Callea didn't know how many times she took the trip to the dressing room to change clothes and parade in front of Deive. She wanted to fidget her dress because her legs were exposed. She was probably beet red while his eyes roam on her body.
He was the only one who was enjoying it and the staff, of course. He probably promised a handsome tip to those staff like what he did at the salon.
Shopping and modeling those clothes were worse than her time at the salon. She just sat there while the stylist fixed her hair and treated it. She could close her eyes if she wanted to. But on dressing up, she had to keep her eyes open while showing herself to Deive.
"That mint green dress looks so refreshing. I think everything looks good on you."
She felt like her knees were buckling every time he told her how beautiful she is. And she realized that it made her feel better. Not as irritating as before. It was actually like music to her ears.
She stomped her feet as she slipped on the tulip dress he had chosen himself awhile ago. It was wrong to be happy whenever he called her beautiful. The word beauty itself was taboo to her. It was an insult to someone who didn't want to be beautiful.
"Is this okay?" she asked when Deive was unmoving on the sofa as he looked at her. "I am really tired and hungry. Let's end this fashion show." Why was he looking at her intently? Maybe the dress doesn't look good on her.
"Sit," he commanded and tapped the space beside him. I followed him, too tired to argue.
Deive stood up and went to the shoe rack. Her eyes followed him and the sales staff also had their eyes on him especially his nice ass. It was molded on his jeans. I never had a character with a nice physique like him. Or nice ass at that. The view was relaxing from here. He had no idea that she was fantasizing about his ass as he picked up sandals with delicate pearl straps. Then he crouched in front of her and took her left foot. "Try this."
He put on the sandals himself and she felt like reenacting a scene on Cinderella. Only, she was not the damsel in distress who gatecrashed a party. She was more like Beast who lives in the haunted mansion and he was Beauty who was forced to live with her.
"The sandals look better on your dress." He said after making sure that the shoes fit her. Then he gave her a red handbag. "Now you look perfect."
"What am I going to do with this?"
"Put your things inside. Your cosmetics and girly things..."
She laughed harshly. "Do I look like I need "girly things"?"
"Yes. You need those from now on."
"I don't have any," Callea answered in a flat voice.
"Then I will buy them for you. And you will use them even I have to put make-up on you myself."
She just pouted and let him pay for the dresses and shoes. He carried the shopping bags while she was satisfied holding the bag he gave her. "Are we going home now?" she asked. Her body felt heavier with every transformation he does to her.
"No. We still have lots of boutiques to visit."
She firmly shut her eyes. The light hurt her eyes. She didn't want to see people. She was not used to being the center of attention or receiving admiring glances. Her head was starting to ache.
"I am not feeling well. Let's just go home," Callea insisted as they entered the next boutique.
"Just one last boutique. These are just a few clothes."
"I am really tired," she complained in a strained voice. She really felt like crying. Any more boutiques and fawning from their staff and she would break down.
"Fine. Just sit on the couch and wait for me." He looked at his watch. "Then we'll eat. We won't go home without eating lunch."
She looked up at him. She thought he would force her to dress up for him again and insist that she must look pretty. Worry was written on his face.
"Okay." She sat on the couch. She didn't want to argue and whine with him anymore because he might change his mind.
He had no qualms going through women's clothes and accessories without losing his masculinity. She had never met a man like him who would shop for a woman. I remember my dad when he was still alive. It would be like dragging a dead horse whenever my mom takes us shopping. But I remember the delight in my mother's eyes when one time her dad surprised her with a nice. It was something that her mother tried on at the mall but didn't buy because she prioritized dad's watch. She didn't know that her dad remembered it.
And it touched her heart. He reminded her of those days when her family was still whole. At that moment, she felt normal. Just like the old days. And Deive reminded her of her dad.
Deive looked in her direction as if he felt her eyes on him. He looked puzzled at first then gave her a teasing smile. It seemed like he knew that she was ogling his assets.
She grabbed the freebie magazine that they got from the other boutique. She buried her face at the pages and pretended to read even if she didn't understand a thing. Well, it was also a good shield for the people who were looking at her. It drove her to the point of paranoia even if they might be not really looking at her. She was on high alert the moment she felt eyes on hers. Ugh! She missed her scary look. She preferred it to looking beautiful.
"Miss?" She didn't pay attention at first. She was startled when someone taps her. "Miss, is that you?"
The old woman pointed at the poster on the glass wall of the boutique. I shook my head right away. "No. That's not me, Ma'am."
She didn't even know who the woman on the poster is. Did she look like Callea? She didn't think so. They both have long straight black hair and full bangs. But she had a square face and her nose was too pointed. Her eyes were smiling yet seductive. Her lips were painted blood red.
The woman hit her arm harder this time. "Sus! No need to be shy on me. You are an actress, right? You are Honey V." She pointed a finger at Callea. "You are the one who has a video scandal and impregnated by a married politician."
"Excuse me? I am not that woman," Callea denied while shaking her head. Who is Honey V? She didn't even watch TV. She only loved watching horror movies and shows. So, unless this Honey V was part of a horror film, she would probably remember her... or not.
"Who is that man you are with? In fairness, he is handsome. Is he your boyfriend? Your new sugar daddy? What happened to the politician you were with at the video scandal? Did you have your baby aborted?" the old woman berated her with tons of questions, she could barely breathe.
"I-I don't know what you are saying," she said and tried to avert her stare. She was hoping that the old woman would just leave her alone.
"Hey! Honey V is here!" the old woman announced and waved at the people inside the store.
It looked like Honey V was well-known because the people rushed in Callea's direction. "Yes! Honey V is here," they said while looking at her like a specimen. There were murmurs around her.
A teenager even brought out her cellphone and focused it on her. "She looks prettier now."
"Of course. She had her baby aborted so she's back in shape."