Page 18 of The Bargain

He didn't talk all the way to the mall, but I didn’t mind. His presence was too overbearing. I was not sure if that was due to him simply being a man, his power, his raw appeal, or his hate of me.

“Park here. Macy’s will have everything we need.”

He parked and sighed, looking at the store’s sign. “Macy’s….”

I rolled my eyes. “Come on, let’s go.” I didn't want to spend too much time away from Timmy, and Dean was not really a person I wanted to spend my time with.

As soon as we walked in, Dean grabbed a sales assistant. “I need you to help her shop.”

I glared at him because A. I could do it myself and B. I hated the way he'd talked to the poor woman.

She smiled at him; I guess his pretty face excused the rudeness. “Well, we do have personal stylists, sir.”

“Perfect. We’ll have one now.”

She giggled, actually giggled. What was wrong with this woman?

“I’m sorry, sir, but she’s on appointment only. I can try to arrange something for next w-”

“Absolutely not.” He got his wallet out of his suit jacket and flashed her a black and silver card. “I’m sure you know what this card means. Get her here, now.”

Her eyes widened and I didn't need to see the card to know it meant, ‘I’m loaded as shit.’

She nodded. “I'll get her.”

“Thought so,” he grumbled as we watched her hurrying away.

“That was unnecessary.” I sighed as I started to look at the coats nearby. I picked up the cheapest one.

He appeared beside me and put the coat away. “I beg to differ. This coat is cheap. Plus the color is not flattering.” He put it back and picked up a beautiful red asymmetrical cashmere coat with brass buttons. “This one.” He pushed it toward me.

“Good choice.” We heard a voice say from behind us.

I turned around to see a stunning blonde woman in her forties. She was perfectly dressed; everything was matching, even her make-up and hairband.

“My name’s Sabrina. I'm the personal shopper at this store and am happy to be of assistance.”

I opened my mouth to greet her, but Dean spoke before I had the chance.

“Thank you, Sabrina. She needs a full wardrobe - undergarments included, I presume.”

I rolled my eyes but didn't bother correcting him.

For the next couple of hours, I suffered under the hands of Sabrina - pants, shirts, skirts, jumper, socks, stockings, matching sets of underwear, and bras… The woman left nothing out. I was grateful I didn't know the prices. I was pretty certain I would have had a heart attack if I did. I was grateful that despite Dean's orders to make me presentable I’d managed to add two pairs of jeans and sneakers to the lot.

Dean didn't seem bothered about all the purchases. He sat on a brown leather sofa by the single VIP changing room, typing away on his phone. It seemed he never really stopped working and that was a shame. Not that he should be enjoying my company, we were never going to happen, but he should enjoy life.

I sighed with relief when Sabrina finally stopped having me try on clothes.

“We need an evening gown just in case,” Dean stated, not looking up from his phone. “I hardly think the dresses she used to wear would be suitable for any party other than an orgy.”

I blushed a deep crimson as Sabrina’s eyes widened in shock.

She turned toward me, detailing me, probably trying to decipher if he was joking or not.

But I couldn't even say anything. I was too angry with him. Just when I’d started hating him less, he snapped back with a passion. If it wasn’t for Timmy, I would have jumped on him right now and beat him as much as I could. But I knew that if I so much as slapped him, he’d take Timmy away from me, calling me violent and unstable.

“I- I- I think I have a few great choices. Just give me a few minutes. I’ll be back with something.” Sabrina rushed away, probably ready to gossip, and explain to her colleagues that she was witnessing a remake of Pretty Woman.

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