The head saleswoman didn't wait for Fiona or Ella to respond. She raised her chin, flicked her wrist dramatically, and said loud enough for the entire boutique to hear:
"You have five minutes. Buy something or leave. Don't waste our time."
Then she spun around on her heels and walked away as if she had just issued orders to her servants.
Ella's mouth fell open. "Did she—? Fiona, did she just time us? FIVE minutes? Who does she think she is?!"
The attendants behind the counter giggled while pretending to fold clothes.
Fiona gently tugged Ella's sleeve. "Ella, let's go. She's not worth it. We don't have to stay here."
"No," Ella said immediately, shaking her head, furious. "Absolutely not. Leaving now would look like she scared us off. That's a slap to my reputation. I am NOT leaving."
"Ella—"
"No! Fiona, today we're buying SOMETHING. She wants to see whether we can afford anything, right? Watch me buy her most expensive item and make her choke."
