Raymond was serious when he made that suggestion and Ariel found herself visiting the boutique the next day in preparation for her visit to the office.
Since Raymond had to go on a business trip, he had White stay back so he could go with her and protect her.
White was disgruntled with the idea and wanted to follow his master on his business trip but couldn't go against his orders either.
Unsatisfied, he went with Ariel to the boutique.
Ariel felt stiff all through the ride because of White's stern gaze piercing on her from the rearview mirror.
She knew Raymond told him to go with her but this was just too much. At that rate, he would definitely succeed in boring a hole in her head.
"It's too much." She muttered.
"What was that?" White suddenly asked and she flinched. "Do you need anything?"
"Um, no. I'm alright." She said and shifted on her seat uncomfortably. 'Are we there yet?"
They finally arrived at the boutique and White opened the door for her.
She got down and walked in with him trailing after her as he would with Raymond.
She walked majestically till she got to the entrance but was suddenly blocked by the door man.
"I'm sorry but today, we're fully booked." He said and Ariel glanced inside. There was barely anyone inside.
"Is that so?" She asked and quickly got into character. "I don't believe that any shop in this city can afford to refuse my patronage." She said, folding her arms with a frown.
"I'm sorry but we're fully booked." He repeated, not minding to ask who she was or why she had such confidence.
Ariel went silent. What would an obnoxious villainess do at a time like this? She tapped her fingers on her arm, one at a time, counting down to ten and then stopped.
"Call your manager." She said,
"I'm sorry but I cannot..."
"And who gave you the right to refuse me?" She scoffed and glared at him."I can't believe I'm being faced with a nameless nobody. I said... Call your manager."
The doorman looked hesitant and she hissed.
"I have quicker means. Hold on." She took out her phone and dialed Raymond's number. "Hubby, they won't let me in." She complained.
"How come?"
"A classless doorman said it's fully booked but I can hardly see anyone inside." She said, peeping in.
"Just hold on a minute." He said and cut the call.
Ariel looked at her phone and then smiled at the doorman.
"Enjoy your last moment, punk." She said and in exactly one minute, the manager came rushing down.
"Oh God, I am so sorry for your delay." He apologized, having no time to catch his breath.
"Sorry won't cut it." Ariel said and walked past him. "You better have the best of the best, else you're done for." The manager gulped to this and drew a cross from his shoulders up to his head and clasped his hands together in prayer.
Ariel suddenly stopped and turned, causing the manager to flinch.
"What can I do for you?" He asked and she pointed at the doorman who was already sweating buckets. "You..." She said and raised her middle finger at him. "Take it while I'm being nice." She grinned and turned, walking in while the doorman suffered from a humiliating heart attack.
Ariel got in and sat down, crossing her leg as she exude her dominating aura.
"Show me the best office wear you have. And I'm not talking about boring suits, I'm talking style. Understand?" She ordered and the manager quickly brought out the collection.
White observed Ariel keenly. He didn't know how to put it but she was really a natural. If he didn't know her true personality, he would be convinced without an inch that she was that type of lady.
'Her acting is flawless.' He thought.
'Oh God, I didn't make that guy jobless, right?' She wondered, suddenly being flooded by guilt.
It wasn't easy to survive in this harsh world and she was just acting her part. She forcefully closed the collection book, shocking the manager and the attendants present.
"Come to think of it, that guard..."
"I will fire him immediately." The manager interrupted.
"And who asked you to do that?" She asked, eyeing him harshly. "Did I say to fire him?"
"But he disrespected you by making you stand outside. It's only best to fire him."
"And the next one would do the same shit this one did, wouldn't he?" She asked, her frown turning into a smile. "Leave him alone. I'd rather have a familiar face at the entrance than pass through that a second time. Unless, you don't want me coming here ever?"
"How is that possible? Of course we will continue to grace your presence." The manager said. "I will let him stay, as you wish."
"Good." She once again opened the collection book. "And don't let him forget that he was only able to keep his job because I had pity on him. He shouldn't make that shitty mistake twice."
"Yes, yes. He will be grateful for your grace."
'That should do, right?' She thought and glanced at the manager. A simple thought played in her head as she looked at his bootlicking attitude. 'He's among those people who bow to money and power.'
Ariel finally got what she wanted and made a call before leaving the boutique.
"Ah, yes. I got everything I liked." She said, smiling sweetly. "They have nice service and great outfits. Maybe we should come together next time." With that, she cut the call.
"Will you be on your way, madam?" The manager asked and she nodded.
"Yes." She said and took a step but stopped as soon as she remembered something. "By the way, the doorman said you guys were fully booked." She began. "But I didn't see anyone."
"They are at the other side of the store." He said, already sweating from such an intense question.
"And I'm guessing they are someone important?" She tilted her head.
"Yes. I wouldn't close my shop if it were otherwise."
"May I know who they are?" She asked, suddenly sounding polite.
Ariel feared that her politeness made her break out of character but in actuality, it only sent shivers down their spines as they saw it as a means to find fault in the store.
"That is..."
Just then the 'important' person who had actually booked the whole store walked out, laughing with her friends and as soon as her eyes fell on Ariel, she frowned.
"Oh!" Ariel exclaimed and glared. "It's her."
Clara looked at Ariel with a displeased frown and furrowed eyebrows.
"What is this lunatic doing here?"