Just Deserts

The Shoes

Kayla tentatively touched the door handle of the boutique shoe store. She was trembling all over. This was it. This was her big chance. But... She closed her eyes and took a calming breath. No backing out now. She straightened her shoulders, pulled the door open and stepped inside.

Shoes of every kind of gorgeous surrounded her. She felt like she'd stepped into a different world. Kayla had to remember to breathe. Even the air tasted expensive.

Slowly she walked through the store, inspecting every pair. Each new design had her dreaming up the perfect outfit to go with it. But none of them were what she was looking for. Until she saw the pair.

Pointy toe pumps completely covered with silver crystals. And a large crystal flower over the toes.

Kayla gasped. The Jimmy Choo's were the perfect companions to her dress. She closed her eyes and she could see the voluminous purple silk ruffles...

'Can I help you?' a stiff voice asked.

Kayla opened her eyes and saw a saleswoman standing in front of her. The woman's hair was as stiff as her voice.

'Perhaps. What's the price on these?'

The woman pointed to the small plaque on the display case.

Kayla nearly passed out when she saw the price.

The saleswoman smirked and walked away.

The shoes were more than she earned in a month. More than two month's salary, if she were honest with herself.

But they were perfect. And they would make the just the right statement with her dress.

With her heart beating rapidly, her mouth suddenly dry, she took the perfect pair to the saleslady waiting on the side-lines. The woman wearing couture took the shoes with her perfectly manicured hands and went to the back room.

Kayla looked around at the other shoes there as she sat down on the lush chair the saleswoman had pointed out. She hadn't even noticed the men's section. Or the rest of the clientele. For the first time she realised that she stood out among the rest of the well-dressed crowd in her work clothes and sensible shoes. She swallowed and didn't meet their stares. They reminded her too much of her deceased stepmother's disapproval.

The saleswoman came back and handed Kayla the shoes in the right size, watching her suspiciously.

She slipped the shoes on. She'd never worn anything so beautiful in her life. They were in stark contrast to her serviceable chain store black pants and white blouse ensemble. She took a few tentative steps. The shoes brought her absolute peace and confidence as she watched them in the mirror. They were made for her.

'How will you be paying?' the saleswoman asked, obviously recognising that Kayla and the shoes were a perfect match.

'Credit card,' Kayla answered, her voice hoarse as she handed the shoes to the saleslady to box up again.

She walked up to the register after she pulled on her mundane flat pumps again. Her new shoes, pretty box and all, were already in a nice-looking paper bag. She pulled out her wallet and then the special credit card therein.

'Oh, you work for Castillo Designs?' the saleswoman said suddenly a lot warmer.

'Yes,' Kayla answered.

'I heard that all the staff have to wear plain white blouses and black pantsuits. Apparently the awful rumour is true.'

'Only the clothes designed and made at Castillo should draw any attention,' Kayla answered, trying not to choke on the company line coined by her stepmother.

She reached for the shoes and opened the box to make sure that they were both there. She smiled relieved as the saleswoman handed her back the credit card. She couldn't really hear anything above her heart beating in her ears.

'Your boss will kill you if they're not there?' a male voice asked.

Kayla merely nodded, no inclination to explain her actions to a stranger. She had to get back to the office before someone noticed that she had slipped out.

'Have a great day,' the saleswoman said as Kayla left.

She saw the man as she turned to close the door behind her. He outshined the gorgeous shoes around him.

Kayla sighed wistfully before merging with the foot traffic on the busy city sidewalk.

*Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter in the tale. Vote if you did. If you have anything you'd like to say, don't hesitate to comment – I always appreciate feedback. Do you like Kayla's shoes?*