𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 | 𝟏𝟖+

𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚒.

I pinned up my hair and entered the boutique where I worked. I greeted all the guards who were on the same shift as me.

I entered the break area to put my belongings into the lockers. Afterwards, I went to the toilet to get the cleaning tools.

I brought the cleaning tools forward and started cleaning the floors that I could reach. I did so because the shop was quiet.

"Did you get home from school?" Maria asked me, she was 3 years older than me.

"I did and I have to go to work so I can eat." I replied while scrubbing the floor.

"You should focus on studying and not work." Again Maria always gave me this line

"No more, I have to eat and live in someone else's city." I sighed, and so did Maria.

I heard the shop door ring, so, I put the cleaning tools back in their original place.

Maria greeted the newcomers as soon as she saw me busy.

I went back to the front to serve the customers. "Can I help you?" I offered.

"Yes, I'm looking for - Isabelle?" he stopped what he was saying and was surprised to see me.

I smiled embarrassedly, "Hello... Mr Giordano."

Yes, that's the man I was talking about at the beginning. Someone I shouldn't be in love with, Alessandro Giordano.

Mr. Giordano looked confused with me here. So, I continued, "What do you need, sir?"

He cleared his throat to remove the awkwardness, "Yes.. um.. I am looking for a dress for my wife." Mr. Giordano looked at me and I looked the other way.

"What kind of dress?" I asked confused, there were many models of dresses here.

"I trust you." he said making me nervous. I had to choose a dress for his wife to wear.

"Dress for what occasion? Follow me." I started walking to find the dress I would choose for his wife. He followed me behind me.

"A charity event." he said and I immediately understood.

I was searching and removing dresses from the hanger when I found the dress he was referring to.

I had two options for him to choose from, a red dress or a navy blue dress.

"I suggest between these two, the red one is sexy and the blue one is elegant." I said as I looked at him.

I saw him looking at me with one eyebrow raised. I cleared my throat to get rid of my nervousness.

"Blue maybe?" he said and I immediately handed the dress to him for him to imagine his wife wearing it.

"I'll take blue. It's beautiful." I nodded in response and I walked over to Maria to make out the bill.

"Alright, please have a seat here first." I pointed to a seat by the glass.

I handed the dress to Maria, "Mr. Alessandro Giordano the buyer, he will be here in a few moments. Make the bill." and I left her.

I went back to Mr. Giordano to tell him to go to the cashier and I stood in front of him.

But before I spoke, Mr. Giordano asked first.

"Have you been working here long?" he asked.

I gawked and looked down, "Yes... um... about 4 months, I pay my way." and I looked up to see him because he stood up immediately.

He wanted to talk because he opened his mouth but he closed it again, "I'll pay for it."

And he walked away leaving me alone, I sighed as I regretted telling him. I didn't want to be pitied, especially not by him.

I tidied up what I was holding. After a while, I felt someone dominating behind me.

He cleared his throat and as I turned around, I immediately found Mr. Giordano carrying his order bag. I smiled as a sign of 'thank you'.

He approached me and I took a step back to reflect my cowardice towards him.

"Isabelle." he calls and I look up at him, meeting his eyes.

He bit his lower lip and looked into my eyes, "You did great. I'm proud of you." and he smiled

No man has ever been proud of me, not even my father. This will make me fall even more deeply into his charm.

Before I could answer him, he left me with confusion and desire in my body. My surroundings became hot.

I decided to forget about it and resume my work.

• • •

"Are you serious that he bought a dress for his wife with your recommendation?" she said from the phone.

"Yeah, he asked me which one was nice. So I chose it." I said while cleaning my makeup in front of my mirror.

"If I were you, I'd recommend him a bad one."

"I don't want to be that bad, whatever I'm going to do I still can't get it, right?" I sighed.

"Yeah, I know that's just for starters."

"Whatever. I still don't want to." I heard her sigh from the other side.

"Alright, I have to finish some work, I'll see you tomorrow. Ti amo." I said

"Ti amo." and I switched off the phone.

I immediately called Estella when I got home, I had to tell her what happened because I was completely out of my mind.

I finished some of my schoolwork, but first, I cleaned myself up.

I showered, dressed, did my skincare routine and ate. Once that was done, I went straight to do my homework.

The clock struck 10pm. I had finished all my homework and wanted to go to bed.

So, I walked to my room and lay down on the bed. Before I closed my eyes, I charged my smart phone and switched off the nightlight.

• • •