FIVE YEARS LATER.
Inside the VIP lounge of a high-end department store, a client swept her eyes on the luxurious clothing brands that were dressed on the mannequins.
The client, Jane Gracia directed her gaze at the limited edition accessories gleaming behind the glass case displays, designer bags and shoes.
"Madam, you came here a week ago for the latest brands. Is there a chance for something new you would like to have?" A female sales associate politely asked her client, who had been shopping for a long time, finding it quite difficult to make a choice.
Jane was standing before a lengthy mirror, sizing up the chiffon dress made by the Louis Vuitton brand.
Jane turned to the sales associate with a warm smile. "Since I have worn those previous brands, I have to put on a unique brand. I know such poor people like you won't understand the importance of dressing unique at every ceremony." She answered calmly in a polite tone that it was difficult for the sales associate to detect if she was being taunted or not.
The sales associate felt a bit embarrassed as her prestige in society was unmatched by her clients before her. "Now I understand. I guess there is a special ceremony for this shopping? I can help you out to make a choice."
"Nevermind. I will go with this," Jane said, and the sales associate stepped back.
When she saw the dress in her hand was her size and looked stunning on her body, she grinned at the thought of wearing it this evening beside him at the ceremony.
"There is an exclusive ceremony this evening, but it would be a special one to me because someone precious to me will be there. I have to look the prettiest by his side." She added.
After a brief time engrossed in the beauty of the dress in her hand, she gave it to the sales associate and moved away from the mirror.
She went to the accessories to choose as the sales associate trailed behind.
"You are right. He needs a pretty woman like you by his side this evening. With this sparkling necklace adorning your neck, your elegance would be unmatched." The sales associate suggested she go for a silver necklace, and Jane agreed.
After finishing her shopping for what she needed for the ceremony, she turned around to leave, but a seductive nightwear captivated her eyes as she stopped to have a proper look on it.
"I want this as well." Jane pointed at the nightwear as the sales associate removed it from the mannequin and gave it to her.
"How does this look to me?" She asked, fitting the nightwear on her body while she imagined herself wearing the sexy dress before Zane. She had to look sexy to embrace him tonight after the ceremony.
"Your body figure is great, and the nightwear looks sexier on your body than the actress Erica when she commercials it." the sales associate praised her with a smile but her smile disappeared when by an upsetting voice that roared close by.
"How dare you mock my body figure?" came an upset voice from the left side, getting the attention of Jane and the sales associate.
Jane looked over her shoulder toward that voice and saw a young lady storming towards them.
"You, this rotten staff, I will teach you a lesson for mocking me!" the angry lady accused and raised her hand at the sales associate, which almost hit her face, but Jane caught the furious hand midway.
Observing how angry the young lady was, Jane guessed she must be the Erica her personal sales associate was referring to.
"You are a public figure, and losing your tamper in such a place like this isn't a wise thing," Jane said with her innocent smile still lingering on her lips but Erica didn't look calm as if she wanted to hit Jane for stopping her from teaching the sales associate a lesson.
Jane looked behind, and Erica did the same as they noticed that the surrounding customers were holding their phones poised at them, ready to record any aggressive drama.
"So many people are watching," she added.
The sales associate hurriedly apologized. "I'm sorry to demean your body figure. Your body figure looks great, too, but I can't help it when Ms Gracia's figure looks perfect." She said, sounding remorseful.
Erica scoffed and aggressively pulled her hand, which was still in Jane's grip. "I won't let this go so easily. If you don't get fired, I will sue you for verbal abuse. Tell me, where is your manager?" She demanded in an intimidating voice as she rolled her eyes to meet Jane, who was smiling at her.
"You are a young girl but had such harsh tamper," said Jane. She dismissed the sales associate who stood a long distance on the other end watching the two ladies conversing.
"Judging by your looks, I'm not younger than you, so stop speaking to me as though we are friends, or I am your younger sister." Erica said, glaring at Jane.
"I don't make friends with public figures. Nor do I wish to have a sworn sister, which means I'm not coming after you for these two things." Jane nonchalantly declared.
Erica scoffed at her mean words. She observed her face and remembered she had seen this face in the internet before.
"Are you Jane Gracia, Zane's woman?" Erica inquired and her angry expression earlier brightened in shock when Jane nodded in agreement to her question.
"Luck must be working for you to have such a wealthy and hottie man like him," Erica said in admiration, forgetting about the sales associate who provoked her.
In the Netherlands, Zane and Jane gained fame as a powerful couple from the top-tier prestigious family. They appeared in magazines and news one year ago after the head of the Morris family announced their engagement a six months ago.
"That was because my biggest obstacle had gotten out of my way for good," Jane stated, alluding to Selina, whose presence she tolerated in Zane's life back then.
"I know Zane's prestige has grown stronger than most billionaires in the country. I heard he treated his ex-deceased wife unfairly in their marriage. What if he treats you that way?" Erica asked, looking anxious.
A slight frown settled on Jane's face at Erica's words, who wanted to ruin her day with negative thoughts about her relationship with Zane. She didn't seem bothered to think about Erica's assumption, because Zane treated her better than any other woman.
"There was no form of love in their marriage and he never mistreated her. They both divorced peacefully." Jane defended Zane. She couldn't speak recklessly about his past marriage when there were people around to take him down.
"So that was the case. Does that mean Selina is too ugly to attract Zane's love for her? She must be an ugly lady. Such a pity she died being childless after four years of their marriage." Erica shook her head in pity, and Jane only beamed.
Jane didn't look surprised that Erica knew about it because Selina's childlessness for the RIS group was a hot topic in the city five years ago, followed by another unpleasant rumor.
"What is in the past should remain in the past. I don't like such topics to be mentioned." Jane wanted to end the subject before things that were supposed to remain hidden would be mentioned unknowingly if the topic progressed.
"Zane did really endure staying with an infertile woman as his wife. I can't imagine how pretty your kids will look when you two finally get married." Erica smiled at Jane, who forced a chuckle out of her lips.
"True. I'm pretty and so is him. My womb is very fruitful to give him an heir," said Jane, while they both giggled.
Their giggles died off when they heard an outraged voice from behind, cursing at them.
"Say that again, you filthy bitches!!"
They both turned around, left in bewilderment, to see an outraged slender lady approaching them.