I Trust You

Flash Sale

"And, done." Mutters Grace hitting send, taking a second to admire the buzz of people in the cockpit.

After her unsuccessful attempt at questioning Mr.Maxwell yesterday, the only thing she could do, other than lie, was send a heartfelt email to the IT Department begging them to hold off the website project till tomorrow morning, that is if her plan works.

After her filling meal at Kung-Fu Kitchen, Grace had ventured into the deepest, darkest part of her closet and managed to ferret out her aged, crumpled up workout clothes, a huge step in preparing for what would go down tonight.

Leaning back in her chair, Grace eyes wonder to Mrs.Boards stepping out her office, flustered and in quite a hurry, as she makes a beeline for the stairwell.

Well, I hope they enjoy themselves.

Turning her gaze back to the computer screen, her eyes furrow as small email notification comes in.

"Must be IT." She mutters, clicking on her email app.

The first thing she notices, right at the top of her email list, is a letter from Pandora; her eyes quickly widen as she reads through the email.

"Sale of up to 65% On all items. Premium customers get a free Pandora gift bag." Grace leans back on her chair, her heart beat irregular and her jaw unhinged. "I'm a premium customer."

Grace continues reading until her eyes land on the small writing, right at the end of the email.

"Offer valid till one 'o' clock today."

Grace's shoulder slump as she looks at the time, 11:56, and the amount of work she still had to do before leaving the office.

Dropping her head on the table, Grace begins fantasising about all the things on promotion.

"They probably have the new Tommy Hilfiger watch and Dior diamond embed, chain & link bracelet." Grace sighs, turning her head to the blank wall. "I bet they dropped the price of that Chanel key chain."

Wait.

Grace quickly lifts herself off the desk and wearily glances around the cockpit.

"Nobody will notice if I just quickly sneak out." Grace watches as people walk by her, acting as if she wore Harry's invisibility cloak. "I'll be quick."

Grace slowly begins packing her things into her bag, starting with her phone, laptop then swiftly grabbing her Burberry coat off the rack, just as quietly as ninja might do.

Still nobody notices.

"Okay, this might work."

Grace's cautious demeanour drops as large grin begins to form.

"Just act natural." She mutters. "Nobody is even looking at you anyway."

Stepping quickly into the elevator, Grace breaks out into a small dance as the elevator doors slide closed.

"I did it, I did it. I knew I was ninja." Grace remarks, haphazardly throwing a couple of punches in the air.

Stepping out the elevator, Grace quickly hurries across the lobby only to be stopped by a sharp voice.

"Where do you think you're going?" Florinda asks, her face hidden behind both the front desk and computer.

Like a deer caught in headlights, Grace slowly walks over to Florinda her mouth stretched into a small smile.

"I have a huge favour to ask?"

"Speak." Florinda instructs, closing her YOU! Magazine.

"I kind of need to go..." Grace pauses. "I was hoping maybe you could cover for me?"

Florinda narrows her eyes Grace, and cups her chin.

"And where are you going?"

"I think it's best if I don't tell you, that way when you cover for me you have less to hide and lie about. Don't you think?" Grace lies, wanting to hide the fact that Pandora is currently holding a flash sale.

We can't all be winners.

Florinda stares at Grace for a couple more minutes before breaking out into a grin and shooing her off towards the elevators.

"I owe you." Grace mouths, walking away.

Stepping into the mall, Grace stretches her arms out and stares at the tall, immaculate ceiling of West Side Mall.

Out the way everybody; mama's home!

Grace pulls her Louis Vuitton bag up as she rushes to the Dior store, a couple of floors up.

Other than her bed and Kung-Fu Kitchen, this mall, without a doubt, was Grace's third home. She knew every nook and cranny and a mental, 3D blueprint of the mall was practically embed in her memory. Most of the staff knew her by name, whether they were from Louis Vuitton, H&M or that strange camping shop at the end of hallway 6 on level 2, they knew her. Being a frequent visiter and staying tight with mall's staff had it's perks. Grace knew about all the upcoming sales before the general public could even catch a whiff about it, this meant she was always first in line, first to get the quality items and first to leave as everybody shoves their way into the store to get the last pair of Jimmy Choo heels.

Spotting a long throng of people outside the Pandora store, Grace smirks as she opens her bag and gently takes out a familiar, golden card.

"This line is so long." A girl, standing at the end of the cue complains to her friend as Grace waltz passed. "There will probably be nothing good left by the time we reach the front."

Exclusive stores like Pandora allow a certain amount of people inside when they hold any type of sale, right now probably 10 people were currently in the store shopping their hearts, little did they know that a new friend will be joining them pretty soon.

Grace sashays passed the waiting customers and stops in the front of the line, where a thick man in all back, pushes against the wave of eager customers.

"Lady there's a line-" He sneers but stops short when he sees the little golden card in Grace's palm. "Ma'am this way, please. The rest of you get back!" He shouts, pushing a couple of them back into the line before opening the door to Pandora, his head tilted to the ground.

"Thank you." Grace drawls out, her heels hitting the sparkling, white floor of Pandora.

"Come to mama, you bright jewels." Grace murmurs.

"That will be $3 410.42, ma'am." The small petite woman says. "Cash or card?"

Grace chokes back a sob as she slowly hands over her black credit card.

I really went overboard.

Grace watches as the lady packs the two Chanel key chains, Dior bracelet, gold tanzanite pendant, broad cubic hoop earring, and rose gold Tommy Hilfiger watch, into the premium Pandora gift bag.

"Thank you ma'am and have a great day." The lady softly says, handing Grace her card and gift bag.

Grace's chest feels heavy as she takes the heavy gift bag and steps out the line towards the exit.

"What have I done?" Grace chokes, scared to even glance at the gift bag. "I didn't even pay the rent yet."

A small ache begins to form right at the base of Grace's head.

Where am I going to live? Will Vic take me in or will I have to bunk with Molinda?

Lost in her thoughts Grace barely registers as she collided, head first, into a solid chest.

"Sorry." The voice quickly apologies, steadying Grace with his firm, chocolate brown hands.

"No, it's my fault, sorr-"

Grace's heart stops as she lifts her gaze  to the familiar, pale brown eyes of her ex-fiancé.