Chapter 55: I'm not gonna wear that

'Swimming?!'

Sounds tempting enough but why is she feeling uneasy about it?

Laurice was contemplating about it when she heard a tender and small voice from across the place.

Little Louie bolted beside her and shrieked, "Mommy! We're gonna go swimming?!"

Her worries dissipate when she saw the cheerful expression on the child's face.

Not realizing the consequences of her concurrence, she nodded and replied indulgingly, "You want to?" She saw the little one nod in response and then she added in reply, "Then let's do it! Oh! I miss being under water myself! Can you swim sweetie?"

"Yes mommy. Let's swim together!" Little Louie replied abruptly and jumped in excitement.

Laurice chuckled at the sight of the little guy and reminded him, "Sweetie, don't jump around. We just ate. Go and get ready. I'm finishing up soon."

"Yes, yes. Come over soon mommy. Look, Butler Grandpa brought us some clothes!" Little Louie dashed towards the living room the moment he saw the delivery.

There were a few paperbags of designer brand items sprawled across the coffee table.

Laurice who had just finished doing the dishes was completely dumbfounded.

She recognized one particular luxury brand right away. It was one of her friend's favorite beachwear and swimwear designer brand.

"Melissa Obadash"

It was once called the "Ferrari of the Bikini World" recognized by a famous fashion and lifestyle magazine.

'No way!' Her eyes nearly fall on it's socket.

The flagship store of that brand was based on the U.K. and shipping across Asia besides Europe and U.S.A. will took days and days before arrival.

Just how was that person able to obtain these international clothing line in no time at all?

...

Laurice was never a fan of branded and luxury items. The pieces she owned were all gifted by some friends in the industry and most of them were from her own friend's clothing line herself.

"Mommy, these are all yours." Little Louie said excitedly as he collected some paperbags filled with clothes and handed it over to her.

There was one bag with a sleeveless button-down and belted maxi dress, another bag consists of a clutch and tote bag and a pair of flip flops. There was also a fedora hat with a short summer dress coverup and some undergarments. But what grabbed her attention the most was the one carrying a black one-piece swimsuit!

Laurice: " !!! "

She gaped at the paper bag in her hands.

Laurice was completely shock. She held unto that light fibered fabric that never crease with shaking hands.

She have never, not even once, worn such revealing swimsuit in her lifetime!

What was that man thinking?

She shifted her gaze towards the direction of the bathroom with a sneer on her face.

Huh!!

This was obviously a trap! And the man came prepared this time around.

"Mommy, you don't like them?" Little Louie was looking at her worriedly.

How can she counter that?

She did not want to look like an ungrateful woman fussing over some clothes.

Laurice was exasperated.

It really isn't matter of liking or not liking. Everything was just way too expensive. She would never ever spend five hundred dollars for a small dress that she would seldom wear. And she have never ever dared to wear such skimpy swimsuit on the beach. It was either a full-coverage bodysuit or a modest shirt paired with a swimskort.

But she absolutely loves to swim and she can already picture herself floating in the waters.

Laurice was torn between love and hate.

She sighed heavily and glanced at the little one and said in resignation, "No, that's not it. I like them sweetie."

Suddenly a deep voice echoed from behind her, "Then you're wearing them, i believe?"

Laurice froze. She inhaled sharply before turning to look at the culprit of her misery.

"You!" She uttered. Laurice was momentarily dazed by the man's handsome features. His aesthetics were truly dashing and breathtaking.

Sid was wearing a pair of belted athletic shorts and plain shortsleeved button-down polo shirt clad with a penny boat loafers on his feet. He looked pretty laid-back and leisurely compared to his usual business casual attire.

Sid smirked and said to her, "Like what you see?"

Laurice knocked herself out from her own musing and glared at the brazen man.

"You! Let's talk." Laurice said firmly and stride towards the room. She can't just scold him in anyone else's presence. Especially not with Little Louie around.

Sid find it amusing to see the woman's annoyed expression and willingly followed behind her. He shut the door close and was welcomed by the woman with her arms crossed in her chest, shooting deathly glares at him.

Laurice clutched the paperbags on her hands and threw one on bed.

"I'm not gonna wear that." She gritted her teeth and muttered.

Swimming he said?

Then, he should go swim by himself.

She'd rather go home than expose and humiliate herself.

"You said you like them. You said you're swimming with Louie. Are you going back on your words now? He'll be disappointed." Sid countered.

What is this, a guilt trap?

Laurice cleared her throat and replied hesitantly, "Fine. But i want a decent bodysuit."

Sid looked at her helplessly and sighed. He feigned ignorance as if he wasn't aware of what she was worrying about at the moment.

"Is it not decent enough?" Sid said directly. "Go and take a bath already. Don't fret over trivial stuffs. We're going for a stroll when you're ready. And we're heading over a private swimming area afterwards anyway. It might only be just the three of us around if we're lucky. So stop worrying alright?" The man continued trying to convince her with all his might. He already said too much, surely the woman won't give him a difficult time, right?

Laurice looked at him suspiciously at first before heaving a sigh. She took some of the bags and bolted right across the bathroom in heavy footsteps without looking back and uttering another word.

What's the point of arguing with the man anyway?

He will never give in.

And who cares about that damn skimpy swimwear!

She's going to swim to her heart's content today.

Whatever the consequences maybe.

...

Laurice couldn't have ever guessed the dire consequences awaiting for her later during the day.