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“You should try this on,” Monica encourages me with a smile, noticing my hesitation.
I stare at a black leather skirt and a leopard silk shirt. For some reason, this outfit is calling out to me. It’s very sexy. Very not me. And yet very appealing. It’s been a long time since I’ve dressed sexily. I’ve always dreamed to unleash the femme fatale within me—if she still exists. And somehow, I want to feel beautiful for myself and for a particular someone. I want to be bad, wild, and free.
“You know what? I think I will.”
I take the outfit with me into the fitting room.
The leather skirt curves my waist tightly and gives justice to my shaped glutes. I’ve never been more thankful for my lifting sessions. My legs appear longer with the black stilettos. The silk shirt is showing the right amount of cleavage. And I feel… desirable. I let go of my ponytail and let my hair down wildly to my waist. The doe becomes a tiger, and I love it.
I leave the room and smile at Monica, who is seated on the ivory sofa in front of me while I’m imitating a model pose. She opens her jaw, amazed, her hand covering her lips. I’m done hiding. I’m done excusing myself. People stopped looking at me because I was too afraid to be… me. I’ve decided to find myself again.
“Wow. You are perfect. I can’t imagine Aaron’s face when he sees you wearing that. Damn, I knew you were beautiful, but this is another level.” Monica’s attention brings over the vendor woman who didn’t greet us earlier—probably thinking we couldn’t afford this place. After all, no price was put on the outfits. “Isn’t she beautiful?” She arches her eyebrow at her, and I can’t help but chuckle. I love Monica’s feistiness and honest speaking—just like Aaron.
“She is, Madame. Unfortunately, this item is a new collection and—”
“That won’t be a problem. My friend here is dating Aaron LeBeau. Money isn’t an issue for us,” Monica snaps at the vendor, who immediately gives us her fakest smile before leaving.
She gets up and ambles toward me, crossing her arms on her chest. “I hate those kinds of people. I grew up being poor, and people looked down on me when I was with Henry. I’ve never fit in. I won’t let that happen to you.”
I change, and we reach the checkout to pay for the outfits. My heart is beating, fearing the price.
“Three thousand.” The rude woman smiles at us in a wicked way.
I stare over at Monica in a panic, my eyes wildly open. I can’t. This is the price of three months of rent. I’ve never spent that amount on myself. She nods at me, encouraging me to use Wolf’s card. I glance over it… this time, I don’t want to use him. I’d been with Stephan for the comfort, the safety of a future. I’ve dreamed for a man to treat me like I’m special. I’ve always been a huge fan of thePretty Womanscene, when Edward treats Vivian like a princess on a shopping day. But with Aaron, the fact he wanted to please me, I couldn’t. It’s exactly what I wanted, but accepting it would mean I accept more with him. More that he couldn’t possibly give me. That it’s real. That I could possibly fall for him. I hand her my card, swallowing hard, doubting it will pass.
“Elle. What are you doing?” Monica shouts.
“It’s okay.”You are doing the right thing, Elle.My mother always depended on men. On me. I won’t be like her.I’ll just take the outfit back tomorrow.
“Your name, please?” the rude woman asks.
“Elle Monteiro.”
She taps on her computer. “Oh. Your payment has already been taken care of.” She hands me the bag of clothes and my unused card. “Have a good day,” she says in a robotic tone.
I look at Monica in surprise. Who paid for it? How is that possible?
“Don’t look at me like that. I just told Aaron where we were going. He probably knew you wouldn’t use his card. And let’s face it, any shop would kill to have Aaron LeBeau’s mysterious woman photographed with their clothes on.” Monica grins, probably telling me less than she knows.
That arrogant driver doesn’t give me a break. He takes all of my breath away. Occupies each of my thoughts. And now, he is racing his way to my heart.
Aaron:I’m at the track. Text me when you are here. Ps: I’m inviting you to eat tonight. And no. You. Can’t. Refuse.
I smile childishly, reading the text Aaron sent me, wearing the outfithebought today, my eyes made-up with smoky brown eye shadow and my lips with glossy lipstick. Gloss that probably won’t stay long on my lips. I’m doing a hundred steps in front of the hotel. Dying of anxiety. Shaking with anticipation.
“I should go. Let me know how it goes.” Monica hugs me before walking toward her car. We exchange numbers. In such a short amount of time spent together, I already know she’ll become a close friend.
She turns to face me one more time. “You know, I don’t have many girlfriends. You never judged me based on the way I dress, the way I look, or for what I’ve done. So thank you, Elle.” I simper at her. “Aaron is very lucky,” she adds before waving at me.
I take a deep breath as I walk toward the pits to find Wolf. I feel butterflies in my stomach, the wind leading me closer to him. My heart races. My breath quickens. The golden sunset is warming the track in an orange tone. The scenery feels magical. It’s like this moment was meant to be. I’m feeling like a teenager going to prom with her crush.
Aaron is talking with a few drivers, dressed up in a marine-blue suit with a white dress shirt underneath. All the attention is on him. He is charismatic. Handsome. God-like. I repeat my mantra.Confidence. Confidence.Confidence.I spot Aaron’s teammate catching sight of me as I’m walking toward them. His jaw drops and he pushes Aaron’s shoulder with a head nod, telling him to look at me. When Wolf turns around, our eyes connect.
All the attention is suddenly turned on me. The golden light is warming our faces, our eyes tainted in a feline color, my hips moving like rumba music is accompanying us. All I see is him. The man who enlivens each of my body cells. The man who dazzles me. I smile at Aaron nervously as he bites his lip, his eyes stuck on mine. Sparkling with desire. Observing each of my moves. He swallows before giving me his brightest smile, and I chuckle.
This moment is everlasting. The world around us seems to stop. Aaron rushes toward me, our bodies ready to express themselves. We are like two magnetic elements drawn to each other. Awakening the silent volcano inside of us. And together, we generate a nuclear explosion.
Two negatives make a positive.
