"Definitely." Lila said and they went on to discuss their preferences for both her and Clara.
"Well ma'am this set is not that common so we will have to order a new set to be made, this might take a while. If ordered with the express tag the fastest time is five weeks." The store attendant said.
"If the wait time is going to be an issue, we can pick out another set just as good as this one." The store attendant suggested.
"No issues at all, the timing would be perfect with the wedding, Clara would be surprised. I will wait." Lila said with a glint of excitement in her eyes. "So do we pack up this set? And whose sizes are we setting it too." The attendant said.
"Uhmm," Lila took a moment to think. "Let this set be for Clara I will be taking it with me right now." Lila said. "Alright, he would ring it up while I go to the back to resize it." The store attendant said pointing to the cashier standing behind another counter in pressed slacks and glasses.
The store attendant hands him a card before heading back. He brandishes a smile and greets Lila.
"Hi, we are glad you are making a purchase." The cashier looks down at the card handed to him. "Excellent choice miss, Congratulations on the wedding." He continues.
"Thank you." Lila says. "The total cost for the two sets is two hundred and fifty thousand dollars." He tells her. Lila is shocked at the reasonable price.
"Charge it to Mr. Fletcher Dawson's account." She says. Her father would obviously not mind she thought to herself. The cashier nods punching away keys at the computer. Lila stands there bored waiting for the store attendant to be back.
A machine comes to life and she is given a printed invoice and receipt for her payment. The warm paper in her hand, she occasionally glanced at the employee only door. Multiple people went in and out, other employees but not the store attendant. Ten minutes later she returns, walking briskly her short legs carrying her as fast as she could.
"I apologize for the delay ma'am." She says handing Lila a large sized customized shopping bag. Lila takes it looking inside and nodding satisfied.
"I will need to get your contact details, to provide updates on your order." The attendant said handing Lila a form. Lila quickly scribbles her number and pushes the pen and paper back to the store attendant.
"Thanks for you patronage." The store attendant says out behind Lila. Lila was already on her way out. Once Lila walked through the door, the store attendant shook her head and said.
"Rich people and their problems." The cashier turned to her, "what happened this time?" He asks. " She wants to match with her sister on her wedding day but she is not getting married too." The store attendant replies.
"The elite's do behave absurdly. That is a weird way to act." The cashier says sighing disappointedly.
"Maybe she is mentally ill." The store attendant adds. "Heyyy, that was harsh. Now shoo.... Before someone hears you. I will deny even knowing you." The cashier says. The store attendant sighs and walks off.
********
Lila walks into the house, the eerie silence hitting her. Only the silent hum of the machines the maids use to work. Tired and in need of a nap, she starts climbing the stairs to her room. Stopping at the first landing and walking down the hallway, the side of her eyes catches Clara's door.
She stops and walks back to stand right in front of it. She thought of her pending task for Victor. Clara was not home now, and she was sure the gifts were in her room. She could just walk in pick it up and try to place it Elliot's house.
"The quicker I do this, the faster Victor would let me be. Once he exacts his exposure plan." Lila thought to herself.
Taking a deep breath she pushes the door open, entering Clara's room. It was bathed in a glow of red as the sunlight shone through the curtains. She took off her shoes to reduce the noise letting just her feet pad through the room. She opens the door to her walk in closet, seeing the gifts stored away in the lower corner. She surfs through the bags searching for her gift bag. Once she caught sight of the white paper bag, "Aha." She said to herself as she quickly grabbed it.
Suddenly, she heard the room door opening. She froze still crouched in a corner of the walk-in closet. Clara's voice echoed in the room. It seemed like she was on a call. "Okay I will talk to you later." Clara said before ending the call.
She hopped on her bed sighing, looking at the ceiling of her bedroom. Lila too scared to breathe, stealthily threw the teddy in her tote bag. Placing her paper bag back in that compartment. Looking at the mirror adjacent to her she could see the door was slightly open.
She could see Clara's room a little bit from this angle. Still hidden she could hear Clara's footsteps coming closer, she tensed even harder, closing her eyes praying to not get caught. Opening her eyes a little she could see Clara walk past to the bathroom and shut the door behind her.
Lila saw this as her chance to leave the room. She quickly escaped the walk-in closet, trying her best to close the door quietly behind her. Still in Clara's room, she walked towards the room door, her hand on the door knob as Clara walked out of the bathroom.
"Lila?" She called out. Lila froze slowly turning to face Clara, a fake smile on her face. "Yes my love." She answered sheepishly. "What are you doing here, did you just come in?" Clara asked. Lila laughed nervously.
"Yes I just did." Lila answered. Clara eyed Lila suspiciously wondering why she was acting this way. "Why did you want to see me?" Clara asked. "When I came back the house was silent so I assumed you weren't home. I actually had a surprise for you." Lila explained. "A surprise?" Clara asked shocked. "Yes, a surprise." Lila said. Handing her the Jewelry store customized shopping bag. Clara reluctantly took it peeping into the bag.