35: Fuck Me

XAVIER

“You really don’t have to do this, you know,” Lillian said as we entered the store. “I’m not new to these kinds of events. I have plenty of dresses at home that I can wear.” she added.

“Since when have you ever turned down shopping?” I asked, my lips turned in a mocking smirk.

“Just so you know, Xavier, there is so much more to me than just shopping sprees,” she said, giving me a pointed look. “I was maxing out your black card all those times just to spite you. Why do you think I got tired of it and asked for a real job?”

“Is that so?” I asked rhetorically, arching an eyebrow. “So you are telling me now that you don’t like shopping?”

“I do not not like shopping. I mean, it’s a stress reliever,” she shrugged. “But it’s just so mundane, and I hate that just like you, it’s what society has subjected women to be all about. I’ve tried to prove to you time and time again that I’m so much more.”

“I guess we will see about that when you get through the first month of being my assistant, right?” I cocked my head to the side, a smirk playing on my lips.

“I guess we will,” she repeated, her gaze daring.

Maybe this is just another challenge.

“Good afternoon, Sir, Ma’am,” an attendant approached us, her professional smile warm and welcoming. “Welcome to Chanel. How may I be of assistance to you today?”

“Well, my wife and I—” I started speaking but Lillian cut me off.

“Don’t mind my husband, he knows nothing about fashion and if I let him decide my outfit, I’ll end up looking like a clown,” Lillian stated, her lips curved in a well practiced smile. The attendant giggled at the joke while I stared at Lillian, a little shocked.

“So, what are you looking for, Ma’am?” The attendant asked.

“We are going for a charity ball and he wants to get me a dress,” Lillian nodded in my direction, the attendant cooing at the thought of a husband getting his wife a dress. “But I don’t think he knows what I want, which is why he brought me,” she added and the attendant nodded.

I watched wordlessly, letting her take the reigns.

“I’m looking for an evening gown, something elegant but striking,” she continued, her tone confident like she knew exactly what she was talking about.

And with the nod of the attendant, it was obvious Lillian knew exactly what she was talking about.

“I’m thinking…” Lillian trailer off, her thoughtful expression marring her face. “classic silhouettes with modern touches, perhaps something with beading or lace detailing. I also want the dress to be in fabrics like silk or satin, and I’m open to bold colors as long as they complement my complexion,” she concluded.

What the hell was that? I blinked at her in awe.

“Of course,” the attendant smiled, clearly impressed. “Right this way,” she said, gesturing for us to follow.

Lillian looked up to meet my eyes, her lips turned in a smirk.

“Just because I think shopping is mundane doesn’t mean I don’t know my chops,” she said before I could even ask how she knew all of that, then turned and walked in the direction the attendant had disappeared to.

I chuckled deeply, following after her.

This woman never ceased to surprise me. She had a way of keeping me on my toes, always pushing back, always challenging me. It was infuriating and exhilarating at the same time.

And as we moved through the store, I watched her interact with the attendant and the other ones that even joined in, effortlessly commanding their attention and respect. She wasn’t just playing a role; she was in her element, and it was a sight to behold.

This made me see her in a different light. She was right—there was so much more to her than I give her credit for. And as much as I hate to admit it, I found myself feeling a grudging respect for her.

But of course, I won’t say it out loud. I mustn’t let her catch even a whiff of it.

When she finally selected a few dresses to try on, I sat on a chair and decided to wait, sipping the champagne that the attendant served me. As I waited, my phone made a buzz, indicating an incoming message. I checked and saw that it was from Sarah.

Great. I sighed.

Ignoring the message wasn’t an option because then, she would start calling nonstop. So, I opened to see what this one was about.

Sarah
Where the hell are you? We are supposed to meet with some investors today! And just so you know, your wife dumped all her work on Sylvia.

I began to type back.

Me
Meet with them on my behalf, I had somewhere urgent to be. And don’t worry about Lillian, she’s with me.

“I’m done,” Lillian’s voice made me look up from my phone and shoved it back into the pocket of my dress pants. I frowned when my eyes met her.

Unlike what I had expected, she didn’t come out wearing the outfits she had selected. Instead, she came out with a packaging box that I knew contained the outfit.

“You are done?” I asked incredulously. “I though you would show me the outfits,” I said and she scoffed.

“Since when do I need your approval on what to wear?” She asked, her tone daring and her hands folded across her chest. “Besides, there is no way in hell you are seeing me in a dress as beautiful as this,” she held up the box, “before the day I’m supposed to wear it.”

“Fine,” I didn’t have it in me to fight her on it. “But can you at least tell me the color of the dress so that I’d know what color of tie to pick out?” I asked.

“Navy blue,” she said with a smile.


****


“Lillian, hurry up!” I called out from downstairs.

“You know you don’t rush a woman to get ready for events ike this, so you have to calm the fuck down!” She yelled back at me and I cussed under my breath.

It’s now the night of the gala and I was all dressed up, waiting downstairs for Lillian to be ready.

I had hired an entire team of a glam squad to make her up, despite her vehement protests that she can glam herself up, and I think her intentionally taking her time was her way of telling me she wasn’t pleased with the fact that I still called the glam squad anyway.

They left when they were done, and Lillian was getting into her dress, which has been for the last half hour. Of course, I had no other choice but to wait, impatiently tapping my foot on the floor and checking the time.

I was growing more restless by the minute.

“Okay, now I’m ready,” Lillian announced from the top of the stairs.

It’s about damn time. I sighed in relief.

“Finally, I thought I would have to leave without you—” My words died at the tip of my tone immediately my eyes landed on her.

Fuck me!