Harry:
It wasn’t the first time you’d accompanied Harry to something work-related, but today felt different. The luxury department store was overwhelming, its marble floors gleaming and chandeliers casting a warm glow over everything. Harry had a fitting for an upcoming event, and as much as you loved spending time with him, this was his world—a world you didn’t feel part of.
As you followed Harry and his stylist through the opulent store, you noticed the way people looked at you. Staff members barely acknowledged your presence, and when they did, it was with fleeting glances filled with judgment. You weren’t dressed in designer clothes or wearing jewelry worth thousands of pounds, and it was clear they could tell.
While Harry chatted with his team about outfit options, you wandered a little. You told yourself you were just killing time, but really, you needed to step away from the suffocating energy. Then you saw it—a stunning white-gold bracelet in a display case. It was delicate but intricate, its design catching the light in a way that made it look almost magical.
You couldn’t resist stopping to admire it.
“May I help you?” came a clipped voice. You looked up to see a saleswoman watching you, her expression polite but cold.
“Oh, I was just looking at the bracelet,” you said softly, feeling a little shy under her gaze.
She hesitated, clearly sizing you up, but finally unlocked the case. “Would you like to try it on?”
Your heart fluttered as she slid the bracelet onto your wrist. It was perfect, like it had been made for you. For a moment, all the judgment around you melted away, and you let yourself smile.
“What’s this, love?” Harry’s familiar voice broke through, and you turned to see him standing a few steps away, his eyebrows raised in curiosity.
“Just a bracelet,” you said, glancing down at it. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“It is,” he said, stepping closer. “You like it?”
You nodded, but before you could say more, the saleswoman’s voice cut in, sharper this time. “That bracelet is £10,000. It’s one of our most exclusive pieces.”
Your stomach dropped. You quickly took it off, handing it back. “I—I can’t afford that. It’s okay.”
Her lips twitched into a condescending smile. “Of course.”
Harry frowned, his eyes narrowing as he caught the subtle disdain in her tone. “If you like it, we’ll get it.”
“No, Harry,” you said quickly, panic rising in your chest. “I don’t need it. Let’s just go.”
The saleswoman raised an eyebrow, her polite facade slipping. “It’s a significant investment,” she said, her gaze flicking to you. “Not everyone can appreciate the quality.”
You felt heat rise to your cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and anger bubbling inside you. “Thank you,” you muttered, tugging Harry’s hand. “Let’s go.”
Harry looked like he wanted to say something, but he let you lead him away.
The rest of the day only got worse. The stylists at his fitting ignored you completely, chatting with Harry as if you weren’t even there. When they did acknowledge you, it was with the kind of forced politeness that stung more than outright rudeness. Every whispered comment, every sidelong glance chipped away at your confidence.
By the time you were backstage at his rehearsal, you felt completely drained. You tried to smile, to act like everything was fine, but you couldn’t hide the way your shoulders slumped or the dimmed light in your eyes.
