Looking around the shop, Alexia half covered her phone to lower the volume of the other shoppers. “I’m
out shopping for a dress.”
“You have the money for one?” Chaim raised an eyebrow.
If he remembered correctly, she gave all her money to Mrs. White.
“Uh…” Alexia scratched her neck as she answered uncertainly. “I should be able to buy a cheap one…”
“So be it.”
Assistant Chiao, who had heard the entire conversation, hesitated before pointing at the gift boxes, “Mr.
Lancaster, what shall I do with these?”
Chaim glanced at them. “Put them in my car.”
With that, Assistant Chiao headed out with the pile of gift boxes in his arms.
Alexia kept quiet as she vaguely heard Chaim talking to someone. She waited for him to finish
speaking before tentatively asking, “Mr. Lancaster, do you need me for something?”
“No, nothing.” Chaim snapped before hanging up.
“Aily, who was that?” Lynn asked as she walked over with her arms full of clothes to where Alexia was
sitting on a sofa looking dazed at her phone.
Putting away her phone, Alexia forced a smile, “My husband.”
“Your husband?” Lynn’s eyes lit up with interest, “I’ve never seen your husband. Will he be at the party
tonight?”
“No, maybe next time.”
Alexia’s smile was almost stiff. She hated lying and keeping secrets about who she was married to,
especially keeping it from Lynn. But Chaim wouldn’t allow it. On their wedding night, he specifically
warned her not to reveal their relationship to anyone.
“So mysterious, huh.” Lynn frowned, obviously not satisfied with Alexia’s answer, but changing the
subject quickly, “Why was he calling you?”
“I’m not really sure,” Alexia said, shrugging.
She still couldn’t believe he actually called her. Over the past three years, she never received a call
from Chaim - he hadn’t even saved her number. Because of that, she was even more confused.
“Well, I think you just don’t want to tell me,” Lynn said, crossing her arms and sticking out her lip in a
fake pout.
Alexia laughed, “I really don’t know…”
“Okay, okay.” Lynn waved her hand, “Enough about that. How about you try on this dress?”
Lynn picked up a pink gown and held it up to Alexia’s body. “I chose it especially for you. Pink is the
best because it matches you soft personality.”
“How much is it?” Alexia asked as she stood up before she saw the tag in Lynn’s hand.
Alexia stepped backward in shock as she gasped. “Fifteen… thousand?”
“Keep your voice down!” Lynn quickly covered Alexia’s mouth, glancing around to make sure no one
heard them before sighing in relief. “Why are you so surprised? People will think we’re yokels if we
show up wearing anything costing less.”
Alexia rolled her eyes and shoved Lynn’s hand away. She took a deep breath to calm herself as Lynn
rolled her eyes and wiped her hand off on her pants.
“Lynn, we can’t afford such an expensive dress.”
“Of course I know that,” Lynn said nonchalantly.
“Then why are you even…”
“Stupid.” Lynn flicked Alexia on the forehead. “We can rent it. I recently learned this shop will rent
dresses that cost $15,000 for less than $800.”
“Eight… hundred,.” Alexia covered her face. “But I still can’t afford it.”
Lynn looked up from the dresses, staring at Alexia incredulously. “Where did all your money go? Can’t
you even afford rent?”
“I gave it all to my mom.”
“All of it?”
Alexia nodded.
Lynn suppressed her anger and took a deep breath, “Alexia, what do you want me to say?”
“What’s wrong?” Alexia blinked, not understanding her friend’s sudden anger.
“What’s wrong?” Lynn was so angry she laughed, “I’ve told you how many times to stop giving your
mother money? Instead, you not only gave her money, but your whole deposit.”
“But she’s my mom and she said Charlie was in trouble…”
“Oh, come on!” Lynn exclaimed, “How many times has she asked you for money on the excuse of your
brother having trouble? I can’t believe you trust her every time. They’re leeches, and someday, they will
suck you to dry!”
“Don’t talk about them like that,” Alexia said, wrinkling her nose.
She knew her parents preferred boys over girls but she just couldn’t bring herself to be mad at them.
No matter what, they were still her family.
“OK, I’ll leave it at that; but what about your dress? How about I lend you some money?” Lynn
suggested as she slung the dress over her arm.
Alexia refused, “No, thank you. I’m planning to buy a slightly more expensive dress, which should also
be fine.”
“Then let’s go choose together later.”
“Okay.”
It took the two so long to buy Lynn’s dress that the sky was already dark when they left. It was almost
time to start the party. Alexia hastily rushed to the hotel in a taxi with Lynn.
When they arrived, the brightly lit banquet hall was already buzzing with people raising their glasses
and cheering.
It was Alexia’s first time attending such an occasion. The scene was too much for her as she didn’t
know where to see.
“Aily, I’m going to say hi to my manager. I’ll see you later?”
“See you later.” Alexia nodded.
Alexia didn’t know what to do. She hardly knew anyone and didn’t want to take the initiative to speak
with a stranger. So, she sat down in a corner with a drink, quietly watching the noisy crowd until a
haughty voice greeted her
“Well, who’s this dressing in such a rustic way?”
Alexia turned to see three secretaries from her office. All three of them wore expensive evening gowns
and exquisite make-up. Standing with perfect posture, they looked down at her in contempt.
“Can I help you?” Alexia asked indifferently as she stood up.
Nothing good would come from speaking with the three of them
“No, not really. We were just going around and greeting colleagues. But now I realize we shouldn’t
have come to you. Just look at what you’re wearing.” The secretary took a step forward and tugged at
Alexia’s sleeve with a disgusted expression.
Alexia looked down. “Is there something wrong with my dress?”
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