After dinner, Jessica and Leila went into the mall and started pursuing the purpose of their meeting: shopping for Jessica's work outfits.
"Jess, all you need would be some office outfits, and you could just wear your own design for any special occasion like a party," Leila said.
Jessica sounded uncertain, "you think so? But my design might not be good enough."
"Trust me, honey. It's the best I've ever seen and you'll make it big one day." Leila said with conviction.
But Jessica was still unsure about it, "we'll see if there are also some nice dresses we could pick up."
Leila sighed, "you should give yourself more credit, but fine, if it makes you feel better. I'm telling you, nothing fits you more than your own making."
As they were talking, Leila led her into a boutique.
Right at the most prominent spot was a beige evening gown with a slanty shoulder. A subtle embroidery of some exotic twig-like pattern, of a color slightly darker than the beige color of the fabric, ran from the left shoulder obliquely to the right underarm seam.
What attracted one's attention was the lone flower of an unknown kind perched on the twigs on the left shoulder above the breast.
It was also embroidered on, a subtle pink color but of different shades. It's not so big that it would seem too "noisy", and yet big enough to make it jump and attractive.
The hem of the dress was also slanty with the left side shorter than the right, to make the wearer's legs look longer and better.
Jessica's heart jumped at the sight of the dress, and she said, "Oh my God! Look at that, Leila."
"It's perfect, isn't it?" Before Leila responded, a salesgirl approached and said with a smile.
She went on to introduce the dress, "it's a design from a new but very talented designer named Salinas. The pattern you see here is actually hand-embroidered on with the traditional C Country technique, one that has been on the verge of extinction for ages and only a very limited few people in the world still knows how to do it."
She paused for effect before continuing, "see this flower here? It's a mythic flower called 'Lady's Hand' as it resembles a delicate hand of a noble lady, and it's a symbol of wealth, nobleness, and immense love. The embroidery here is actually of 10 shades of pink to bring out the subtle gradient changes of the flower's color. Each shade is brought out by hundreds of threads as thin as a hair. Though it's a small pattern, it's composed of thousands of threads. It's so subtle and sophisticated that it looks different from different angles."
The girl looked proud, "it's the best representation of our traditional culture and craftsmanship on such a modern-looking gown. The designer has only hand-made 8 of them and we managed to get 4 of them into our store. Right now, all have been sold except this one."
She sized Jessica up and said, "it seems to be your size. How lucky you are."
Jessica was literally petrified, with her lips slightly parting. The salesgirl thought she was just stunned by the beauty of the dress, and just smiled and waited patiently.
A lot of rich and noble ladies had wanted the dress but were disappointed to learn that it was not their size. They left leaving the message that if the store got new ones in their sizes, they must be informed immediately.
Jessica finally came back to her senses. She smiled to the salesgirl, "it's a very fine piece indeed, but I would have to have a private word my friend here before purchase. We'll be right back."
Jessica pulled Leila to the side, and the salesgirl thought she might be short of the money or something like that so she had to ask her friend to help out.
Jessica whispered to Leila, "did you see it?"
Leila was confused, "yes, but what's so mysterious about it? Do you need to borrow the money for it? It does seem not cheap."
Jessica smiled coyly, "I made it. Salinas is me."
"What?!" Leila couldn't help but exclaim, her voice raised.
"Shush! Remember this guy who approached me at the Expo, saying he wanted to be my agent to promote my designs? He later asked me to do 8 pieces. Goodness! He gave me such a short window and I rushed like hell but did manage to deliver on schedule."
Leila blinked, "haven't I been telling you you're gonna make it? Does that mean you're a big hit?"
Jessica looked excited, "this is one of the most upscale shopping malls and one of the best shops, right? I think it is something, right? No wonder Jackie gave me fifty thousand last time and said it was only a small start."
Leila's eyes turned wide open, "you got fifty thousand? Wow! You're gonna be a rich lady. Oh, I'm so happy for you, Jess. And you well deserve it."
"Thanks. Fifty thousand is definitely a lot for me too, and that's why I've got the money to shop here today, even after I deducted the costs of making the dresses."
Leila nodded, "the materials do look expensive, but more so the workmanship. Jess, you're such a genius for this."
Jessica smiled shyly, "and there's more to it. When I made the 8 pieces, I loved the design so much that I made an extra for myself."
Leila laughed, "I would only feel odd if you had not. That means we don't have to buy this one from the shop today. Perfect!"
They went back to the salesgirl, ready to tell her that they would not take the piece when a few girls walked in noisily.
One of them exclaimed, "what a small world! Why are you like a ghost following us around? If you want to learn how NOT to look like your penny-a-liner look, beg me and I might teach you something."
Another girl echoed, "Candy, it's below you to have anything to do with her."
The girl called Candy sneered, "every now and then I do try to do something to help out the poor."
She was the daughter of the Simpson family, a new-money family which had been rising in recent years by doing business with the "Big Four" in the city. When younger, Candy got to know what poverty was like, and now that they started having money, she wanted to be known for it any chance she had.
Leila also sneered, "it seems you're the ghostly one following us first to the restaurant and now to the shop. Not sure if you died of hunger or what but you do have a huge stomach for ugliness."
Candy's nostrils flared, "I haven't talked to you though I understand you want my attention."
She eyed Jessica before she said to the salesgirl, "does the L Brand nowadays sell to beggars? Pff! It kinda degrades the brand's reputation."
She turned and saw the dress on the mannequin beside the salesgirl, and her eyes brightened up, "this dress is perfect for me! Get it down and let me try it."
The salesgirl quickly said, pointing to Jessica, "I'm sorry, Ma'am, but this lady here saw it first and allow me to ask if she wants it or not."
Hearing this, Candy's desire for the dress was hugely boosted. She had just wanted to try it on and see if it was her type, but now that Jessica wanted it, she would definitely have to get it.
So she said, her voice raised, "I said, get it down and let me try it."