~11~
"You can't be serious," Karina deadpans. But one look at Taehyung biting his lip trying not to grin and his big bright puppy dog eyes tells her she has lost. He had actually done what he said he had. He had ordered her a custom fit dress from this boutique and she now has to go in for a fitting. She looks once more at the shop front before turning to him with a frown.
"But we have special event uniforms for all of the staff already. You even approved them all for your event. Why do I need a dress?" a hint of panic creeps into her voice at the end. Karina had never been comfortable wearing dresses.
Taehyung isn't listening. "Come on, they are waiting. I booked you a private fitting," he replies, tugging her by the hand into the boutique. Caught somewhere between scared and pissed, she reluctantly follows him inside.
As soon as they enter the shop, there is a flurry of excitement and Karina is mortified to find herself in the center of it. Three sales clerks descend upon her with a cacophony of chatter, compliments and questions.
"Oh what we have ready for you will be just perfect on you!"
"Look at that gorgeous skin! And no makeup!"
"So nice to finally meet Taehyung's girl!"
This last comment caught Karina's attention above all others, but before she can utter a word she is whisked into the fitting area behind a privacy divider. Even though she is not at all excited at the prospect of wearing a dress, the store clerks (she never did get their names in all the excitement), are so genuinely excited to meet her and happy to help that she feels she has to go along with it, not wanting to upset or disappoint them. She draws the line at allowing them into the dressing room with her though, instead gathering up all the various items they had gathered for her and marching herself into the changing room.
Taehyung had been very thorough in his instructions to the store, no detail had been overlooked. They had provided her with everything - slip, stockings, shoes, and even a matching bra and panty set, all much more luxurious than the practical cotton undies, jeans and tees Karina wears daily. Sliding the black lingerie on, she can't help but brush her fingers over the satiny feel, gasping slightly as the thought of Taehyung's long fingers brushing over her body in the same way suddenly appears in her mind. Clearing her throat in an effort to cover the sound, she quickly turns from the mirror and slides the full length slip over her head.
"Um. I seem to be missing a dress?" she calls out through the curtain with uncertainty.
"No miss, it is here. We will help you with it here, and our seamstress will examine you to be sure it is a perfect fit," a sales clerk explains with a kind smile as Karina pokes her head out.
"Umm...."
"It is ok Miss, Taehyung has booked the entire shop to ensure you can shop in privacy. And, he will remain in the front of the store, like a gentleman," the way the clerk beams while talking about him tells Karina she has fallen under the spell of his endless charm as well. Resigned to her fate, she takes a deep breath and steps out of the change room over to where another sales clerk waits with her dress.
Karina feels awkward and clumsy having someone help her dress, but finally they manage to get her zipped into it and she turns to brave the mirrors as the ladies all ooh and aah over her.
"So elegant!"
"Perfect fit!"
"Wow that man knows his fashion!"
And even though she hates wearing dresses and hates being fussed over, Karina can find nothing to say to contradict them. The dress is elegant, a perfect fit and she looks stunning. Taehyung does indeed have a good eye for fashion, having chosen a classic black sleeveless sheath dress that comes to just above her knee, fitted in all the right places to flatter her figure. It is elegant and sophisticated, just as he wants the entire look for his event, but is practical enough that she will have no problem working comfortably.
"But it is not complete without shoes!" one of the ladies says as she gestures to where a couple of different styles have been laid out.
Karina turns to find a varied selection of styles, ranging from scary stilettos to more modest comfort pumps, all elegant and classic to coordinate with her dress. Wishing she could run back to the dressing room and get her favorite old Converse, she swallows heer fear and slips her feet into the most modest heel available.
To her surprise, the shoes are the most comfortable she has ever worn, and she maneuvers in them easily, with not the slightest wobble as she makes her way back to the mirrors. Seeing herself looking so elegant, Karina lets slip a genuine, fully confident smile for the first time in years.
*******
"I still can't believe you made me do that," Karina says with a glower across the table at Taehyung, crossing her arms for emphasis.
"Why not? The ladies all said you look great. And that's their job, they like doing that-" Karina cuts him off.
"I know Taehyung, I get that. And I appreciate all of their help, they were sweet. But it was probably really expensive, and I just don't understand why you insist I need to wear a dress!" Somewhere in recesses of her mind, Karina is aware she is making a big deal out of nothing, but her insecurity returned tenfold when she donned her faded old clothing and had to walk side by side with the immaculate Kim Taehyung, although she doesn't understand just why it bothers her so much.
Taehyung doesn't say anything for a long moment as they both sit staring into the other's eyes. Finally he shrugs and looks down at his plate. "All the art events I attend usually the hostess wears a dress, and you've been working so hard helping me that I wanted to do something nice for you ... .I thought you would like it. I'm sorry, you don't have to wear the dress if you don't want to," he finishes as he returns his gaze to meet hers. Karina can see that he is sincere, and that she has hurt his feelings in rejecting his gift, but just then the pizza arrives and she finds herself at a loss as to what to say next so they eat in silence, Karina's swirling emotions dulling her appetite.
YOU ARE READING
Unique Friend
FanfictionKarina needs a roommate to avoid eviction. Taehyung needs a place to stay to gain inspiration for his next project, and to practice his English.
