Page 57 of My Forbidden Boss

“Uh…no…I don’t think I’ll need…”

She makes a noise and dismisses me. “Of course you will. You’re going to Florida, for goodness sake! You must be prepared for anything and everything.”

She darts into the back of the shop and returns with something bundled in her hand. It isn’t big enough to be a bathing suit, but the swatch of material is that. She holds it up like she found gold. “He’ll love this on you.”

I choke. “He won’t…I mean…there’s no-one…I can’t.”

“He’ll love you in this, sweetheart. Oh, I wish I was young again and could wear something like this, but I’ve had my life. Now, into the changing room with you. I’ll see about finding some suitable dresses while you try these on.” She parts the curtains in the changing area and puts the bundle of clothing onto a stool.

I try on clothes for so long she tells me her name is Barbara and she used to be a clothing stylist when she was younger and she has four grandchildren, and she can’t wait for them to grow older so she can style them as well. She shows me how to put on evening makeup and instructs me on the finer points of etiquette and I don’t merely think I’m overwhelmed and unprepared.

I won’t survive.

I’ve stepped over the railing, am walking the plank and sharks are churning in the water, jaws snapping, teeth sharpened, scenting my blood.

She hands me four large bags filled with everything I’ll need. “He’s special.”

I startle because I haven’t said a thing about David. “I…he…”

I can’t deny it. He is special. And untouchable.

I don’t know how I’m going to resist him, but it won’t matter because he’ll end up hating me. I won’t use him that way despite what he thinks he wants. He’s blindsided while I have perfect vision.

“Don’t under-estimate yourself. You’re a catch too, young lady,” she says.

I blink away watering eyes, nerves raw. If she only saw what I’m capable of. I’m not the catch she thinks I am. “I…thank you,” I say because what else is there?

“Enjoy yourself. You’re only young once,” she says and ushers me out of the shop. It’s only when I get home I remember she didn’t charge me for anything.

I spend the afternoon laundering my new clothing. The dresses Barbara chose for me are new, the labels still on them. I can’t imagine having enough money to buy a dress and then not wear it. I don’t think many would. There’s no denying she has taste. She’s given me the pick of the shop and I’m fitted out with business clothing, shoes, dresses, the bathing suit I won’t wear and even a beach towel I didn’t see her put into the bags.

I pack my battered suitcase three times and eat the last of the Udon. Raw nerves and my conscience won’t let me sleep. I blink awake at another dawn, repack my suitcase, but no amount of shuffling around clothes will make me ready. I make my feet take me to the curb at 10am sharp the next morning because no way will I give David a reason to come to this condo and see where I live.

I ignore the cat-calls of two men standing at the corner of the building and hug David’s daughter’s coat around me against a bitter wind.

“Hey you!”

I ignore the brash voice. The tone that tells me they’ve picked me out as a target. It’s the coat. It’s painted me as not belonging when the truth is I belong as much as they do. Maybe more so.

They won’t leave me alone until they’ve had their fun. Footsteps scuff the wet pavement as they draw closer. I glance at the oncoming traffic and hope that David will either come soon or is held up in traffic so he doesn’t have to witness this shame.

“Give me that coat. I’m cold,” a man says and I groan internally. If I could will them away I would. It’s never helped me in the past and I’d be a fool to think it would work here. I hate the way my legs are weak and wobbly. I hate that after a lifetime I still can’t stand up for myself.

“I’m talking to you, bitch!”

I flinch when a hard hand lands on my shoulder and spins me around. I look up into a sneer and lit eyes that tell me he’s found his latest amusement.

Another man darts for my case. “Wonder what she has in here.”

“No! Don’t!” I say. I try to save my case, but the man’s hand tightens and pulls me against him. My back slams into his chest as he winds his arm around my waist. Stale sweat surrounds me as his friend grabs my case. “Please.”

“I like the way she begs. I wonder how much she’ll beg after we’ve finished with her,” the man holding my case says as he snaps the clasps open.

Clothing spills across the ground, soaking up the mud on the sidewalk and my blood turns arctic. The man pulls me backwards and my shoes slip on the icy ground. I fight him, but he’s too big, too strong, and I’m frozen from the inside out with muscle-paralysing terror.

An engine roars before skin smacks skin and the man emptying my case stumbles and lands on his back across my scattered clothes.

“Hey!” the man holding me cries out before I’m wrenched from his hold.

---