“Hey, it’s okay, sweetheart.You can tell me if something’s bothering you.”His tone softens as he strokes my hand.
Wait.Sweetheart?
I stop myself from rolling my eyes.His emotions flip too fast.Now he thinks he’s entitled to call me pet names?God, he’s delusional.
I shove the irritation aside.For now, I’ll take the win.He believes me.He agreed to marry me.The next move is getting him to hand over his credit card.
“Well, I know you’ve worked hard for me all this time.You’ve spent a lot—buying Gene, helping me land projects, all that.”
“Go on,” he says, nodding.
“So after everything you’ve done, I thought you would…” I hesitate, giving him a tentative look.He nods again, waiting.“I thought you’d give me a bigger, shinier diamond than this.”I shrug lightly, my tone teasing.
“Oh.”He blinks, clearly not expecting that.
“I mean, it’s not that I don’t appreciate it.With all the effort you’ve put into me, and the big hamper you left on my porch, I just thought it’d match our engagement ring.”I emphasizeour engagement ringdeliberately, and his face softens.He nods, satisfied.
“No worries.We’ll get a bigger, shinier diamond than this—something that’ll fit perfectly on your finger.”His thumb strokes my wrist as he smiles, his jaw tight but proud.
* * *
“Hello, miss.We want to buy your best diamond ring,” Alan says the moment we walk into the shop.
“Certainly, sir.Do you have your member card?”the store clerk asks, giving him a polite but stiff smile.
“Oh, right, you’re right.”Alan grins and turns to me.“Honey, I promise you won’t regret coming here with me.It’ll be like something out of a movie.”He pulls his wallet from his suit pocket and takes out a black card with silver lettering, the unlimited platinum credit card.
“This is what you mean, right?I’m sure this card covers membership at every Prestishe store in the world.”He smiles with that smug confidence as he hands it to the clerk.
“Please kindly wait, sir.”The clerk types something on her tablet, scans the card, then glances toward a woman sitting behind the glass counter in the corner.The woman looks up at her screen, nods—a silent cue to take action—then stands, smooths her tailored suit, and walks over with a wide, practiced smile.
“Welcome, Mr.Schmidt.Glad to see you back so soon.Prestishe Boston branch welcomes you with the highest regard.Would you like to see our premium collection?”she asks.
I glance at her nameplate: Linda, Manager.The younger staff member returns the card to Alan.What’s with this whole chain of command?Did the front clerk just confirm his data with Linda?
“Of course.Show us yourbestcollection,” Alan says.
“Please follow me to the VIP room, sir.”
Linda leads us down a narrow corridor to the back of the store.She stops in front of a beige-paneled wall and presses her thumb to a scanner.A soft beep sounds, and she pulls open a steel door.
Oh.My.God.Is this for real?
Alan might be laundering money or something, but look at this place!I’m familiar with luxury boutiques, but this is on another level.Diamonds and pieces of jewelry sparkle behind glass boxes on the walls and tables, displayed like museum collections.
Alan leads me to a plush, dark-blue velvet sofa.Linda’s smile widens.A minute ago, they were checking me out from head to toe like I didn’t belong.If Alan hadn’t flashed that black card, they probably would’ve kicked me out.
No one would guess we actually have that membership.I’ve sold most of my designer stuff at the bazaar.Now I’m only wearing a black knit turtleneck, an old lilac checkered jacket, a black midi skirt, and knee-high boots.
Alan’s suit looks expensive, but I bet they still think I don’t fit their world.Jessy’s voice echoes in my head:appearance, visual, style.None of which I have today.
Alan sits beside me, grinning as Linda disappears deeper into the vault.The younger staff member rolls in a white cart loaded with fancy tea and snacks.
“Are we overboard with the ring?I mean, I don’t need a premium collection.”I whisper while watching the staff pour hot tea into delicate white porcelain cups.She also closes the door, trapping us inside the room.
“No.You said it yourself, you need a ring that’s bigger and shinier.”He raises his voice just enough for the staff to hear.
We sip our tea while waiting for Linda to return.She comes back, pushing a small trolley covered in black satin.Velvet boxes line the top in perfect rows.She opens them one by one, explaining each ring like it’s a royal artifact.
