Chapter Rewrite:
We decided to go shopping—just me and the girls—for some proper corporate attire. I'd been feeling all kinds of nervous about starting this job. It felt like stepping into a world dominated by sharp-tongued millennials and ruthless ambition. Still, I was determined to show up looking like I belonged. After all, I'd be the secretary to a CEO. I needed to look the part.
We ended up at a high-end Dior boutique. Honestly, walking in there felt like walking into a different universe—one where price tags could pay your rent twice over. I was spending most of my savings that day, but I didn't care. I was on a mission to look professional, powerful—even if I didn't quite feel it yet.
As we were browsing, Amber drifted toward the lingerie section and somehow convinced me to try on a few pieces. "Confidence starts underneath," she said with a wink. And so, like some kind of fashion guinea pig, I found myself strutting out of the dressing room in silk and lace while the girls critiqued each set like they were judging a runway show. I glanced at myself in the mirror and, for a moment, I felt…beautiful. Elegant, even. I'd never worn anything like that before. Most of my shopping was done on Alibaba, and I was used to bargain bin basics. This? This was a transformation.
After we picked out the undergarments, I tried on a few full outfits. Each time, the sales associate gushed over how amazing I looked. I couldn't help but wonder if it was genuine or just a strategy to boost her commission.
Then Brittany called me over to look at a bag displayed in the window. She said it would match perfectly with the outfit I had on. I walked toward her, still in a sleek black pencil skirt and tailored jacket, paired with ten-inch black heels that made my calves ache—but damn, did they look good. My hair was pulled into a clean ponytail, revealing the sharp collar of my white blouse. Heads turned as I walked by. Even the men who were there with their partners stared. I won't lie—I felt like someone important.
But just as I reached Brittany, a voice sliced through the air.
"I want that bag," a woman snapped.
"Excuse me, miss, but we saw it first. We're going to buy it," Amber replied firmly.
The woman scoffed, her eyes trailing over us with disdain. "You saw it. But did you buy it? That's the problem with people like you—coming here just to try things on, pretending to be elite."
That was it.
Brittany, never one to hold back, stepped forward and gave the woman a sharp slap across the face. The whole store seemed to freeze.
"You hit me?! Do you even know who I am?" the woman shrieked.
"You could be the devil's daughter for all I care," Brittany shot back, calm as ever.
"I'm the only daughter of the Blossom family, you dimwit! You'll regret this!" The murmurs in the store grew louder. Some customers quickly made their exits, whispering about how rich and powerful the Blossom family was.
The store manager rushed over, his badge swinging on his chest. "Miss Blossom, we are so sorry. You—" he pointed at us, "—come here and apologize. Now."
"Sorry, but no," Brittany said coolly. "She started it. We're not going to stand here and be insulted. She got what she deserved."
Just then, a tall shadow loomed behind me. The atmosphere shifted. Cold. Powerful. Dangerous.
"What's going on here?" a deep voice asked, calm yet commanding.
It was familiar. Too familiar.
I turned—and froze.
Alexander.
The man I hoped never to argue with again. The same man I'd be working for starting tomorrow.
His gaze swept over me, lingering just a moment too long. I could practically feel the heat of his judgment.
"She hit me," the woman whined, her voice trembling with false innocence. "All I did was say I saw the bag first. And now they're attacking me."
That was it. I couldn't stay silent anymore.
"Sir," I said, lifting my chin, "with all due respect, that's not what happened. She approached us first, insulted us publicly, and Brittany defended us. If there's time, we can check the surveillance footage to verify everything I've just said."
His eyes narrowed, and I could see something flicker behind them—surprise, maybe even a hint of respect.
"She doesn't stop surprising me. She looks nothing like the cheap girl I first met. Still, she won't escape the consequences. Not completely."
—Alexander's thoughts.
"There's no need for that," he said stiffly. "We'll be leaving. But in the future, hitting someone in public isn't acceptable."
He turned toward the door, his long strides silent but heavy.
"Alex, aren't you going to defend me?" the woman—Lucy—asked, clearly shaken by his indifference.
"There's nothing to say. If they're confident enough to ask for footage, they probably aren't lying. I just saved you from further embarrassment," he said over his shoulder, walking out.
"You might have won today, bitch," she hissed, chasing after him. "But you won't be this lucky next time!"
We all stood there in silence for a moment before bursting out laughing.
After the drama, we grabbed some snacks—noodles, steamed buns, and hot coffee. We were starved and ate like we hadn't seen food in weeks.
"Did you see his face when he saw you in that outfit?" Amber grinned.
"You always have to ruin my appetite," I groaned, rolling my eyes. "Whatever he's plotting, I'll deal with it. I have goals. I want to buy my parents a house. Maybe even open a small business one day. I want to be financially independent, girls."
"We support you," Brittany said. "Let's see how much your new salary is tomorrow and start planning. Being the CEO's secretary must come with some serious perks."
Later, we wandered through the amusement park, letting the colors and laughter around us wash away the day's stress. We stopped to buy cotton candy—my ultimate weakness.
"Remember in kindergarten when you told Peter you'd marry him if he bought you cotton candy?" Amber teased.
"Oh god, please don't," I groaned, face flushing.
"She did!" Brittany laughed. "And when he tried to propose again in seventh grade, she told him he was too fat!"
"He was cute though," Amber said. "I heard he's doing well abroad now."
"Yeah. He might be coming back soon," I added, smiling softly. "His mom still calls me her daughter-in-law. It's exhausting."
We all burst out laughing again.
And just like that, the tension of the day faded. But beneath my laughter, I knew one thing for sure: no matter what Alexander was planning, I wouldn't let him break me. Not now. I had too much to fight for.