Chapter 136: Chapter 138: Unexpected Encounter
ARIA’S POV - Saturday, 11:34 AM
Aria should have known the week was going too smoothly.
After finding the perfect dress on Friday, she’d spent the evening with Damien and they had dinner at their favorite Italian restaurant.
But she’d forgotten one crucial thing: she still needed shoes and accessories.
The dress was stunning, but it deserved equally stunning accessories. And while Damien had offered to take her shopping again, she’d insisted on handling this part herself. Some small piece of independence in a situation where she often felt overwhelmed by his generosity.
So Saturday morning, she’d taken the train to Fifth Avenue, determined to find the perfect shoes and maybe a simple necklace to complement the midnight blue dress.
She was in Bergdorf Goodman, studying a display of elegant heels, when she heard the voice behind her.
"Well, well. Aria Chen. Fancy meeting you here."
She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. That voice....cold, mocking, dripping with false sweetness....was unmistakable.
Victoria Ashford.
Aria turned slowly, keeping her expression neutral despite the anxiety churning in her stomach.
Victoria looked perfect as always....designer dress, flawless makeup, her blonde hair styled in elegant waves. But there was something sharp in her eyes. Something dangerous.
"Victoria. Hello."
"Shopping for something special?" Victoria’s eyes traveled over Aria with calculated assessment. "Let me guess....Damien’s grandfather is coming to town. You need to look the part. Play dress-up in a world you don’t belong in."
Aria’s jaw tightened, but she kept her voice calm. "I’m just shopping. Same as you."
"Are we really going to pretend we’re the same? That’s adorable." Victoria stepped closer, her perfume overwhelming. "But we both know the truth. I belong in this world. I was raised for it. You’re just....what? A maid playing Cinderella? Hoping the glass slipper fits?"
"I’m not playing anything Victoria. Damien and I are together and we love each other."
"Love." Victoria laughed, the sound bitter. "You really think that’s enough? You think love conquers all? How naive." She moved to the shoe display Aria had been looking at. "Let me guess....you’re looking at these?" She picked up the exact pair Aria had been considering....elegant navy heels with a subtle crystal detail.
"They’re beautiful. Custom made by one of my favorite designers. I’ve had my eye on them for weeks." Victoria’s smile turned cruel. "I think I’ll take them."
Aria’s stomach dropped. Those shoes were perfect for her dress. The exact shade of navy, the right heel height, the subtle elegance that would complement without overwhelming.
But she wasn’t going to get into a fight over shoes. Wasn’t going to give Victoria the satisfaction.
"That’s fine," Aria said calmly. "There are other options."
"Are there? Because I think I’ll also take these....." Victoria grabbed another pair of heels from the display. "And these. And actually, I think I’ll just buy this entire display. Have them sent to my apartment. That way you can look for ’other options’ somewhere else."
The pettiness was stunning. The sheer childishness of buying an entire shoe display just to prevent Aria from having what she wanted.
"That’s....that’s ridiculous," Aria said before she could stop herself.
"Is it? I can afford it. Can you?" Victoria’s eyes gleamed with malice. "That’s the difference between us, Aria. I don’t have to worry about prices. About whether I can afford something. I just take what I want. Because I can."
"Money isn’t everything..."
"Says every person who doesn’t have it." Victoria signaled to a nearby sales associate. "Excuse me, I’d like to purchase this entire shoe display. Have everything sent to...."
"I’m sorry, Miss Ashford, but those particular shoes....." The sales associate, a polished woman in her forties, gestured to the navy heels. "Those are actually custom-made. They’re being held for another customer."
Victoria’s expression darkened. "I don’t care. I’ll pay double. Triple. Whatever it takes."
"I appreciate that, but they’re not for sale to anyone except the customer they were made for." The sales associate’s smile was professional but firm. "They were commissioned specifically, tailored to exact specifications. I can’t sell them to anyone else."
"Who commissioned them?" Victoria demanded.
The sales associate hesitated, then said, "I’m not at liberty to share client information. But if you’d like, I can show you other options that might...."
"I want those shoes. Tell me who ordered them and I’ll make them an offer they can’t refuse."
"I’m afraid that’s not possible."
Victoria’s face was turning red now, her composure cracking. "Do you know who I am? Do you know what my family...."
"I know exactly who you are, Miss Ashford. And I apologize, but my answer remains the same. Those shoes are not available."
Aria watched in stunned silence as Victoria’s mask of sophistication fell away completely, revealing the spoiled, entitled woman underneath.
"This is ridiculous! I’ll have you fired! I’ll call the manager! I’ll....."
"That won’t be necessary," a new voice cut in.
Everyone turned to find an older man in an expensive suit....clearly the store manager.....approaching with a polite but firm expression.
"Miss Ashford, I’ve been informed of the situation. The shoes in question were custom-made for another client. We cannot sell them to anyone else, regardless of price."
"I don’t care about your policies! I want those shoes!"
"I understand your frustration, but our answer is final." The manager’s tone left no room for argument. "Now, if you’d like to look at other options, we’d be happy to assist. Otherwise...."
"Otherwise what? You’ll throw me out? Do you have any idea how much money I spend in this store?"
"I’m well aware, Miss Ashford. But that doesn’t change our policies." He turned to Aria with a warmer expression. "Miss Chen? If you’d like to come with me, we have your items ready in the private viewing room."
Aria blinked. "My items?"
"Yes. The shoes you commissioned. Along with a few accessory options Mr. Blackwood thought you might like. This way, please."
Victoria’s face went from red to white to red again as understanding dawned.
The shoes were for Aria. Had been commissioned for Aria. By Damien.
"You..." Victoria turned on Aria, her eyes blazing. "This was a setup! You planned this!"
"I had no idea," Aria said honestly. "I didn’t know Damien ordered shoes for me. I came here to shop for myself."
"Liar! You....you probably told him I’d be here! Planned this whole thing to humiliate me!"
"That’s enough, Miss Ashford." The manager’s voice was sharp now. "I’m going to have to ask you to leave. You’re causing a scene and disturbing other customers."
"I’m not going anywhere until...."
"Security," the manager said calmly into his radio. "We need assistance on the third floor."
Victoria looked around, realized that other customers were staring, that she’d completely lost control in one of the most exclusive stores in New York.
Her mask snapped back into place, but her eyes....her eyes promised retribution.
"This isn’t over, Aria," she hissed. "You think you’ve won? You think Damien choosing you means anything? His Grandfather is coming home. And when he sees what you really are....when he sees that you’re just a gold-digging maid who seduced his grandson....you’ll be gone. And I’ll be there to pick up the pieces."
She swept out of the store, her head held high despite the scene she’d just caused.
Aria stood frozen, her heart pounding, Victoria’s words echoing in her mind.
"Miss Chen?" The manager’s voice was gentle now. "Are you alright?"
"I....yes. I’m fine. I’m sorry about the scene...."
"That wasn’t your fault. Miss Ashford has a reputation for.....well. Let’s just say this isn’t the first time she’s caused issues in our store." He gestured toward a private room. "Please, come see the items Mr. Blackwood arranged. I think you’ll be very pleased."
