chapter 18

MIRANDA'S POV

For once in my life, I would have to agree with the fact that I felt really amused and excited over the fact that he had put her out of the premises. At least, he was promising from his attitude that even if this happened to be a marriage of surrogacy by contract, he was going to be right there with me through every single step.

He finished with her as I remained still and everyone else was calmly awaiting his return and then like an avenging angel, I saw Lambert walk in again. Jessica was no longer with him and I knew he had just sent her off.

"Now, let's get down to it." He said to me,

"Get down to what, sir?" I asked him.

"You both picked out clothing, the pile I see here. I want you to go inside and test them one after another so I can decide on which ones you would be wearing. Don't worry, you may use the changing room this time." He said to me and smiled.

Why was he smiling at me? I frowned as the attendants stepped forward to pick up the clothes pile. I could not tell him that everything Jessica had picked had been really awful but would rather he finds out himself as I went with them to the changing room. Once at the privacy and comfort which the space promised, I started undressing and getting into the first dress. A gown with the sort of hand puffs that would only be seen in clothes belonging to the sixties grandma. I hated it as I looked rather ridiculous in it. I was really upset and embarrassed and sincerely was hoping he would not approve of this simply because Jessica had picked it. I mean, look at this. It was like there was a big horn on my shoulders.

"Miranda, we do not have all day. I paid for three hours and you've spent one already." He called out to me.

I frowned as I dragged myself outside. He could not exercise patience or what?

He had his eyes on a magazine as I came out while he spoke but then he sensed my presence and set aside the magazine as he looked up at me. Lambert nearly jumped from the fright of what he had just witnessed as he started off with a confused stare which suddenly changed the moment his eyebrows dipped into a frown. He clearly was not buying this one bit as it swept him with the haze of total annoyance over what he was looking at. I clearly did not strike him as cute in this outfit as he looked at the attendants who were trying hard not to laugh.

"What is this?" He demanded angrily.

"One of the things the other lady selected." One attendant said.

"And you think this is a good fit?" He demanded.

"No, sir. Of course we did suggest something better but she was hell bent on picking out this one for the lady." She said,

"My wife." Lambert corrected.

I felt a tinge of happiness. He was actually defending me before them which was really a good omen as that means he accepted me. I wanted to say something at least but what was I to say right now? That like a dummy, I had been there and watched Jessica pick out my clothes. What would that make me because it certainly did not sound like the name adult was attached to me anymore.

"Your wife. My apologies, sir." The attendant said to him, She had to chip in something to save him the trouble. "Perhaps, she had her reasons for selecting these clothes but we could recommend others if you want it, sir." She said to him,

Lambert was looking like a girl getting brainwashed at the moment with his surreptitious glances around. Clearly giving it a thought and then he suddenly turned to me.

"Well, what do you think?" He asked, looking directly at me.

I could not believe he was giving me a chance to choose something myself.

"Me?" I muttered pointing at myself.

"Clearly." He said without smiling at me.

"Oh, okay sir. I actually think that we should try some of what she has selected first and who knows, there might be something unique from what she has picked." I said to him,

Now, it should be noted that I was not being a weakling by doing this. I had actually thought about it and there were two things on my mind. I did not want it to seem like I had changed her clothes because I wanted to but wanted to actually test them so he could ask me to change them himself. That way, when we get back home she would not have the energy and time to start bugging me over certain stuff and that sounded a lot better to me.

Lambert thought about it actually and then he spoke to me.

"As much as I would like to tell you this is futile and that there is nothing good there, I prefer working in line with proof but clearly, you want to play dress up and I know for sure that you badly want to prove it all to me. Hence, I shall oblige you and afterwards, we will decide what shopping we would be doing." He said.

"But sir, by then the three hours you promised would have relapsed and then what next?" An attending woman seemed to be asking.

"And you think Mr Lambert is some kid?" The manager's voice suddenly called as she approached them with a smile.

"Um, how much to pay for an extra two hours?" Lambert suddenly asked her.

"I'll send you the bill, sir." The manager said.

It had been a long while and clearly, he must have neglected stuff with Jessica. With that sorted, he had the attendants assisting him on the other side of the boutique as he moved around the rack. I stood there too confused to move about rather too skeptical. Eventually I went to try on more.

Two extra changes of clothing and that was it, he had seen enough. Lambert suddenly got really angry at me that I had to stand back and watch while she picked these ridiculous outfits for me. He had to stand up and call for us to stop. Clearly, Jessica had been up to no good and Lambert demanded that I resume shopping that minute properly. At this point, it was certainly natural and not out of place that I remained still.

"And care to tell me why you are pausing?" He demanded.

"Nothing much. I'm only confused." I muttered.

"This is your shopping and I suggest you get down to it or for every hour I get to pay for, I would require something more than you already are to offer." He said to me,

"You didn't have to threaten me though." I said as I started walking over to select my own clothes myself.

He had convinced me and that was going to be the go to the words of excuse I would be laying before Jessica. I browsed through the racks and clothes on display as I selected what I craved and desired. I even took the advice of the attendants as we selected stuff. It felt really nice now and I felt rather special and loved.

Soon enough, we were done and I returned to stand before Lambert.

"Done?" He asked me.

"Yes." I muttered.

"Then let's see how they fit this time." He said to me,

I smiled nervously as I could not believe that I would be doing a display for Lambert. I had no choice or chance to start arguing. There was no point when he was playing defender. I turned as the attendants announced the clothes were in the changing room.