Mysterious CEO

Chapter 4 - Shopping with my new friends

Rose's POV

I was immersed in thoughts with the money in my hand when Mrs. Collins came back. She tapped on my shoulder when she saw that I was not responding. I came out of my thoughts and smiled at her.

"I haven't seen anyone lost in thoughts holding money. Where did you get the money from?" Mrs. Collins asked with motherly concern.

"Mrs. Collins, Mr. Abraham Dumont gave me this as a lending amount." I said and showed her the letter. She read it and asked.

"What's the problem then? Go and do the shopping." 

"I don't know if I will be selected after three months or not. I don't know how much I will get paid. Then how can I repay him such a huge amount. I don't feel like spending this money." I said.

"My dear, you don't have to worry about that. I am sure you will be selected after the probation period. Even if you don't, I will give you the money to repay him back. Now just go and fill your wardrobe. You really need to update your wardrobe. Now you have your own place and job. It's time that you enjoy your life." Mrs. Collins urged me.

"Thank you so much, you really are my angel. I have to go now." I said standing up.

"Wait Rose, give me that money." She said and I did as she said. She took the money and gave me a hundred dollar bill and said.

"Never keep liquid cash to attract the snatchers. I will transfer the money to your account. You can use your card for shopping." She said taking her phone to transfer the amount. Soon my phone beeped telling me my account has been credited. 

I stepped out of the restaurant and looked from my left to right. Where should I go? I have never gone shopping for clothes and qjsbjthat too formal attire. In the past either I purchased from some thrift store or Mrs. Collins gifted me on special days. Since I didn't know my birthday, she used to celebrate it on 6th May which is the date on my certificates. It's actually the day when the orphanage authorities officially took my responsibility from the cops. I was saved by the cops and they handed me over to the orphanage after they failed to find my parents. 

I thought about going back to Mrs. Collins to get her suggestion when I remembered my neighbour's talk. Some day back, when I was going back to my apartment, I accidentally heard my neighbour speaking on her phone. She was talking about a new mall where huge discounts were given as an opening offer on all items. I quickly searched on the internet about the new malls of the town and I finally got the name she was talking about. It's Calvin's mall and is just a five minute walk from where I am. I found the location and walked in the east direction. Within a few minutes I entered the mall really excited. First I did some window shopping before deciding where to go. Some of the shops were only for designer outfits which in no case I could afford. I finally found a shop for common people. The shop was also offering discounts on each purchase. I was about to enter the place when I heard someone calling my name. I looked around but found none and so I ignored it and went inside the shop. One of the salesgirls came to me and asked what I wanted to see.

"Can you please show me the section for formal wear?" I asked.

"This way ma'am. You are really lucky, there is a huge discount on the formal wear just for today." She said leading the way. I went behind her and on my way I checked other casual wear. I decided to buy one or two pairs of casuals and lingerie sets after selecting the formal wear. I had just reached the formal wear section when a hand stopped me.

"Rose, are you always like this? Do you always give a deaf ear to anyone who calls you?" Martin asked, turning me around. A girl was looking at me from behind him.

"I am sorry I didn't see you. I thought it was just my imagination." I tried to explain.

"That's fine Rose. Meet my girlfriend Helen. Helen, this is Rose, my new friend c*m colleague." He introduced both of us. She quickly came forward and extended her hand for a shake hand. I took it and said,

"Hello, I am Rose. Please don't ask for my surname."

"Hai, I am Helen and I think that's enough for being friends." She said with a smile.

"Are you too here to shop for office attire?" I asked.

"No, I actually came with my girlfriend to celebrate my new job." Martin said.

"Come on Martin, you can't be sure that you will get the job after three months. How can you celebrate?" I asked.

"Rose, what did you do?" He said, looking at Helen. She seemed really worried.

"Martin, why didn't you tell me?" Helen asked.

"Babe, you know me. I will definitely get the job." Martin tried to say.

"You don't have to lie, Martin." She pouted.

"I just wanted to take you out for some shopping. You never allow me to buy you anything. You did promise me that you will allow me when I get a job. I didn't have patience to wait for another three months." Martin explained.

"I am sorry that I became the reason for your fight. Helen, Martin is right. He will definitely get the job." I tried to ease the situation. 

"But still he shouldn't have lied to me. He shouldn't waste a penny when he doesn't have a regular income. I am saying this for our future. I don't want anything, let's go." Helen said. 

"Martin, you are really lucky to get a girl like Helen. She is an exception to the girls out there. Everyone wants to make their boyfriend pamper them with expensive gifts or to take them shopping." I said.

"That's why I love her so much. She is my angel and what's wrong in pampering my girlfriend?" Martin asked.

"Well, you don't have to fight because I have a suggestion. I am here to buy some formal outfits but I have never done this before. I don't know how to select or what to select. So, help me with my shopping." I said.

"With pleasure Rose." Helen said.

We spend the next hour selecting various dresses and trying them on. At last I had about five dresses in my cart. I wanted more and Helen stopped me. 

"Rose, you should never buy from a single shop because there are a variety of shops out there. I will take you to another affordable shop." Helen said.

"But Helen, I also wanted to buy some casuals and lingerie." I said. 

"We can get it from the other shop. Let's get out of here." Helen said, pulling me out. I paid for the dresses and followed Helen and Martin. Martin didn't seem happy but didn't say anything. 

Helen took me to the upper floor where there were more shops of bags and foot wear. That's when I remembered that I also have to buy some footwear too. We first went and bought a few more formal attires and then we moved to the casual section. While moving through the racks my eyes fell on a range of dresses displayed. They were all either pink or red and were tagged as "Rose collection". Wow something in my name. I should really buy it. I looked at the price range and one of the dresses came in my budget. I was about to try it when Martin came running.

"What are you doing Rose? Can't you see it's from Dickins fashion house." Martin said.

"So what Martin, I don't care about the manufacturer. I like it and so I am gonna try." I said picking up the dress. Martin took it back and said.

"When you are working for the Dumont enterprises, you can't support their rivals by wearing their designs." Martin said.

"What do you mean?" I was confused.

"Well the Dickins are the biggest rivals of the Dumont enterprises. Dickins rule the fashion industry while Dumont is the king in the market of dairy products and farm products. They fight to get the fight position. Rose collections are the very famous collection of the Dickins and the company will find out at once if you wear their design." With a heavy heart I put the dress back and moved on to select other dresses. Within a couple of hours, we were fully loaded with my bags. Helen also helped me to choose some bags and footwear. I had already spent half of what I got from Mr. Dumont. 

Martin and Helen were about to leave when I asked them.

"Would you like to celebrate with me?" 

"Now you want to celebrate the job that's not yet yours." Martin asked.

"No, I don't want to celebrate the new job. I want to celebrate our new friendship. I never had friends and I had never celebrated with anyone. It's my treat for allowing me to be a part of your life." I looked at both of them eagerly.