Dressing Up Like the CEO's Wife

She arrived at the restaurant quicker than she had anticipated. She looked at the large wall-to-floor ceiling and the dimly lit interior and sighed. Why people ate at places where everyone could see what was on their plate was beyond her comprehension. Moreover, watching people walk around miserably while you enjoyed a meal was somewhat sadistic. Or, if the person eating was normal, disheartening.

Therefore, eating at such a place was not one of the things she wanted to do in this life.

Yet, she still stood in front of the grand wooden double door that was supposed to lead inside the restaurant. It was imposing and restrictive. The man standing in front of the door smiled at her, though Anna could see the apprehension in his eyes.

"Hi, I would like a table for one," Anna said confidently. It was one of her strengths. She didn't care for the eyes of others because they would never see her again, and for those who saw her for a long period of time, she could pretend to be who she wanted to be in front of them.

"I am sorry. We are fully booked today," he said politely.

Anna glanced towards the window seat and saw at least two that were free.

"I can see a few unclaimed seats, though," she demanded shamelessly. She didn't like standing out or speaking out in front of others, but right now, she was determined to go inside. She could pull out every dirty trick in the book.

"They are reserved, ma'am."

Anna hummed. "I see. I can wait until a table is available to go in. I am craving the food here." She crossed her hand across her chest and tilted her head with a smile.

Finally, the man looked at her with mild exasperation. "I'm sorry, we can't allow you to go inside. It is against our protocol."

Anna perked up at that. "I am a paying customer, you'll turn me away? Might I ask what this protocol is?"

"Our clientele wear semi-formal or formal clothing." He looked at her clothes and then a displeased frown could be seen.

"I see. I just saw someone in jeans and a top inside," she argued back.

"With all due respect—" When someone strung those words together like that, they definitely meant to disrespect the other. "— you have streaks of dirt on your palm and under your nails."

Anna finally understood the issue. She had forgotten that university walls were one of the dirtiest rocks to climb. At least her superb climbing skills had prevented the elbows and knees of her clothes to be the same. There was no bodily contact in climbing. Her posture was perfect.

She nodded in agreement. "I can wash my hands and come back, then?" she chirped. Talk about shamelessness, even Anna herself was pleased with herself. Maybe it was because she was in a terrible mood, but being the sourness of the man's face was spurring her mischievous side on.

There was something about challenging figures of authority that made her heart race.

"You can come back tomorrow," he said slowly.

"So, you want me to be dressed like some CEO's wife to walk through that door, right? Or is it reserved for people who look pretty or don't come alone? Is this about a smaller bill?" She held back the smirk and asked with the gravest expression she could muster in that circumstance.

"As long as you are presentable," he said. He had realized that Anna was simply dilly-dallying.

"I'll inform you, CEOs and their wives prefer this unkempt and unfashionable look these days," Anna prompted.

The man raised his brow. "As you say."

Seeing that she wouldn't get a response out of him, Anna put her hands in the pockets of her pant and swept one last glance around the exterior of the restaurant before walking away.

The person at the external reception let out a breath.

'There is a difference between unkempt but expensive clothes that CEOs wear and the ones you wore, ma'am.' He shook his head and watched her figure blend into the crowd. She walked swiftly and in no time, he couldn't recognize which of the people in the distance was her.

In reality, Anna had stalled for time to look over the general layout of the restaurant and the cameras installed at the front entrance. Usually, commercial places bought a whole CCTV system at one go and they used the same company to record and catalog all the videos and feeds.

That was what Anna was really interested in.

She made a note of the security system used by the restaurant. The time spent chatting with the man was for that. Fun aside.

Anna returned to the apartment, passing by the neighbors little daughter. "Sis, did you go out for a walk again?"

Anna nodded as she unlocked the door to the apartment.

"See you!" the kid chirped, just like she did every day.

Anna waved silently and then opened the door without a sound.

Marie was still watching television and didn't turn to look at her roommate when she came in. She was used to this person's movements.

"What do you want to eat tonight?" Marie asked.

"I'll just grab an energy bar. I might cook some instant noodles if I get hungry in the middle of the night," Anna said over her shoulder.

"How you survive on such little food is beyond me. You represent the poor university student very well," Marie chided.

"I'm used to this," Anna commented immediately. She opened the refrigerator and as she had said, pulled out an energy bar from one of the cabinets. She unwrapped it and took the first bite.

She watched the face of her roommate curiously before she smiled. "Did you submit your assignment for 609?" she asked.

Marie looked bewildered for a moment. "Wasn't the submission tomorrow?" she asked as she turned to face Anna slowly.

"It was a couple of hours ago," Anna grinned.

"Mother—" Marie didn't finish the sentence. She jumped up from the sofa and sprinted to her room. "I thought it was tomorrow!" she yelled. Despite the slamming of the door, Anna could hear the other's struggle clearly.