Ella looks like she’s going to argue again, but I fix her with a look.“Be ready for dinner at seven,” I say in an even tone.“Mrs.Solow makes a mean Sunday roast, and you need to put some weight on your curves.You’re pregnant, Ella, and I want you to eat more for both you and the baby.”
Then, I spin on my heel and leave, shutting the door quietly in my wake before pausing in the hallway.There’s something about this blonde that gets under my skin.Most women in her shoes would leap at the opportunity to shop using my credit card.It’s limitless, and I’ve effectively provided her carte blanche to deck herself out in jewels, evening gowns, lingerie, as well as expensive heels, designer purses, and even cosmetics and perfume.Yet Ella didn’t want any of that.She didn’t look excited, nor did she leap at the opportunity to appear on my arm at social functions.What the hell?Most socialites in New York would swoon to be seen with me, especially if it included a night in my bedroom.
Yes, but Ella’s not like the women you usually date, the voice in my head whispers.The mother of your child is different.
I grind my teeth for a moment because obviously, that statement is true.The woman who’s going to bear my child is young, innocent, and doesn’t give a fig about designer clothes and purses.She just wants a safe place to have her baby … and I’m the man who’s going to give it to her.
8
Ella
Istep hesitantly into the Khrisomo Boutique on Fifth Avenue.The atmosphere is hushed and luxurious, but I’m confused because there are no clothes displayed.Instead, the space looks like an art gallery, with paintings on the walls as well as various sculptures on pedestals scattered about a stark white cube.
“Are we in the right place?”I whisper to Nick.My babydaddy is tall, dark and handsome in a navy suit.His tanned skin appears even more bronzed than usual juxtaposed against the stark white collar of his shirt.Of course, Nick insisted on accompanying me to the boutique at breakfast this morning, although I protested mightily.
“It’s not necessary,” I said in a quick voice while putting down my juice.“I can pick up a few items myself.You’re busy, and I don’t want to take you away from your work.”
Those dark brows went up.
“Yes, but will you know what to buy?”Nick drawled, sitting back in his chair.He was already clad in his suit, and appeared devastatingly handsome.Still, I had to get a hold of myself.This is your babydaddy, and not your lover, the voice in my head reminded tersely.There’s a big difference, so don’t get carried away.Of course, my conscience is right, so I put a bright smile on my face.
“Yes, of course I know what to buy,” I said in a chirpy tone.“I need everything, so I’ll get a little bit of everything.Again, it’s fine.There’s no need for you to come.”
Nick chuckled, amused.
“You’re a smart girl, Ella, but I’m going with,” he said in a firm tone.“I want to see what my girl looks like in different outfits.”
My heart fluttered because was he calling me “his girl”?The term sounded familiar and even familial, but I made myself get real.Nick was creating a cozy aura of domesticity because I’m pregnant with his child, and he wants me to be comfortable and at ease.A happy mama makes for a happy baby, but there’s no way it’s going to last because once I’ve had his child, it’ll be like I’m the real Cinderella.The fairy tale will go “poof” and I’ll be back in my pumpkin chariot with mice scurrying around my feet.So I stood firm.
“Oh, I’m fine to shop by myself.There are so many stores and boutiques that I’m sure it’ll take forever.Plus, you must be busy, Nick.I don’t want to take you away from your company.”
He merely shrugged those broad shoulders.
“The company’s not going to burn down because I’m not there for a few hours.Besides, I’ve got good managers who know what they’re doing, and they’ll be fine.I’m going with you, Ella, and that’s that.”
My protests fell on deaf ears, and now here we are at a fancy art gallery, although I have no idea what modern art has to do with clothes.But within seconds, a middle-aged woman materializes, dressed in a red caftan with a matching red turban.She’s heavily made up and sweeps over to greet Nick with a kiss on the cheek.
“Nicky,” she greets.“So wonderful to have you drop by.My associates told me you’d be coming today, and we have some of that sparkling water from France that you like so much.And this is?”she asks, smiling at me.
“This is Ella Moore,” Nick introduces.“Ella, meet Khrisomo herself, the genius behind this boutique.You’ve in business how long now, Khris?”
The older woman smiles.
“Thirty years,” she purrs.“I opened my first shop at seventeen down in the Lower East Side when the neighborhood was a slum.Of course, I wasn’t Khrisomo then.I was plain old Christine Lighthouse, and my store was called the Lightning House.But I learned a lot about myself, and the experience planted the seeds for what I have today.Of course, I’m no longer Christine, and I don’t sell shit like Vintage Guess jeans nor mesh bralets anymore.I sell Vintage Valentino, and our mesh bralets are now imported from a tribe in the Amazon which specializes in working with hemp.So the DNA of the Lightning House lives on!”she says with a wink at me.
“But Ms.Khrisomo—” I begin in a hesitant voice.
“Oh, just Khrisomo,” the older woman sings while leading us to the back of the shop.We pass a small seating area, but instead of stopping there, we continue on further to a narrow hallway with closed doors along both sides.Khrisomo opens one with a flourish, before ushering us into a comfortable seating space equipped with a three-way mirror, a pedestal, as well as a private dressing area in the corner.Our queenly proprietor smiles at me.
“Please, call me Khrisomo.Just one word without any titles.The word ‘Ms.’has always made me sound so old, and it’s unnecessary because style has no age.I have no last name now,” she says with a wink at me.“I legally changed my name to a mononym.”
I blink while seating myself gratefully on a luxurious couch.
“Wow, I didn’t know that was possible,” I murmur.“I thought everyone had to have a last name.”
Nick lowers his massive form next to be before crossing his long legs.Meanwhile, an attendant comes forward with a silver tray, offering him a glass of sparkling water, which he takes in a bronzed hand.
“Mononyms can happen when your father is the Chief Judge of the State Supreme Court,” he says in a dry tone.“How is Randy anyways?”
