THE SHOPPING

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

SARAH'S POV

I was extremely happy when aunt Kathy told me Mr Russell had given her his credit card to take me out for shopping and had also booked a reservation for me at a spa.

I couldn't believe my ears at first but when she showed me the credit card, I was more than excited.

I hardly and barely had the time to take or even treat myself out to do something fun because while my mother was still alive, I had to do odd jobs just to pay her medical bills and even when I moved in with my father, he never allowed me to take a single penny from the money I earned.

This is the first time I'll be getting such a kind treatment from a stranger even though it's with a purpose, it still felt real and genuine.

I picked one of my best jeans which was a bit faded alongside with a purple blouse which is my favourite before rushing off to the bathroom to take a shower.

I got out of the shower after a few minutes, and did the other necessary stuff. I picked one of my finest scandals and put them on before topping up with a little bag I got from my mother.

I was just checking out myself in the mirror when I heard, aunt calling out to me.

"I'm ready. I'll be out in just a minute." I yelled and went in with my hair bow packing my hair in a ponytail before making my way out.

I got to the hallway and found Aunt already dressed up in a simple outfit as well.

"Shall we go? We have a lot to do today." She said as we both walked towards the stairs.

"Have you told Max about the trip?" I asked.

"Not yet but he will understand and will be happy since you're going with his dad."

"Yeah but I'll really miss him, likewise him too."

"I'll try my best to keep him company. The love you have for the little boy is something I haven't seen before. You love him like he's your son. I hope it will be possible for you and his dad to get along, you know what I mean?"

"Come on aunt, you know it can't happen, right? I'm way out of Mr Russell's league. There are lots of women out there he'd choose over someone like me."

"We never can say." She smiled.

"I can't even fall in love with him, aunt. He's so arrogant and bossy and besides I'm not ready to give my heart to any man."

"Well, all I can say is love is always around the corner. So you have better watch out for it." She said as we both chuckled.

All the way to the mall, aunt and I kept engaging in a series of conversations to keep us from getting bored.

I haven't talked or been really open towards people all my life. All I was focused at that time was work and how to pay my mother's medical bills. I never got to spend quality time with her due to how busy I got in making sure she lives.

"We're finally here, dear. We've got to get you the finest of dresses to make you look stunning and radiant." She uttered, which jolted me out of my thoughts.

The mall looked big, classy and beautiful from the outside. I can tell by the way the mall looks, it costs lots of fortune and everything might be overly expensive.

"Don't worry. I might look a bit old but I've a good sense of fashion." She added as we both got out of the car.

"I can tell through the way you dress. But, aunt, don't you think this mall is out of our standard?"

"Don't be ridiculous, darling. It was Jay's order to bring you here so let's go in and have a look at their latest collections."

"Really aunt? But why does he have to spend so much on me."

"Here we go again." She sighed, holding her forehead, "Jay has no problem when it comes to stuff like these so can we suspend this discussion and get down to business."

"Okay aunt." I answered, as she held my hand before we both walked inside.

We walked over to the reception and saw a beautiful lady standing by the counter.

"Good morning ma'am. Welcome to Lakeside Shopping Center. What can I do for you?"

"We're here to check out your latest collections of dresses in the VIP section."

"That's wonderful, I'll ask one of the staff to take you there." She replied, with so much respect.

In less than a minute, two staff were called upon to take us to the VIP section which I couldn't believe my ears. It's really going to take a while for me to be used to all these.

We got to the VIP section as a blonde lady walked up to us and ordered the staff to get back to work.

"You're welcome ma'am. You can check around. I'm sure you'll find the perfect collections you're looking for."

"That won't be necessary. Where can we get the finest and latest collection of dresses for events." Aunt Kathy, ordered.

"Alright. This way, please." She said as we followed her.

"We got to a room filled with beautiful dresses that made me marvel in awe.

"You're free to set the collections that best fit to your taste." She added and walked out of the room.

"All the dresses are so beautiful, aunt. I can't seem to even take my eyes off them."

"I know right but we have to pick the ones that stand out among all of them."

"Where are we even going to start from?"

"Just take a seat and let me handle this."

"Okay. I'll just be over there." I said, pointing to a sofa at the end of the doorway.

I got so bored that I didn't even know when I dozed off until I felt a light pat on my hand as I slowly opened my eyes to see, aunt's smiley face.

"I got so tired and didn't know when I dozed off. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's really fine. You don't have to feel sad or anything."

"I should have kept you company. Were you able to find the dresses?"

"Yes dear and you're going to love them when you see them."

"Where are they? I really want to see them."

"Come check them out." She pulled my hand as we headed to the changing room.

I was astonished when I saw the dresses. They were so beautiful and pretty. Out of the three dresses, the one I love most of all was the purple armless long gown with a neatly cut from the knees down to the floor. They were indeed lovely and breath-taking

When I tried them on, I looked totally like a different person who happens to be from a royal family.

"Thank you so much aunt. They're all beautiful. I love the purple dress more since it's my favourite colour." I uttered with a smile.

"Oh, really? It's also my favourite colour."

"We do have something in common." I chuckled.

"Of course. Let's go pay for the dresses before we head to the spa." She added as I grabbed the dresses along with panties and brassieres with some other clothes before we both left the room.