An Eye for Art

Chapter Eight

Gabriel walked with a purpose everywhere he went; he was a true New Yorker, and, sometimes, it was difficult keeping up with him. Catching my breath, I speed-walked up to him as he scanned every store along the walls.

"What exactly are you looking for this time?" I asked.

"Darling, I got some extra cash left in my budget this week, and I am spending it on my show tonight!" We hustled past Apple, H&M, J. Crew, Oakley, and many more stores.

"Why are we passing all of these clothing stores? What do you need for your show tonight??"

"I need glamour! You really think H&M is dropping bedazzles on their customers?" Gabriel snorted, "No. No they're not." We stepped onto the escalator at the other end of the mall and glided to the top. Gabriel was in front of me, and the light shined down on him from the second floor like he was a king awaiting his throne. This man never left the limelight. "We're going to Windsor on the second floor. They always have decent dresses and their boots are to die for."

"Is Windsor expensive?" I questioned.

"All of my clothes are expensive."

"Right. . ." Once we reached the top of the escalator, Gabriel took off, smoking me in the crowd. A boost shot through me as I caught up to him and synchronized with his steps. Man, I never live in New York.

"There it is!" Gabriel squealed, entering the store. Every mannequin was dressed in either a sparkling dress or a chic top. I have never shopped with him, but I knew this was his kind of store the moment it came into view.

Following Gabriel like a puppy watching its master, I ogled the clothes around the room. There were striped pantsuits, floral mini skirts, and body-hugging, satin dresses. I ran my fingers through the fabric of every dress and top I came across; I have this oddity of feeling things between my fingers; it's a guilty pleasure.

"Not this one. This one is too bleak," Gabriel announced, "No. No."

"Hey, Gabriel. What about this one?" I hold up a black, latex minidress. He scanned the dress up and down while he chewed on his knuckle.

"Gorgeous, but not what I'm looking for tonight." For some unknown reason, his rejection pierced my heart, etching a frown upon my face. Hanging up the dress, I kept looking around my pool of sorrow. "Oh. My. God," Gabriel's voice radiated from behind a rack. I peeked my head around the side, and there he stood, gawking at a mint, metallic skater dress. "This is perfect!"

Evacuating the shadows, I appeared next to Gabriel and nodded at his choice.

"That is nice."

"Let's check out the boots," he proceeded. We hit the back of the store and geared up to tackle these shoes.

"What about these ones?" I pointed an over-the-knee, black, laced pair of boots in hopes I met his standards of fashion.

"I already have those," Gabriel dismissed me again. Shame dug me deeper into my grave, and I crossed my arms, observing his choices.

"Look at these! They're fabulous!" He picked up a pair of silver, metallic heels with rhinestone fringe dangling from the top strap. "They're not boots, but damn will they go well with this dress." As quick as he found the stilettos, Gabriel beamed again at another pair of shoes. "OH my GOD!" he roared, his voice dropping into demon territory. Gabriel shoved the silver heels into my arms, and rose a pair of over-the-knee, black, rhinestone boots into the air. Inspecting them like a detective, he nodded frantically. "These are the ones. Put those back please," he requested, motioning the silver heels to be put back on the shelf.