Page 34 of Safer Together
~ Chapter Thirteen ~
Angela
We fill in the remainder of the drive with idle chit chat, discussing what presents we need to buy. Besides a Prada handbag for Maggie, we are going to look for a coffee machine for Beth, along with a piece of jewelry, iPads for Jack and Nicky, and a camera for Arthur. Elliot had already purchased the Yankees season tickets for David so that was one less item to buy; he assured me, though, that he still got everyone stocking stuffers.
We pull into the driveway to The Peninsula Hotel on Fifth Avenue, and Elliot slides out and hands his keys to the valet. “I need parking for a few hours” he hands the gentleman two hundred dollars and then turns around to take my hand. “Ready, baby?” He asks, I nod in response with a smile forming on my face.
“Where first? Prada?” I ask.
“Why not? It’s down this way.” We start walking down the avenue toward the many high-end boutiques that are stationed along this exclusive area of shopping. I had driven past this area a few times when I was still living here, and walked along the sidewalk once or twice, but never went into any of these shops. I just wandered past, window shopping. And yet here I am today, holding hands with one of New York’s wealthiest former bachelors, preparing myself to enter quite a few of these shops and spend a lot of Elliot’s money on Christmas gifts for his family.
We make it to the Prada boutique in no time. Elliot opens the door for me and we walk in. Compared to the cool wind outside, the store is lovely and warm. A sales representative with a false smile walks over to us. “Welcome to Prada. What can I help you with today?” Even though her smile is clearly meant for Elliot he doesn’t take any notice.
“Ah thank you. We are looking for a handbag,”” I reply, tugging on Elliot’s hand. He turns to speak to me.
“Indeed. My girlfriend will have a look around and if we need to have a closer look at any, we will let you know.” He finishes his sentence by looking at our assistant, who has clearly worked out who he is by now.
She puts her left hand to her chest clearly showing she didn’t have an engagement or wedding ring on. “Of course, Mr. Sands. My name is Clara, by the way.” He gives her a quick smile before we step away from her and begin looking at bags.
“You have an admirer,” I grin at him, to which his response is a chuckle. He raises my hand to his mouth and presses his lips to them twice before allowing our hands to fall back again.
“Anything catch your eye?” he asks.
I point to a beautiful bag, black with red leather straps and a gold label over the top. Clara must have been standing right behind us, as she comes forward and lifts it down for us to have a closer look. It has three internal pockets, including one with a zipper. It is made with crocodile leather and it has a gold padlock to the side. The price tag read $4,500. I feel slightly dizzy. It is an absolutely gorgeous handbag.
“I don’t know about your mother, but I love this one. I’ll keep looking.” I unclasp my hand from Elliot’s and wander over to another section of the store to look at some other bags. I see a lovely cream-colored bag, larger in size then the black and red one.
I turn to see where Clara had got to, and I see that she is trying desperately to gain Elliott’s attention. Seeing my poor boyfriend looking at me for help and also feeling a little possessive I call out, “Sweetheart. What do you think of this one?”
He makes his way to me with four quick strides and is holding my hand once more. Clara, having followed, picks the bag off the shelf for me and gives us a closer look. It is also beautiful, cream in color with a beige stitch. It has the three internal pockets and the gold lock on the side, and is a bargain at only $5,700. “I think mother will love it. We will take one of each,” Elliot told her.
Clara nods. “Right away for you, Mr. Sands. Would you like for me to gift wrap these for you?” she asks.
Elliot replies “Thank you Clara. If you could pop a note on the outside of them so we know which one is which, that would be great.”
Clara walks off with the cream bag and collects the black and red one too. “That’s sweet of you. Your mother will love them both,” I said. Then, “Hang on. Why would we need to know which bag is which if they are both for her?” I ask. Elliot is already making his way to the counter to pay for these purchases. We had only just begun our shopping and in the very first store we entered he had spent over $10,000. I walk past him and comment “I’ll wait for you outside.” And continue till I am standing outside in the cold.
I fish my black leather gloves out of my handbag and put them on, thankful that I had decided to throw them in at the last minute. The weather looks as though it may snow before the day is out. I hear the door open beside me, and out steps Elliot holding two Prada bags containing our purchases. “Okay Mr. Moneybags. Where to next?”
He gives me the most beautiful smile in response. “I’ve been called worse things in my life. Let’s go to Tiffany’s and look for a necklace or bracelet for Beth.” He nods in the direction we should take, and I walk beside him.
“Do you want me to carry one of those for you?” I ask.
”I’ve got this. I’ll be the packhorse today. Even Mr. Moneybags holds his woman’s bags for her.” he replies.
We walk about a block before I can see the blue signage indicative of Tiffany’s. As we get to the front door, a man in a suit opens the door for us and welcomes us in. Once inside I can see several other men in suits stationed around the store. “Security?” I offer up to Elliot, who agrees.
A pretty brunette approaches us, “Hello sir, madam. Welcome to Tiffany’s New York. My name is Rose, and you are…?”
I smile at Rose and opened my mouth to reply, but Elliot is already doing that for us. “Hi Rose, I’m Elliot and this beautiful woman here is my girlfriend, Angela.”
To which I then add, “We would like to have a look at some necklaces and bracelets for Elliot’s sister. Would you mind showing us?”
Rose smiles at me and speaks again. “Of course. Come with me, let’s have a look.”
I take a couple of steps forward and realize that Elliot isn’t following me. Instead he is fishing his ringing cell phone out of his pocket. “I’ll catch up in a sec. I’ll just take this.” I turn on my heel as I hear him answer the call.
Rose shows me many beautiful jewelry pieces. The Tiffany heart. The Tiffany key. The Tiffany charm bracelet. I narrow it down to three items: a white gold charm bracelet with the blue gift box charm and love heart charm, the Tiffany key necklace in gold, and a white gold pair of earrings with diamonds around the Tiffany heart. “I just need to confirm which one Elliot prefers Rose; do you mind if I quickly go grab him?”
