Chapter 44 At Sin City Chic
June
"Oh, I didn’t know about this," I say, nodding in fake shock.
Yep. As you guessed, I’m protecting Mr. Grande against my own better judgment.
I just couldn’t bring myself to reveal it.
"And you know," Lia beams, then glances at her phone. "Oh, shit—it's time." She shoots up from her seat and turns to Tobias. "Call the ride."
Chris stands too. "That’s not necessary. I brought my car."
Lia’s eyes widen. "You brought what? I thought we agreed—" She cuts off when Tobias nudges her.
"Let’s go," he says, already on his feet.
I stand with them, bracing myself for the next distraction.
"I parked across the street," Chris says, pointing.
On the drive to S.C.C., Lia giggles beside me in the backseat. "Chris is trying way too hard to impress you," she whispers.
"I don’t think so," I whisper back with a shy smile—though we both know he is.
Too bad I can’t look at him the same way… not with Tobias here.
Pfft. I’m actually crazy.
We got to Sin City Chic, and the moment my eyes landed on the towering glass-and-gold facade, my lungs seized to function for a second.
I'd only ever seen it from across the street or in glossy magazine ads, but never this close. Up close, it was even more intimidating.
The air here feels different... and richer somehow, as if even the oxygen has an entrance fee.
At that moment, I couldn't help but wonder,
If I ever land a permanent spot at Apex Corp, would places like this stop feeling untouchable? Would I be able to walk in without immediately calculating the damage it would do to my paycheck?
As we approach the entrance, the doorman is nowhere in sight. Tobias and Chris immediately steps forward, both reaching for the sleek glass door at the same time.
"Look at you Chris," Lia drawls, rolling her eyes with a smirk. "Playing gentlemen all of a sudden."
"Let's go, June." She continues, opening the door herself and taking me in with her.
We step inside, and I almost forget how to breathe.
The place is really all gold and glass. The warm light baths down from glimmering chandeliers, lustrous marble floors that looks too perfect to step on, and display cases lined with clothes that probably cost more than my annual rent. Every corner shines like it belonged on the cover of a luxury magazine, and I can literally hear my paycheck groaning just by existing in here.
Ugh!
Before I can get too lost in my daze, Lia’s voice cut through. "Come on," she says, looping her arm through mine and steering me forward.
We were supposed to split up and check our respective sections — I and Lia for the ladies’ wear, Chris and Tobias for the men’s. But Lia had other ideas.
"I’m going with the boys," she announces "They don’t know what to pick, and I’m an expert at men’s suits and tuxedos."
Tobias makes a face. "I do know how to dress myself."
"Sure you do," Lia says, patting his arm like he was a clueless child. "But you need an expert’s eye."
She turns to me. "Don’t worry, our dresses are already being prepared. We just need to do the fitting later."
"Okay," I nod, knowing deep down I really wanted to see every corner of this place. If I could wander around here for hours, I would.
We head straight for the men’s section. Lia dives in like a general on a battlefield, pointing out fabrics, gesturing at racks, and declaring styles before the attendants could even speak. I trail after her, feeling like I’d been swept into some kind of high-fashion military operation.
"Try this," she orders, tossing a sleek navy suit to Tobias, then a sharp charcoal one to Chris. I join in, picking out a couple more options just for fun. Soon, the two of them disappears into the fitting rooms, leaving Lia in deep negotiations with the attendant about lapels, cuts, and “timeless silhouettes.”
When they step back out, Tobias in navy, Chris in charcoal, I find myself comparing them. Both looked impossibly put-together—handsome, smooth, and giving the kind of men you’d turn your head for on the street energy.
But without meaning to, my mind betrays me. It slid away from the scene, replacing both of them with a more taller, broad-shouldered man whose suits seemed made to command all attention.
Mr. Grande.
God help me, he looked better than either of them.
I instantly catch myself, snapping inwardly—What is wrong with you, June? Stop it.
Lia is still talking, describing something about a peak lapel and a soft-shoulder finish to the attendant, while I am quietly spiraling into my own thoughts.
"You tired?"
The question is soft, and careful. I feel my heart stutter, because—just for a split second—it sounded exactly like him. I blinked and turned to see Tobias looking at me, his brow furrowed in concern.
And before I can respond, Chris’s voice comes from my other side. "Here, drink some water." He holds out a chilled glass, but again, it is like my brain insisted on filtering his voice through Mr. Grande’s.
I nearly jolt. My hands twitch, and I force a quick smile. "Thanks guys," I mutter, setting the glass down without a sip.
Then I stand abruptly, brushing imaginary lint off my pants, "I’ll, uh… just be a minute," I say, already walking away before anyone can ask questions.
My heartbeat is too loud in my ears, and I am not entirely sure if I want to just escape the sound of his voice—or the fact that I kept hearing it everywhere.
As I walk away, I tell myself to get it together, because It’s just a voice, a stupid, cocky and no-good voice, so I should stop making it about him.
In my distracted haze, I don't realize I’d wander into another section altogether. I turn back, scanning for what I was, but there is no clue.
I sigh deeply, muttering, "Fine. I’d just retrace my steps."
Nope.
This is not happening. I don't know where I am. Somehow, every turn just landed me deeper in unfamiliar territory.
I decide to take the elevator down to the ground floor and start over. I step inside, hit the button, and as the doors began to close, movement caught my eye.
On the escalator across the floor, I see Lottie, Mr. Grande's girlfriend, gliding upward. She wasn’t alone. Another unfamiliar figure stands beside her, talking, both of them looking perfectly at ease.
My heart stops. If she’s here… is he?