Betty
After hours of enduring turbulence and avoiding my boss's piercing gazes from time to time, the plane finally prepared for landing.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is to inform that we are now landing at the New York international airport, the local time is 7pm, for your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened and keep the aisle cleared until we are parked at the gate” the beautiful air hostess said through the speaker.
I heaved a sigh of relief as I stepped out, the chilly winter air brushing against my face and making my cheeks flush.
Luxurious black vehicles gleamed under the airport lights, their drivers standing at attention. It felt so unreal, like this kind of opulence was something I had only seen in magazines or on TV.
Beside me, Harrison barely acknowledged the scene, keeping his face buried in a newspaper as though he hadn’t just flown across the country with me.
His furrowed brow and intense focus on the news only added to his enigmatic air. I stole a glance at him from time to time, curious. Did he feel anything at all about this trip? Did he regret asking me to come along?
I tried to distract myself, but doubts lingered. Why had I agreed to this? Sure, the offer had been tempting—a chance to escape my ordinary life as a cleaner at his company and experience something completely new.
But as I sat silently in the car beside him, the stark difference in our worlds made me question everything.
Staring outside the window, I realized why people say new York is the best city to be at Christmas, the streets were nicely decorated in beautiful Christmas lights and decorations.
Everything was so beautiful to look at that I for a moment completely forgot I was in the same car with my boss.
When the car came to a smooth halt, I looked up to see we were parked in front of an elegant boutique that was also lighted up in Christmas lights. It took me a moment to process the scene before Harrison finally spoke.
“You should find everything you’ll need for the next two weeks inside,” he said matter-of-factly.
“I brought enough clothes,” I replied, trying to sound polite while suppressing my irritation. Did he think I wasn’t prepared?
“I know you did,” he said, his gaze meeting mine briefly. His tone softened slightly as he added, “But I want you to get everything you’ll need to be by my side during this holiday. You may be just a cleaner in my company, but right now, you’re my girl, and you need to dress the part.”
His girl?
The words sent a jolt through me. Was this just a casual remark, or did it mean something more? My heart fluttered, but I didn’t dare respond.
Instead, I stepped out of the car and let myself be drawn toward the boutique.
The boutique was stunning—bright lights reflected off marble floors, and the racks of designer clothes seemed to stretch endlessly. I felt out of place as I took hesitant steps inside. Almost immediately, a sales representative approached me, their demeanor polite and professional.
“Right this way, miss,” the rep said, guiding me toward a section I hadn’t noticed before.
I was stunned to find myself in a plus-size section filled with clothing so exquisite designs I couldn’t believe it was meant for someone like me.
The fabrics felt luxurious under my fingers, and for the first time, I dared to imagine myself looking elegant, even glamorous. The sales rep was attentive, noting each item I admired and setting it aside.
By the time I finished with the clothing section, I had an armful of beautiful dresses—far more than I had ever owned in my life. I moved on to shoes, then makeup, and finally, lingerie.
The lingerie section left me feeling a bit self-conscious. I had never paid much attention to what I wore underneath my clothes; it didn’t seem to matter since no one ever saw it.
And normally, I would rather just go for grandma pant sizes like I normally do whenever I went shopping in the past, but now, as I ran my fingers over delicate lace and silk, I found myself wondering... What if someone did not care to notice? I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I selected a few pieces, trying not to overthink it.
At the counter, my heart nearly stopped when I saw the total bill. It was huge, far beyond anything I had ever spent.
Before I could even think about putting something back, Harrison appeared beside me. Without a word, he handed his card to the attendant and waited patiently as they processed the transaction.
“It’s taken care of,” he said simply, meeting my startled gaze.
The weight of the shopping bags in my hands felt heavier as we stepped outside. Guilt gnawed at me. This wasn’t my world, and every extravagant purchase reminded me of just how far removed I was from it.
I was about to sink into the plush seat of the car and wallow in my thoughts again when Harrison’s voice interrupted me.
“We need to get your hair done. Maybe a facial too,” he said.
I froze, clutching the shopping bags tighter. “My hair is fine,” I protested weakly.
“It’s beautiful,” he replied with a faint smile, “but I want it better.”
Without waiting for me to argue further, he strode toward a nearby salon. Reluctantly, I followed him into a space that could have been plucked straight out of a movie—chandeliers, marble, and an air of luxury that left me feeling like I was trespassing.
Basically they felt they needed to take extra cash from you, without you feeling guilty for paying too much for their services was present.
For hours, I was pampered in ways I’d never imagined. My hair was washed, conditioned, and styled into soft, cascading curls. My hands and feet were treated to a manicure and pedicure, and my skin glowed after a nicely done facial.
When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. I looked... beautiful. Radiant, even.
Okay, even though I hate to say it, they were worth every f*****g penny.
Harrison returned to check on me, his gaze lingering just a moment longer than usual. He didn’t say anything, but his expression spoke volumes.
“Thank you,” I said softly as we stepped outside, overwhelmed by his generosity.
“There are a thousand and one ways you can thank me better,” he said, his voice low and teasing.
My heart raced.
Was I reading too much into his words? Or was there something he wasn’t saying?
The ride to his was quiet, but this time, the silence felt charged. I couldn’t help but replay his words in my mind, overanalyzing every interaction.
When we arrived, I was awestruck. The Villa was enormous, the entire property look like something out of a storybook. Inside, the grandeur continued—marble floors, sweeping staircases, and furnishings that oozed luxury.
“This is where you’ll stay,” Harrison said as he showed me to a guest room that could rival a five-star suite.
“Why are you doing all this?” I asked, unable to contain my curiosity any longer.
He paused for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Because, I think it’s okay to have fun once in while. It’s been a long year and I think you deserve all you are getting now,” he said simply before walking away.