Chapter 155
Chapter 155
Fiona POV
I never expected to run into Celeste of all people at the mall. I had thought I would have a relaxing afternoon, simply trying on dresses and jewellery but of course, she had to ruin everything as she always did. Her words always cut so deeply even as I tried not to let her offend me. It was hard. So hard sometimes to pretend that nothing was amiss or that I could simply shrug it off and move on. I sighed, walking away from the boutique, no longer interested in any of it. As I stepped out, I collided with none other than Autumn who reached out and immediately balanced me before I could do something utterly humiliating and land smack on my ass. I breathed a sigh of relief and then gaped at her. Somehow this was not something I had expected either but suspicion began to lurk in my mind. Autumn had been back at the pack house when I left because I had spotted her upon leaving….
“Autumn, what on earth are you doing here?” I asked narrowing my eyes at her as she stood there smiling at me.
I was certain it was no coincidence. She gave me a sheepish look and then ran a hand through her hair disheveling it. She made an apologetic gesture at me.
“Alpha Liam asked me to come and help you. Not because he doesn’t trust your judgment but for your safety,” she admitted.“He thought you might want some company and, she breathed with resignation in her tone, “he thought
something might happen to you and wanted a private security detail in case. Please don’t be angry at him. He’s only got the best intentions when it comes to you. I know you can kick ass now,” she added with a trill of laughter, “but mates always want to take care of their other mates.”
Of course. My mate was nothing but protective when it came to me. Instead of growing angry at him though I felt a warm glow spread through me and gratefulness. It would be nice to have company as I shopped. It was rather lonely being by myself. Besides, I liked Atuumn and I knew she felt the same way. We had become firm friends so I appreciated she had agreed to come here and help me.
“Thank you. I am sorry you are having to take time out of your day though” I added in apology.
I hoped she didn’t have any important plans that I might have ruined.
“Are you kidding,” she snorted at me. “I can’t think of anything better than a girl’s afternoon. Now, tell me, where do you want to go next?” she asked eagerly, “I happen to know a boutique that will rock your world. It’s always got the best designer dresses and more importantly, your bitch sister isn’t in there at the moment.”
I laughed. Autumn was always so blunt when it came to expressing her thoughts and opinions. I rather enjoyed it even though I knew it put some people off. She made no apologies for the person she was and I admired that in her.
So she knew Celeste had already bothered me. I felt embarrassed that she had seen that and the bullying that had gone on but nodded eagerly at her anyway, my spirits beginning to lift. I wanted to find a dress that would impress my mate and knock his socks off. Autumn began to lead the way and although it was at the back of the mall, the boutique was impressive enough to make me gasp as we stepped inside. It was small but dresses filled the racks inside. There was plenty to choose from but it was difficult to know exactly where to start. A saleslady began to make her way towards us but Autumn waved her off.
“What kind of dress are you looking for?” she asked me instead, peering intently at the racks as though willing one to magically appear and put itself on me.
I almost giggled at the image that brought up in my mind but kept it to myself. Instead, I answered somewhat vaguely as I wasn’t exactly sure. “I don’t know. Something that makes Liam’s mouth or jaw drop wide open in shock.”
She grinned at me and gave a soft chuckle. “I doubt you have to do much for that to happen. However,” she turned and swept around, looking at one rack in particular and then slowly withdrawing a dress from it. “How about this one?” she asked enthusiastically as I narrowed my eyes at it, a thoughtful expression on my face as I studied it.
It was a white gown. It had straps that were off the shoulder, a neckline in the shape of a heart, and a long flowing skirt that gaped open over a shorter one. It was pure white and looked both elegant and impressive. I eyed it carefully, not sure I could
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Chapter 155
pull something so elegant and risque off. Autumn shook the dress at me though ignoring my concerns.
“Just try it on. I’m sure it will suit you. Stop overthinking it” she advised me with a soft laugh, reading my mind.
I sighed and took it. I was certain I would look foolish in it. It was not the type of dress that I would normally talk myself into buying. We moved to the dressing rooms. I walked inside and took my clothes off, shimmying into the dress. I looked at myself stunned for a moment. The dress fit perfectly like a glove. The top skirt was transparent and billowed around my ankles. I felt like Cinderella going to the ball. It was so stunning that I could only gape for a moment, tears coming to my eyes before I held it tightly together at the top, unable to reach the zipper, and opened the door, only for Autumn’s eyes to begin to sparkle.
“You look fantastic Fiona. I knew you would look great in this dress. You have to get this dress,” she exclaimed her voice rising higher in her excitement.
“Can you help me with the zipper? I can’t seem to reach it.”
She zipped the dress up. I walked back into the room and studied myself. Autumn came in behind me. “The right shoes, some elegant jewelry and you’ll be the absolute belle at that party. Screw your sister” she added fiercely, folding her arms across her chest. “: This time you’ll outshine everyone including her.”
“You don’t think it’s too much or too petty of me?” I asked slowly.
I mean it was rude to turn up looking better than the birthday girl wasn’t it? Yet it hadn’t stopped Celeste from doing that to me on my birthday, I remembered rather sourly. Not only had she outshone me but that attack had happened and I had almost been raped…if it hadn’t been for Liam, I would have been. I shuddered at the memory and then forced myself to focus on Autumn. What was done in the past was over with. It would not help to dwell on it.
She snorted again and shook her head looking slightly impatient with me. “Hell no. Stick it to her. She had this coming. I refuse to allow you to walk away without getting this dress. Don’t make me call Liam” she threatened this time, and I laughed brimming with exuberance.
I did love this dress and it would break my heart to leave it behind. She had managed to persuade me although it hadn’t. taken much.
“Fine, we wouldn’t want that. Help me get this off and we can get the last bits and pieces. I can’t believe I only had to try on one dress,” I added in disbelief as Autumn grinned.
“What can I say, I am that good,” she boasted as I giggled again.
She helped me peel off the dress and I quickly put my old clothes back on. We were about to walk out and pay for the dress when I spotted Celeste coming into the boutique. I hastily shut the door, putting a finger to my lips and shaking my head at Autumn.
“I don’t want her to know I’m here. She’ll either make fun of me or see the dress I’m buying and get angry. Let’s just wait here until she’s gone.”
Autumn sighed and then nodded, sitting on the floor and playing idly with her hands. I heard Celeste’s voice in the background.
“Isn’t anybody going to help me? What kind of service is this?” she demanded shrilly as Autumn rolled her eyes in disg how rude my sister was behaving.
More silence. Then I heard Celeste as she walked into the adjoining cubicle or dressing room. She was with Claudia and the both of them began to talk, oblivious to the fact that I was right beside them…
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