YOU AND I

Her honesty was interesting

Marie presented a dress for Susanna as she entered the dressing room. The elegant crimson gown, adorned with delicate flowery patterns, caught the light perfectly as Susanna slipped it on. She stood before the mirror, admiring how the rich fabric cascaded around her figure. The color complemented her complexion beautifully, bringing a warm glow to her cheeks. Susanna ran her fingers over the intricate embroidery, feeling a surge of confidence wash over her. Marie watched with satisfaction, noting how the dress transformed not just Susanna's appearance but her entire demeanor. It was more than just a beautiful garment—it was a masterpiece that seemed created specifically for this moment.

When Susanna glimpsed the price tag, her jaw dropped. The zeros stretched in such abundance that she couldn't even determine the numerical denomination.

She sighed and shook her head as she emerged from the dressing room, the exquisite dress adorning her chubby frame. The moment Mark spotted her, his mind went utterly blank. He stood transfixed, deaf to every word that fell from her lips. Had he not known her personally, he might have mistaken her for someone else entirely. The gown had transformed her appearance so dramatically that it reinforced the age-old truth—the right outfit can completely reinvent a person's essence. Susanna noticed his stunned expression and felt a flutter of satisfaction, despite her concerns about the astronomical price.

""Sir! Sir! Sir!" she called urgently, her voice rising with each repetition. Mark finally snapped out of his reverie, blinking rapidly as the present moment came back into focus. The fluorescent lights seemed suddenly harsh after the soft landscapes of his imagination. His mind had wandered far away, lost in the labyrinth of his own thoughts, traversing memories and possibilities that existed nowhere but within him. A slight flush colored his cheeks as he realized how long he must have been staring into space, oblivious to the world around him and the woman trying to capture his attention.

""Yes?" he responded, his voice emerging slightly hoarse from disuse. He straightened his posture, shoulders squaring as heat crept up his neck. The momentary drift into his own thoughts had left him embarrassed, especially in such a professional setting. The woman's concerned expression—eyebrows drawn together, head tilted slightly—made him wonder just how long she had been trying to capture his attention. Had she called his name multiple times? The thought only deepened his discomfort as he cleared his throat and attempted to regain his composure.

Mark stood up, his eyes appraising Susanna with newfound appreciation. "You look different today—more sensible and less..." he paused, searching for the right word, "dumb."

Susanna scoffed, her cheeks flushing with indignation. "What do you mean 'less dumb'? I've always dressed well," she retorted, smoothing down her outfit defensively.

Mark chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I wasn't talking about the dress when I said dumb," he explained, offering a playful wink that made Susanna's irritation waver between annoyance and amusement.

"Why were you calling my name?" he asked, his curiosity evident in his furrowed brow.

She hesitated, fingers tracing the delicate fabric. "The dress is too expensive for me to accept," Susanna finally replied, her voice soft with regret.

"Who said you were paying?" Mark countered with a gentle smile, stepping closer to her.

Susanna shook her head, a mixture of gratitude and discomfort crossing her face. "Even if you pay, it's still a gift too costly to accept," she explained, reluctantly letting go of the silken material.

Especially when you're merely my supervisor at work, not someone who has any right to dictate my personal choices or emotional responses. The professional boundary between us should remain clear, regardless of you being the manager of the Mark's corporation . Your position grants you authority over my tasks, not my thoughts or feelings outside the office walls. she said looking down at the tiled floor , so please with all due respect I can't take this.

Mark was taken aback by her refreshing attitude, genuine politeness, and disarming honesty. Unlike others he'd encountered who typically schemed to make him spend lavishly on them, she showed no interest whatsoever in his wealth. Her indifference to his financial status struck a chord within him. Mark found her interesting.

"Alright," he said with a gentle smile that softened his eyes, "you don't have to wear this particular one, but you still need to select a dress." He gestured toward the rack of colorful options, his patience evident in the relaxed set of his shoulders. The compromise seemed reasonable enough, though the thought of choosing any formal attire still made her stomach tighten with apprehension.

Susanna nodded as Marie led her to the other dresses. After careful consideration, she selected the least expensive option among them. Though still pricier than her usual purchases, it represented a significant savings compared to the extravagant red gown she had initially admired. As her fingers traced the fabric, Susanna felt a small thrill of satisfaction at finding something both beautiful and relatively affordable. The practical choice aligned with her sensible nature, yet the dress still promised to make her feel special for the upcoming occasion.

A smile graced her lips as she emerged wearing an elegant black dress adorned with delicate yellow rose patterns. The garment struck a perfect balance between sophistication and modesty, reminiscent of Christian dress .

The vibrant yellow accents complemented her complexion beautifully, giving her an almost luminous quality as she moved with newfound confidence across the room.

As she walked out, Mike found the dress both simple yet extremely attractive. He looked away, feigning casual indifference, though his quickened pulse betrayed him. .

"How does it look?" Susanna asked with a nervous chuckle, running her fingers through her newly styled hair. "Does it look dumb?"

Mark studied her for a moment, his lips curving into a gentle smile. "You look less pathetic than usual," he replied, his teasing tone softening the words.

Susanna scoffed, rolling her eyes as a flush crept up her cheeks. She grabbed her purse from the counter and gestured toward the door. "Please, can we leave now, sir?"

Mark nodded as he paid for Marie's dress. They exited the shop together, the gentle chime of the bell marking their departure. The afternoon sun caught the fabric of her purchase, making the colors shimmer. With a shared smile of satisfaction, they strolled to their car, their fingers occasionally brushing against each other's in comfortable familiarity.

"Thank you, sir, for the dress. It's lovely," she said, her fingers tracing the fabric with appreciation.

Mark smiled warmly. "You're welcome. Also, throughout today, please refer to me as Mark, especially when we're at the conference."

Susanna nodded, a slight flush coloring her cheeks. "Okay si—sorry. Okay, Mark." The name felt foreign on her tongue. Throughout her life, she had always addressed him formally—sir, manager, Mr. Williams, or Mark Williams. Now, using just his first name created an illusion of familiarity, though the professional boundary remained firmly in place. He was still her boss.

She sighed softly as she turned toward the window. A full moon hung in the night sky, its silvery light streaming through the glass and illuminating her features. The gentle glow accentuated her long, sweeping lashes, highlighted the beautiful texture of her Nigerian coily hair, and cast her flawless ebony skin in an ethereal radiance. Under the moonlight, Susanna appeared almost otherworldly, her quiet dignity enhanced by the celestial illumination.