200. We have a problem

I got out of the bathtub the moment the water became cold. I fetched a robe and coiled a towel around my head. I walked out to the room and found a beautiful set of cloths perfectly folded and laid on the side. A hot steaming cup was right at the nightstand and from the aroma it was spreading, I could tell it was ginger tea.

I saw down and decided to have the tea first. I blew gently against it and drank as it was too hot. I felt proud remembering the lessons Philippe gave me when I was at his place. He was really one of a kind and I was happy I met him. Unfortunately, things got weirder between us and I had to knock sense in both of us. I left.

But then his so-called friend tracked me down and here I was trapped in his house. Remembering all these, my head started to ache. I got up and walked to the mirror, looking at my reflection and taking in deep breaths. There was a time when I would look in the mirror and see the definition of beauty, virtue and talent. It was all written in the mirror and I could read it clearly. Yet now, there was nothing I'd find in myself except brokenness. It was as though I had been looking through visual reality goggles this entire time and it was only now that I got slapped into reality.

"Don't worry ...am here for you....." I touched the mirror and thankfully,the girl inside held my hand and smiled as well. Marcello said that we are often what we say to our reflection. So I decided to tell myself nice things so I won't get stressed and get sick again.

I was the only one who cared about me and my health. Only me. When I was weak, only I was there for me. When my hope was gone, when the fear was strong, when the pain was real, when it was so hard to heal, when my faith in myself was shaken, my only heart was broken and my joy was stolen. In all these moments, only I was able to wipe my tears. I loved me.

********

"Oh...ma'am...you're back....." Sharyn jumped as I walked down the staircase from my room. The house was empty and unlike before, I didn't see plenty of servants around anymore.

"Where's DJ?" I asked, seeing him nowhere.

"The young master has left for some work. However he instructed us to accompany you to the store. To pick some cloths...." Jake Lew came in and bowed his head at me. Sharyn looked at me and only smiled agreeably.

"Ashh! He was so adamant about it...." I murmured under my breath. "What's your shoe size???" I asked Sharyn who looked at me no less than did Jake Lew; less confused and more shocked. I looked around the house while waiting for an answer. When I didn't get it, I turned around at them and Jake Lew poked her with his elbow and I immediately questioned the boundaries in their relationship.

"Umm...size 5, ma'am...." She choked. It was evident.

"Okay....so which store are we going to????"

"Oscar De La Renta ma'am....they have a shop down town...." Sharyn replied and I gasped. They did have a branch of such an international brand here? Things had really changed around here. At least I knew the name of the brand was after the founder who ran by the same name. Oscar de la Renta was named to the International Best Dressed List. It was one of the brand's tapped on half my wardrobe. Having a store in the city isn't so bad.

"And He said they can debit all the expenses to his account....." Jake Lew lowered his head and I nodded.

"Shall we leave then?" I motioned for the door and Sharyn walked behind me.

"Precisely...." Jake Lew opened the door.

ADD TEXT

"Isn't she Eleanor?? When did she come out of rehab???" One of them asked. In no time, an assembly gathered and launched just the gossip circle.

"Yes it's her....she attended her ex's son's christening in England. I bet it was to help her move on..."

"For someone who's battling depression I think she's quiet off the edge...."

"Exactly... shouldn't she be living her life low key at a remote island? Why is she here shopping and looking like a diva?"

One after another gossip escaped their lips. I couldn't believe it. Humans were very predictable. Their virtue you really write in water. Without a second, I walked out of the changing room and carried the dress to the counter. Sharyn was behind me all the time, carrying some other things for me.

"This one?" She asked and I nodded.

"Almost....uh....do you have anything that quiet suits my style? I think none of these do...." I requested asking Sharyn to place them on the counter. Mr Smith gave me a look of shock but then faded it to have a rather more neutral expression.

"Bring the latest collection for her please...." He asked the clerks and they went into the backdoor bringing out just the most elegant dresses. I could see them exchange stares of disdain and handed me the dresses. I smiled, hiding my mischief. I would make them pay. And dearly....

"Changing room?" Sharyn asked.

"Oh no darling...that's not necessary....do you like them???" I asked and she looked even more puzzled by my question than anyone else was in the store.

"Uh...yeah....they're quiet elegant....nothing more I'd ask for...." She complimented.

"It'll do...." I said walking to the shoes section.

"Wrap them for her please....." Sharyn gave the order and walked behind me. We walked to the shoe section together and I thought I wouldn't need any. I still had my emergency flats on. I always carried them in my bag and I knew they'd go quiet well with one of the dresses.

Fortunately, a blue leather wedge ankle boot caught my attention. It was in the centre of the room and I just couldn't breathe after looking at it. Sharyn noticed my attractions and rushed to get the shoe for me. I received it and it was even in my shoe size. 4. It was definitely waiting for me.

"Please dear Ma'am....you have to try it on....." Sharyn asked but I raised my hand at her. "Have it wrapped...." I said quietly but sternly.

She nodded and left for the counter. I was still admiring some shoes when I heard the shop's door open. I didn't bother turning around to look. Just one of those regular customers I guessed. She passed by me and left a vanilla essence crowding my nose. She sure knew how to make her perfume speak.

I couldn't resist but tilt my head to look at her. She had her back at me. She was wearing black leather pants and a six inch shoe with a very thin heel. She had a cardigan loose to her thighs. A handbag hang on her hand and I wondered if she was a rich empress in the business empire. She sure looked like one.

I turned my attention to the shoes and looked at the price of one. My heart skipped and I gasped. Gone where the days when I would pick a shoe and it would be debited to someone's account. Now, the prices tagged were jaw dropping such that not even my year's total salary would be able to cover. I was broke and broken. I placed the shoe down and turned around to check on Sharyn. She must've finished by now and we could leave. Fortunately, I almost bumped into her and she quickly apologized for it.

"Shall we leave now??"

"No ma'am....we have a problem...." She reported seeming nervous. Her gaze turned to the counter and I followed it to the woman that had just walked in. The look on Sharyn, told me something was horribly wrong and my heart stung. I walked to the counter and to my dismay, I found this woman to be demanding the shoe I had picked.