“I’m sure you’ll be fabulous,” I say. “You’re a world-renowned artist.”
Her eyelashes flutter with a hint of shyness even as pride colors her cheeks. “Well, thanks. I hope you don’t regret saying that.”
We pull into a parking lot for a boxlike structure. I would’ve missed it if somebody told me to meet them here because nothing on the building indicates it’s a boutique. It actually looks more like a warehouse.
Fiona parks the car. I hesitate, now that we’re here. “Do you think I can go in like this?” I gesture at my outfit.
“They won’t mind,” Lareina says, looping her arm around mine. “You’re practically my sister-in-law.”
“Well, you know that, um, Josh and I haven’t really set a date yet.”
Fiona waves a hand. “Close enough.”
Lareina nods. “Exactly. An engagement is as good as a marriage with him. I’ll bet Akiko started hyperventilating when she saw the video.”
“Totally. I asked Bryce why he’s been withholding the best family gossip, and he just shrugged and presented me with another box of cornflakes. Like that’d be enough to make up for holding out on me.” Fiona rolls her eyes, but the twinkle in them betrays her affection for her husband.
I just smile. Nice of Bryce to keep quiet when he has to know there isn’t anything romantic going on between me and Josh. But then, he’s always loyal to his brothers—and is especially in sync with his twin in temperament and attitude toward family and the firm.
We walk inside the building. The interior is bright, with stunning chandeliers glittering from the high ceiling. Pale cream walls have recessed nooks with large pots of vibrant plants, most of them lilies and irises.
A tall, slim Asian woman comes around the reception counter, her stilettos clacking against the lightly veined marble floor. She’s in a fitted scarlet dress that molds to her lithe frame, a pair of diamond earrings dangling from her ears. Her ebony hair is cut diagonally, the slanted edge razor straight. A diamond choker sparkles on her neck, and her nails are impeccably lacquered in lavender.
She smiles. “Lareina, so good to see you.” They hug and exchange air kisses. “You’re looking fabulous. Literally glowing,” she says to Fiona.
“The power of cornflakes,” Fiona jokes as they too hug and air-kiss.
“Ailee, this is Jun. Jun, This is my sister-in-law Ailee.”
“Oh, the girl in the…” Jun doesn’t finish, diplomatically so. But her dark eyes study me from head to toe, her lips pursing a little. Not judging per se, but not entirely friendly, either. Maybe she used to date Josh before I started working for him…? “Lovely to meet you.”
I paste on a polite smile. “The pleasure’s mine.”
“My poor sister lost everything in a nasty fire, and she needs clothes, shoes, the works,” Lareina says.
“Then you’re in the right place.” Jun’s smile grows genuine. “I can make magic happen.”
“That’s what I was hoping for. A girl needs something to cheer her up.”
“Exactly,” Fiona adds.
“This way,” Jun says. She leads us down a spotless, gleaming marble hall lined with potted palm trees and into a huge, airy room at the end. Cushy seats and a big table laden with stacks of glossy books full of fashionable clothing photos occupy one section of the chamber. Other clerks who are dressed as well as Jun roll out racks and racks of dresses, slacks, skirts and tops. One pushes a gigantic sliding door to my right, unveiling shelves and shelves of shoes, each pair spotlighted and shining in the display.
I don’t have to see any price tags to know everything in here costs a kidney. I’ve seen similarly fancy items in Katt’s closet. She slapped my hand away when I tried to touch one, saying if I damaged it, I’d never be able to compensate her for it.
“Nice!” Lareina says, her eyes sparkling as she looks over the offerings.
I paste on a smile, a little overwhelmed and regretting that I agreed to come here instead of TJ Maxx or something. I should’ve given more thought to the kind of places Lareina and Fiona would shop at. Lareina is a shipping heiress who’s evenricher than Ares. And although Fiona’s family fortunes have fallen, she grew up in old-money luxury.
Will it embarrass Lareina and Fiona if I leave without buying anything?It looks like they’re close to Jun, and she’s already done the work of bringing everything out for me. Maybe I’ll just buy a cheap-looking T-shirt and leave. I don’t know if there’s a T-shirt on any of these racks, but there has to be something close. Even rich people wear the basics.
Another clerk comes over and places a platter of chocolate truffles in front of us—along with hot tea for Fiona and champagne for Lareina and me.
“I had her bring something you all can eat,” Jun says. “The tea doesn’t have much scent, and the chocolate’s… Well, it’s chocolate.”
Crap.The chocolate looks really pricey, and I’m pretty sure the place doesn’t serve the kind of sparkling wine you can buy on sale at Walmart or something. Now I feel like Ireallyhave to buy something more expensive than a T-shirt for the snack.
Fiona covers her nose, then breathes in shallowly. Slowly, she lowers her hand. “Oh my God… I don’t feel nauseated.”
