After discussing their design requirements, Chiori informed everyone that since too many clothing samples needed to be made, it was impossible to finish them in just one afternoon. Designs also required time to conceptualize, so they could all go home for now, once the samples were ready, her boutique staff would notify them.
After all, Clorinde alone had ordered several sets, most of them haute couture. Adding in the other three's requests, Richard had basically monopolized Chiori's entire workshop output for the next month.
Of course, Chiori wasn't the only designer at the boutique. But since Richard was paying handsomely, he insisted that all the outfits be designed personally by her.
When asked, he simply said he liked Chiori's designs. Money wasn't an issue, he just wanted the very best.
But in reality…
No matter how skilled Chiori was, she couldn't possibly produce so many works all at once. When the test samples were ready, the group would likely be scheduled individually to try them on, one by one, so as not to waste time. Adjustments would then be made based on fit and feedback.
This meant their original four-person outings would be split into solo visits. And since Richard was the financier of this commission, it was perfectly reasonable for him to attend the fittings to "evaluate the results," wasn't it?
In other words, solo visits would quietly turn into two-person encounters. And what could be better than appreciating rare and beautiful sights firsthand? After all, samples often had flaws, ill-fitting proportions that clung too tightly, designs that bordered on too revealing…
In short, the highlights would be plentiful. Richard was already looking forward to it. After all, wasn't this the whole reason he "ordered the dumplings in the first place"?
"Why do you look so happy?" Lynette, after discussing her requirements with Chiori, caught sight of Richard's schemer's smile and asked.
"Well, isn't it always exciting to get new clothes?" Richard replied cheerfully.
"I don't know why you're really smiling," Lynette said firmly. "But it's definitely not just about the clothes."
After confirming Clorinde's next visit, Chiori turned to Richard.
"About your samples, "
"No rush for mine. Ladies first," Richard said generously.
"Understood. Then how about this, Lynette's samples are nearly done, so at her next fitting, why don't you come along and try your sample as well?"
"No problem. By the way, how long will it take for Clorinde's and Furina's samples?" Richard asked eagerly.
"Since Lady Clorinde mentioned she has an important event coming soon and lacks suitable attire, I'll prioritize her order. Her finished gown will likely be ready even before Lynette's."
"As for Lady Furina's design, I need to devote extra thought to it. It may take longer, but it will certainly be completed within the month."
Chiori handed Richard a schedule. The order of fittings was clear: Clorinde > Lynette > Furina > Richard.
After receiving the plan, the group didn't linger, time was late. They grabbed a simple meal together, then prepared to part ways.
Just before leaving, Richard pulled Clorinde aside.
"When you go to try your sample, let me know. I'll come along. If the effect is good, I can settle the balance on the spot."
Clorinde agreed without suspicion. But after a pause, she hesitated and said:
"Why don't I pay the remaining balance myself? After all, these clothes are for me…"
She had seen the bill. The string of digits was embarrassingly high. Though she knew Richard was wealthy, she felt uneasy letting someone else pay for her.
More importantly, she hadn't actually helped Richard, if anything, she'd schemed against him earlier. True, he'd made the first move, so he had only himself to blame. But Clorinde had a golden heart.
In other words, her conscience pricked her. Unlike Richard, she couldn't calculate people as casually as eating bread.
"What's that supposed to mean? Do you want me to become a man who breaks his word? A promise made is a promise kept. I don't like what you just said, take it back." Richard's voice was righteous, perhaps the most upright it had sounded all month.
"Ah… oh…" Clorinde was stunned by his strong reaction, as if her paying would rob him of some vital chance.
And wasn't it just that? A chance, to feast his eyes.
Satisfied by her silence, Richard nodded.
"Good. Just call me when you're going."
"…Alright." Clorinde answered in a daze.
A weekend came, and Clorinde received Chiori's message: her clothing samples were complete. Would she come to the shop, or should they deliver them to her home?
That would cost extra.
Clorinde didn't care about the fee, but since she had promised Richard, she set the location at the boutique. First, adjustments could be made on the spot. Second, the boutique was a public space. Her home, though clean, was too private for comfort.
"Wait, so Richard's house is here?" Clorinde muttered, arriving at the address he had given her.
It was a villa district near the Palais Mermonia, a top-tier neighborhood known throughout Fontaine. Even with her income, she couldn't dream of affording property here. Not that she needed to, her own home was good enough, and her savings guaranteed she could live comfortably for life.
But quitting work? Impossible. She wasn't the type to sit idle. And her current job was ideal, high pay, kind colleagues, close to Lady Furina. Who wouldn't envy that?
The only annoyance was a strange rumor: word had spread that she'd switched from Duelist Agent to "secretary." As a result, matchmakers now chased her more than employers did.
With her beauty, status, and career, she had become one of the most sought-after bachelorettes in Fontaine.
But Clorinde wasn't looking to marry, at least not yet. If she did, it wouldn't be through matchmaking. To her, what mattered was feeling. Love at first sight, or affection grown over time, it had to move her heart. So far, she had met no one who stirred that flutter.
No man. No woman.
Perhaps because her circle was too small. The man she interacted with most often these days? Richard himself.
And Richard was undeniably high quality. Handsome almost beyond compare. Strong beyond measure. Wealthy at the very top tier. Apart from a slightly scheming personality and excessive female attention, he was flawless.
Knock, knock, knock. She raised her hand to the door, only to notice a doorbell afterward.
As she hesitated whether to ring it, the door opened.
It was Richard, fresh from a shower. His hair was damp, a bathrobe loosely draped over him, exposing firm chest and abs.
He wasn't bulky, but lean and sculpted, the kind of body that looked slim in clothes but powerful without. His muscles flowed naturally, exuding the essence of masculine beauty, just as hers embodied feminine grace.
Her eyes betrayed her, falling to his chest. Droplets slid down his neck to his collarbone.
So hot…
Gulp. Her throat went dry. She swallowed. Her gaze clung to his body, refusing to look away.
"Come in," Richard said casually, toweling his hair.
She had come at the perfect time. He'd slept in, taken a bath, and been interrupted mid-shower by her arrival.
Normally, such an interruption would irritate him. But this time, he wasn't upset, because he noticed something amusing.
Clorinde was acting… strange.
From the moment he opened the door, her eyes had been glued below his neck. She might not even realize it, but he could tell.
"We're heading to Chiori's, right? Sit for a bit. I'll change clothes, then we'll leave."
He walked into his bedroom, deliberately leaving the door slightly ajar, just enough for a view inside.
Clorinde, meanwhile, avoided looking at him, pressing a hand to her chest. Her heart pounded wildly, like after a grueling workout.
What's happening to me… The image of Richard at the door replayed in her mind, his collarbone, his sculpted muscles.
Her eyes drifted to the door crack.
Her pupils shrank.
Gulp. Again, she swallowed.
Unconsciously, her feet carried her forward until she stood right outside his door, peering through the narrow gap.
Inside, Richard had put on trousers and was now bare-chested, pulling a white shirt from the wardrobe.
His tall frame was perfectly proportioned, broad shoulders, tapering waist, a flawless V-shape back like outspread wings.
Clorinde stared with the kind of hungry gaze usually directed at her.
In plain words, she was ogling.
Not good. This isn't good.
Her rational mind screamed: This is wrong. Peeking is illegal!
But her feelings whispered: Stay. Watch more.
The white shirt slipped over his body, accentuating rather than hiding his figure. Like black silk on a woman's thighs, it only heightened the allure.
Inside her, two voices clashed: one shouting to leave, the other to stay. Their war had no winner.
But it didn't matter, her feet refused to move.
She stared blankly at the gap. She didn't even notice when Richard finished dressing and pulled the door open.
The gap widened suddenly. She froze, caught red-handed.
"Clorinde," Richard said, smiling faintly. "Don't tell me… you've been standing here peeking at me change this whole time?"
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu