n

n

n

"I apologize if the lady is seeing this as unfair. This area is actually reserved for important guests such as Lady Rosamunde. Is the service not to your liking?

" Batthew wasn't going to have it either.

nHow admirable. To have this level of patience…

n

"Are you kidding me? This living room?

" She gasped out loud.

n

"Yes.

"

nShe clearly has not been inside Adele's boutique as a reserved guest, which is why she's acting like this. She did not know that they are actually being treated like a standard VIP right now.

nI mean, just take a look at your surroundings Chiwa. You are sitting on a posh couch on the fancier side of the room, drinking tea.. Someone is doing their best to serve you as you wait and yet you are being such an ungrateful brat.

n

"Oh, dear,

" Bea muttered. I didn't notice that she was already standing beside me.

n

"That woman sure has no brains. Can't she perceive that well?

" Gwen commented.

nChiwa noticed the looks everyone was sending her so she began to flush red, either from anger or embarrassment, who knows.

nRosa pursed her lips as she gazed at Chiwa.

n

"Stop talking now, Chiwa.

" She warned.

n

" !!! B-but Lady Rosa--

"

n

"I said stop! Are you going against my word?

" Her glare silenced her down.

nChiwa looked down in anguish.

n

"No…

"

n

"Hmp!

"

nHer eyes then strayed to Batthew who wasn't ruffled a bit and still looked every inch of a dignified gentleman.

n

"Tell Adele that I would be seeing her tomorrow and that she had better finished whatever she was doing,

" she stated and stood up from the upholstery with an air of haughtiness.

n

"I will personally relay your words, Lady Rosa,

" He responded with a bow.

nHer cold biting gaze looked around for a moment before landing on me, probably gauging my reaction and seeing if I'm mocking her or not. Upon knowing that I am acting indifferently and was thinking nothing of it, she then glared at Chiwa one last time.

n

"I'm leaving,

" she announced then strode off.

n

"Let me escort you outside, Lady Rosa,

" Batthew said and went with her.

nOf course, the three other women who were with her had no choice but to follow after Rosa. Chiwa gritted her teeth while scowling at me before she turn-tailed, out of the shop in an instant.

n

"What a scene,

" Bea muttered.

n

"That woman truly likes to bark, don't she?

" Gwen remarked.

nI turned back to the racks of dresses.

n

"Let's not mind her anymore.

"

n

"Right,

" Gwen seconded before changing the topic.

"I didn't get to bid on Elen's designs, and probably won't ever from how crazy it goes sometimes. So I opted to choose from the boutique's brochure instead.

"

n

"Same. I just don't fully comprehend the fierce battle in attaining Elen's dresses. I heard it's pretty bloody and very expensive,

" Bea commented.

n

"I heard that Rosa even paid for a fair amount of gold coins for it,

" Gwen uttered in amazement.

nBea shook her head.

n

"Even if my father is rich, I am scared to splurge on just one dress…

"

nGwen nodded,

"I agree. Elen's reputation sure is terrifying.

"

nI was listening to their conversation as I sifted through the rows of dresses, feeling slightly flustered.

nThey are talking about me and I'm not sure if I would take what they have said as a compliment or not.

nRegarding what these two had said, the fight for obtaining Elen's aka mine's designs was like a deathmatch. People who have more money than your average joe and who are willing to throw it away to have a sense of entitlement for a moment, were always on the watch. Like bees to a flower or something.

nLook, I'm not good with metaphors, alright? Leave me alone.

nThe first and second time wasn't that big of a deal, but after the third and so on, it just… I don't know, it went beyond my understanding.

nThe amount that I would receive after the bid would always make me dizzy. It's crazy, just like what Gwen had said.

nI mean, I'm not complaining though… I'm actually really happy to get money.

n

"Well, our lucky friend here doesn't have to worry about trivial things like that because Elen has something for her all the time. How enviable,

" Gwen clicked her tongue. Her eyes were narrowed at my discretion.

nI let out a strained laugh.

n

"Surely, you jest. The weight is even heavier on me because of that.

"

nWhich is kind of my fault anyway. Ah… But I truly hate the burden!

n

"Hmmm. That's true,

" Bea hummed, agreeing with me.

nGwen thought for a moment,

"You're right. One thing I know is, I don't want to be in your shoes.

"

n

"I don't even want to be in MY shoes,

" I rebuked.

nThe amount of stress that piled up from all these years… It's exhausting. Good thing that I had finally mastered the art of not giving a fvck anymore.

n

"Do you think Adele would be finished any moment now?

" Gwen remarked.

n

"It's already an hour like Chiwa had pointed out, so maybe?

" Bea answered.

n

"We just need to wait a little longer then.

"

nJust as Gwen blurted that out, a familiar figure had stormed out of the halls and was quickly marching towards us. It was no other than Adele herself.

n

"Lady Nadia! Have you been waiting for so long?

" Was her initial greeting.

n

"We didn't but Rosamunde had already left though. She was here far longer than us.

"

n

"Oh dear. I should have ignored that silly man's request!

" Adele said, sounding exasperated.

"Anyway, please come this way. I'm going to show you something!

"

nHer exasperation was now replaced with eagerness.

n

"Uhh…

" I then glanced at my friends.

nShe must have only noticed the other two people with me because she immediately reacted.

n

"Oh, my apologies. Then--

" Adele clapped her hands and four more people stepped out synchronously. They were all wearing the same uniform, looking so formal.

n

"These are a few of my elite team,

" Adele declared with a proud look on her face,

"You all know what to do. Go forth,

" she added as she regarded her assistants.

nThe four of them then split up in pairs and escorted Gwen and Bea. I watched their group disappear on two of the rooms before turning my attention to Adele, who was apparently blabbering nonstop ever since earlier.

n

"... was so great! I'm sure that Lady Nadia would definitely like what I prepared!

" She exclaimed.

nA small smile appeared on my face.

n

"You really don't disappoint me, Adele. Though I clearly have not given you anything for me.

"

n

"That's not a problem at all! The other designs that you created before are still not used, that is why even if you didn't send one, I still have a lot to choose from!

" Was her instant response.

nI was surprised at that.

n

"Oh?

"

n

"Come, come!

" She gushed as she brimmed with waves and waves of elation, practically skipping towards our destination.

nShe was that excited.

n'Now I am getting excited too.'

nI wonder what this genius designer has in for me?

n