Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 16 - Going Downtown

"You know I think you should also get the red," Suzanne said, pointing to a few tiny scraps of lace and ribbon on the screen with a not so tiny price tag.

"I've already bought six or seven sets, I really don't need another," I half-heartedly objected.

"Nonsense! Imagine your young Guardian's face when he sees you wearing that," she said gleefully, leaning across me to click the 'add to cart' button, but also discreetly letting me know she knew about Dimitri and me.

We'd spent the last hour chatting while online ordering makeup, workout and casual clothes, dressy items, two coats, a few sweaters, numerous pairs of shoes, swimwear, basic underwear and we were now on to what Suzanne called 'specialty underwear.' I had to admit she had excellent taste. The corsets, nighties and bra and panty sets she was suggesting were all stunning.

Much to Lissa's disgust, I'd never been much of a shopper. But there wasn't much joy in shopping when you didn't have money to spend. I'm making up for it with a vengeance now, I thought wryly, entering the digits from the platinum credit card bearing the name 'Mazur Enterprises' into yet another shopping cart checkout.

Yet again, I was wondering where Dimitri was, and what my father was saying to him, when he appeared in the doorway of our room.

"Everything ok?" I asked, shooting Dimitri a worried look.

"Yeah, all good," he said distractedly. "Your Dad offered me a job combat training his Guardians while we're staying here."

"That's great! I mean – we might be staying for a while?"

"Yes. Yes, it is good news. What have you ladies been up to?"

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with just now," Suzanne said with a chuckle, shutting the browser window before he could spot the site we'd been visiting.

"I've got some things picked out for you. I wanted to make sure you liked them before I ordered," I told Dimitri, patting the couch beside me and indicating he should sit. I'd been keener to choose things for him than I had for myself, truth be told. With his height and physique pretty much everything looked good on him, but he rarely bought himself anything new. I knew he sent the bulk of his pay packet home each month to his mother to help with his sisters. So I'd decided to take my father at his word and spend a huge amount of money buying things for Dimitri.

"I can pay for my own things, Roza," he grumbled.

"No, actually you can't. You don't have any cards or ID on you, you left it all with the car," I said smugly, flicking open the tabs I'd looked up earlier. If I had been a reluctant participant on Lissa's numerous shopping missions in the past, it was nothing compared to Dimitri now. 

"Come on Comrade," I cajoled. "The sooner we do this the sooner it will be over."

Sighing in resignation, he came to sit beside me. Quickly going through the tabs, we bought him workout gear, some combat gear from an online army disposal store, jeans, shirts, sweaters, hoodies, jackets, swimwear, and underwear. He was happy to go with most of my selections. In fact, it wasn't until we got to footwear that he showed any real interest. Flicking through the options on the screen, he spotted a pair of Doc Martens eighteen-hole black boots.

"Do those come in my size?" he asked with uncharacteristic interest. Checking the drop down box, I determined they did.

"I've always wanted a pair like that," he admitted a little sheepishly.

Finishing our online purchases, Suzanne was going to arrange for a couple of Guardians to collect those items that were available for immediate pickup. The rest would arrive in the next few days.