“I’m sorry, miss. Your name is not in the appointment register for today.” She said politely.
“What the hell are you saying? Are you blind or just crazy?! I booked an appointment with Stephanie about three weeks ago and our slot was open today. Precisely right now! So what bullshit is this?” Bee snapped loud enough to draw attention.
Yeah, it was exactly what she wanted. Normally, VVIP appointments were booked one month in advance. The dramatic teenager only wanted to flaunt her connections!
“Again, I’m sorry miss. But your appointment was terminated a day earlier because Madame Stephanie had important guests to attend to today. Your full initial payment has been refunded as compensation for the short notice with some other benefits. I apologize again for the inconvenience.” She professionally said. And Bianca slapped her!
Loud gasps resonated from the crowd that gathered. Security rushed in from different directions to the scene.
“What bullshit is this?! Get me your boss, right now! I wanna speak with Stephanie!” Bianca demanded to no one in particular.
Suddenly, the VVIP doors swung open as Stephanie, the female fashion tycoon graced out shining like a billion dollars.
“What in the world is going on here?” She asked in a strict but angelic voice…
***
“You called for me?” Arian stated as he walked into his father’s restricted sitting room. Sir Argent was lounging on a white couch, going through his work tablet.
“Yes, I did… two days ago. Anyway…” He motioned for Arian to seat. The young master sat on the couch opposite his father’s and maintained his straight face.
“How long has Selena been here with us?” The bossy CEO started.
“A month?” Arian answered in a ‘so?’ tone.
“And have you been showing her around like I instructed?”
“Selena knows her way around the house and the chauffeurs see to her transport.” Arian answered in a flat tone.
Sir Argent looked at him, his dark eyes searching through Arian’s. But the young heir remained neutral.
“Since you forget things easily, you’ll be taking her sightseeing from now on. I want you to develop a close relationship with her. I’m sure you’re also aware she’ll be going camping with you and you’ll be totally responsible for her safety.”
“I get the point of being a responsible host but that doesn’t mean I have to force some kind of personal relationship with her.” Arian replied with the same curt tone, frowning slightly.
“Okay. There’s no need prolonging the news…” Sir Argent closed his tablet and dropped it.
“The main reason Selena’s stay was extended is to get you two together. Her father and I made this decision a long time ago and it still stands. After high school, you’ll get formally engaged to her and the wedding will take place later on.”
Arian was quiet for a while, processing the whole information when realization struck him! His breath hitched and his heart practically stopped beating. Nothing made sense before but now it was all clear!
Arian had found it suspicious from the very start! It was normal for a relative to visit, but not to overstay without prior announcement!
And what about Natalia? What about the future he might have with her?? What about his choice, opinion and happiness???
It was all screwed up!
And Selena, mom, and Damon, did they know about it?? Was it why Mom had been pestering him to date Natalia?… because she knew he’ld have no happiness in his life after on??
Was it why Selena’d been acting slutty and flirty? He thought they were just her habits! And Damon!
Damon? Was it why he was hell bent on getting Natalia’s attention?? Because he knew Arian was fighting a losing battle?!
And that thought almost wrecked him!
Arian stood up and looked at the man he was taught to call father straight up!
“Fine. I’ll be her manual tour guide while she’s here. I’ll be responsible for her all you want. But keep one thing in mind…” His voice turned cold.
“You won’t ever force me to get married to someone I do not wish to!” And he was gone, slamming the door behind which generated echoes down the lonely hallway…
***
Madame Stephanie was with the three best friends explaining and marketing her latest piece bit by bit and they were hooked, listening like play graders.
“La Santos is the theme of my latest collection which I put out a few days ago. It focuses on the importance of self confidence and the exquisite taste required by a woman.” She said as they heard raised voices outside.
“Do not worry. It’s probably a customer calling for guidance.” She covered up and they nodded.
“So La Santos was put together to boost a woman’s self esteem and to raise her poise and standards. As you can judge from the various pieces around, you have suitable wears for summer, bikinis for the beach, beach wears, one piece swim trunks, two piece swim suits, a tr….” She was cut short again. The voices had increased and was accompanied by a sound which definitely sounded like a slap!
“Please, excuse me.” Stephanie said in an irritated voice but still maintained the dazzling smile.
Obviously, the business idol had zero tolerance to unprofessional attitudes.
The girls nodded again like robots. Stephanie walked towards the glass door which was made in such a way that those outside couldn’t see who was inside except their reflections, and those inside could only see blurry images of those outside.
As Stephanie opened the door, Natalia’s eyes and those of Bianca’s collided and shared a common message;
SURPRISE and HATE!
Seeing the B. R. A. T. S, Elva and Nicky stood up automatically and headed for the door too but Natalia remained comfortably seated, sipping her champagne and taking pictures.
Bianca could die for all she cared!
“Mrs Parker, could you please explain what’s going on here?” Mrs Parker was Stephanie’s PA. It was also written in her name tag.
Mrs Parker explained everything and Natalia gasped wide-eyed. People like Bianca were meant to be kept in hospitals where pride and arrogance were specially treated!!
How could she slap a woman old enough to be her mother?!
“Spare me the details! I paid a lot of money to make sure I’m booked with you three weeks earlier despite your one month requirement. Fine! Then I come here today to hear shit about my money being refunded and stuffs? Is that the screwed up ‘maximum satisfaction’ you give your clients, huh?” Bianca yelled dramatically.
The Princess spared her a degrading look. How do one derive pleasure in embarrassing oneself??
“Miss, I caution you to level your voice. This is a business facility and not your home. As she rightly told you, I have important guests waiting in there for my attention. This couldn’t be postponed and that’s why you were given your full initial payment back and my guests deemed it fit to double whatever you paid.
“In addition, you were also allowed to shop from the other stores for free if you couldn’t wait until tomorrow. Even after all these compensations, you still decided to create a scene. So I’ll say this once and clear enough…”
“If you can’t accept our heartfelt apology and terms, please leave quietly. Else, I’ll have security. take. action.” She emphasized in a tight voice. Natalia was stunned. Hear her roar!
Bianca and her girls were shocked! She looked like a wounded tigress, furious and vicious! If her eyes were guns, she’ld have gunned everyone of them dead especially Natalia, but leave the video men and women…. So the whole world would feel and know she’s the untouchable Queen of Beverly Hills Academy!
.
Stupid.
.
Natalia rolled her eyes and tossed an expensive piece of chocolate into her mouth. What? Couldn’t she enjoy her money because busy-body bee is around?? Please move!
“Do you know who my father is?” She seethed, obviously playing her last card.
“I don’t care to know who you are or whose daughter you might be. All I know is that you’re standing on my property and aiming to buy my wears. So I have every right to caution you when you step out of line. Am I understood?” She tried not to scold a customer like a little kid.
Bianca, sensing that things were running out of her favour, glared murderously at Natalia before storming off. Her friends ran after her as well. Security tagged along, making sure they were out. Stephanie apologized to every staring customer before walking back in.
“I apologize for all that and plead with you on her behalf. ‘Phany Cuts’ is ready to compensate you if you don’t feel like being a client again.” Stephanie remained professional.
Natalia smiled generously. “It’s no problem.”
Stephanie looked relieved, though her professionalism limited it to an extent.
“If you don’t mind, shall I take you through the collections again so you’ll be able to figure out which suits your taste the best?”
“Nah, there’s no need. We’ll take everything.” Natalia simply said.
“Everything?!” The three of them gasped simultaneously.
“Yup! Three copies of each piece for the three of us.” She smiled satisfactorily, loving how the business idol put the buzzing bee in her dirty place!…
Chapter 53