To Have & To Hold

Chapter 7: The Lion's Den

The shopping trip was not, as expected, conducted by the president himself. Instead they picked up his secretary on their way out the door and it was she who accompanied Jaiden to the different shops. Mr. Garvey stayed behind in the car with a glass of brandy in one hand and the evening paper in the other.

Feeling it best to let her decide what he should be wearing (as his own fashion sense turned out to be quite foreign here) he spent a few hours going in and out of dressing rooms, posing in front of mirrors and putting on and taking off more shoes than he had ever seen in his entire life.

After visiting at least half a dozen stores they arrived on one suit for the party and a few 'casual' outfits for every-day wear to be gifted along with him. Because they were running out of time the secretary made him change in to his party outfit in a bathroom stall at a hair salon after the stylists had tried all they could to get his hair to look normal.

Normal according to their standards, that was, as he would never have opted to have royal blue streaks in his hair along with some very wild looking spikes. But, since he had little input in the matter, he smiled politely at them when they asked him how he liked it, making sure not to let his gag reflex show.

Once safely back in the car he sat down heavily and exhaled. Mr. Garvey looked him up and down and smirked appreciatively.

"Don't worry. You'll get used to it.

Aw, what am I saying; no you won't. But that's OK; hair gel will be the least of your problems."

Jaiden gave the man an exasperated stare but refrained from commenting. Not that the president had much time to spare to look at him anyway. Already he and his secretary were busily going down a list of appointments and upcoming meetings for the following day.

As the car drove them to his new home and owner he glanced at the empty seat beside him. The bag that sat there contained two brightly wrapped parcels.

'My accessories,' Jaiden thought wryly. The only thing lacking now was a giant box with holes in the sides with some newspaper at the bottom for him to sit in.

It was a good thing his family didn't have to see him like this. His father would shake his head regretfully but keep silent otherwise, keeping his inner most feelings well hidden. Margret would probably burst out in tears and want to baby him some more.

Joseph would have surely gone in to a fit of rage. Most likely he would seek to attack anyone who'd want to lay a hand on his older brother, embarrassing him so.

It would be worse still if Joseph ever got chosen; it would not end well. Best to hope that never happened.

Joseph, like Jaiden and Margret, came from a long line of proud individuals. They knew their status in life but that didn't stop them from taking immense pride in their work, their family and their way of living.

Being dolled up and painted different colors was not part of their MO and was not tolerated or endorsed under any circumstance aside from the one Jaiden found himself in right now.

Sadness set in as he thought longingly of his home and family. He turned his attention back out the car window to serve as a distraction. It wouldn't do him any good to arrive at the party looking glum.

He saw many expensive-looking stores and boutiques in this area with throngs of fancily-clad women on impossibly high heels strutting along the sidewalks in small groups. Like packs of wild dogs they roamed the area, ready to pounce on any good deals or the latest 'must have' fashions.

Since Candice made sure to point out that Moira Coyle was a very public and attention-seeking figure he imagined her to look pretty much exactly like these discount-hungry girls. Perhaps a bit older.