Chapter 7 – Once Upon a One-night-stand

Chapter 7 – The Mall

Edie didn’t understand why he said, “you didn’t need to,” until later on in the afternoon. Stuart had been gone for almost an hour. Edie was calculating how to explain to Mr. Sampson that she intended to go out, but the doorbell interrupted her thoughts.

Carol opened the door and coming inside was a professional middle-aged woman. She bowed to Edie who was sitting on the sofa. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Yates, I’m Vanessa, the Service Manager of Galaxy & The Gallery.

She barely left Edie time to think it over, signalling the people outside to come in. Then, a row of hangers full of windbreakers popular of this season was brought in. Then a cart followed. This one was full of sweaters. One after another, shirts, coats, jackets…until the entire living room was filled with clothes. Vanessa came to her with respect. “Mrs. Yates, would you mind if I take your measurements?”

What were they doing? Shooting a film? As if in a dream, Edie stood up and let the staff take her measurements. “Um, are you measuring for clothes for me?” Edie inquired sounding confused. “Yes, Mrs. Yates.” Vanessa let out a profession smile. Edie was overwhelmed by mixed feelings: uncertainness, nervousness, shock and maybe a little bit of excitement.

After taking the measurements, the staff immediately picked up the sweaters which were just her size. She didn’t even need to try them on because eight girls were holding each sweater standing in a row for her to choose from.

“Which ones do you not like, Mrs. Yates?” Vanessa stood beside her and asked sincerely. Edie looked at those clothes and they were all pretty. “No.” She shook her head. “Yes, Mrs. Yates.” She nodded slightly to Edie and then turned to the girls, “put them all in the cloakroom on the second floor.”

The staff who was standing beside took the sweaters and walked upstairs. “But I didn’t say I wanted them all.” Edie tried to explain. Actually, she didn’t even notice what the sweaters really looked like. When she was asked if she liked it or not, she just answered out of respect. “Mrs. Yates, Mr. Yates has told us to keep all clothes you have an eye on.” Seemingly, Vanessa’s eyes were full of envy.

The whole afternoon she was picking out clothes. Vanessa just asked her what she didn’t like. After the tops were done, another eight carts of dresses and skirts were brought in. After that, it was pant carts and shoe carts. After going through all this, Edie had been able to remain calm at least superficially when she saw a row of Hermes for her to choose from. Of course, only she knew that her heart was raging like a storm.

Did all the rich buy clothes like this? It is too extravagant. It was not the end. Edie even picked out her underwear by just sitting on the sofa. She wondered if they moved the mall here. Even though she was exhausted after a busy afternoon, the staff who worked for her still kept a standard posture and smiled. They were very professional. Edie collapsed on the sofa after they all left. Then she realized that she should call Stuart to figure out why he did this.

Grand Imperial Club was the biggest club in the city, the hottest spot for the wealthiest and the most powerful. It was the most luxurious presidential suite which was on the top of the building. A few men were sitting on the sofa and beside them was standing the VIP service manager ready for their call anytime.

Sitting in the middle was Stuart, with his long legs folded elegantly. Like a king, he swept over the room without expression, but everyone was nervous like startled deer. At the same time, the man who was sitting opposite Stuart looked at the man who was sitting beside the door cuddling over a model with disgust.

He was Todd Anderson, whose family took over almost half of the tech industry of the city. Right now, he was lazily leaning in the sofa, lifting the chin of a beautiful woman and filling her wine with his mouth. The beauty is what the men called her. She was getting all choked up, but Todd was amused.

Jason Williams, the grandson of the retired General of the Air Force, wished he could give Todd a kick. “Get out of here. We are here for Stuart. Why did you bring her here?” Seemingly, the girl was deceived and not welcome, but she still swallowed down the wine not revealing any rage. Then she leaned in Todd’s arms as if she was boneless.

It was known that Todd was a playboy. His face was evil, but yet attractive. Plus, he was willing to spend money on women. So, there were always women bustling around him, but no one would ever last over three months. Even so, still a variety of pretty girls wanted to hook him up.

Todd caressed the chin of the beauty in his arms. “She’s the hottest model right now. Look at her face, her figure, she’s perfect. Her name was Fifi. Todd asked her to give Stuart a toast. She was flattered. Instantly, she let out a smile, raised the goblet with her delicate hand and then walked toward Stuart. “Mr. Yates, Nice to meet you.”

She approached Stuart as she was speaking. He could feel her inching her way in. Stuart lowered his eyes looking at her in disgust. “Get out of here.” Fifi had no idea what she was doing wrong. She was afraid that she disappointed Todd, so she gave him an even broader smile and put her hand on Stuart’s shoulder, whispering in a delicate voice. If the man were not Stuart, she would not have failed in her actions.

Stuart pushed her away mercilessly. She fell on the ground, the wine was spilled, what’s worse, her back was hit on the hard corner of the table. She was hurt, her eyes turned red, but she choked back the tears.

On such an occasion, she didn’t dare to cry as it would kill the vibe. She could only restrain the tears and looked at Todd asking for mercy. Todd just sits there wearing the same evil smile as usual, as if nothing had happened. “Get out. Is it understood?” said Stuart angrily.

Fifi knew that she had better be obedient, and then she slipped out. The VIP manager helped them clean up the wine as if nothing had happened. Jason couldn’t hold back his curiosity. “Do you still loathe the contact of women?”

They were childhood friends. They grew up together and understood each other. When they were young and naïve, they had done a few silly things together. That’s why no one else dared to ask the question even if they wanted to know. Stuart slowly raised the goblet, sipped the wine, but said nothing.

Todd gave out a sort of evil laugh and surprise. “Shall I introduce you to some? Different types, tastes, and styles? Stars? Models? Or Anchors?” When it came to stars, Stuart’s eyes paused in a flashing moment. Todd knew that he found his weakness, giving out an even awkward evil laugh. “Star? I got it? Who’s the girl? If you want, I can get her for you.”

Before Stuart could speak, his phone rang suddenly. “Hey, Stuart, why did you do it? I mean the clothes.” The other side blurted out without any chance for him to interrupt.

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