Vivienne's POV:
After all, it was our first official date, I had to dress beautifully. It would be a shame after getting up so early if I looked sloppy. After finishing my makeup meticulously, I happily spent three minutes taking selfies in the mirror. Opening the wardrobe, I suddenly remembered: after graduation I'd sent most of my clothes home. My eldest brother had frozen my card and limited my spending. Back then, to get close to Gideon at that party I'd burned through a huge sum buying outfits. I didn't have much left; rent and daily expenses had to be covered, so I'd stopped buying seasonal clothes and wore my office uniform every day.
Calista had transferred me some money yesterday just enough for a few outfits but Gideon was coming now and it was too late to go shopping. I scanned my closet: a few summer dresses, but it was already autumn; it rained yesterday, and today would likely be colder. Comparing options, the office uniform felt warmer. After weighing style against warmth, I chose style not for anything dramatic, but yesterday I'd been soaked and had insulted Gideon while wearing the office uniform. I couldn't wear that again today; I needed something that wouldn't trigger that memory and would keep my image intact.
I picked my favorite knee-length blue dress from summer, it showed off my slim legs, my hair curled and flowed, making me look pure and striking. I trusted this outfit in college that same dress had gotten me a lot of attention.
I stepped out of the apartment imagining Gideon's astonished look. The rear car door opened; I bent to sit in, deliberately tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear to appear elegant. Confident in my pose, I looked up and saw Gideon staring at me like I was an idiot. My smile fell.
"What's with that look?" I asked.
He glanced at my dress and said, "It's autumn, not summer."
"I know." I tried to sound casual. "But I get hot easily, I was almost sweating on the way..." and I sneezed at the worst moment. A crow flew overhead; silence filled the air. At that second I wanted to fling the car door open and run away, never to see Gideon again.
He calmly checked his watch. "There's time. Go change into something else."
I stayed put. If I went back, the only change would be my office uniform. The car wasn't cold; my office clothes were in my bag — I could change at the office. Too lazy to argue, I said, "This outfit's fine."
He seemed to realize something and told the driver: "Drive to Dominion Square."
I was stunned. "You want to take me shopping?" Dominion Square had a 24/7 high-end fashion store.
He glanced at me. "Why not?"
A flash of panic hit me, would he think I'd dressed thinly to get him to spend? Would he see me as a gold digger? Fine, I admitted I was trying to hook him, but not for money for him. We'd only just started; I couldn't let him misunderstand.
I blurted, "Let's go to the office. I have money; I'll buy my own clothes."
"Fine. You can pay later."
"Huh?" My eyelid twitched as I mentally added up savings. Even with the 200k Calista sent yesterday, I couldn't afford a fall outfit at a Dominion Square boutique. Heat rose in my chest. Glancing at Gideon, who had closed his eyes to rest, I quietly messaged Calista on WhatsApp: [Do you have money? Can you lend me some?] No reply, she was probably asleep. Maybe I should sweet-talk my eldest brother?
If he forced me to go home now, what then? It had taken so long to make progress with Gideon. A little more time and I could secure him, I couldn't let it all collapse.
The car stopped in front of the store. I followed Gideon inside with empty pockets. The manager greeted us respectfully and asked if we needed help. Gideon said, "You choose."
He walked to the lounge and sat down. I didn't expect him to accompany me. I lowered my voice and told the manager, "Find me something cheaper within 200 000 USD." Then I immediately backtracked: "No, make it under 150 000 USD."
The manager's eyes widened; he glanced at Gideon. Luckily, he reacted quickly and led me to a small corner. "We have a promotion. This set is 148,900 USD."
He showed me a dusty-pink knitted coat paired with cream wide-leg pants. The fabric felt soft and the thickness was just right acceptable. More importantly, I had no better options. "I'll take it," I said, "I'll try it on."
In the fitting room I changed out of the blue dress and looked in the mirror. The outfit flattered me more than it had on the hanger; to my surprise I loved it. My fair skin looked radiant with the dusty-pink not flashy, but elegant.
Happy with a good purchase at a reasonable price, I relaxed no longer worried Gideon would mock me for not being able to pay. Coming out of the fitting room, I told the manager: "I'll take this. Charge it to me."
The manager bowed and said, "Sir who accompanied you has already paid." He pointed to several other outfits, neatly packed. "These were selected by him too and will be delivered to your home. When would be convenient for delivery?"
I stared at the packed clothes, then looked at Gideon calmly sipping coffee in the lounge. I'd only tried on one outfit and he'd selected so many and already paid? My head filled with the image of him snapping at the staff, the cold alpha-CEO: "Pack all of it for me."