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.The purchase at Macy’s was loaded into Kellan’s trunk by valet assistants so we were bagless, weighed down by nothing but the gym echo of business carrying on in the mall.I rested my head on Kellan’s upper arm and he lifted his arm around me.He didn’t say anything.Kellan knew first-hand from my English bout with Mel that I wasn’t a fan of shopping, but it had to be done.Thus far, the liquid in my throat had remained close to my mouth, yet not bubbling over.It’s manageable.I’d already adapted to shorter, shallower breaths to compensate for the ventilation restriction.Alas, we arrived at Belk’s.We were greeted by a thin, petite blonde twenty-something in grey pin-striped pants, a tucked in button up white shirt, a shiny black belt and pointed black heels.She was adorned with a long, silver necklace knotted with black stones and diamond stud earrings.She was the epitome of a young and fresh professional.“Vivianne! How are you darling?” Eduardo smiled kissing her cheeks.“Wonderful as always,” she beamed in reply.“Vivianne, this is Claire, her niece Alexa, and Alexa’s boyfriend Kellan,” he introduced.“Oh, he’s not my boyfriend,” I corrected.Kellan didn’t say anything, but I felt the dark stare on me as if I had stabbed him silently with a knife.It slipped out so quickly.I didn’t stop to think.“I have a new boy toy everyday honey.You learn to go with the flow if you catch me,” Eduardo winked.“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Vivianne nodded once.“Follow me.I’ve already pulled some wonderful clothes for you, Alexa.”She led us through a back door with a sign reading ‘Employees Only.’ We then entered a side door into another room.The moment the door was closed, again, the blasting noise of commotion was muted, and thus allowed me to think straight.I was trying to get used to the overwhelming sounds and conversations that crowded the mall as we traveled through it, but I couldn’t seem to calm my nerves enough to drown them out.This could also be because of their sound.No distinction of conversation was audible.Looking around, this room was much smaller than the last.It boasted cream walls, two extravagant art pieces and a large custom gold framed mirror spanning floor to ceiling, the ceiling reaching nearly nine feet, and hung five feet wide.The only seating was a large 8’ across circular distressed brown leather ottoman in the center of the room.Looking around, I realized there was no private changing area – no curtains, partitions or fold outs.“Kellan you must remain a gentleman and keep that peeper down,” Eduardo commanded flipping through the rack of clothes Vivianne pulled.“This is magnificent Viv.I love all the pieces,” he smiled approvingly at her.“I can’t wait.Don’t make me wait Eduardo.I’m dying to see them on Lexi,” my aunt squealed, running her fingers along a few items before retiring on the ottoman.“Umm, are you okay Kellan?” I asked, he appeared to be uncomfortable.He nodded once and laid flat on the cushion, closing his eyes to maintain his “good boy” behavior.“Here,” Vivianne extended a black satin sleeping mask.“Just in case,” she smiled.“Radio if you need me.”“Of course honey,” Eduardo answered already handing me an outfit.This time he paired medium toned distressed, slightly-ripped-strategically, skinny jeans with an empire waste three-quarter length sleeve navy blue shirt, a light chunky yellow scarf to cover my neck and upper chest and brown feminine loafers.“It’s perfect.I love it,” my aunt gushed.It’s strange because the entire time, change after change of outfits, my Aunt and Eduardo commented non-stop on my beauty and how every outfit looked great on me, but I still didn’t believe them.I still couldn’t wrap my mind around the size I was wearing.The day was filled from mall opening to close with shopping.From Belks to Gap to Forever 21, we spent over ten-thousand dollars on clothes, shoes, and two hoodies I managed to sneak in.My aunt and Eduardo then insisted on several purses, a wallet, sunglasses – though it’s almost winter - and the true battle began over jewelry.There were pushing for items galore to match each new outfit, which Eduardo had photographed with a Polaroid.Our compromise was on one of each – a bracelet, ring, diamond stud earrings, and a simple necklace – in white gold that matched everything.I knew myself too well.I didn’t wear jewelry currently, aside from earrings, so I wasn’t committing myself to a new set every day.By the day’s end, though I wasn’t supposed to be, I was exhausted.The serum in my throat had begun to burn harshly by mid-afternoon, and chugging a bottle of water didn’t ease the pain in the slightest.I snuck a few kisses in from Kellan to alleviate myself from time to time, but they never lasted long enough to enjoy relief.Once all the garment bags, shopping bags and shoe boxes were stuffed in Kellan’s trunk and half the back seat, I thanked Eduardo and Aunt Claire once more before sliding into the car and slumping my head back.It felt as if a weight lifted off me the moment my body rested in the seat; the same relief you get once you shower and relax after a gruesome workout.My aunt hugged Eduardo and promised to call him in a few days.Kellan quietly shut my door.He’d been observing me carefully as the day progressed.I could tell he knew something was wrong, but he didn’t say a word [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]