Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
The manager, realizing whom Eunice referred to, described promptly, “She was in a pink CNL suit with a white beret, and had long, wavy brown hair.”
Eunice gracefully fished her phone out of her purse and dialed Gordon with a languid air of casual indifference.
“Put the word out, if anyone on Style Plaza dares to sell anything to a person in a pink CNL suit, sporting a white beret and brown, wavy locks, they can kiss their spot in this zip code goodbye.”
The store manager’s eyes widened in alarm, frantically signaling the sales associates downstairs with a flurry of gestures to shut the shop immediately! The last thing they needed was another clueless customer inciting Eunice’s ire.
After finishing her call and having her selected outfits brought to her, Eunice descended the staircase with an air of unrivaled elegance. She had the kind of presence that always turned heads, dressed to the nines in a way that only a lady of her stature and wealth could pull off.
A sales associate led the way, clearing a path for her.
Approaching Mirabella, Eunice smiled warmly. “Bella, these are the pieces I picked out for you. Do you like them?”
The manager, eager to please, pushed the chosen outfits toward Mirabella and said respectfully, “Miss, everything’s here. Your aunt really spoils you, picking out so many lovely items in one go.”
Mirabella hadn’t expected her aunt’s taste to be so impeccable. Every garment was exactly to her liking and had a unique flair. Her lips curled up in delight. “They’re all gorgeous. I love them”
“That’s great. Why don’t you try them on? I bet they’ll look even better on you,’ Eunice beamed before turning to the store manager. “Remember, if your brand does well, don’t forget my niece’s part in it.”After all, her darling niece was like a walking billboard, offering free promotion wherever she went.
“Of course, we’ll never forget Miss Bella’s contribution” the manager replied with a deferential smile.
Just then, sales associate Lucy approached, carrying several shopping bags. “Ma’am, these are the items Miss Bella chase, all paid for. She said they’re a gift for you: Eunice was touched that her beloved niece had spent time downstairs picking out clothes for her. Her smile grew even more radiant.
“I’ll try them on as well.” Her eyes softened with affection as she looked at Mirabella.
The surrounding sales staff were stunned. They had never seen the usually commanding and aristocratic lady show such tenderness.
Meanwhile.
Serena had called Martin’s guys to load her thirty-some shopping bags into the car. After recomposing herself, she resumed her shopping spree, planning to settle scores with Mirabella later!
But when she reached the entrance of a top-tier designer boutique, the sales associate was about to close the door.
“Why are you closing now?” Serena asked, perplexed, as she stepped forward, eager to browse.
The boutique was known for its luxury handbags, and there was a new model released that day she had her eye on for ages. If she didn’t buy it now, it would be gone!
“Apologies, we’re expecting a VIP shortly’ the sales associate explained politely.
At the mention of “VIP’ Serena scoffed in derision. ‘What level of spender qualifies as a VIP in your books? I might have more clout than your so-called VIP. able to bring in more sales and profit for your store.”Who the VIP was remained to be seen!
The sales associate let out a small chuckle. “Miss, this VIP’s status is such that even if she doesn’t buy a single thing, she’s still a VIP in our store, always!”
Serena’s expression soured. “Are you talking about Mirabella?”
The sales associate seemed not to recognize the name. “I’m sorry, I don’t know whom you’re referring to.”
“Then who else could this VIP be?” Serena questioned, still puzzled.
“Excuse me, but I can’t disclose the identity of our VIP client. Please step aside; the sales associate said, about to close the door.
Serena stood her ground, arms crossed over her chest, and asked with a hint of pride, ‘Do you have any idea how much I spent at the previous store?”
The sales associate, seeing this self-important woman before her, remembered the manager mentioning that a certain rich girl, clad in a pink suit, had managed to offend Bard’s wife. The word on the street was that Bard’s wife had sent a clear warning: anyone who dared to do business with that rich girl was looking for trouble.
It wasn’t just Bard’s wife one should be wary of. Even the sales associate, struggling to suppress the urge to roll her eyes at the haughty display, was annoyed.
If it weren’t for the fact that she represented a top-tier brand, and that rolling her eyes would tarnish its image, she would have loved to serve this girl a hefty dose of disdain!
“Miss, regardless of how much you’ve spent elsewhere or the ‘victories’ you’ve had, this store has its policies.
Please move aside, we wouldn’t want you to get hurt,” she said with forced politeness.
“I want to see for myself what this ‘VIP’ looks like. Probably some nouveau riche brat or a mistress too ashamed to show her face.”
When Serena remained stubbornly in the doorway, the sales associate had no choice but to call security.As two burly security guards approached with determination, Serena, not wanting to make a scene, shot the sales associate a glare. “Crazy, refusing free money and turning away a customer. You’re just a sales clerk, don’t get ahead of yourself. Low-life.”
The sales associate was taken aback by the insult, feeling both angry and hurt.
Serena, finding some cathartic release in her outburst, felt her mood lift and she headed toward the next boutique.
The sales associate there, forewarned, saw her coming and stepped forward to block her. “I’m sorry, but you can’t come in.”
Confused, Serena asked, “Why not?”
“This store doesnt welcome you.”
Serena wondered if Mirabella was behind this. But then she thought that woman couldn’t possibly have the clout, she must be leveraging Romed’s influence!
Damn it all!
“You don’t have to listen to her. I have more clout. I’ve just spent a fortune at another store, Serena said, trying to assert her status.
The sales associate replied expressionlessly, “Even if you were to buy out our entire inventory today, showing such financial strength, we still wouldn’t allow you to take a step forward. Please consider shopping elsewhere.”
“Are you siding with her against me?”
The sales associate wondered if the girl was delusional. In Dawnstar, who dared to cross Bard’s wife?She had offended someone so untouchable and still had the audacity to say such things. Was she out of her mind?
“Please leave’ the sales associate said, gesturing towards the exit.
Fuming, Serena refused to believe this was happening. She tried the store next door, only to be stopped again before entering.
It had to be Mirabella’s doing!
Unable to contain her anger, she blurted out, “Don’t you know who I am? Have you ever heard of the Collins family?”
Who? What on earth was that?
“Sorry, but could you please not make this hard for us?” A line of sales associates stood in unison, firmly blocking her entrance.
Passersby were strolling along, and some luxury car owners sat smugly in their vehicles, watching her with amusement.
Out in the open, Serena felt the sting of embarrassment, “You don’t recognize the Collins name?
Kenneth Collins ring any bells??° “Apologies, but if you don’t leave now, we’ll have to call security.”
It didn’t matter if one was a tycoon, here in Dawnstar, in the presence of Bard, one had to step aside!
Serena couldn’t believe these salespeople were so clueless that they hadn’t even heard of her father.
As the crowd around her grew, she stomped her foot in frustration and left.
“Just you wait, Mirabella. You’ll get what’s coming to you if our paths cross again!”
Meanwhile.
The store manager personally packaged all the items, applied the membership discount, took another 20% off, and even threw in two extra dresses for Mirabella.
Watching Eunice and Mirabella rush to foot the bill, the manager couldn’t help but compliment them, “The affection between you two is truly heartwarming, just like mother and daughter. Although, in my years in this position, I’ve never seen such a youthful mother or a daughter so considerate and caring.”
“Bella, this is my treat; I insist on paying!” Eunice was determined, “Besides, you’ve already bought so many clothes for me. Don’t snatch the bill from me again, or I’ll feel disappointed!””You should let your aunt pay’ the manager chimed in, a bit awkwardly. “We wouldn’t dare take your money, young lady”
How could they accept money from the young miss when her aunt wanted to pay?
Seeing Eunice’s domineering but caring attitude left no room for debate, Mirabella couldn’t help but smile, “Okay, your treat”
“That’s my good girl” Eunice beamed. “I’ve accepted all the clothes you bought for me earlier, and now you have to accept everything I bought for you!”
With that, Eunice’s eyes caught a glimpse of a chic backpack in the corner. She walked over, picked it up, and said, “Bella, look at this—it’s as if it was made for you. It’s lovely. You’ll look great with it. Let’s add this to our purchase.”
Touched by her aunt’s affection, Mirabella grinned, “Then dinner’s on me.”
“When you’re in Dawnstar, you don’t need to spend a dime! Don’t be formal with your aunt!”
Once everything was packed, Mirabella moved to pick up the bags, but Eunice linked arms with her and said, “Someone will carry those for us. Come on, I’ll take you out to eat, you must be starving.”
They had spent quite some time in just that one store.
Suddenly feeling her aunt’s arm linked with hers brought a warmth that spread from her heart.
Ever since she had found her family, Mirabella realized time and again that being pampered and adored by relatives was a true blessing.
She instinctively held onto Eunice, her lips curling into a smile like Alma’s.”Bella, what would you like to eat? Just name it,” Eunice said with a mix of assertiveness and doting affection.
“If you’re too shy to say, I’ll call Louisa.”
Mirabella chuckled, “I’m not picky, really. I’m fine with all kinds of cuisine, whatever you think is best.”
“Where do you get this considerate nature? Did that family who raised you mistreat you?” Eunice pondered. She figured Mirabella was one of those cool on the outside, kind-hearted on the inside types, probably because her previous family was indifferent, or unkind, or she was simply born with a generous spirit.
“I’ll have to ask Louisa about you, get to know you better’ Eunice mused, then a restaurant came to mind. “I know just the place you’ll love. Let’s go, I will treat you.”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.