21 The shop

"The Golden Cat" was written on the signboard. That guy really liked cats was Arya's thought. The shop was huge. In the middle there even were placed small tables with comfortable chairs. Starting from the left there were stands with toiletries, accessories like hats and gloves for both men and women, then there was a tobacco stand next to a vine and other alcohols. On the right there were toys and stuff for children as well as elegant cutlery and items for home and decoration and stationery. This shop was really innovative as everything was in one place displayed on a huge space unlike the other small shops. It was impressive. Even the shop assistants were eye-catching wearing elegant black and white clothes. They were all betas though Arya could sense that much. She decided to take a stroll around all the stalls. She was looking at the items presented, sometimes she was touching them but with no intention of buying till she came to the stall selling stationery goods. Arya noticed a really beautiful fountain pen. It was black covered with silver graver depicting some flowery motive. It looked very luxurious. It had been a while since Arya wrote something, well had a chance to touch a pen. She was sure her writing would be ugly as hell.

"This pen is a fine piece of art and it's of really high quality too, madam." Arya heard a young shop assistant saying.

"Yes it is." Arya agreed, not willing to put it aside. She wanted that pen. "I'll take it and I need some paper too."

"Of course madam, do you want me to pack those items?"

"Yes please."

Jason was right behind her back.

This purchase will go on Mr Reyes account." He started and the blond shop assistant nodded.

"Of course Mr Jason."

"Oh what a nice surprise that we met here!" The annoying high pitched voice Arya heard could belong only to one person.

"Mrs Netherfel, what a pleasure to meet you." Arya smiled thinking about possible ways to escape that woman.

"Oh I see you are doing some shopping, a pen hmm yes, yes that's a fine thing. Well I was just thinking about buying a new hat, you know a blue one with some flowers and a lace. Let me show you." Before Arya could react in any way she had been pulled behind Mrs Netherfel toward the stand with accessories. Mrs Netherfel was loud and kept talking about the hats drawing too much attention.

"Look here Miss Arya, isn't it a fine thing?" The hat was nothing special and Arya didn't like the color and the fact that the flowers decorating it were just too much.

"It is madam, it will look good on you." She lied.

"You think so? Yes I agree. It's so nice, I have already tried a few hats here but this one seems the best. I'll take it."

"Of course madam." The shop assistant looked at Arya with visual relief.

"Oh look Miss Arya, that woman who has just entered is Mrs Doncastle, she is a baroness. She's a cousin of my husband." Not wasting any second Mrs Netherfel called out loud across the shop.

"Mrs Doncastle!"

A short slim lady in her late thirties turned around showing a rather displeased look. Arya didn't blame her, it was awkward. Even she knew that shouting like that was considered rude. No wonder Mrs Netherfel didn't feel well in refined company as she didn't know how to behave. However it was amazing how despite her rather plump figure Mrs Netherfell was able to move so quickly still not letting go of Arya's hand.

"Well, isn't it a fine thing that we met so casually?"Mrs Netherfell was smiling looking pleased while the other party seemed rather annoyed. Mrs Netherfell, not discouraged by the silence continued. "First I bumped into Miss Arya and now you Mrs Doncastle." The baroness looked at Arya and frowned. The noble lady's features lacked the typical softness every woman has. Arya knew why, the baroness was an Alpha and fully aware that Arya was an Omega. Still Arya decided to make as positive an impression as she could. She bobbed and smiled sweetly at Mrs Doncastle.

"It's a pleasure to meet you madam." As the baroness remained quiet which was rude too, Arya decided to seize the opportunity and make her escape.

"I'm sure you two ladies have a lot to talk about and I wouldn't like to disturb you. I'll take my leave Mrs Doncastle, Mrs Netherfel." Arya bobbed again. "It was a pleasure to meet you."

Mrs Doncastle nodded and that was it while the loud Beta seemed disappointed.

"Well Miss Arya, we will see each other at dinner."

"Yes Mrs Netherfell." Arya was already on her way to get out of the shop followed by the butler. She wasn't willing to stay there any minute longer. The dinner will for sure take its toll on her nerves. The street was busier than in the morning. It was more or less lunch time. Mr Reyes told her to have lunch here and go back home for dinner. She still had a lot of time. She wasn't really hungry, her stomach was a bit tight but she wasn't willing to go earlier back home as it might show she wasn't grateful for letting her go to the city.

"Do you know any restaurant here Mr Jason?"

"Of course madam, there is a fine restaurant on the corner of the High street and Bromsley Lane. They serve very tasty dishes, Mr Reyes likes this place too."

"Fine, Arya agreed, let's go there."

The restaurant was really fancy, the dark furniture with snow white tablecloth as well as fresh flowers and the opulent chandelier made of sparkling crystals made this place look really glamorous. Arya felt out of place. Sitting here she was fully aware that only a few streets away there was a totally different world. With cramped buildings, dirty narrow streets and beggars on every corner. A world she knew so well. Even now in this fancy restaurant the gloom of those streets was upon her. Not yet, she was still young, she had a few years ahead before her assets would wear off. Now was the time to enjoy the food she was able to order as pleased. She was wondering whether she will end just like Cora with a wardrobe full of memories seized in shapes of dresses.

"Are you ready to order?" A polite looking waiter was waiting for the decision, her decision. Arya had no clue what to order; she was now fully drowned in her thoughts that she hadn't even looked at the menu.

"Just a moment sir, I need more time to make up my mind."