to help you around the shops or anything?, I can carry bags for you or anything like that", Antonio stated as he opened up the door.
"No, thank you though. I really don't plan on getting that much. Plus Aleksander mentioned finding us out here and it might be easier for me to hurry up so he doesn't have to trouble himself", I spoke while getting out of the car.

We both looked up to the dress shop towering over us. "I will be parked right here , if you need me", He uttered.
"Thank you, I will try to hurry", I didn't want to be doing this at all and after Aleksander's crude promise in the morning, I didn't want to face him right now.

"Eh! Take your time", Antonio called out as I walked away. I turned and smiled at him. I hoped Aleksander was paying him very well. He was really a nice guy.

Every head swiveled like a vulture in my direction when the door chimed at my arrival. The store attendants dressed up in all black dresses, eyed me as if I was a prey. They were probably accessing whether I was worth of the luxury store or not.

I knew I wasn't but one of the old women's eyes widened as if she knew me. As she brightened up and raced towards me, I guess she did know me.
"Oh! My goodness you that ballerina who was in the magazine", She squealed.

"Ah!", I had forgotten about that.
"Yeah that is me", I responded to her with a forced smile on my face.

"My goodness, well anything you need me to help you with, just let me know and I'm right here! I'm Margaret", Her hazel eyes were so bright, despite her age. Something about her reminded me of my grandmother and I suddenly found myself wanting her help. "Actually l'm going to an event in a few days and I need a dress",

"Oh! I can help with that, no problem", She clasped my hand and turned us towards the dazzling dresses in the back. "Tell me the color and what your size is. What are you exactly looking for?",

"Um... I know it needs to be blue to match the theme so I suppose we can start from there", I mused as she tagged me along. Other eyes were watching as she led the way. Throughout the whole moment, I tried not to meet their eyes.

"Blue let's get started", It felt like i was surrounded by a maze of color and fabric and I tried to escape. However it wasn't impossible. The more we walked, the more it was difficult to get out of the store. Everything was so glamorous, I almost needed to shield my eyes from the brightness.

"So what kind of event are we talking about?, Is it of your dancing?", Margaret began making small talk as she ruffled through the blue fabric in every shade imaginable. "It's not for me, no. Am going to attend a business Gala as someone's guest",

"Oh! A boyfriend?", It was a simple question but if felt like pain in my ribs. "I don't know if i would say that. Maybe a friend", I tried to laugh through it but it didn't quite convince me. Margaret turned and looked up at me from the corner of her eye. "Well if he's not your boyfriend, he will be once I get you one these babies",

She pulled several dresses as she spoke but I almost cringed at her statement. "Aleksander to be my boyfriend!", The corner of my lips quirked at how silly it seemed to be. That was surely impossible. I knew it in my heart that Aleksander liked me but I had a lot of problems to be his girlfriend.