Tatiana York
1138 Words
Tatiana’s Luxury seemed to be a small store on a corner in Heaven Avenue, a place where the middle class lived their peaceful lives. However, as Melvin relayed information of their next destination, Bella remained frozen. She knew who Tatiana was exactly.
Tatiana York, an heiress to a billion-dollar fortune and the owner of the famous brand Yorkee always made headlines when their collections dropped. Various men and women would kill to have a dress especially tailored by Tatiana York yet here she was nonchalantly driving to the lady’s store.
“I’m sorry if I’m being rude but we aren’t going to meet Miss Tatiana York, are we?” she asked with a nervous smile.
“We are. I’m surprised you know who she is.”
“Who doesn’t? I have been to many of her press conferences.”
“What do you think of her?”
Prideful. Extravagant. Fair-skinned. Extremely beautiful. Memorable. All those words entered Bella’s head but the one she chose to go with was-
“She’s very industrious and very beautiful.”
“Those words sound like something you’d see in a news report. How professional” he chuckled, making a turn.
Bella was afraid that if she said something amiss, everything would come crashing down. That was something she couldn’t afford.
“I’m sorry, the words just came out of my mouth.”
“Don’t worry about it. To those she’s familiar with, Tatiana’s very courteous, perhaps too friendly. If it’s you…….I’m sure she’ll like you.”
That was what Bella hoped for too. If Tatiana didn’t like her, Melvin would find it easy to throw her out. And Jeremy…….
“We’re here” Melvin parked the car and opened the car door for Bella. She wondered if it was some kind of habit or if he was just doing it to impress her. Her attention was quickly drawn from that to the store in front of her eyes which looked more like an antique store. Mannequins were standing behind the show glass wearing dresses that only made sense in the past.
“Ah, those. Tatiana has…..peculiar tastes. You’ll understand soon enough.”
Melvin walked up to the door without another word and pushed it open. They heard the little ring of a bell and were greeted with a relaxing flowery scent. The inside of the store was lit up by three chandeliers that seemed to be made out of real gold and the pillars that held the building up were also stained with gold, made with luxurious materials Bella couldn’t even guess the name. But perhaps the most luxurious one was Tatiana herself, who walked out in a slim-fitting yellow dress and a pair of black wedge heels
“Melvin, honey.”
“Tatiana” they embraced themselves, kissing on either cheek Bella stood behind, lacing her fingers uncomfortably.
“To what do I owe this pleasure?” Tatiana drawled her words naturally as she spoke but it wasn’t annoying to hear. Rather, it was named the voice of a siren, a silent lullaby luring you to your doom or perhaps, paradise. Well, a single one of her dresses can ruin an average person.
“I need a dress for her. We have a date and she can’t go out like that.”
“Oh my, her clothes are dreadfully ugly.”
Bella felt like she was crushed by a boulder. She moved a bit backward until she bumped into something hard. That something moved, scaring her silly.
“It’s the puppy” she heard him before she saw his face. He was dressed in a green suit this time with a red scarf.
“Collen,” she said his name before she caught herself.
“Ah, you remembered my name, Bella” he gave a charming smile, so charming that Bella was moved to smile. Melvin felt irked by that.
“Hmm, looking at her, we should be the same size. Ladies, bring it out” Tatiana clapped. Bella heard shuffling before she was pushed down into a chair. Collen pushed something in her hand, that something being a cup of tea.
“What are you doing here, Collen?” Melvin asked, sitting beside Bella.
“My sister called me here. She asked for my help.”
“For what?”
“Well, you called out of the blue and said you needed something from me. How is that not frightening?”
“What do you mean by that? I always…….”
“You called with a number saved on my business card” Tatiana deadpanned.
“.......forgive me.”
“It’s all good. I don’t care that much.”
“Tatiana, darling……” Melvin followed the tall woman into an office, leaving Collen with a still intimidated Bella.
“Are you scared? Your knees keep vibrating.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“You know, I forced Melvin to take you out on this date. Everyone’s worried that he won’t settle down but looking at you Bella, you seem like the right person for him. So I want to beg you. Please, keep his attention.”
“......pardon?”
“He’s a stubborn man with a hard past. But I’ll keep steering him in your direction. Just make Melvin fall in love with you.”
It was the second time Bella heard that sort of request. The first with more malicious intent than the second. Collen looked like someone who genuinely cared about Melvin. The guilt rose like bile in her throat, forced down by something akin to self-justification.
This is for everyone. I have to do this. I’m sorry, Collen.
“I’ll try my best” she smiled warily. Collen noticed her discomfort, blaming himself for making her uncomfortable. Before he could apologize, two long racks of clothes were pulled into the room. Tatiana and Melvin came out too.
“We can’t make her try everything on so……you!” Tatiana pointed at one of her workers. She squeaked like a mouse, stepping forward.
“Look at her. What should she wear?”
The girl no older than 16, rushed in between the racks, quickly picking out a slender gold outfit. It dipped at both the front and the back, stopping short on the thighs. It was fitted and most importantly, it was made from real gold, at least the designs on it were. Bella controlled her jaw.
“Excellent choice. Now, help her into it.”
“Yes, Miss Tatiana!” the girl’s eyes shone. Bella was ushered into a changing room while they waited.
“She’s cute. Where did you pick this one from?”
“A recommendation”
“So you slept with her and kept her around? How nice”
“I……haven’t slept with her yet.”
“Oh, you haven’t………WAIT, WHAT DID YOU SAY?!”
- Writer
