*Isabella's POV*
As I uttered the words, a pang of disappointment settled in the pit of my stomach. "Oh, sorry...you two are...I understand," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Elly's expression transformed into one of utter bewilderment, her eyes widening in confusion. "Understand?" she repeated, her tone laced with incredulity. "Are you implying...?" Her words trailed off as she burst into a fit of laughter, the sound echoing through the air and only serving to heighten my jealousy.
"Girl, I don't sleep with him," Elly exclaimed, still chuckling. "Eeeew." The word hung in the air, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of offense, as if she had somehow disparaged my own appearance rather than Jacob's.
My mind rebelled against the notion, silently protesting, There's nothing "eew" about him. On the contrary, the man exuded an undeniable charm, his chiseled features and piercing gaze rendering him undeniably attractive.
Elly's smirk returned, her eyes glinting with mischief. "I mean, the man's a hunk, but I would never," she said, her voice dripping with conviction. "He's like my brother." The words were reassuring, but it was her next statement that truly set my mind at ease.
"Plus, I'm married," Elly announced, her fingers flying across the screen of her phone. "Look how cute my husband is." She turned the device towards me, a bright smile illuminating her face as she showcased a photo of her spouse.
"Come on, girl, let's drain his wallet," Elly said with a mischievous grin, sending me into a fit of giggles as we sauntered into another upscale boutique.
After what felt like an eternity of browsing through designer racks, we finally stumbled upon a store that resonated with my personal style. I reveled in the opportunity to try on outfit after outfit, twirling in front of the mirror as Elly offered her enthusiastic seal of approval.
"Girl, you look absolutely stunning!" Elly exclaimed, her eyes widening in genuine surprise. "Come on, don't be shy – show me more!"
I hesitated, my gaze drifting towards the price tag. "Uhm...I don't know. Have you seen the price of this?" I asked, my voice laced with trepidation.
Elly's response was nonchalant. "But your boss is paying."
I corrected her, "He's not really my boss."
Elly shot back, "Technically, he is."
I sighed, "That's not the point. I work for my money, and I know its value. I just can't..."
Elly cut me off, her expression exasperated. "You can, and you will," she said, her tone firm but playful.
With that, she grasped my hand, leading me towards the checkout counter as I couldn't help but laugh at her unwavering determination.
As I stood before Elly, she goaded me with a sly smile. "Come now, you're the CEO's assistant, aren't you? You're well aware that they're billionaires. So, shouldn't you feel a twinge of guilt, knowing that this little shopping spree won't even make a dent in their vast fortune?" She raised an eyebrow, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Now, stop stalling and try on some clothes. And don't think for a moment that I won't follow you in there if you don't hurry up." Her playful threat made me roll my eyes in exasperation.
I relented, disappearing into the fitting room to emerge moments later, clad in the first outfit. Elly's eyes scanned me from head to toe, a look of approval spreading across her face. "Classy," she declared, her voice dripping with satisfaction. I changed into outfit after outfit, each one earning a similar accolade. "Sexy," she purred, as I struck a pose in a particularly flattering ensemble. Her praise was a balm to my ego, and I found myself smiling, despite my initial reluctance.
Elly's eyes sparkled with mischief as she thrust the dress into my hands. The vibrant red fabric seemed to pulse with energy, and I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. "I'm not wearing this to work," I protested, trying to sound firm despite the growing sense of anticipation.
Elly's grin was unstoppable. "It's not for work, silly," she said, her voice dripping with excitement. "Tonight, you're going clubbing with the hottest chick in New York – me!" She struck a pose, her confidence and charisma radiating like a beacon. I couldn't help but laugh at her audacity, feeling my resistance wear down. The prospect of a night out with Elly, dressed to the nines in that stunning red dress, was becoming increasingly irresistible.
As we settled back into the luxurious limo, I turned to Elly with a grateful smile. "Thanks for taking me out to eat; the food was fantastic," I said, feeling pampered. Elly's laughter was music to my ears. "You're welcome," she replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'll take you anywhere on Jacob's tab."
I raised an eyebrow, feeling a twinge of concern. "Isn't that kind of taking advantage of him?" I asked, not wanting to be a burden on Jacob's generosity. Elly's expression turned honest, and she leaned in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "You don't understand, do you? It's his pleasure... He insists."
I looked at her quizzically, and she continued, "He thinks he doesn't deserve the money because it mostly belongs to his family, so he's a big spender, but only with people he cares about." I nodded, beginning to understand Jacob's motivations.
"I don't do this every day," Elly said with a sly smile. "He told me to take you out and to buy myself stuff too, so I'd set the tone."
I raised an eyebrow, curious. "If he wanted to buy me stuff, why didn't he come himself?" I asked, wondering why Jacob hadn't joined us.
Elly let out an exasperated sigh. "Girl, he's terribly busy. On Saturdays, he goes to the gym in the morning, and then he has meetings or goes to check on his other businesses."
My curiosity was piqued. "Other businesses?" I asked, wanting to know more.
But before Elly could respond, she glanced out the window and announced, "We're here."