Surviving the CEO

Chapter 27: Pampering

Aria's POV

*One Week Later*

It's been a little over a week since I've seen, spoken to or heard from Xavier and tonight is Mason's party. I haven't picked out what I'm going to wear tonight so I took the day off to go shopping. I don't really want to go to the party in fear of seeing Xavier.

It's been hard to not talk to him or drive over to his house. He hasn't been to work at all during this period of recovery, so I've temporarily taken his place. It's not easy but it takes my mind off of what happened.

It's currently 11:30 Friday morning and I'm working my way through the busy morning streets of New York. I park my car in one of the higher end parts of the boutique district and set foot under the warm afternoon sun. With Starbucks in my hand, I prepare for the long day of pampering and shopping.

I make my way through the busy sidewalks on a mission to find the perfect dress. An expensive store catches my eye, my feet move faster as I see all the beautiful window displays. I open the door where I'm greeted by a petite young woman, her name tag read Amanda.

"Welcome to La Boutique! Is there anything I can help you with?" Her smile is so bright I'm surprised I don't need sunglasses.

"Yeah, umm... I need a dress for a formal event I'm attending tonight." My words get caught in my throat.

"What type of event is it?" She asks as we slowly walk further into the store.

"It's a formal birthday party."

"Is there a certain color scheme?"

"Black and red." I look around the room for a garbage to put my cup in.

"Oh, sexy colors. I think I have a few dresses in mind. Do you mind if I pull them or do you want to look around?"

"I don't have the faintest idea as to what I should get."

"Okay, so just head on back to the changing rooms. Pick one and I'll bring some dresses back. I'm Amanda by the way." Amanda takes my cup before disappearing into the sea of dresses.

"Thank you. And I'm Aria." I make my way through the back curtain to the changing rooms. I chose one on the far end.

Closing the curtain behind me, I wait a few seconds in fear of the curtain being ripped open. Shakily taking off my clothes then slip into a lilac-colored, silk robe. I set everything on the bench and wait for Amanda to come. I pace in small steps around the stall when my phone buzzes in my purse. Xavier. The person I've been trying to avoid. I stare at his photo as it rings. The ringing stops and a breath escapes my lips, one I didn't realize I was holding.

"Hey, I picked out a few dresses for you!" Amanda's chirpy voice scares me out of my wits.

A small scream comes from my lungs, my heart pounds hard against my ribs.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She slowly peeks her head into the room with a look of sympathy.

"You're okay. I've been on edge lately." I give her a small smile.

"Boyfriend troubles?" I nod.

Amanda steps into the room with the first dress. It's a massive size ball gown, its red fabric seems never ending.

"Let's put you into the first dress." My mood instantly lifts knowing that I'm going to be trying on such beautiful dresses.

"Do you love him?" Amanda's voice breaks through my thoughts.

"I-I don't know. I think I do." Talking to her makes me feel slightly more relaxed.

She zips up the back of the dress then steps out of the room. I take a deep breath then step out to look in the mirrors. My nose scrunches at the sight. I look like a cupcake.