Beneath the scars

Chapter 9

Asia’s POV

It was barely past nine in the morning when I heard a knock from downstairs.Before Rachel even knocked, I had heard her voice already.

Mrs. Chen the head maid laughed at something she had said, and I smiled to myself. There were only two people in my life who could walk into my house like they owned it. My father had been one of them. Rachel was the other.

I had barely stepped out of my room when she looked up, folded her arms, and frowned dramatically.

“No.”

I blinked.

“I haven’t even said good morning.”

“You don’t need to.” She looked me up and down again before shaking her head. “Go back upstairs.”

I leaned against the railing.

“And why should I do that?”

“Well…she waved her hands up and down signaling me to look at what I had on.”you have to change.”

“I am changed.”

“Asia…” she sighed as though I was the most difficult person she’d ever met. “We’re going shopping…you can’t wear that.”

“Clothes...I can’t wear clothes anymore now…Racheal.”I sarcastically replied to her while still making my way down the stairs.

“I see you came all the way here to bully me before breakfast?”

“I came all the way here because Lorenzo’s birthday dinner is tomorrow night, and if you show up wearing another one of your boardroom outfits, I’m pretending I don’t know you.”

I pulled out a chair and sat down at the dining table while Mrs. Chen placed a glass of orange juice in front of me.

“Thank you.”

Rachel ignored the drink completely.

“Did you hear what I said?”

“I heard every word.”

“And?”

“I’m still wearing whatever I want.”

She stared at me for a long second before looking at Mrs. Chen.

“You’ve been taking care of her all this time. Tell me honestly… does she own anything that isn’t black, white or beige?”

Mrs. Chen tried very hard not to smile.

“I think madam prefers simple colours.”

Rachel gasped.

“Even you called them simple.”

I nearly choked on my drink.

Mrs. Chen covered her mouth politely before excusing herself back into the kitchen, leaving Rachel looking personally offended by my wardrobe.

“Lorenzo is your brother,” I reminded her. “He’s inviting me because we’re friends. He’s not grading my outfit.”

Rachel leaned across the table.

“My brother is hosting half the city’s business community tomorrow night.”

“So?”

“So,” she repeated, “I’d like my best friend to look like the successful woman she actually is instead of someone’s accountant or a butler.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t dress like an accountant or a butler but if I did I’d be a sexy butler.”I said with a smile at the tip of my lips.

“I can’t lie you do…but tomorrow that’ll have to change.”

She reached across the table and stole a piece of toast from my plate.

“You’ve hidden in this house long enough. Today we’re leaving. First brunch, then shopping.

“I still have work.”

“That can wait…I need to get you looking amazing.”

I looked at her.

“And if I say no?”

“Trust me…you won’t.”She smiled before adding, “Besides, Daniel called me this morning.”

That caught my attention.

“What did he say?”

“He said everything is moving exactly as planned. The documents are being finalized, and once they’re ready, all you have to do is get a certain absent-minded husband of yours to sign where he’s told.”

I couldn’t help smiling into my cup of drink thinking about how this is almost over.

Rachel clapped her hands together shutting me out of my thoughts.

“Good. Finish breakfast.”

“After brunch…” she said, “we’re buying you clothes that really make you look sexy.