Her heart was beating like crazy and the sweet ice turned bitter in her mouth. Her expression must have changed a lot because Jason asked her:
"Something's wrong madam?"
It took Arya a moment to answer his question.
"Yes sir, I'm fine. Do you mind if I go to that shop across the street? You can see the entrance from here and you can finish your coffee." She pointed to the shop's blue door.
"Thank you madam, I will join you in a moment." He bowed when she stood up to head for the shop. She calmed down, took a few deep breaths and crossed the street. Passing by a shop's window she took a glance at herself, she looked so much different than three years ago when she last saw them. She was now an elegant young woman, after a month in Mr Reyes' care she gained a bit of weight and her face looked prettier. She was fine now, no need to feel stressed, just relax. Arya went inside, it was a jeweler. There weren't many people there, except for the woman with a girl. There was one older man who was buying a new watch. He was an Alpha and as soon as Arya went in he noticed her. Were her pheromones leaking? She must control herself better. The man looked at Arya for a moment, smiled a bit and paid for the watch. Arya came closer to a glassed cabinet presenting different bracelets. She heard the doorbell jingling and the man left.
"Can you show me these earrings, those with pearls?" She heard the woman asking.
"Madam, excellent choice." The shop assistant, a middle aged man with neat short blond hair and bright smile, took out the earrings and put them on a velvet tray.
"Mom, I like that one better." The young girl pointed at something different, Arya couldn't see. But now she was sure, it was her stepmother and her half sister. People she used to live with. She was wondering if they would recognize her.
"No Joana, pearls are more elegant, it is your tenth birthday coming soon, you need more sophisticated earrings than those heart shaped ones."
"Well madam, those are diamonds, these earnings are more expensive than the pearl ones." The shop assistant took out the other pair.
"This model is in fashion now too, madam. Your daughter has a good eye just like her mother."
Arya felt the obvious flattery the cunning salesman was using.
"How much are these?" The woman asked. After hearing the price there was a moment of silence.
"I'm afraid we will take the pearls." Was the final decision. There was a faint sight of disappointment. Arya came closer, she was wondering if her step mother will recognize her and if so how will she react? Arya was anxious but some part of her wanted to be recognized.
"Very well madam, I'll pack the earrings." then he turned towards Arya.
"If you give me one more minute I will assist you madam in a moment."
"No rush, there are many beautiful jewels to admire in this shop and I have time." Arya smiled as sweetly as she could. The man was taken aback for a moment, then he blushed a little.
"That's good to hear madam." His polite smile was back.
Her stepmother looked at her and Arya waited to be recognized but nothing like that happened. The woman smiled, paid for the purchase and was about to leave. Arya barely managed not to stare a hole into her and her younger sister. They changed, her sister was now much taller and had curly blond hair, just like her mother. Her step mother was still a fine looking woman, thus some wrinkles showed her real age.
"Can I see those earrings with emeralds and diamonds?" She asked, making sure the leaving ones could hear her.
"Of course madam, those green gems will match madam's eyes perfectly."
The salesman was fully in his environment and Arya heard the bell again, they left. Just like that. She felt emptiness for a brief moment. She wanted to be recognized, she wanted to see how they look with jealousy at her having all that money and position even if it is a big fake. She didn't want to be remembered as a poor beggar with a paper bag in her hand standing in front of a garden cafe. Clothes do make a change, from beggar to a fine lady within a month's time. Dressed like that she was able to enter any shop and would be serviced with the utmost care. It's amazing how someone's position can be estimated based on the appearance only. The bell rang again, Arya somehow knew it was Jason, the loyal butler. The shop assistant was still blabbering something about the earrings.
"I'll take them." Arya said without asking about the price.
"Mr Jason will settle the bill." Arya turned around and the butler was already at the counter. After hearing the price he asked to set the bill on Mr Reyes. Arya heard the price and for a moment she thought that she went overboard. For a brief moment she thought about quitting the deal. Fuck she was swayed away by the moment. She wanted to come as superior to her stepmother. The stepmother who even didn't recognize her. How stupid and shallow has she became within a few minutes.
"Thank you for your purchases madam." The smiling shop assistant eagerly led them to the door and even opened it for them. Fuck the earrings price was that fucking high.
Arya smiled and playing cool left this place that made her step on the very wrong financial path. Jason seemed unmoved, his orders were clear and yeah his consciousness as well. Arya felt heavy with the burden of guilt.
"Where would you like to go madam?" She heard the polite question.
She had no clue, she didn't want to go back nowhere, certainly not back to Mr Reyes. She was walking slowly along the pavement not giving Jason any response, she even forgot the fact that she had just met her former family. She looked at Jason's expectant face and then it suddenly hit her.
"Are there any of Mr Reyes' shops nearby?"
"Yes madam there is. It's not far away, like five minutes of walking. Would you like to see it?"
"Yes please." Arya decided to see the shop at least she will have something to praise Mr Reyes after she returns home and maybe, maybe he will not ask her about the shopping? It was a faint hope but still Arya decided to stick to it. The shop was truly not far away, soon a giant building made of brick with black framed windows and big signboard appeared in front of them.
"That's the shop madam."