Chapter 7

They didn't speak again, and the mood in the car turned awkward. The last thing Alexis wanted was to have any conversation about her dad being in jail and why she dropped out of college. It didn't sit well with her.

They had passed by a couple of buildings for some minutes now, she was wondering where he was taking her to. What if he was planning to kidnap her or something? Oh God. She shouldn't have trusted him so much.

No, she shook her head. He was too big of a deal to do something like that. But what if he was just pretending.

She shook her head again. Her intrusive thoughts were beginning to get the best of her.

''I apologize.'' The word sounded so much like a whisper, she wasn't sure she had heard him right.

''What?''

His fingers dug into the car's steering wheel. ''I'm sorry for asking such questions. It was way out of line.''

She could tell he was trying so hard not to bite his tongue from his apology. She smiled. He wasn't a complete dick after all.

''It's alright.''

''You sure?'' He pressed on. He tried to talk again when she cut him off.

"Play some music," she told him.

Much to her surprise, he obliged, hitting on the car's stereo. Music boomed in the car.

With her earlier thoughts about him wanting to kidnap her gone, she sank into her seat again and zoned off unconsciously.

The ride went by smoothly. Haven remained silent as the music played. Eventually, they got to the place he was taking them to. Alexis watched as he came down from the car. Walking over to her side, he tapped lightly on the window.

''We are getting down here.'' He opened the door and took her hand in his. She stared at them, wondering if she should pull away. It wasn't like she couldn't get down herself, but she understood he was trying to behave like a gentleman. So, she let him. Besides, she would have to get used to physical contact from him too.

They walked down, arriving at the automatic door that led to the inside of a huge building. Written in bold letters was the name 'DAZZLE'S HUB.' Alexis stared in awe. She had heard of this place. One of the best fashion boutiques in the world, and she was about to take her first step into the place.

She suddenly felt odd. Wouldn't people look at her like some homeless person? But then again, she was with Haven.

Two men stood by the door, ready to receive them in, their heads already low in a short bow. A woman dressed in a dark skirt and suit, stepped out and walked towards them with a smile.

''Mr. Gray, so nice to have you here.'' The woman extended her hands inside. ''We've made all arrangements as requested.''

''Thank you, Lara," Haven said.

He made to move when Alexis unconsciously dragged him back.

He stopped, turning to her with a short frown. ''What?''

She blinked, wondering why she stopped him. ''Nothing,'' She said, averting her eyes. She noticed the condensing look Lara shot at her before she turned to walk into the mall. With a dejected sigh, she followed Haven inside.

As expected, the inside was just as incredible as the exterior designs outside. Everything was organized, even the sales-persons were all dressed corporate. The minute they walked in, Alexis could feel all the eyes on her.

''Right this way, Mr. Gray,'' Lara said, turning a corner.

They came to another room where sales ladies spoke with different customers. Alexis' eyes roamed about. The designer dresses placed on the mannequins were of topnotch quality. Even without touching them, she could tell. Just one of those could cost her a full month's rent.

Lara walked away and arrived a minute later with another lady in tow. The woman smiled when she saw Haven, only to scrunch up when she noticed Alexis.

''Haley,'' Haven greeted. ''It's been a while. This is Alexis. The one I spoke about earlier.''

Haley turned her attention to Alexis, her eyes scrutinizing her like a bug she wanted to squash. Alexis offered her a smile. Haley was intimidating with her height and beauty. No wonder she looked at Alexis that way. Alexis had no doubt she was the type of lady who never knew what the word stress or discomfort meant.

''I trust you would give her the best dress.'' Haven pushed Alexis forward. ''I'll be waiting.''

Alexis turned to him. ''You're not coming?''

''We don't have all day. So go get dressed.'' He left without another word, leaving Alexis alone with Haley and the other women who looked at her weirdly.

Haley looked a bit disdainful, but she motioned for Alexis to follow her. As Alexis followed, she kept looking at the dresses wrapped around the mannequins. She peeked at the price of a jean and nearly gasped out loud. This place was expensive.

Haley didn't say a word as she led them deeper into the store. Finally, they stopped at a fitting room. Haley snapped her fingers and two ladies came forward. One held a pen and paper, while the other held a measuring tape. Haley turned to her, her face straight. ''Gowns or skirts?''

''Gowns, I guess,'' Alexis responded.

The two ladies set to work, measuring and writing down. When they were done, they left.

''I will be back with a few dresses, so wait for me,'' Haley ordered.

Alexis nodded, taking a seat on one of the stools in the fitting room. Alexis had the initial thought of paying Haven back, but after seeing those price tags, she decided not too. Besides, he was the one stressing over her choice of clothing, not her.

Haley arrived a few minutes later with seven different dresses. Taking off her cloth, Alexis tried on the first lemon gown and almost burst out laughing. She looked like a pinecone.

''It looks nice,'' Haley commented.

''I look like left-over trash,'' Alexis countered.

Haley's eyes narrowed, finding Alexis reponse offensive. ''That left-over trash was designed by Mary Matha herself.''

Alexis nodded, staring at herself in the mirror. ''I'm sorry, but she did a bad job.''

''Try the next one then,'' Haley snapped.

Alexis rolled her eyes as she reached for a black dress. After wearing it, she paused. ''It's too tight.''

''It's your perfect size.''

''I disagree.'' Alexis whipped around, pointing to her breasts. ''I can hardly breathe.'' The dress was nice but it was too tight and too short, promising to reveal a lot if Alexis mistakenly bent the wrong way.

''The design of this dress is for those with an hourglass shape. Which you have.''

Alexis would have taken that as a compliment, but she felt Haley was being sarcastic. ''I can't wear it.''

''Then try another one.''

Each trial and each not what Alexis wanted. On the sixth dress, Haley looked like she was ready to slam something. Preferably, Alexis. Getting to the last dress, Alexis prayed she would at least find this one comfortable. If it didn't come out nicely, then she wouldn't bother. It was better to wear what she had than dress like a peacock.

Like the second dress, this one was also black. She ran her hand across the cloth's edge. It felt like suede but looked like fine silk, no doubt of the finest quality. It seemed like eternity before she finally wore the dress. It was tight just below the ribcage and loose around her neck, black as night. It flared under her waist, stopping just two inches above her knees. The back of the cloth was a wide opening that showed her neck to the base of her spine. Alexis whistled to herself.

Now, this was a killer outfit. It was more of a street sexy, rather than an extravagant sexy. Exactly her type of clothing. She turned to Haley, feeling confident. From the look on Haley's face too, she was certain this was the one.

''It's lovely,'' Haley said.

''I choose this one.''

''Wonderful.'' Haley sounded relieved. ''Now, let's move to the shoes section.''

Alexis gathered her old clothes and followed after her.

''Could I get a sneakers instead?'' Alexis asked.

''With that gown?'' Haley scoffed. ''Don't be silly. I know the perfect shoe for you.''

Alexis rolled her eyes, hoping it wasn't going to be another round of her picking the right shoes. They got to another room that was a section for shoes only. Haley gestured for her to have a seat on one of the leather sofas. After her feet had been measured, a pair of heels were placed in front of her.

Alexis slipped her feet into them and stood up. She tried to walk around with them, wobbling left and right as she did. The sound of them clicking against the marble floor irritating her ears.

''Haven't you walked in heels before?'' She heard Haley ask.

''I only own sneakers.''

Haley sighed to herself. ''Just where in the world did Haven find someone like you?'' It was more of a whisper, but Alexis heard her loud and clear.

With a stomp of her feet, Alexis faced Haley, folding her arms across her chest. ''If you have something to say to me, then spit it out.''