Shopping with Sydney was like watching a kid in a candy store, she was absolutely fascinated by everything she saw, every little thing she came across. The Versace store was a few steps down from Hermes, and it was definitely the largest department by far. Suddenly, the children and teenagers were nowhere to be seen, their target audience was older women and men. The storewas ornamented in its usual glimmering gold and black attire, the curtains let little to no light in, but there were bright lights over the display tables and clothing racks so they were in the spotlight.
The AC was on inside as well and I clung to my coat feeling like I was in a freezer, luxury department stores were always dystopian in that way.
“Look at these stiletto heels!” Sydney gushed, showing the pair to me. “They’d be perfect for Momma’s birthday dinner next week, you know she says not to worry but secretly expects us all to dress to the nines.”
“Those are a size seven,” I reminded her before she got too excited. “And judging by the shelf they seem to only have them in bigger sizes and you have a foot the size of a kitten paw.”
“Hey! My feet aren’t that tiny.” She huffed in protest, then glanced down in defeat. “Fine I’ll keep looking.”
“Atta girl,” I encouraged her and watched her walk away to the skirts and dresses section.
She later came back and I followed her to the changing room where she modeled her potential purchases better than any Kate Moss ever could. The first dress was a black mini dress with gold straps which complimented her figure, especially with how short she was. The second was a mini skirt and blazer which gave her much more of a mature and classy look. I told her I preferred the first option and she was quick to add it to her basket.
Sydney often did that, taking my word as gospel without ever second-guessing me.
“Are you seriously not going to let me get you anything, my sweet Yesoh, let me spoil my best friend in the whole wide world?" Sydney asked me from the confines of the changing room, peeking her curly blonde head out from behind the curtains.
“You flatter me, Syd, but I already told you it’s okay I don’t need anything new!” I assured her. She gave me a disappointed yet ever-so-understanding look.
“Yes but don’t youwantanything?” Sydney rephrased. “You’re allowed towantthings for yourself, I hope you know that.”
Her words lingered in the air with me, branding themselves onto my skin, denying me any chance at ever forgetting them from this point onwards.You’re allowed to want things, you’re allowed to want things, you’re allowed to want things for yourself.All my life everything had always been about what I needed; Ineededto follow my father to the United States and leave my mother behind, Ineededto follow in my brother’s footsteps and get into Julliard, Ineededto practice ballet every day so I didn’t lose my balance or break any bones, Ineededto spend every summer at Mirrorball House to feel closer to the sea…all my life I always needed. Never wanted.
I recalled a time when I got close though, the one time I’d allowed myself to long for something more than what was expected of me. The one time I let myself wish on a four-leaf clover instead of simply skipping through the fields of grass, the one time I’d hoped to turn my grapes to wine and slip into a drunken daze on it, to let it stain my white clothes and have no desire to wash it off. The one time I longed for something outside of myself. The recollection of the memory made me feel like I’d just gotten the wind knocked out of my chest. I stepped away from the changing rooms to get some fresh air under the air conditioning in the store.
All at once when I closed my eyes, I saw glorious technicolour bursting behind my lids. I saw a vision of dark almond eyes with such depth you could swim in them, the warmth of the sun on my skin and the tan on his. I saw ice, miles and miles of it, and felt a chill cascade down my spine and recalled a cold gaze.
Just then, I realized I was in the jewellery section and glanced down at the glass display box below me, and there were undoubtedly many beautiful pieces, but my gaze met this one necklace and I was immediately starstruck. If I thought I had my breath taken away before, then I damn near would’ve fainted just then. It was a pure gold necklace with a North Star charm that had a white diamond at its center. I couldn’t help but smile.
“You want it, don’t you?” I heard Sydney’s voice behind me. I whipped my head around trying to feign nonchalance. “And before you lie and say you don’t, I already called the clerk over to take it out.”
“God, Sydney, you—” I began, but the store clerk interrupted us.
“My sincerest apologies, ma’am, but the particular piece you have your eye on isn’t officially launched to the fall collection yet and is reserved,” he disclosed just as a lady came along to take it off display and place into a huge gift box with other Versace pieces from their upcoming collection.
“Reserved?” I repeated, wondering what he was talking about.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “Reserved.”
“For who?” Sydney scoffed. “Are you waiting on the queen or something? Our money is just as good as anyone else’s.”
Our money, she saidOurs. She always did that.
“It’s reserved for our newest appointed global ambassador to the Versace family,” he affirmed, “again, we apologize for any inconvenience, is there anything else you need assistance with?”
“No, nothing at all, thank you,” I responded before Sydney got angrier than she needed to over this situation—it was clear that she was someone who was used to always getting her way.
“I didn’t know Versace had a new ambassador,” she wondered, “and I’m usually up to date with everything.”
“It’s a shame, it’s a beautiful necklace. Whoever gets to wear it is incredibly fortunate.” I shook my head in awe. “Must be someone very special.”
“You’re special!” Sydney insisted, grabbing ahold of my hand. “You deserved it more, I don’t care.”
“Bless your heart, Syd.” I chuckled at how worked up she was getting over this little thing. “Come on, let’s go check out the stuff you bought so we can head back to campus.”
We made our way over to the counter, and I waited as Sydney got everything sorted out, but just then from the corner of my eye I saw a herd of staff bustling around and scrambling for clothes. They seemed nervous in one way or another—it made me wonder what or who they were anticipating. And then the backdrop door swung open and first came two stoic and muscular bodyguards, and trailing behind them was…no it couldn’t be. It absolutely couldn’t be who I thought that was, it wasimpossible.
But I could recognize him from a mile away.
