Chapter 46 Gold, Glitter, and Old Flames.

Chapter 46 Gold, Glitter, and Old Flames.
(AURIANNA’S POV)

Zayne pulls the car into the parking space right outside Valen Couture and I swear my eyeballs glitch for a second. The building is massive, all glass and clean black marble, like it was designed to intimidate anyone who isn't a billionaire or born with a silver spoon lodged up their ass.

We step out and immediately the cool breeze hits my legs. I tug my jacket closer, more out of habit than cold. Zayne falls into step beside me, sliding his hands in his pockets.

“This is the main store,” he says casually, like we’re walking into a grocery shop and not what looks like a fashion museum. “Cameron’s family has locations across the States, Europe, and Asia. But this one? This is their flagship. The best clothes, the best shoes, accessories, whatever you need—it’s right here.”

I snort. “You say that like I’ve ever been in a place like this before.”

He gives me a sideways look. “Haven’t you?”

“No.” I shake my head, staring up at the giant gold V logo over the doors. “I’m not wealthy like you. Plus, all the items in stores like this probably cost more than everything I’ve bought in the twenty-five years of my life.”

We walk in and holy hell—the inside is insane. Bright white floors that shine like someone polishes them with tears of the poor, towering walls stacked with clothes on gold racks, mirrors everywhere, and shoppers dressed like they stepped out of a Vogue campaign. There’s even a spiral staircase leading up to the second floor, wrapped around a glass chandelier.

I pause. “Jesus… this place is huge. And so damn pretty. Everyone here looks so… expensive. I feel cheap just standing near them.”

Zayne chuckles and before he can make some smart comment, a voice calls out.

“Mr. Beaumont!”

A salesgirl in a sleek black uniform walks toward us with that trained retail smile. Her name tag reads Marge.

“Welcome back,” she says cheerfully. “It’s lovely to have you here again. Would you like something to drink? Water? Juice?”

Zayne waves a hand. “No, thank you. I’m here with my—” He gestures lazily toward me. “...friend, Aurianna. We need outfits for Cameron’s event tomorrow.”

Marge lights up. “Oh! The fashion show for the new line?”

“Yeah,” Zayne nods.

She claps once. “Perfect. Please, follow me.”

As we walk behind her, Zayne leans toward me slightly. “We’ll get your outfit first.”

I frown. “You don’t have to put me first. You should get your outfit before worrying about me.”

“Nah,” he says without hesitation. “Picking a suit is easy. Takes like five minutes tops." He looks at Marge. “Can you find any vintage dresses from the older collections?”

“Yes, of course,” she smiles.

She leads us into a private fitting room area with huge mirrors and soft lights. I walk around, taking in the gorgeous dresses displayed on the side walls.

“Wow…” I whisper. “These are absolutely stunning.”

Zayne grins as Marge disappears, then reappears a minute later with two more salesgirls pushing a massive rack of dresses. The metal wheels squeak dramatically and honestly, it sounds like the fashion version of a royal entrance.

“Here are several options from various collections,” Marge says proudly.

I drag my fingers along the fabrics. They all feel expensive, yet fragile.

Zayne steps beside me. “Try that one,” he says, pointing to a long emerald dress.

And so it begins.

Dress one. I go into the changing room and put it on, step out, and strike a pose.

Zayne squints. “You look like you’re about to accept an award you didn’t earn.”

I blink. “What the hell does that even mean?”

He waves me back. “Next.”

Dress two. I come out and strike another pose. He tilts his head and narrows his eyes as he strokes his chin.

“This one makes you look… old.”

I give him a death stare. “Old?”

“Like, forty-ish. In a rich auntie way.”

I drag myself back into the changing room.

Dress three.

Zayne’s face twists. “No.”

I don’t even argue. I go back.

By dress eight, I’m sweating like I ran a damn marathon. The salesgirls look concerned. One even offers me water like I’m about to faint on their silk carpets.

Now we're on the twelfth dress. It's long, tight, hugging all the right places. The bottom flares out, little crystals catching the light every time I move.

I step out slowly.

Zayne’s brows lift and his eyes widen just a bit. His lips part.

He stands up straighter. “Yes. That’s the one.”

I look down at myself, then back at him. “You like it?”

“No,” he says. “I love it. It’s perfect.”

He means it. And honestly… I like it too.

“How much is this one?” Zayne asks Marge.

She beams. “Three hundred and fifteen thousand dollars.”

I choke. “Three hundred and what now?”

I turn to Zayne so fast my neck cracks. “Three hundred and fifteen thousand dollars? For a dress I’m probably going to wear once? Zayne, that’s insane.”

He ignores me, pulls out his wallet, and hands Marge his card.

“We’ll take the dress,” he says with a smile.

“Perfect!” She practically sparkles. “Miss Aurianna, you can change back now. I’ll prepare the dress.”

I go change, muttering at myself the whole time. When I hand the dress over, Marge looks like she’s holding the Holy Grail.

As we step out, I glare at Zayne. “After the event, I’m selling that dress online. And I’m keeping every single dollar.”

Zayne laughs, shaking his head. “Knock yourself out.”

“You just spent three hundred and fifteen thousand dollars on a fucking dress. Do you know what I could do with that kind of money?”

He just smiles like it’s cute how poor I am.

We reach the heels section and I start going through pairs.

“How about these?” I hold up a nude pair.

Zayne shakes his head immediately. “No.”

“These?”

“Nope.”

“Okay, what about—”

“No.”

I drop my arms with a groan. “You’re a menace.”

He shrugs. “I have standards.”

Right when I reach for another pair, a voice calls out.

“Zayne?”

I turn around to see a tall, curvy woman standing a few paces away from us. She's tall, curvy, brown waves of hair cascading down her back, tight black mini dress, and a pair of sunglasses perched on her head.

Zayne goes still beside me.

“Diamond?” he says. And I immediately notice the edge in his voice.

She struts over, throwing her arms around him. “Oh my god, it’s really you.” She squeezes him and I can literally see his shoulders stiffen. He doesn’t hug her back until she pulls away.

Her eyes flick to me, scanning me from head to toe. Her tone drops a notch.

“And who’s this?”

Zayne clears his throat. “Diamond, meet Aurianna. She’s my bodyguard.”

“Security consultant,” I correct.

Zayne ignores it. “Aurianna… this is Diamond.”

He hesitates for a second before he adds;

“My ex-girlfriend.”