"Is there something wrong?"Gabi asked Earl after a few minutes of eating with him.
"That obvious… huh…" Earl uttered. "Let's have coffee later after the fitting."
"Alright." Gabi nodded. It seems that this man was really hiding something from her. After they finished their meal, they immediately went to the boutique and took a look at their clothes.
"Red huh…" Earl said while looking at Gabi's gown. "So the theme is red and black? You will wear red and I am going to wear black?"
"Yep."
"Alright…"
Gabi examined the surrounding gowns before staring at her reflection. At first, Gabi wanted a mermaid gown, but now that she looked at the gown, it didn't look special at all. It was too bland, too normal. Something that anyone would think of wearing. So, she asked the seamstress to make something that would stand out. And she did.
She made a knee-length off shoulder red dress just for Gabi. It perfectly hugged her body, showing off her newfound curves from the exercises. It wasn't just the bright red, but a darker shade that looked like blood. And to be honest? It looked perfect for her pale skin. The dress wasn't too extravagant or sexy. But it looked really elegant. Compared to the other gowns around her, this one was totally a standout.
"What are you planning to do with your hair?" Earl asked. He was calmly sitting on the couch inside the private dressing room. He just finished checking his own suit and decided to check her dress. This room has its own couch, a floor-length mirror, and another room for dressing. It was big enough for a client to have her or his own mini fashion show. And the lights… oh, the lights.
Gabi loved that it was really bright. It is making her skin look spotless.
"I am wearing a gown."
"Hm?"
"Black ponytail. A long one." She had Tina, so Gabi had no problems with her hairstyle or make-up. "How do I look?"
"Hmmm… Do you look older? But definitely a standout."
"Damn you.."
"Hey… I was honest."
"Are you saying that red doesn't suit me?" Gabi smiled. Of course, she knew that she really looked good in red. However, it looked like her cousin was really hopeless when it comes to relationships. Instead of praising her, Earl didn't sugarcoat his words.
Earl laughed in response. "It suits you. Even if you color your skin red, you would look good on it."
"…" Now, what kind of praise is that? She shook her head and gave herself one last look before she changed her clothing. After that, the two of them told the seamstress that the suit and dress perfectly fit so there was no need for any changes. Gabi wanted them to deliver the dress to the mansion.
"But… I wanted this dress… I would look good on me."
Hm? Gabi turned towards the first floor of the boutique when she heard a familiar voice. Did it sound like Clarisse?
"What do you mean by custom made? If you didn't want to make something like this, then why show it to people?"
Gabi was right. It was indeed Clarisse. "What is happening?" Gabi asked.
"Ah… that is an influencer. She is going to wear one of our clothes for an event. The manager wanted her to choose which one she liked. However… the dress that she wanted isn't something that she could have for the event."
"Really?" Gabi raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. She found the design by accident." The seamstress shrugged. "Anyway… the manager could handle it."
Gabi nodded. This seamstress had been working with her family since her mother married her father. She was the same person who designed her mother's wedding gown. However, the woman didn't have any ambition and chose to work in a boutique-like this. Gabi didn't know the exact circumstances of this person as she never really asked her to make a gown because she didn't attend events.
Gabi would only ask her to make dresses and pants. In fact, this was the first time that Gabi requested her to make a beautiful dress.
Now that she thought about it, there should be a reason why this woman didn't make her own boutique and chose to work for someone else. After thanking the woman, Gabi and Earl were about to walk down when the manager suddenly came running towards them.
"Mrs. Chester. I am glad that you are still here. Do you think we could still make another one of that red dress that… Oh… Miss Sutton is here. Sorry… I didn't notice you."
Gabi's gaze turned towards the seamstress, Mrs. Chester. Just as she expected, the woman just smiled at the manager — it was the same usual smile that she used every time she talked to Gabi. "My apologies Sir, but that dress is an exclusive one."
"What are you talking about? What exclusive? This is for the promotion of the boutique. Come on… Mrs. Chester. Can't you just make another red one?"
"I could make a similar attire, but it's not going to be red." Mrs. Chester firmly said. Despite the smile on her face, her eyes didn't budge. It was clear and sharp. This made Gabi more curious.
Just what exactly is Mrs. Chester's role in this boutique? If she was a normal employee, she would have immediately agreed to the manager's words. But not only did she refuse to follow his words, she even dared to make conditions.
"Ah… Miss Sutton… "Seeing that Mrs. Chester wasn't showing signs of budging, the man turned towards her. "Miss Sutton… I know that your relationship with Mrs. Chester isn't shallow at all. And I know that you personally requested that dress but… one of our influencers wanted to wear that dress to an event. I wanted to use this opportunity to promote our boutique, so I sponsored their dresses. I know this is a presumptuous request but… would it be alright if Mrs. Chester would make another one of your dresses?"
"It is indeed presumptuous," Gabi said.
"I— "
"No."
"Hm?"
"The answer to your question is no."
"But… Miss Sutton, how about this… you can choose whatever dress you like. It's free. You can take whatever you like but just give the dress to Miss Clarisse."
"No," Gabi answered almost immediately. Gabi didn't know why this person had the guts to actually ask her to part with her dress. Was it because she looked really young? Usually, younger people were easier to entice into something.
"Two dresses… you can take two dresses… No, how about three dresses and an unlimited supply of dresses for a year?"
Is this man stupid? Gabi looked at him in disbelief. Was that Clarisse really worth that much? Still, Gabi shook her head. "Nope."
"But…"
"Sir… Miss Clarisse said that since you are taking too long, she and Miss Sasha is just going to leave." Interrupting the conversation, one of the attendant said.
"No, wait! I can't… Ugh… Just tell her to give me five minutes."
"Alright."
"Miss Sutton… I really can't afford to offend Miss Clarisse because the order came from the top. If I don't do this, I would lose my job."
"From the top?"
"I — I can't say the exact reason, but the head office ordered us to do this."
"Earl… who owns this boutique?"
"Hmmm… I believe it's the Yu's."
"Joseph Yu?"
"Yes. His son should be the one managing all the boutique's branches."
Gabi looked at the manager. His pale face was enough to explain the situation.
"Miss Sutton… please…"
"Earl… Do you know Mr. Joseph Yu?"
"Yes. We talked a couple of times. I even have his personal number."
"Call him."
"Wait… Miss Sutton, what are you doing?"
Gabi didn't say anything. She looked at Earl, waiting for him to call the person. Seeing that Earl started dialing his phone, the manager panicked. "Miss Sutton… Mr. Ren… please don't do that. I would really lose my job if you do that…"
"Tell him that his son's girlfriend wanted my dress. I'm not giving it." Gabi said before she turned towards the stairs. "Ah… Mrs. Chester… my driver will pick up the dress now. We can't afford to lose it on its way home." Gabi glanced at the manager before she continued walking down the stairs.
Earl followed closely behind her as he talked to someone on his phone. "Miss Sutton... please... Mr. Jun Yu is going to throw another tantrum if we don't give Miss Clarisse the dress. Miss Sutton, please. Isn't this just a dress? We can give you plenty of dresses and gowns. I am sure that..."
"You are too noisy."
The manager really sounded desperate. Maybe if the woman wasn't Clarisse, Gabi would have immediately relented. After all, it was just a dress. She didn't want to trouble anyone over something that small. However, knowing that the person who wanted the dress was related to Alfons changed that decision.
Call her petty and nonsense, she doesn't care. All she cared about was not giving that woman what she wanted.
"Mr. Kim.... what is taking you so..." Clarisse stopped talking when she notice Gabi walking towards her.
"Is there something wrong?"Gabi asked Earl after a few minutes of eating with him.
"That obvious… huh…" Earl uttered. "Let's have coffee later after the fitting."
"Alright." Gabi nodded. It seems that this man was really hiding something from her. After they finished their meal, they immediately went to the boutique and took a look at their clothes.
"Red huh…" Earl said while looking at Gabi's gown. "So the theme is red and black? You will wear red and I am going to wear black?"
"Yep."
"Alright…"
Gabi examined the surrounding gowns before staring at her reflection. At first, Gabi wanted a mermaid gown, but now that she looked at the gown, it didn't look special at all. It was too bland, too normal. Something that anyone would think of wearing. So, she asked the seamstress to make something that would stand out. And she did.
She made a knee-length off shoulder red dress just for Gabi. It perfectly hugged her body, showing off her newfound curves from the exercises. It wasn't just the bright red, but a darker shade that looked like blood. And to be honest? It looked perfect for her pale skin. The dress wasn't too extravagant or sexy. But it looked really elegant. Compared to the other gowns around her, this one was totally a standout.
"What are you planning to do with your hair?" Earl asked. He was calmly sitting on the couch inside the private dressing room. He just finished checking his own suit and decided to check her dress. This room has its own couch, a floor-length mirror, and another room for dressing. It was big enough for a client to have her or his own mini fashion show. And the lights… oh, the lights.
Gabi loved that it was really bright. It is making her skin look spotless.
"I am wearing a gown."
"Hm?"
"Black ponytail. A long one." She had Tina, so Gabi had no problems with her hairstyle or make-up. "How do I look?"
"Hmmm… Do you look older? But definitely a standout."
"Damn you.."
"Hey… I was honest."
"Are you saying that red doesn't suit me?" Gabi smiled. Of course, she knew that she really looked good in red. However, it looked like her cousin was really hopeless when it comes to relationships. Instead of praising her, Earl didn't sugarcoat his words.
Earl laughed in response. "It suits you. Even if you color your skin red, you would look good on it."
"…" Now, what kind of praise is that? She shook her head and gave herself one last look before she changed her clothing. After that, the two of them told the seamstress that the suit and dress perfectly fit so there was no need for any changes. Gabi wanted them to deliver the dress to the mansion.
"But… I wanted this dress… I would look good on me."
Hm? Gabi turned towards the first floor of the boutique when she heard a familiar voice. Did it sound like Clarisse?
"What do you mean by custom made? If you didn't want to make something like this, then why show it to people?"
Gabi was right. It was indeed Clarisse. "What is happening?" Gabi asked.
"Ah… that is an influencer. She is going to wear one of our clothes for an event. The manager wanted her to choose which one she liked. However… the dress that she wanted isn't something that she could have for the event."
"Really?" Gabi raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. She found the design by accident." The seamstress shrugged. "Anyway… the manager could handle it."
Gabi nodded. This seamstress had been working with her family since her mother married her father. She was the same person who designed her mother's wedding gown. However, the woman didn't have any ambition and chose to work in a boutique-like this. Gabi didn't know the exact circumstances of this person as she never really asked her to make a gown because she didn't attend events.
Gabi would only ask her to make dresses and pants. In fact, this was the first time that Gabi requested her to make a beautiful dress.
Now that she thought about it, there should be a reason why this woman didn't make her own boutique and chose to work for someone else. After thanking the woman, Gabi and Earl were about to walk down when the manager suddenly came running towards them.
"Mrs. Chester. I am glad that you are still here. Do you think we could still make another one of that red dress that… Oh… Miss Sutton is here. Sorry… I didn't notice you."
Gabi's gaze turned towards the seamstress, Mrs. Chester. Just as she expected, the woman just smiled at the manager — it was the same usual smile that she used every time she talked to Gabi. "My apologies Sir, but that dress is an exclusive one."
"What are you talking about? What exclusive? This is for the promotion of the boutique. Come on… Mrs. Chester. Can't you just make another red one?"
"I could make a similar attire, but it's not going to be red." Mrs. Chester firmly said. Despite the smile on her face, her eyes didn't budge. It was clear and sharp. This made Gabi more curious.
Just what exactly is Mrs. Chester's role in this boutique? If she was a normal employee, she would have immediately agreed to the manager's words. But not only did she refuse to follow his words, she even dared to make conditions.
"Ah… Miss Sutton… "Seeing that Mrs. Chester wasn't showing signs of budging, the man turned towards her. "Miss Sutton… I know that your relationship with Mrs. Chester isn't shallow at all. And I know that you personally requested that dress but… one of our influencers wanted to wear that dress to an event. I wanted to use this opportunity to promote our boutique, so I sponsored their dresses. I know this is a presumptuous request but… would it be alright if Mrs. Chester would make another one of your dresses?"
"It is indeed presumptuous," Gabi said.
"I— "
"No."
"Hm?"
"The answer to your question is no."
"But… Miss Sutton, how about this… you can choose whatever dress you like. It's free. You can take whatever you like but just give the dress to Miss Clarisse."
"No," Gabi answered almost immediately. Gabi didn't know why this person had the guts to actually ask her to part with her dress. Was it because she looked really young? Usually, younger people were easier to entice into something.
"Two dresses… you can take two dresses… No, how about three dresses and an unlimited supply of dresses for a year?"
Is this man stupid? Gabi looked at him in disbelief. Was that Clarisse really worth that much? Still, Gabi shook her head. "Nope."
"But…"
"Sir… Miss Clarisse said that since you are taking too long, she and Miss Sasha is just going to leave." Interrupting the conversation, one of the attendant said.
"No, wait! I can't… Ugh… Just tell her to give me five minutes."
"Alright."
"Miss Sutton… I really can't afford to offend Miss Clarisse because the order came from the top. If I don't do this, I would lose my job."
"From the top?"
"I — I can't say the exact reason, but the head office ordered us to do this."
"Earl… who owns this boutique?"
"Hmmm… I believe it's the Yu's."
"Joseph Yu?"
"Yes. His son should be the one managing all the boutique's branches."
Gabi looked at the manager. His pale face was enough to explain the situation.
"Miss Sutton… please…"
"Earl… Do you know Mr. Joseph Yu?"
"Yes. We talked a couple of times. I even have his personal number."
"Call him."
"Wait… Miss Sutton, what are you doing?"
Gabi didn't say anything. She looked at Earl, waiting for him to call the person. Seeing that Earl started dialing his phone, the manager panicked. "Miss Sutton… Mr. Ren… please don't do that. I would really lose my job if you do that…"
"Tell him that his son's girlfriend wanted my dress. I'm not giving it." Gabi said before she turned towards the stairs. "Ah… Mrs. Chester… my driver will pick up the dress now. We can't afford to lose it on its way home." Gabi glanced at the manager before she continued walking down the stairs.
Earl followed closely behind her as he talked to someone on his phone. "Miss Sutton... please... Mr. Jun Yu is going to throw another tantrum if we don't give Miss Clarisse the dress. Miss Sutton, please. Isn't this just a dress? We can give you plenty of dresses and gowns. I am sure that..."
"You are too noisy."
The manager really sounded desperate. Maybe if the woman wasn't Clarisse, Gabi would have immediately relented. After all, it was just a dress. She didn't want to trouble anyone over something that small. However, knowing that the person who wanted the dress was related to Alfons changed that decision.
Call her petty and nonsense, she doesn't care. All she cared about was not giving that woman what she wanted.
"Mr. Kim.... what is taking you so..." Clarisse stopped talking when she notice Gabi walking towards her.
