SugarCOAT

21. The Look 👀

I've never seen a clothing store that was set up like a museum. The clothes were the art and the cash registers were waiting for payment. It was a bright and inviting space. At the same time, I felt out of my element. If I looked too long at anything, I know they were expecting me to pay for it.

"You like anything you see?" Zeke asked me.

Yes, but I'm not telling him that.

Zeke said, "There's more downstairs if you--"

I interrupted him, "Let's go downstairs."

Zeke led the way down the wide staircase. 

"Are you sure this is one store? It looks like an entire mall down there." There's no way this is one store with all this space full of clothes on model mannequins and regal racks.

"If you don't know where to start, the employees on the floor can help you. Take your time. I'll be in the basement." Zeke turned and continued down the wide staircase.

"The basement?" I whispered to myself. I crossed my arms. "This is insanity." I looked around before my feet finally moved.

"Hi, Jae. Are you looking for anything  in particular?" A woman asked me.

First-of-all, where did she come from? Second-of-all, "Umm... how do you know my name?"

She smiled at me, "Mr. Rivers closed the store for today. He told us you'd be joining him."

I nodded my head as I looked around. I was the only shopper in here. Why wasn't that the first thing I noticed? Is this what it's like to have money?

"We also have a popular collection available if you're interested in trends," the woman informed me.

"No, thank you. Do you have anything that stands out almost like a costume, but not like a clown or anything. Something like... if I wanted to play dress-up or pretend to be someone else." I don't even know where I was going with this, but Zeke told me to have fun.

"Yes. We have two sections for that. The first one is the OTT and the second is the Trench." 

I arched a brow, "What does that mean?"

"OTT stands for over-the-top, and the Trench is mostly jackets and coats and things like that. Those come with an entire look. Sometimes wigs are included along with heels or sunglasses. Would you like to see?"

"Sure." I followed her to a far away area near the back. The OTT and Trench were in clothing bags with descriptions on the outside.

"Shoppers like the vague descriptions, because the style and color of the jacket is all we mention."

I took a step closer to read some of them. I pointed, "Can I try on this one? It's a purple trench." I read the description.

The woman grabbed the clothing bag off the rack. Another woman walked over to us and took the clothing bag before disappearing.

"She's going to take it to the basement where you can try it on later."

"No need. I can try it on now." I don't know why I'm passing up an opportunity to shop til' I drop, but I'm curious to know what's inside the bag.

"Of course. Follow me." The woman led me to the basement. 

It went from dark to light once we walked into a short corridor. There was a section by curtains. We walked passed a few before stopping in front of one. She pushed back one curtain to reveal an entire room which was set up like a fitting room at a bridal shop. 

Zeke was on his phone as he sat on a semi-circular couch in front of a circle platform with mirrors on the wall.

"Would you like any help changing?" The woman asked me.