✓ | The Borrowed Identity (Fate's Transgression Series, #4)

TBI 33: Moment

[ Chapter 33: Moment ]

Selene | Selvy

We entered the clothing store that Valan had mentioned, and the employees quickly attended to us. The store was filled with a wide variety of women's clothing, perfectly suited for the current season. I followed Valan's lead, even though I couldn't quite comprehend everything I was seeing and hearing.

The employees showered me with compliments, praising my beauty and sense of style. But why did Valan want me to change? Did Miracle's "rule of men" come into play here? I couldn't help but question the motives behind his request.

I've never been one to care much about clothes. A comfortable oversized shirt and a pair of pajamas could keep me content for weeks. I was also notorious for repeating outfits, as fashion was never a top priority for me.

Valan walked over to a solitary seat and gave his instructions to one of the employees. "I want something that covers less skin but is still comfortable."

"Understood, my lord," the employee replied. "Miss, please follow me this way."

I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. This whole situation felt unfamiliar and outside of my comfort zone. Nakikita ko to palagi sa mga korean drama, kung saan paulit-ulit na magpapalit ng damit ang babae tapos ang lalaki ang mag-re-rate kung bagay ba o pwede na sa panlasa niya. Mabilis pa naman akong ma-bored pero wala akong magagawa.

She led me to a closet that was filled with an overwhelming assortment of dresses, shoes, accessories, and even a collection of bags. It seemed like this store was designed for a complete makeover. One of the store's assistants immediately started lining up several dresses from the rack, although the selection was still quite extensive, with fewer than 20 options.

"Am I supposed to try on all of these?" I couldn't believe what I was saying to her. "I mean, can't I just choose one?"

"You certainly can, Miss. However, Lord Verlarez is a frequent customer here, and this is the first time he has brought a woman along. We want to make sure he is pleased with our accommodations," the assistant explained.

Oh no, my worst nightmare was unfolding right before my eyes. The pressure to impress Valan was now weighing heavily on my shoulders.

I reluctantly nodded, realizing that there was no way to escape this situation. The assistant's words about pleasing Valan echoed in my mind, intensifying my anxiety. I took a deep breath and resigned myself to trying on the dresses.

One by one, I stepped into the changing room, each dress hugging my figure in different ways. Some were too tight, others too loose, and a few were simply not my style. I felt like a mannequin being paraded in front of Valan's preferences.

As I emerged from the changing room in one of the dresses, I noticed Valan observing me with a serious expression. His gaze was piercing, analyzing my every move and scrutinizing the fit of the dress. It made me even more self-conscious.

"Next," he just said and went on reading a magazine that was given to him to kill time. I gritted my teeth, trying to hold back my frustration. Valan's nonchalant attitude and dismissive demeanor were starting to wear on my patience. Each dress I tried on seemed to be met with the same disinterested response from him.

As I stepped out of the changing room once again, wearing yet another dress that I hoped would finally meet his approval, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of exasperation. Valan glanced up from his magazine, his gaze flickering over me briefly before returning to the pages in front of him.

"Next," he said in the same indifferent tone as before, as if he were simply going through the motions. It was the ninth attempt and he still uses the word, next. If this goes on, I might explode and strangle him.