Sweet Subterfuge

Chapter 45
Vivian reacted quicker than Larissa. She grabbed the latter’s hand and studied her briefly, nodding. “Of course.”
To Larissa, she said, “Go pick out a few gowns that you like.” She waved her hand generously. “The clothes on this floor are all
high–end customized designs from major brands over the years. Take your pick.”
“High–end customized designs” meant that these clothes were haute couture- clothes that represented the pinnacle of fashion
design. Many superstars always wore high–end customized gowns with pride–even if they were out of season–to attend major
events. And whether or not they wore haute couture, the choice of the brand, when the clothing was released, and the haute
couture of a specific season- all became ways for celebrities to compete with each other.
Larissa felt that she was dreaming–no, she could not possibly even be dreaming
about this.
She really wanted to ask, “Can I really pick whatever I want?” but was afraid that the question would expose her lack of exposure
to high society. So, she forced herself to look nonchalant, and answered with a soft hum, her chin slightly raised.
Vivian explained to her. “The clothes closer to us are the latest designs.”
Larissa made another noise of affirmation with a poker face.
Vivian then asked Kevan, “Mr. Shields, do you prefer to have a seat and wait here, or...
Kevan cut her off. “I’ll pick with her.”
Larissa jolted and turned to look at him in surprise. Kevan looked straight into her eyes and said, “I don’t trust your eye for
beauty.” There was a hint of scorn in his voice.
Larissa really wanted to give him a good shake by the shoulders and scream, “Didn’t you just say that the outfit ‘doesn’t have to
be too pretty‘?! Shouldn’t my shitty ‘eye for beauty‘ fulfill that requirement of yours then?!”
But she restrained herself. She even forced herself to squeeze out a very dry smile and said, “I suppose I will have to trouble
you, Mr. R- Shields.”

There were so many gowns here that Larissa was completely dazzled. She had never ever had difficulty in choosing anything
before, but now that she had experienced this, she did.
She drifted between the rows of clothes, feeling that they were all so nice and pretty, and she did not know which one she
wanted.
Kevan, on the other hand, was more decisive than her. He just looked at the latest designs from the current season and picked
the one he thought was pretty. He removed the item in question from the clothes rack and draped it over his arm.
Soon, he had a píle in his arms.
“Try these,” he said to Larissa, who took them from him. Just as she was about to head over to the fitting room that was
segregated by a curtain, she heard a
commotion from downstairs.
“Ms. Gallagher, you can’t go to the third floor! Why don’t you explore the second floor first? We’ve had a batch of new arrivals
recently, no one has rented them yet!”
“Why can’t I go up to the third floor?! I’ve only ever chosen clothes from the third floor! Who cares if the clothes are new in the
second? I refuse to wear anything that
isn’t haute couture!”
“But the third floor has been reserved... It was booked several days ago. If you really insist on going up to the third floor, could
you please wait for a while? Once that customer leaves, I’ll take you up.”
“Reserved? Who made the booking? How much was paid for it? I’ll give twice that/ amount. Get whoever the hell it is down right
now!”
“Ms. Gallagher, it’s not an issue of money... We are a business; we can’t be unreliable.
“I don’t care. I want to go up to the third floor! Where’s Vivian? I’m done with you. Get Vivian out here to see me!”
“She’s styling for the customer now, I’m afraid she doesn’t have time to see you.” “Fine then, if she doesn’t come to me, I’ll go to
her instead!”