CHAPTER 19: A DATE WITH... BRIANNE? (2)

«Oh yes, just like that... now let’s fasten this button, tighten the belt... et voilà! You look absolutely stunning!» the boutique sales assistant, Katerina, chirps.

She’s a woman in her thirties who looks like she just stepped out of a fashion magazine. She’s exactly the kind of gorgeous face you’d expect in one of the most exclusive boutiques in Manhattan.

Honestly, she’s way too enthusiastic... Especially considering how she used all those excuses to touch me—tightening here, adjusting there.

That sly little thing definitely took her sweet time getting her hands on me.

You have no idea how hard I had to fight to keep the beast under control.

It would’ve been insanely embarrassing if a certain bulge decided to make an appearance through these thin velvet trousers.

Not that Katerina would’ve minded—if we were alone, I might’ve even pushed things further and we’d be screwing in the fitting room by now.

The problem is Brianne.

Can you imagine if she saw me get hard in front of her? She’d think I’m a pervy traitor drooling over any hot chick the moment my girlfriend’s not around—not exactly the impression I want to give.

I’ll admit, I kind of like this look — dark gray, very adult and refined.

Makes me look like a young businessman, but nothing beats the comfort of a tracksuit, let’s be honest.

Katerina suggests I try on more outfits—no surprise there, horny little thing... But I’ve had enough after the first one.

I go with my gut and buy three, including the gray one.

Total price for the three suits: nearly $17,000.

And to think they even gave me a dirty look when I walked in, just because I wasn’t dressed like the typical spoiled rich kid.

Pfft... With the money I have on my card, I could buy the whole boutique—and everyone working in it, too, if I really wanted.

Still, I feel like crying just thinking about spending that much on three fancy rags I’ll probably wear once or twice.

But hey, Isabelle says classy clothes fall under reimbursable expenses—not a luxury, but a necessity.

Necessary for what, exactly, I still don’t know, but whatever—as long as she’s paying, I’m not complaining.

Like hell I’d buy them with my money.

Even after I pay, Katerina doesn’t leave us alone—and it’s easy to guess why.

«Perfect! Now that we’re done with you, I think it’s time to find something fabulous for your girlfriend!» Katerina exclaims, all cheerful.

My... girlfriend? Uh, no—she’s just a friend.

That’s what I’d like to say—not because I care what Katerina thinks, but just so Brianne doesn’t feel uncomfortable, but neither of us gets the chance to clarify.

Katerina instantly turns toward Brianne and starts measuring her, eyeing her from head to toe.

«Wow, your body is amazing! With these measurements, this height... mmm... wait right here, I think I have just the dress for you!» Katerina declares, visibly thrilled.

And with that, she vanishes into the jungle of clothes.

For the few seconds Brianne and I are left alone, there’s no mention of the "couple" thing.

I mean, what would I even say?

Soon after, the sales assistant emerges again holding a long electric blue evening gown covered in glitter, like a starry sky in fabric form.

If I were a girl, I’d buy it on the spot—it’s gorgeous! Actually, maybe I’ll get it for Elaine.

Her eighteenth birthday is coming up and I still have no idea what to give her.

«Here it is, fresh from the new spring collection! I’m a thousand percent sure this dress will look not good, but incredible on you!» Katerina beams. «This isn’t something I offer often—you need an exceptionally good body to wear it without looking awkward. But I think it’ll be perfect on you. Trust me!»

Before I can even react, Katerina shoves Brianne into the changing room—and then steps in with her.

She doesn’t even glance at me anymore.

So much for the horny salesgirl desperate for my dick—the second I paid, Brianne became the only person she sees.

I’ll give her credit: she knows how to do her job.

That fake shy-cat vibe of hers worked perfectly—I ended up buying stuff I didn’t even want.

And when the fitting room door finally swings open...

Oh. God.

She’s... breathtaking.

Almost as beautiful as Isabelle—and I’m not exaggerating.

That dazzling electric blue gown makes her look like a fairytale princess.

The plunging neckline shows off her massive chest way more than anything she’s ever worn in class—stuff I had only imagined until now. I swear, I could bury my face in those boobs and never come up for air.

And those legs... long, smooth, toned—I’d lick them from her toes to her pussy without skipping a single cell.

But the most beautiful thing of all... is her smile.

A shy, almost embarrassed smile—yet full of joy she’s clearly trying to hide, as she admires herself in the mirror. It’s not the kind of dress she gets to wear every day.

A true masterpiece of nature, no doubt about it.

But of course, I can’t show it too much.

I just nod firmly, trying to stay cool.

Katerina, though, doesn’t look too pleased—she definitely expected more excitement from me.

«What’s this...? Just a nod? Seriously? I even offered your girlfriend a chance to wear this gown at the fashion show we’re holding next month to launch the new spring collection!» Katerina grumbles, clearly unimpressed.

Once again—my girlfriend.

But Brianne is probably too excited to notice, and I still don’t give a damn either way.

«I just hope that burn mark on her right leg fades enough to be covered with some cream by then,» Katerina adds, sounding regretful.

Burn...? What burn?

Ah, right.

She’s got a long burn scar running from her ankle to her knee, on the back of her right calf.

Since she always wears leggings, I’d never noticed before—and I probably wouldn’t have even now if Katerina hadn’t pointed it out.

My eyes were definitely elsewhere.

It must be the injury that kept her out of school for a week.

Though... didn’t she say she twisted her ankle while hiking? That doesn’t look like a fall injury at all... Well, I guess she had her reasons for making something up.

«So? Doesn’t she look like a dream?» Katerina urges me.

At this point, a compliment is mandatory—a calm but affectionate «Yes, it really looks wonderful on her,» is enough to satisfy Katerina without making Brianne uncomfortable.

If I’d said what I really thought, with the words I actually had in mind, she would’ve died of embarrassment.

«Perfect... So, technically this dress goes for $11,000—and trust me, that’s a steal for a diamond-studded gown—but since you’ve agreed to be available for the fashion show, let’s say... mmm... $8,000,» Katerina proposes, grinning.

«E-Eight thousand dollars...» Brianne repeats, her voice trembling as her face turns increasingly red.

Well, of course—what did she expect? That it’d cost $20, like the clothes she usually buys at the street market?

«Thank you, Miss Katerina, but I’m afraid I really can’t afford—» Brianne begins.

«We’ll take it,» I interrupt sharply.

Wh-What...? Why did I just say that?

My mouth moved on its own.

There’s no way I’d normally spend that much money on a girl I just went out with for the first time—and who I’m not even fucking. What the hell is wrong with me?

Too late now.

The damage is done, and I can’t take it back—what kind of guy would I look like?

«N-No, Ren, I don’t—»

«Excellent choice, Ren. Brianne, let me just say—you’re really lucky to have such a generous and loving boyfriend. Ugh, I’m so jealous. Hold on to him tight—finding guys willing to spoil their girlfriends like this is a miracle these days,» Katerina cuts her off, full of admiration.

She doesn’t even give Brianne time to clarify—he’s not my boyfriend!—before the beautiful blue gown is already folded and bagged.

And then...

—BEEP!

The sound of the credit card hitting the reader makes my heart clench.

And on top of it all, I can’t even get reimbursed for this by Isabelle—she’d kill me if she found out I spent that kind of money on a gift for another girl.

Fine.

Let’s just pretend this was an "investment"—a way to make sure she’ll want to go out with me again.

Even if, for 8,000 bucks, I could’ve rented an entire harem of luxury escorts, not just earned a maybe-second-date with a girl who still thinks I’m dating someone else.

Why the hell did I even lie about that...?

Oh yeah—if I hadn’t pretended to be taken, Brianne probably never would’ve agreed to this outing.

Still... is that really the only reason I bought her the dress?

Even I don’t really get myself sometimes...

«I don’t know why you did that, Ren. But thank you—really, thank you so much,» she says.

Her voice carries a strange melancholy—maybe she doesn’t want to feel indebted?

But even if her words say otherwise, that smile of hers—that sweet, awkward yet genuinely happy smile she had when she saw herself in the mirror with that dress on...

Maybe that’s the real reason I gave it to her. Who knows.

I’m weird.

Meanwhile, Katerina’s chirpy voice rings out behind us.

«It was a pleasure having you! I wish you both a wonderful day, and I hope to see you again soon!» she calls out, full of cheer.

Not me.

Fuck you.