43 Story of Nikki Lindsey

CHAPTER 43: ENCOUNTER

Two days have passed since that night. I hate myself for missing him. At the same, I am thinking about Theo, which I haven't seen for a while.

"Sister Nikki, sister Mae is here," Jasmine knocks on my bedroom.

I stride toward the door to open it. "Thanks, Jas…" I said, headed toward the living room where Mae was chatting with Mama. It's late at night, and Mae is still wearing our Café uniform. She must have got off work, and Chris picked her up as they were now living together upstairs.

"Mae? Are any problems occurring in the store?"

"Hi, Nikki! Ah, no. Nothing to worry about. I was here to give you this from Mrs. Lawrence."

"Hum?" 

Mae handed me an invitation card.

Oh, sister Michelle and I have the same birth month. And she will celebrate it first, then me. I read the card. She will hold the gathering at her family's mansion. I am honored she invited me to the celebration even I am not the store general manager. Regardless, I considered myself a close friend because of my parents which they grew to love since their teenage years.

"You should attend, Nik." Mama encourages me.

"Hmm. High Society would be there too. It's not my thing. I will only be out of the place."

"What are you talking about? Michelle invited you not as an employee but as a friend."

True. And last year, she celebrated her birthday with all of her employees. This time as she celebrates her 35th birthday, it was grand.

"Alright, I might go," I said, but there's no final decision I made yet.

The very next day, after thinking it over, I choose to go. Drove thirty minutes, getting through from the traffic, I finally arrived at Mainland City Galleria, the biggest mall in the country and one of the grandest malls in Asia. I wore the pink dress that I got from him. I love the design, and it amazed me how it fits perfectly like, particularly made for me.

Since I still have my savings and a full salary for a month, it won't hurt if I spend for myself. I could buy a nicer dress for the party that I won't appear like a commoner.

After I parked my car, I immediately headed to the lift and requested the assigned employee to bring me to the 4th floor where sister Anna's store was placed.

As expected, this part of the mall is filled with rich kids. They have money to spend every single day, so it does not matter to them to buy clothes, and then thrown after wearing one occasion. They are all about showing off and who's in a fashion trend, which out there, more hungry children force for early work. I've seen many children doing this outside Mainland City because the city has a good program for the unfortunate children lead by the Voice Foundation. Lawrence's family managed that.

I take a long breath before I step inside. The store gave me an atmosphere that pampered my vanity as a woman. I look to the entire store, and my eyes adoring the elegant dresses displays throughout the place—too many to choose from. I wonder what color would be perfect for me. I still had the bite marks, so I have to cover them in case they aren't fading yet, by then.

Do I have to choose a shorter dress or a long one with slits on the sides? I thought.

As expected, I wish I could wear all the clothes displayed here, a woman's dream. They are all gorgeous.

"Hi, Nikki!"

"Sister Anna, hello." I bowed at her.

"Looking for a dress for a party?"

"Hm… yes," I replied.

"Oh, let me help you." she offers.

But sister Anna was scanning my dress for a long time.

"Um…" I don't know how to open up or explain to her if she recognizes the dress.

"Ah, it was too lovely. You look like a doll."

I blushed from her praise. But I wonder if that man purchased this dress at sister Anna's store like the first dresses he gave me. So I am uncertain if she made the dress I wore today and recognizing it.

"Alright, come upstairs. I have personalized dresses I made ahead in case of someone looking for a party dress for big sis Michelle's big day."

I understand what sister Anna implies. It will be a shame to attend that party, and then someone wears the exact dress you were wearing. It will be a huge embarrassment.

Sister Anna brought me to where she displayed her latest collection. They were lovelier than the ones from downstairs.

"I have something perfect for you!"

I followed sister Anna, and she picks a red halter dress in a long slit. This dress would show off my left leg. It was beautiful. But it showed my back which I have a few bruises I hide.

"Um. Too daring for me." Shyly, I reasoned to her.

Sister Anna laughs and puts back the dress. "Do you have something on your mind?"

She asked me. But my eyes were staring at one particular dress.

"Hmm… great choice."

I tried it on, and I fell in love. Sister Anna wrapped it by herself. She left me to head to the cashier, so I took a seat in the lounge of this store. Later, my heart thumps loudly when I have a glimpse of Theo appearing on the second floor. My fluttery disappears as Min Xi hooking her arm around his elbow.

I was looking in their direction, and so it was too late to withdraw my eyes. Theo meets my gaze, and not long, Min Xi notices me.

"Oh, hi! You are from that café, correct?" She greeted me while striding toward me. I stood on my feet and bowed.

"Min Xi…" she stretches her hand

Hesitant, I accepted her soft hand.

"Nikki Lindsey," I said.

"Ah, Nikki… nice name! Isn't it, Theo?"

I glance at him, but I wonder why their gazes at each other are odd for me. Theo seems unhappy as it seems he's giving Min Xi a warning gaze.

"Oh, well. I will look for Anna. You guys can have a chit-chat?" said Min Xi before she left us.

It confused me, but it also surprised me she still remembers me after a month of that incident. For a person like Min Xi, how great to be recognized. She has millions of fans following her. I saw on her Instagram posts those flashy and elegant clothes. Even those poses of her, wearing bikinis and sexy swimwear. No doubts Theo would fall in love with her.

Ouch, that indeed a reality. She is a famous International Model. The fashion world recognized her as a fashion icon, and to compare it to me? I was just a floor manager of someone's café.

Shot! What am I thinking? Theo was here in front of me and so stupid of me reckoning such things.

My cheeks are warm. I'm hoping I don't look like a jellyfish reddish its cheek. But I don't like this awkwardness I'm going through. I don't know how to approach him after that introduction Min Xi, and I exchanged.

"Why don't we take a seat."

Theo suggested, which made me flushed because literally, I was staring at his handsome face.

"Um, right? Let us take a seat."

I tear a slight smile on my lips, then dropped my butt on the soft settee. Later, Theo sat beside me. I got nervous because he was too close to me. Kids are taking most of the seats, and so, the rim of the sofa is what I could only offer for him. I move a little to take a bit distance from him. I turned my head to the kids and smiled at them. Praying they will understand and move a little, but that is impossible.

I was apprehensive, being with him when Min Xi was here also. Or was I guilty because of Theo and me being together with the fact that he has a girlfriend? Darn it. What am I thinking about again?

"Nik?"

My head is running elsewhere, so it surprised me when Theo gently shook my shoulder. It startles me, and it feels like my heart sunk after I felt his warm fingers on my skin; then, I was staring at him like an idiot.

"I think your phone is ringing."

"Oh, right!" Just then, I came back to my senses and hurried to open my bag and take out my phone.

"Maybe it was important," said Theo.

He was also staring at the phone number flashing on my phone screen.

"Nah. I don't know this number."

I could feel Theo's gaze on my face. Also, I noticed the scent of his cologne. I think I smell this before, but I can't recall it.

"How long has that number been calling you?"

It surprised me at his question. I give him a perplexed look.

"Is this person bothering you?"

He asked me once again.

"Oh, the owner of this number? He just started calling me the other day," I responded.

"He?"

Theo wrinkled his forehead, peering at me fiercely. It gives me a chill, so I swallowed in front of him.

"I— I can't remember his name. I was too sleepy and tired that day, so—" OMG. He must have seen how my face is burning in. I was dead tired because of sensual activity from the night before; it's what's on my head.

"Hey, guys! Mind sharing an idea? What do you think?"

We didn't notice that Min Xi was already standing in front of us. I withdraw my gaze at Theo and turn my attention to Min Xi. My jaw dropped, staring at her.

She's wearing a cream hollow lace backless halter dress in a deep V-Neck front. Since the dress shows her curves, it's also showing her porcelain long legs when the slit of the dress dramatically parted seven inches above the knee before glamorously rested on the back.

No one from Theo or me gives a quick reaction. But it made me speechless how beautifully the dress is hugging her body. Whatever skirt she wears absolutely will always look good on Min Xi because of her height and beautiful long legs.

As a woman, I felt jealous. But in this world, indeed, there are goddesses like Min Xi walking on land.

"Guys? Could I assume that my dress was okay?"

Min Xi asked us once again, shifting gazes at Theo and me.

"It was beautiful!" I complimented like a fan.

"Okay…"

Though, I think Min Xi is more expecting a loving reaction from Theo. I perceive the way she glances at him with a frantic look in her eyes.

"If that's what you prefer, then go ahead."

Theo said to Min Xi that, in my judgment, it wasn't suitable as praise. Min Xi looks disappointed, but she tears a broad smile on her face.

"There is another dress I want to try on," she said, then walk away like she was on a runway.

I glanced at Theo and wonder why he's kind of indifferent to Min Xi. They acted like having a love quarrel, or anything else might be which I have no business to gossip. Honestly, it suffocates me to be in the same room as Theo, probably because Min Xi was here.

"Nikki, here is your item."

Sister Anna cheerfully handed me my purchased dress and debit card. The shopping bag feels heavy, but possibly because the dress was placed in a box.

"Thank you, sister Anna, for helping me."

"You are very welcome, dear."

"I'm leaving now," I told sister Anna, bowing, then glanced at Theo, but no word comes out of my mouth.

"Bye, Nikki!" sister Anna is waving.

I wave goodbye, then made hasty steps away from that place.