CHAPTER 10

Alya reluctantly came forward and stood beside Nyx. The woman beamed. She set her glasses properly as she scanned Alya from head to toe. Alya felt uncomfortable and tried to move back, but Nyx placed her hand on her shoulder.

"Alya, this is Greya, she's the owner of this store. And Greya, this is Alya. She had just reincarnated here not long ago."

Alya shot a glance at Nyx.

"Are you supposed to be telling people that?" she whispered.

"Oh, don't worry," Nyx tapped her shoulder reassuringly.

"Greya's a close friend."

"Is that so...?" Alya mumbled anxiously

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Alya. I see you're getting accustomed to this place. I'm sure it's not what you're used to."

After a brief pause, Alya held her gaze, then nodded in response.

"It is...but I like it here."

"That's good to hear."

Nyx was glad they were getting along nicely when she saw the two get along. She then turned to Greya.

"Greya, we're here because Alya needs new clothes."

"Say no more child!"

Suddenly, without warning Greya grabbed Alya's arm and pulled her swiftly across the large room.

"Ah!"

In no time they were at the opposite end of the boutique.

"Get in!"

Greya pushed a disoriented Alya into a small dressing room.

"Hey!"

Before Alya could fathom what was happening, Greya abruptly peeped through the curtain and intently gazed at Alya, slowly appraising her features. Alya inwardly shuddered at her intense gaze, she tried to retreat, but she was backed against a wall.

The next second her face turned sour.

"What is your deal?!" she raged.

"Greya....."

"Huh?"

She shifted her gaze to Nyx, who was right behind her smiling with folded arms.

"She's getting agitated."

"Really?" She raised a brow, then turned to the fuming redhead behind the open curtain.

"Oh...sorry dear."

Before Alya could retort, Nyx cut in.

"Greya meant no harm, Alya. She just wants to play dress up with you."

"You make it sound like I'm some kid." Greya pouted.

"But it's true... I'm a boutique owner after all." Greya continued as she pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

"You have been blessed with such flawless skin, a toned figure, and a beautiful face. I couldn't help but get ideas."

"What ideas?"

"What else? Dresses of course." Greya beamed as she gestured towards the rows of beautiful clothes around her.

"Dresses for you." Nyx spelled out.

.....

It was almost sunset. Alya was still stuck in the changing room, trying on as many clothes as Greya threw at her. While the two were surrounded by clothes, Nyx sat in a corner, enjoying the show.

Greya had just thrown yet another set of clothes at Alya's face. With an irked expression, as well exasperated sigh, she entered the changing room to try it on. Once she was done, she came out of the changing room Greya could only sigh in awe.

Alya had put on a short red off-shoulder bouffant dress with long bishop sleeves, adorned with a black corset belt and thigh-length stockings. The color of the dress complemented well with her warm skin, exuding an air of charm with her rosy cheeks, rosy-red lips, and stunning eyelashes that fluttered like a butterfly's wings. Her waist-length, slightly wavy red hair cascaded down her shoulders like a red sea. Greya squealed with delight.

"What I would give to treasure my work."

Alya sighed.

'There are no phones or cameras though....'

Alya turned to the mirror beside Greya, she was indeed beautiful. Nyx clapped her hands in awe.

"My junior really is stunning."

"I know!" Alya smiled haughtily.

Dozens of clothes later, they were finally done. She carefully picked out fifteen sets of clothes, belts, and undergarments.

While Greya helped her pack them up, she shocked Alya to the core with her next statement.

"It's on the house."

"Huh!!" Alya stuttered.

"You can't be serious Greya. All this....for free?"

Greya laughed softly.

"Of course! You've already paid with your time."

Alya was stunned. She turned to Nyx, who was casually filing her nails.

"Don't be too surprised, that's how she is." Nyx chuckled.

"Isn't that bad business?"

"Hmmm...."

Nyx blew away the nail filings off her manicured nails, then cocked her head in Alya's direction.

"Just be grateful Alya."

Alya gave a quick glare at Nyx, then turned to Greya with a smile, then bowed.

"We truly appreciate your generosity, we will surely visit you often."

Though Greya was a little too overwhelming, she was a kind woman, who loved her job. She would definitely visit again.

"I'm looking forward to it dear." Greya returned the gesture, then turned to Nyx

"But Nyx dear, don't you want new clothes too?" She lowered her glasses.

Nyx shook her head.

"Today, I came for Alya's sake, but I'll be sure to come back again soon."

"Okay then....bye....."

Alya smiled.

"Goodbye Greya."

Just as Alya was struggling to drag Nyx out of her seat,

"Oh my!!"

Greya exclaimed, she had suddenly remembered something.

"Oh my?" Alya repeated, confused. The girls turned to Greya.

Nyx was the first to ask.

"Anything wrong, Greya?"

Greya glanced at the two, then bashfully composed herself with a smile.

"I almost forgot, you don't have accessories, do you?"

Alya looked confused.

"I don't, but...don't you sell clothes?"

"She does, but she also sells jewelry and other stuff. You should get some."

"Oh, if Nyx is paying, then..." Just as she was about to face Greya, she felt a hand grab hers.

"Huh?"

"Let's go then!"

Greya swiftly dragged Alya away again, beaming with every pace. Before Alya could blink, Greya was already behind a counter.

"How did you....."

"This is the jewelry section of this fine boutique. As you can see, there are hundreds of jewels to choose from."

Behind her were different sets of jewelry on the shelves, with different shapes, sizes, and colors. There were necklaces, bracelets, earrings, hairpins, and other pieces. There was an open window opposite the counter. The setting sun's rays shone on the jewels, glistening like they were enchanted.

Alya stared at each of them in awe. It was hard for her to choose among all of them. They were all beautiful.

"Take your pick."

Muddled on what to choose, she glanced at the middle-aged woman.

"There's so many of them, I don't know what to choose. Can you help me?" her voice was sweet and as soft as a whisper.

Greya nodded with a smile.

Nyx frowned behind Alya.

"Why don't you ask me?"

Alya gave Nyx a backward sneer and then got back to admiring the jewelry.

"I'm sure your taste in jewelry is as bad as your taste in clothes."

"....."(what a disrespectful kid.)

...

In less than ten minutes, Greya had chosen four hairpins, two necklaces, four sets of earrings, and three bracelets. Each set had a different design. Alya's eyes gleamed, and Greya certainly chose well.

"How about these?"

"They're perfect, thank you."

With everything packed, Nyx brought out a leather pouch from her pocket. There were still some silver coins, up to thirty or so. Nyx handed it to Greya.

"I told you before, you don't need to pay for these."

"The jewels too?!!" Alya exclaimed, stunned again by Greya's generosity.

"Maybe for the clothes, but not the jewelry. I'm sure they cost quite a lot." Nyx cooed.

"Thanks again for everything, see you again soon." Alya waved goodbye and then zoomed off.

"Hey! You forgot your other stuff!" Nyx yelled, but Alya was long gone. She sighed, then turned to Greya, exasperated.

"See you later then...."

Nyx took the bags she left on the table and quickly followed.

Greya gazed at the girls' retreating backs from the huge show glass with a loud chuckle.