TWENTY FOUR

I had just finished editing a document when I heard the doorbell. I picked my laptop up from my thigh and placed it safely on the table before getting up. I walked towards the door and opened it to Vicky standing at the other side.

" Hey Vicky." I greeted, moving aside to let her come in.

" Hi Roy. " I closed the door before walking in beside Vicky.

I walked to the kitchen to get her a drink, then headed to the living room.

" I thought you were going to spend all day with Richard, you two are inseparable." I hand the drink over to her before taking a seat.

" We spent the weekend together, I need some time and besides I miss my best friend."

" I missed you too, we haven't really spent time together". I say, pouting a little.

" I know right, we seriously need a girl time." Vicky replied and I nodded agreeing with her.

" Why don't we go shopping, I still haven't gotten any dresses for tonight. I thought I would just throw something on, but since you are here it's a great opportunity." I suggested.

Giovanni just recently partnered with a Chinese business man and the party was like a celebration of their partnership.

" Sure, I also need to get a dress too. " She said. I stood up from the bed and ran up the stairs to the room. I changed into a jean and a crop top then headed back downstairs.

" Are you ready to go?" Vicky said, gesturing to the door. It's better to leave early , so we won't come back late. We both walked out, Giovanni had given me his card a week back in case I needed to buy something or pay for anything at all. I should use it. I tried to decline since he already has my own money, but that man is so stubborn.

" Oh yes, we are going to have to pick out a dress for you and me. I have a few things in mind and an idea of what you should wear. " Vicky said..

"When we got outside of the house, Alfred was waiting with three other bodyguards and two cars were lined up.

Alfred opened the middle car for me. Vicky and I got in and we drove off. The other car followed behind us.

After a while we pulled up at the mall. We got out of the car, with Alfred and the rest of the men trailing behind us.

People turned to stare, probably wondering if we were some kind of celebrity or something, I chose to ignore them and continued my journey into the mall. My eyes scanned the mall looking for a dress that would suit me, but didn't find anything. I was constantly dragged by Vicky to different stores.

How could I have forgotten so quickly how She gets when shopping. My feet were aching and we still haven't found anything presentable to wear.

We had been to a couple of stores and it was already 2pm in the afternoon, that was when we walked into a beautiful boutique. It was filled with a lot of beautiful dresses and fewer people, so the chances of getting recognized were slim. Vicky and I searched and searched for a perfect dress for the two of us and I was about to give up and just go back home to the mansion, that was when I saw it.

The Dress.

It was a beautiful red dress that was definitely fitted. It was a Luxury Red Beading Tiered Split Tulle Dress.

"This is it". I say smiling at it.

" Why don't you try it on, let's see. " Vicky says, pushing me off towards the dressing room.

I took off my clothes and put on the dress. I raised my head to stare at my reflection and was stunned. The dress was indeed beautiful, if possible, way too beautiful.

" Mani come out, I want to see how it looks." I could hear the excitement from Samantha's voice.

I unlocked the door and stepped out, Vicky jaw was dropped to the ground. " Oh my God, it's like the dress was made perfectly for you. You are going to give Sin a run for his money. " she said pulling me into a hug then pulled away to look at the dress. " You really look beautiful, Mani."

" Thank you" I say, my lips raised up in a smile.

I walked back to the dressing room to take off the dress and change back into my own clothes. As I picked up the dress, I caught sight of the price tag and almost fainted.

It was freaking expensive.

I walked back out to put the dress back where I found it and Vicky stared at me confused.

" why are you putting it back, that dress looks good on you not to be worn. " She asked .

" it's expensive Sam, I didn't expect it to be this expensive. I didn't come with my ATM card but Giovanni's"

She grabbed my hand. " You do know , Giovanni doesn't mind right. Do you see how much money he makes a day? This is like a change to. him, so don't worry and take the dress. " I hate using Giovanni money because I know for a fact it's not mine. But at the end of the day, I had to get the dress.

" Okay, but if he gets pissed at me, I am blaming it all on you. " I won't even mind looking good, so I took the dress to the cashier and bought it with his card.

" name," the cashier asked.

" Giovanni Reeves ." the minute I said his name, her hands trembled and she dropped the card on the floor.

" I'm sorry , I will get this done right away. " she says, swiping the card. It was obvious that she was afraid. She seemed so scared once I brought up Giovanni's name. How influential was Sin, that made people this scared of him.

I wondered.

After paying for it, Vicky was able to find a dress that suited her also and she paid for it. We walked out of the boutique in search of shoes and other necessities. We walked out of the mall and Mateo took the shopping bags from me. We got and we drove right off, back to the mansion.