Someone in the clothing racks nearby overhears this exchange and snickers.
Ziros takes a step closer, leaning in and lowering his voice as he growls, “Alone.”
Gulp.
Well, yes. That.
Does that mean he really actually wanted to see you wear this tiny little bikini? You blush at that thought.
“Oh, wow, look at the time!” You say, glancing down at your nonexistent watch. “I’d better get changed or I’ll be late for work.”
It’s 3:15. Your shift starts at 6:00. You still have a bit of time, but Ziros doesn’t need to know that right now.
“Are you running away?” he asks with a laugh as you disappear back into the changing rooms.
Before taking the swimsuit off, you glance at yourself in the mirror. It’s quite the bold bikini. Something about it being metallic just makes it seem all the more daring.
What are they even doing selling something like this outside summer? It’s September, and that means—you look at the tag.
Oh, hey.
It’s on clearance.
Score!This bikini is 80% off! That’s like, such a good deal, you’d be losing money if you didn’t buy it.
(Wait, that’s not how money works?Shhh, logic. This is called fashion math!)
Also, deep down, maybe a part of you secretly kinda wants to wear the hot little bikini. After you, you could totally rock this.
An image flashes through your mind—one of a beautiful woman, strutting confidently poolside as all eyes turn to her. Who is this fashion maven in her tiny metallic gold bikini and too-big sunglasses!?
She must be a celebrity. Or maybe an heiress.
No. It’s you!
That’s when your phone buzzes in your pocket—you really ought to put that back on silent—and you pull it out to discover a message from Corrine.
Corrine:Heyyy girl! Get this! You’ll never believe it, but I scored us an invite to the HOTTEST pool party!
…the heck.
What are the chances?
Corrine:You seriously do not want to miss this. It’s going to be at a PENTHOUSE POOL. And I’m sure there will be loads of hot rich guys there. Maybe we’ll even find you a new date. ??
You stare down at your phone, debating about how to let her down easily. After all, you’ve had enough bad experiences with the tops of skyscrapers for one lifetime. Well,onebad experience, but one was enough. Not that Corrine knows about your little incident at the restaurant.
Then again. Maybe this is your chance to rock this absurd bikini. You can’t help but picture Ziros’ shocked expression as you shuck off your outer layers and he discovers how a bikini isreallysupposed to be worn.
Maybe it would be worth it just for that moment alone.
In what may be an instant of slight insanity, you make up your mind. After all, it’s gotta be a sign that the bikini is 80% off. It’s like, practically too good to be true.
You:When’s the party?
You’ll just leave it up to fate. If Corrine says it’s tonight, you’ll have to work and you won’t be able to go.
But if it’s on a day off…
