Angie smiled with satisfaction as she hopped out of the car. The weather was clear and the only deterrent was the large crowd of people moving in and around the outdoor mall. She felt even better knowing they lost sight of her parents miles back. Sadly, she assumed her father gave up thinking that she was going out to drink or something like that. She almost wanted to spend an extremely outrageous amount at the mall to rub it in her father's face.
She patted both of her cheeks with a determined smile. Angie wouldn't allow her thoughts to derail her from her new goal. They were entering phase one of her plan and if she faltered at the first step then her daring escape would have been for nothing.
Angie walked around the front of the car as she waited for Elli to join her side. The two teens marched up to the entrance of the mall like it was a battlefield. Phase One began right then.
"Where are we going?" Elli inquired as the pair stood in front of the directory.
"A certain shop," Angie informed as she carefully read over the names of the stores. She knew it wouldn't be the same as the small shop she found hidden in Brooklyn, but she'd need the next best thing. There was an added bonus of the platinum card she had in her possession which she still had plenty left to spend. Angie had been very selective with her clothing having timed her purchases for the best sales. Now, that wasn't going to be an issue. She would be able to purchase an outfit without regard to price.
Elli took hold of her arm while she was in deep thought. "I'm hungry. Your scheme has left me without breakfast. Let's walk to the food court and see if you spot anywhere good."
Angie blinked her eyes for a few moments before she felt the sudden empty feeling in her stomach. "Food sounds good," she laughed and linked arms with her friend.
The pair veered off from the center of the mall to find the Shake Shack since Elli wanted to indulge in their Korean Fried Chicken. They entered the compacted restaurant and were greeted by a line of early lunchers. Angie told Elli to order two of the same thing while she chose to secure them a spot outside. She wandered back outside and regarded the mostly filled tables. She only needed to find a spot for the two of them and she instantly wanted a place where she could sit facing the fountain. She never minded the half hour drive from Chicago to Skokie if she was able to enjoy the quiet constructed beauty of Old Orchard. It was the reminder of that fact which pushed her to find the perfect spot.
She walked back and forth as she contemplated each location. If it wasn't for the lack of tables in the courtyard surrounding the fountain, she would have suggested sitting besides the fountain. It didn't appear to be any one good option, so she eventually settled for a spot near the entrance where she could people watch and appreciate the fountain.
Angie was in the midst of silently celebrating her accomplishment when someone walked up to her. She blinked a few times as she was met with the arrogant face of Margo Nortridge. The girl held a look of contempt as she took a seat across from her.
"I can't believe you're casually out here," Margo intoned.
The voice was so shocking to Angie's ears that she put on her best placating smile to hold back her snicker. It wasn't the way the girl's voice sounded like in front of her teachers and lacked the false huskiness she used with attractive guys. It was one of those voices a minimum wage worker heard and braced themselves for a long list of questions and requests. She had completely forgotten Margo sounded like that when she wasn't watching herself. Stuck up and entitlement in one grating tone. Angie could only hope she never sounded like that.
"Ronnie was soo upset. She had to call Lutz to comfort her," Margo continued and Angie could even imagine the fake dirt she was eyeing beneath her nails.
Geesh. She really had an interesting taste in friends in the past. Margo was another croney that trailed after Veronica most of middle school before switching between Angie's and Veronica's camps depending on who was doing what. It seemed given Margo's attempt at demeaning her that the girl had planted herself firmly in Veronica's camp. In Angie's opinion, Veronica deserved better. There were plenty of girls like Margo. The type of girls who made perfect gophers were plenty, but they came in sweeter and nicer packages then Margo just as easily.
"And," Angie paused, "Ronnie sent you here to tell me this because?"
Margo looked stunned for a second before she laughed behind her manicured hand, "You aren't as dumb as she assumed!" She seemed to be congratulating her with that announcement. "She wants you to stay away from Lutz."
Angie felt the corner of her mouth lift. It appeared that Veronica wasn't as ignorant as she assumed if she was already turning the narrative. "And has Lutz broken up with you yet too?"
Margo gapped at her before she turned bright red. "Of course he has! At least he cared about me unlike you!"
"Then go tell Ronnie about Lutz' rumored cock while I enjoy my lunch," She waved the girl off and used a bit of force to kick the chair she sat in.
Margo sputtered for a few moments before she bolted away from Angie like a scolded child.
It wasn't a secret that Lutz was a bit of a player. It had to do with the fact he didn't feel it was important to inform girls he was merely hanging out with them. A lot of starry-eyed girls assumed they were serious when Lutz Xu asked them out when in reality he found them attractive and if it meant "dating" the girl to bed her. Then he would "date" her. Part of the reason, Lutz had broken up with her was because she refused to have sex with him. She was still unsure if Lutz truly loved Veronica or not, but she knew the girl wasn't afraid to spread her legs.
That was another thing she'd have to correct. Angelica Yang was a bonafide virgin. She may party and drink. She may occasionally drunk flash a hot stranger, but she kept a firm hold of her virginity. Only two people were aware of the fact. One of them was Elyse Ryu and the other was Maikel Suparat. Her two best friends.
Elli appeared shortly thereafter carrying a tray with two chicken burgers and two black sugar vanilla shakes. She was about to sit where Margo had when Angie stopped her.
"What?" Elli raised a brow and sat the tray on the table.
"A bitch sat there. You might want to wipe it off," she responded with a wide smile.
Elli threw back her head and let out a loud laugh before sitting. "Someone from school?"
"Margarita Nortridge," she confirmed.
"Her?" Elli raised a single eyebrow and picked up her burger. "What'd she want?"
"She had a message from Ronnie," Angie leaned forwards and took hold of her own. "I doubt it was premeditated, but it is a fact that Veronica wants it known that Lutz is hers."
Elli wiped off her mouth with a napkin and pressed a hand over her heart. "My little Angelica is growing up. She understands a social situation without my help," she sounded as choked up as her adoptive mother did on her graduation day.
"Yeah, yeah," Angie grumbled and flicked a fry at her. She had missed moments like this. She was used to being so guarded with those around her. Always having to maintain control over her once fragile state.
"How'd you get her to leave?" Elli responded and flicked the fry back.
Angie explained her remarks to Margo regarding Lutz and his infamous cock.
Elli burst out into laughter mid way and ended up nearly choking. She rushed over and patted her friend on the back as she laughed alongside her.
"You didn't?!" She exclaimed, wiping at her eyes.
"I did. Not only can I understand social situations, I can defuse them too," Angie wiggled her brows with pride in her voice.
"Now I'm even more confident in your plan."
"You'll learn quickly that you should always have confidence in me."
The pair of girls finished their early lunch and decided the best option would be to circle the first floor. They passed several stores which didn't interest either of them before Elli pulled away from the Kate Spade store. "What about this place?" The store wasn't one which Angie recognized, but the sight of the A-Line dress on the mannequin captured her attention. The dress was knee length and featured a pleated solid black skirt with a bow tied around the waist. The top of the dress was stripped black and white with slightly puffed quarter sleeves. The addition of black mule flats with a gold tone horsebit was simple and sophisticated.
Angie felt like weeping at the sight. "Elli, have I told you how much I love you," she expressed and hugged her.
Elli scrambled out of her hug and dragged the girl into the store. "Let's get you something and leave."
"For simplicity sake," she announced and tried to locate a store owner. "Why not buy the mannequin's outfit?"
Elli nodded her head in agreement as she glanced at the time. "We've already wasted a couple hours here. We wouldn't want to miss your brother."
The girls were resigned to browsing the store as it seemed devoid of workers and customers alike. They were both browsing the winter jackets in stock when a woman appeared from somewhere near the back of the store. She was a gorgeous woman with flawless jade-like skin and bow-shaped lips stained an enticing red. The woman wore a pristine suit which matched the simple and sophisticated charm of the clothes the store carried. The woman appeared to be from Asian heritage much like Angie and Elli, but she didn't notice them as she angrily shouted into her phone.
"Je n'ai qu'un seul endroit sur mon équipe. Un endroit pour vos étudiants brillants. Les étudiants qui doivent soumettre leurs projets d'ici ce soir TSC!" The woman exclaimed in a hurried voice.
Angie recognized what she was talking about and let out a small laugh. She had learned the basics of French quickly after waking up in the hospital. She had been forced to undergo emergency surgery and light physical therapy at the hospital in Normandy which had her isolated in a foriegn country for nearly two months. Whenever she had free time she'd practice learning French with a fellow patient while teaching the other English. She was able to become fluent enough to enjoy French television by the end of her stay in the hospital and she continued her studies back in the States.
The woman's insistence and distraught mannerisms left her amused as she remembered similar looks on her nurses' faces. "Mademoiselle, pourriez-vous être en mesure de nous aider?" She questioned once the woman paused in her conversation.
Elli gave her a strange look before Angie returned it with a wink.
"Oh!" The woman exclaimed and said a hurried goodbye before turning to face them.
"L'anglais?" The woman inquired with raised brows.
"Oui," Angie responded and let out a small laugh. "Do you own this store?"
The woman seemed to brighten further at those words. "Yes, we've only recently opened. Most of our pieces are custom-made, but I keep a few mass produced items in stock."
Elli looked intrigued at the concept and nudged Angie. "As amazing as that is…"
She rolled her eyes and nudged her back. "I know, Elli." She turned her attention back to the woman. "I was going to inquire about the mannequin's outfit. I'm needing something sophisticated to meet with my brother later."
The woman's face turned serious as she pulled Angie forwards and studied her intently. "Hmm…" She hummed and narrowed her eyes. "Why that outfit?"
Angie gave her a confused look, but responded with a smile instead. "Because it spoke to me. I need an outfit for a plan. A plan to get me what I want in life."
The answer seemed to enlighten the woman and she called out, "Jessica, Max"
And like magic two people emerged from the back. They stood before the woman and called, "Yes, Miss Chao?"
"Prepare the outfit from the mannequin for this lovely lady and get me my business card!" Miss Chao exclaimed with excitement in her voice. The one named Jessica headed towards the mannequin while the one named Max headed back to the back.
"Um…" Both Elli and Angie mumbled at the flurry of action around them.
Miss Chao turned to the girls, her focus on Angie. "Now, that outfit won't do you complete justice. But I see you're determined and in a hurry." She hooked her arms with the girls and guided them towards the cash register. "Such a determined young lady and such a loyal friend deserve the best of the best," she paused and suddenly snapped a picture of the girls. "BUT!" Miss Chao clasped her hands together, "We don't have the time for that today!"
Jessica returned with a bag marked with the name of the store and Max appeared besides Miss Chao holding a small box. The bag was placed into Angie's hands as Miss Chao opened the box. She pulled out two pristine business cards and handed one to each of the girls.
Angie looked down at it and read the words. "Josephine Chao. Fashion Designer. Model. And CEO of Huangjin Designs."
"Huangjin…" she mumbled, feeling as if she'd heard of it before.
"Now," Josephine Chao exclaimed with a wide grin. "You'll be taking that drab outfit off my hands and in exchange you'll owe me a favor. I'll be sure to cash it in when the time is just right. And also," she took hold of Angie's full hands. Like a mother would her child. "Be it Chicago, New York, Paris, London, or Shanghai! Call me if you ever need help and I'll provide."
Angie let out a nervous laugh and wiggled her hands away from the energetic woman. "And…"
She was promptly cut off, "Because it's been forever since I've seen eyes like those! Eyes which called to my artistic soul."
Elli let out a burst of laughter and grinned at the lost expression across Angie's face. "Well, Josephine Chao. You've earned yourself a pair of loyal customers then."
This seemed to encourage Josephine as she let out a happy sequel. "Now, you must change into your new outfit while I chat with loyal and lovely Elli."
Before Angie could protest she was being led away by Jessica to the back of the shop. "Don't worry. Once Miss Chao has you in her sights there's no escaping."
"I'm...I'm not sure that's reassuring?" She exclaimed before being pulled into a dressing room.